The season one finale of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms appeared to support a popular fan theory about Ser Duncan the Tall, but according to co-creator and showrunner Ira Parker, that wasn’t the goal. While the episode concluded with a quiet tone following Baelor Targaryen’s death in the trial by combat, it still included some significant developments: Egg ran away from home again, Raymun Fossoway married Rowan, and it was established that Ser Arlan of Pennytree never officially knighted Dunk.
At first glance, it appeared Dunk hadn’t been knighted. The flashback clearly showed him questioning the dying Arlan about why he wasn’t, without ever getting a response. I, and many others, took this to mean Dunk never received a knighthood. However, in an interview with Collider, the creator, Parker, clarified that wasn’t what he intended to convey with that scene.
I find it interesting how people interpreted that scene. At that point, Dunk hadn’t been officially knighted by Ser Arlan. Dunk asks why he was never knighted, and then Ser Arlan appears to die, seemingly ending the moment. However, he returns, and the scene continues with him telling Dunk to fetch his sword before presumably knighting him. The scene deliberately doesn’t confirm whether the knighting actually happens. That’s exactly what the author, George R.R. Martin, wanted – to leave it open to interpretation so viewers can decide for themselves.
Danny Webb is incredible – he’s a true talent. He completely embodies the character of Arlan; no other actor could have played the part so well. His performance was flawless, right up until the character’s death. The story will explore what truly makes a knight – whether the title is simply given, or if it must be earned, even after receiving it. Can someone become a true knight even without ever being formally recognized as one?
Does It Matter If Dunk Was Never Really Knighted?
It’s important to distinguish between what the show intended to communicate and how viewers interpreted it. I believe the scene confirmed Dunk wasn’t knighted because both the show and the books had heavily hinted at that possibility beforehand. It’s actually surprising that George R.R. Martin wanted to keep it ambiguous, as it felt more like a well-supported conclusion than just a fan theory – there was a lot of evidence suggesting it all along.
The story reveals Dunk won’t bestow knighthood upon Raymun Fossoway. While Arlan claims to have acted in a certain way at a specific time, the narrative never actually shows him doing so. Dunk also struggles with intense desires, admitting he’d be capable of telling a significant lie to achieve his goals, and even questions his own status, feeling he isn’t worthy of being a knight.
It’s a complicated issue, but ultimately it mostly affects Dunk himself. If he’s pretending to be a knight when he isn’t, that’s a burden he has to carry. However, that’s also kind of the whole point of his story – the irony is that even though he’s not officially a knight, he embodies the true spirit of one.
He embodies all the best qualities of a knight – honor, courage, and a dedication to protecting those who can’t protect themselves – perhaps even more so than many actual knights. This drive could stem from his lack of a formal knighthood, fueling his desire to prove his worth. However, it’s also simply because he’s a good person, raised with strong values by Ser Arlan, regardless of whether or not he was officially knighted.
It will be fascinating to see if Dunk is ever officially knighted in the future. The story establishes that a king has the power to bestow knighthood, and it would be a fitting moment if Dunk received it privately from Egg, who later becomes King Aegon V Targaryen. However, the creators may choose to keep this aspect of his story ambiguous, and we might not see it happen. Regardless, Dunk embodies the qualities of a true knight.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 will release on HBO and HBO Max in 2027.
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2026-02-24 19:42