A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: a smaller, lighter Westeros spinoff

James Poniewozik of The New York Times reviews HBO's Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which begins Sunday on HBO and takes a deliberately smaller, lighter approach to Westeros. Poniewozik writes that most episodes run about a half-hour and that, while HBO calls it a drama, the series is “almost” a comedy.

The story centers on Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), a towering, sweet-natured hedge knight who, penniless and without armor, decides to enter a provincial tournament after the death of a rough knight he had served. Along the way he reluctantly takes on Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), a scrawny, sarcastic boy who becomes his squire.

An early scene, Poniewozik notes, undercuts the familiar stirring score of Game of Thrones by showing Dunk relieving himself behind a tree. Poniewozik describes the series as fast-paced and formally different from its predecessors, using quick cutaways, flashbacks, setup-punchline gags and even moments of jazz.

He notes that the show was adapted by George R.R. Martin and Ira Parker from Martin's prequel stories, and that thematic links to Game of Thrones remain — a jaded view of power and chivalry and an interest in the ingloriousness of seeking glory. Supporting standouts include Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Plummer and Bertie Carvel as Baelor Targaryen.

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Culture, A Knight, Ser Duncan, Egg, George R.r. Martin, Hbo