The second episode of HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has shifted the series, moving the focus from the humble road to the highborn politics of Westeros. The arrival of a Targaryen royal party at the Ashford tournament grounds changes everything for the hopeful hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his mysterious squire, Egg.
New Targaryen Characters and Key Connections
The episode, titled “Hard Salt Beef,” introduces several members of the royal family. The most prominent is Prince Baelor Targaryen, played by Bertie Carvel. Baelor is the eldest son of King Daeron II Targaryen and the heir to the Iron Throne. He becomes a crucial ally for Dunk, as he is the only noble at the tournament who remembers and will vouch for Dunk’s late master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree.
Arriving with Baelor is his brother, Prince Maekar Targaryen, played by Sam Spruell. Maekar is the king’s fourth son. He is accompanied by his own son, Prince Aerion, played by Finn Bennett. The episode mentions that two of Maekar’s other sons, Daeron and Aegon, are absent.
These introductions are significant for longtime fans. Maekar Targaryen is the great-great-grandfather of Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. Furthermore, one of Maekar’s sons not seen in the episode is Aemon, who was sent to the Citadel. He later becomes Maester Aemon of the Night’s Watch, the wise elder Jon Snow befriends in the original series. Baelor’s son, Prince Valarr, is also seen participating in the tournament’s joust.
The Show’s Place in Westerosi History
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set approximately **one hundred years before the events of *Game of Thrones. The Ashford Tournament takes place in the year *209 AC* (After the Conquest). This places it about **78 years after the Targaryen civil war depicted in *House of the Dragon, which lasted from 129 to 131 AC.
This historical context is important. The story occurs nearly 50 years after the last dragons were seen in Westeros. While House Targaryen still rules from the Iron Throne, their power no longer carries the overwhelming threat of dragonfire. The current king is Daeron II, known as Daeron the Good. His great-grandparents are House of the Dragon‘s Queen Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon Targaryen.
“He seems super pleased,” actor Peter Claffey (Dunk) said of meeting George R.R. Martin on set. “I was a massive fan… as long as he’s happy, it’s his creation. He seems to be really happy, which is great.”
Expanding the World of Westeros
Beyond the Targaryens, the episode continues to build connections to other great houses. Ser Lyonel Baratheon, the Laughing Storm, remains a jovial companion to Dunk and Egg. He is the great-grandfather of the future King Robert Baratheon. The show has also featured Lord Leo Tyrell of Highgarden and made mention of Lord Damon Lannister of Casterly Rock, known as the Grey Lion, who is the great-great-grandfather of Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion Lannister.
The second episode solidified the bond between Dunk and Egg. In a lighter moment, the pair are roped into a tug-of-war by Lyonel Baratheon. The take used in the episode featured a real accident where Claffey accidentally bonked co-star Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg) in the eye with his nose during a celebration.
Also Read:
Series Reception and Future
The series premiered on January 18, 2026, and has already been renewed for a second season slated for 2027. It holds a strong 95% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, described as a “welcome return to Westeros.” However, its audience score is lower, with some viewers noting the show’s tone is more comedic and less grim than previous Game of Thrones adaptations.
New episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms air Sundays on HBO. The series promises to continue exploring this earlier, less familiar era of Westerosi history, bridging the gap between the dragon-filled war of House of the Dragon and the established world of Game of Thrones.
Also Read: Elle Prequel Series Gets July 1 Release Date on Prime Video with Early Season 2 Renewal
For more stories about your favorite shows and the latest updates from the world of entertainment, keep reading VvipTimes.
