Small Prophets and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms have one lovely thing in common

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At first glance, there don’t seem to be many connections between Small Prophets and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Mackenzie Crook’s new BBC Two sitcom is a funny, contemporary story about a man who secretly grows tiny, human-like creatures in his shed. These little beings can surprisingly predict what’s going to happen next.

Unlike the original Game of Thrones, the new spin-off takes place around 100 years earlier, in the year 209 AC. The story unfolds in the Ashford region, and centers on a humble knight who unexpectedly meets a young boy hiding a royal lineage.

There aren’t many real similarities, really. It mostly shares a playful tone, a few unusual characters, and a bit of silliness.

Despite their differences, both stories share something heartwarming, especially now when people seem so divided: they beautifully portray the joy of finding friendship in unexpected places.

Both stories begin with characters – Michael Sleep and Ser Duncan the Tall (called Dunk) – who are deeply lonely when we first encounter them.

I’m really feeling for this guy. It’s been almost seven years since his girlfriend, Clea, just vanished – and on Christmas Eve, no less. He keeps busy, helping people at the hardware store and visiting his sweet dad in the care home, but honestly, he seems completely alone. He doesn’t really have any friends, and you can just sense he’s still heartbroken.

Except for his three horses, he’s utterly alone, as his teacher, the former hedge knight Ser Arlan of Pennytree, has unexpectedly died.

But eventually, companionship seeks them both out from the unlikeliest of sources.

Michael and his new colleague, Kacey, get off to a rocky start when Michael misinterprets her insult. Kacey was actually directing the comment at their boss, Gordon, who was teasing Michael, but Michael wrongly assumed it was meant for him. Not a great first impression!

A little later, in the staff room, they started chatting after she jokingly asked if his beard itched – it did look like it might! The conversation then took an unexpected turn when he playfully claimed to have been an underwater welder in a previous life.

It’s not the kind of situation that usually leads to a strong friendship. Most people either find Michael strange or think he’s teasing them, causing them to quickly walk away – it’s almost as if he pushes them away himself. But Kacey is different; she’s drawn to him, and that creates a truly remarkable connection between them.

Peace Quigley, who plays Michael, explained to TopMob that she enjoys how her character actively goes after what she wants, highlighting her determination and curiosity.

She’s curious about who he is and, more specifically, what he’s up to in his shed. Despite the mystery, they have a warm and affectionate connection.

Then there’s Egg – first name: Aegon. Second name: Targaryen – who also pursues Dunk.

At first, Egg was willing to travel with just about anyone who could offer him an escape from his family and a chance for adventure. But things shifted after a night spent camping under the stars, sharing large sandwiches, and simply talking – about everything and nothing – while sitting close together.

The cadence of their conversations is one of the show’s great joys.

Egg realizes Dunk isn’t truly threatening when he pretends to be – a surprising discovery in the harsh world of Westeros, especially within a powerful family constantly facing pressure and danger.

He speaks to Egg respectfully and without hidden motives, a contrast to how his own family – particularly Prince Aerion – behaves. He approaches the conversation openly, without the apprehension common when commoners speak to Targaryens.

At first, Dunk doesn’t recognize Egg, but Egg quickly gets to know him and becomes certain that Dunk is the one for him – something Dunk isn’t accustomed to.

While people might be curious about Egg, they generally have no interest in Dunk. He’s unimportant and often ignored or made fun of. But Egg is different – Egg always cares.

As the Trial of Seven begins, Dunk tells Egg, “You better be here when I return,” not because he needs anything, but because he knows Egg will be going through a hard time and wants to offer him comfort. Even with everything he’s about to endure, Dunk’s thoughts are with Egg.

As we’ve noted, Egg is a Targaryen, making their close, almost familial bond – some, like the actor Dexter Sol Ansell, even describe it as a father-son relationship – unusual. It doesn’t quite fit that Dunk, a commoner, would be so close to Egg, who is destined to rule as king.

It shouldn’t happen. It cannot happen – and yet.

They’re different in more ways than just their backgrounds and what they’ve been through in life. Egg naturally comes across as confident and assertive, something Dunk struggles with. Egg is a bit quirky, while Dunk is straightforward and uncomplicated. Plus, their age difference would likely make it hard for them to become friends, even for people who were more open-minded.

What I love about stories like ‘Dunk and Egg’ or even seeing Michael and Kacey connect is that age really doesn’t seem to matter. Even with big differences, they just get each other, like they’re on the same wavelength. It’s proof that connection isn’t about years, it’s about something deeper.

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While everyone else in the pub gives Michael strange looks when he slurredly claims he’s creating tiny people, Kacey is genuinely curious. She talks to him differently than others do – not to make fun of him, or to feel superior, but because she actually wants to understand.

People listen to him with real interest, and as they hear his story, they begin to feel sympathy and wish he and Clea could be reunited.

Kacey is the one who gives him the courage to ask the minor prophets about Clea – whether her feelings for him remain and if she plans to return. He’s initially too worried to go through with it, especially as time slips away, but she pushes him forward, much like Egg always forces Dunk to get up after a brutal fight, such as the one where Aerion’s flail nearly defeated him.

While others may have exploited Michael and his followers, Kacey genuinely likes him for who he is, and he feels the same way about her. It’s a straightforward connection based on mutual attraction.

The relationship between Dunk and Egg is wonderfully simple, even though they’re caught up in complicated situations. This straightforwardness is a refreshing change from the constant power plays and conspiracies that define the world of Thrones.

With the world feeling a little lacking in joy and wonder right now, the surprising friendships that develop between Michael and Kacey, and Dunk and Egg – especially when they need each other most – are a welcome and heartwarming boost.

Authors

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor at TopMob, where she writes about TV dramas and comedies. Before joining TopMob, she worked as a TV writer for Digital Spy and a content writer for Mumsnet. She has a degree and a postgraduate diploma in English Studies.

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2026-02-17 21:07