Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 3.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms may seem like it’s just begun, but Episode 3, “The Squire,” marks the halfway point with a major reveal about Egg’s (Dexter Sol Ansell) identity. Throughout the first two episodes, Dunk’s (Peter Claffey) character has been a kind, if occasionally awkward, man, but Episode 3 cements him as the kind of hero Westeros needs. The latest episode picks up the morning after the first joust, following along the hedge knight’s journey. Though it leans into Episode 2’s easy pace, Episode 3 finally gets to the heart of the story as Dunk stands up against Prince Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), ending the installment on a high note. With Dunk and Egg’s dynamic clearly established before the dramatic final scene, Episode 3 also propels the story into the back half of the season, finally bringing Dunk into the show’s action.
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 3 Puts the Spotlight on Egg
As Episode 3 starts, Egg is taking his squiring duties seriously, rising before Dunk and taking his warhorse, Thunder, to train. Though Thunder is uncooperative at first, Egg remains determined to do everything he can to help Dunk succeed. He reminds Thunder that they are all Dunk has, and eventually trains him to charge on command. Egg even practices his role, lifting the weapons that are bigger than he is so that Dunk can reach them from horseback. Egg’s dedication proves that he is more than a mouthy kid with dreams of being a knight, showing that he can work hard and that he cares for Dunk. Yet, while he is training, Egg meets a new knight, Ser Robyn Rhysling, known as the maddest knight in the Seven Kingdoms, whom he recognizes by an eye patch that hides an old tourney injury. However, Egg doesn’t appreciate it when the knight calls him small, but insists that Ser Duncan the Tall is large enough for them both.
While his training session shows how much Egg cares, it is entirely in character for him, especially as he returns to an irritated Dunk, who tells him not to wander off on his own again. When Egg notices that Dunk is sewing his own patch on his own clothes, Dunk teaches him how to sew and demonstrates other squire tasks. Though Dunk is ready to go to his joust, Egg points out that he cannot participate on the first day, as that is for knights of high birth or renowned. Instead, the pair spends the rest of the day together, with Egg teasing Dunk when he makes a fool of himself in front of Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford), again, and watching jousts. After a full day of squire and knight activities, Dunk compliments Egg’s work, which raises Egg’s hopes of going with Dunk after the tourney, yet Dunk is not confident enough to promise anything. Through these scenes, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms explores the unlikely friendship between the show’s two main characters, showing their unique dynamic.
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Has 1 Crucial Story That You Need To Know To Understand the Show
This war is crucial for understanding how we got here.
The Tourney Continues in ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 3
As Dunk’s turn to joust nears, he worries about his chances, but Plummer (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) offers the hedge knight a solution. With the event’s host, Lord Ashford (Paul Hunter), having overspent, Plummer has a scheme to rig Dunk’s victory, allowing Ashford to earn money from the bets. Plummer promises that if Dunk challenges Ashford’s son, Androw, he will throw the match, but Dunk refuses, showing his sense of knightly honor. Even if this would greatly improve Dunk’s situation, he wants to earn his victory.
As the events continue, Aerion Targaryen issues his challenge, briefly trying to intimidate his cousin, Valarr (Oscar Morgan), before choosing Ser Humfrey Hardyng (Ross Anderson). As the two knights charge, Egg’s call for Aerion’s death shocks Dunk, but that isn’t the most violent twist. Aerion plays dirty, aiming his lance to attack Humfrey’s horse, causing the poor creature to fall on Humfrey’s leg. This trick gives Aerion the victory, albeit a messy one. As horrific as the moment is, it shows the audience exactly the kind of person Aerion is. His behavior incites a riot as members of the crowd jump the fence, yet Egg asks to leave before they have to watch the horse be put down. Dunk understands Egg’s reaction to the bloody event, but his reminder that accidents happen prompts Egg to claim that Aerion’s brutality was intentional, suggesting that he may know the prince better than he has let on.
Afterward, the pair continues to spend time together, debating the dirty song that Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings) performs, as Egg shows off his intellectual side. Yet their bonding is interrupted by a fortune-teller who predicts Dunk’s great success, saying he will be richer than a Lannister; however, Egg’s prediction isn’t so sunny. She tells Egg he will be king, but everyone who knows him will celebrate his death. Though Dunk laughs it off, Egg takes his ominous fortune seriously.
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 3 Proves Egg Isn’t What He Seemed
On the way to pick up Dunk’s new shield, Raymun Fossoway (Shaun Thomas) stops the two to invite Dunk for a drink of cider, so Egg goes to fetch the shield while Dunk visits with his friend. They talk of the tourney, and Raymun shares Egg’s belief that what Aerion did was intentional. He has no love for the Targaryens and gets carried away in his ranting. Raymun goes even further by saying Aerion only dared to do that because his father, Maekar (Sam Spruell), left to search for his missing sons, though Dunk isn’t particularly concerned. As Raymun discusses the royal family, he even throws in the show’s first direct reference to Aemon (Peter Vaughan), who appears in Game of Thrones.
However, while Dunk gets to know his new friend, Egg’s experience isn’t quite so pleasant. While Egg watches Tanselle’s show, waiting to pick up the shield until the end, Aerion enters the tent. Egg rushes to get Dunk’s help, as Aerion attacks Tanselle and the rest of the performers for telling a story where a dragon loses, which he calls treacherous. Dunk pushes his way in, intending to defend the innocent as any knight should, to find Aerion stabbing Tanselle’s hand and breaking her fingers. Enraged, he attacks the prince, and it takes three knights to hold him back. Aerion plans retribution for Dunk, but Egg interrupts, demanding they leave Dunk alone. Despite Dunk’s orders to run, Egg confidently calls off the knights, revealing himself to be Aegon Targaryen, one of Maekar’s missing sons.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is streaming on HBO Max with new episodes on Sundays.
- Release Date
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January 18, 2026
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Ira Parker
- Directors
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Owen Harris
- Writers
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George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker
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Peter Claffey
Ser Duncan ‘Dunk’ the Tall
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- Egg takes center stage in Episode 3, showing his affection for Dunk and dedication to his role.
- Episode 3 cements Dunk and Egg’s friendship, giving them heartfelt bonding moments.
- The episode highlights Dunk’s undeniable honor, proving that he is the truest knight in the series.
- Episode 3 introduces two interesting new knights, but does little to explore either of them.