Introduction

When that legendary series, Game of Thrones, wrapped up its epic run in 2019, HBO was faced with a tantalizing dilemma. Should they dive into new stories set after the grand finale or weave tales from the past? Spoiler alert: they chose to explore the prequels!

What’s Cooking with This Prequel?

After a couple of highly publicized flops in the development kitchen, they finally settled on House of the Dragon, which dishes out the spicy drama of the Targaryen civil war, aka the Dance of the Dragons, about 150 years before our beloved Daenerys was even a twinkle in a dragon’s eye. But wait, there’s even more! Enter the upcoming six-episode series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, serving as both a prequel to Game of Thrones and a sequel to House of the Dragon. Talk about having your cake and eating it too!

The Adventures of Dunk and Egg

Based on George R.R. Martin’s charming novellas known as “Tales of Dunk and Egg,” this show takes us to a Westeros where the last of the Targaryens’ fire-breathing buddies are long gone, but before Daenerys’s trio of dragons make their big entrance. We’ll follow the lovable hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall (you can call him Dunk), and his not-so-tall squire, Egg, who just might be destined for greatness. They are about to head off to the amusingly chaotic Tourney at Ashford Meadow—so grab your popcorn!

Setting the Scene in Westeros

Time in Westeros is a bit like its weather: unpredictable. But here’s the scoop: their calendar is split into AC (After Aegon’s Conquest) and BC (Before Aegon’s Conquest). Game of Thrones kicks off in 298 AC, while House of the Dragon is set between 101 AC and 131 AC. Now, hold onto your hats because A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms picks up the story in 209 AC. This means the remnants of the Dance of the Dragons still echo in the air like a nasty case of déjà vu.

Who’s on the Iron Throne?

At this point in the timeline, the Targaryen clan is still lounging on the Iron Throne, with King Daeron II at the helm. But let’s be honest, their power’s waned—the last dragons were extinguished like birthday candles during one of those infamous family squabbles between Rhaenyra and Aegon II. As you’d expect, this dragon-less era makes the regular folk a tad braver, and you can bet the Targaryens aren’t winning any popularity contests.

Pitfalls of the Blackfyre Rebellion

As if the Targaryens didn’t have enough drama, they’re also grappling with the Blackfyre Rebellion. Enter Daemon Blackfyre, an illegitimate son born to King Aegon IV. Daemon fancied himself the rightful heir after his dad, despite being blessed with the family’s coveted Valyrian blade. This led to a whole kerfuffle with lords rallying behind him. Spoiler alert: he didn’t last long, but his sons live on—like that pesky itch you can’t scratch, always causing more trouble.

Connecting the Dots with Game of Thrones

Now, you might think that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms being set 80 years prior to Game of Thrones keeps the flagship characters out of the picture. Mostly true, but there are a few notable exceptions! You’ll get to meet some of Prince Maekar’s brood, including the audibly thirsty Prince Aerion and the party-loving Prince Daeron. And don’t forget about Egg—the future King Aegon V! Oh, and let’s not overlook Maester Aemon, who famously uttered “Egg, I dreamt that I was old,” referring to his younger brother from the novellas.

Who’s That Mysterious Bloodraven?

Another character you might bump into, assuming the show gets to season three, is Brynden Rivers—aka Bloodraven. This dude, nicknamed after his red-eyed, albino appearance, is believed to wield some serious wizardry. He goes on to become the Three-Eyed Crow, so you know he’s got a wild ride ahead!

Conclusion

Do you need to know all this juicy background to enjoy A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? Nah! The series is primarily about the zany misadventures of Dunk and Egg. Still, isn’t it nice to be armed with some fun trivia? Don’t forget to tune in—new episodes drop Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, wrapping up their inaugural season on February 22. Happy watching!