OK I am going to admit something that borders on the embarrassing. Even if it isn't embarrassing, I would imagine anyone who knows the content I like will find it utterly shocking.
You never watched Game of Thrones Sir? How is that possible Sir?
Hello. My name is Hanshotfirst, and I... have only watched the first season of Game of Thrones. Perhaps some day I will write the full rant of why I angrily boycotted that show after one season, but today is not that today. Instead I want to write an insanely positive post about one of the best shows I have ever seen.
I very rarely binge watch shows. I like to savor them and really take my time watching them one episode at a time. My wife and I usually watch a couple of shows a night and they usually aren't the same thing. Perhaps one comedy and one drama. But last weekend was different. I turned on episode one of A Knight of the Seven Realms, and I refused to turn off the television until it was over.
As I mentioned earlier, I did watch one season of Game of Thrones. In addition my wife read all of the books and watched every episode of the show when it first ran. So I do know a little bit about the characters and the general story, but I am pretty close to a blank slate when it came to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. And let me tell you, that did not impact my enjoyment one bit. The show is just flat out awesome! Perhaps I would have liked it more if I knew a little bit more about how these characters were connected to the ones in the future, but I didn't need that crutch to enjoy the show.
Find me a better buddy duo... I'll wait.
This show makes its bones through excellent writing and incredibly interesting and likable characters. And it is a good thing the writing, story and characters are so compelling because there is almost no action in this show at all. And that was completely OK with me.
This show is just a sensation "buddy flick" where one of the buddies happens to be a 10 year old bald kid who is about as quit witted as they come while the other is a relative giant for his time. It is a medieval spin on the classic odd-couple troupe... and it is fantastic!
There were several parts of the show that had me turning to my wife to ask, is this a Game of Thrones sitcom? And I meant that as the highest compliment.
The conversations between Egg (the bald kid) and Dunk (the almost giant... he's just really big and tall) are absolutely hilarious. And then all of a sudden they will be incredibly deep and touching.
Every new place, the pair went, and every new person they met gave them another opportunity to do something fun. I could have watched that pair wander the countryside entering tournaments and getting involved in political intrigue for at least 6 or 7 more hours!
Without spoiling it too much, Dunk... who later goes by Sir Duncan the Tall is a wannabe knight who is trying to get people to vouch for him. Egg is a poor stable boy who wants to become a squire. The two of them start on an adventure to enter a tournament so Si=r Duncan the Tall can start to make a reputation for himself. Luck for him, Egg seems to know a lot about the knight game so they make a perfect team.
Although I loved the writing, the real tip of the helm should go to the people in charge of casting this show. Paul Claffey does an amazing job as the wannabe knight Sir Duncan the Tall. He plays him with such charm and you truly believe that he believes in chivalry... perhaps more than the well known knights of the time. But that is nothing compared to Dexter Sol Ansell who plays Egg.
Ansell pulls off the best work by a young actor that I have seen in a very long time. Ansell is only 10 years old and managed to pull off this role perfectly. This was no small feat considering he gets about a quarter of the lines in the show, because this show relies so much on the "buddy" relationship, casting a talented young actor was essential. And holy shit did they pull it off. He was incredible.
The only complaint that I had about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is that it ended too soon. I want more on my TV right now!