Oh, how I have loved being back in Westeros! Being a hardcore fangirl, I really appreciate being thrown back into the chaos, and this episode is an absolute roller coaster. So let’s dive in!
It’s time for the throwdown, and unsurprisingly, there’s some vomit nerves going around. It’s not easy going into a fight to the death. Poor Duncan (Peter Claffey) and newly anointed knight Raymun (Shaun Thomas) lose their cookies. The “Mommy loved you best” comment from Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings) to Baelor Targaryen (Bertie Carvel) kept me laughing for several minutes. But it was Dunk’s send-off to Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) that got me good. Repeating their back and forth from the episodes prior was the perfect callback and acknowledgement that they truly do care for each other. But they also don’t want to admit their fear.
As the energy becomes electric, we’re off, and it’s absolute mayhem. The narrowed view from Dunk’s helmet was brilliant. Showing the limiting view of the helm while engaging with the chaos all around left the audience with a fantastic, claustrophobic feeling. My adrenaline was uncomfortably high. The show moved everything along so beautifully in this episode. The action starts hard and fast as any jousting match would. The intensity is palpable like static energy in the air. But sadly and unsurprisingly, Dunk’s skills are a tad outmatched. Ok, honestly, a lot outmatched.
Mostly related to speed, as Aerion (Finn Bennett) is much smaller and lithe compared to Dunk’s tall and rather lumbering frame. Aerion “Brightflame” is quick and stabby, getting several jabs into Duncan. Aerion also doesn’t necessarily follow the typical combat style in the way Dunk is familiar with. Throwing a sword isn’t the usual one-on-one technique. He’s down, but is he out?
The flashback provides amazing context for Duncan’s character and how he comes to be under the aid of Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb). We open with Dunk and a friend (Chloe Lea) looting a battlefield. Pretty recent one, given that one gent has yet to pass. I really appreciate Duncan’s first thought being to put this person out of their suffering. Even with medical equipment now, crushing the bottom half of your body is hard to recover from. Rafe has other ideas and figures that if they can try and help him, then maybe they’ll get some coin out of it. Shock, he dies, and it’s back to looting.
They’re raising money to get to the Free Cities, and it’s finally enough. And here’s where I truly fell in love with Duncan as a character. She’s chasing this dream of something better, and he finally asks, “What if it’s all shit? Every place? What if this is the best there is?” Oof, how that hit me in the chest. Every place has its problems. Some are worse than others. For her, it doesn’t matter. She’s leaving, and if she has to leave the next place, she’ll leave that, too. Who or what else is she willing to leave?
Turns out prices have risen on boat tickets. Tariffs, I’d suspect. But suddenly, they’re back where they started. She lashes out, but Duncan reaffirms that they are in this together. Unfortunately, quick fingers also cause enemies, and one finds them. In the tussle, Rafe’s dreams of escape are lost. I knew it was coming, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t absolutely sob when it happened. People aren’t allowed to have dreams in Westeros. Not without losing things in the process. Here’s where Ser Arlan enters the picture, saving Duncan’s life and drunkenly stumbling off. But Arlan piques Dunk’s curiosity, and after hilariously stalking him a while, the two interact. “Get up.” And does he ever.
The action begins to escalate again, and Duncan is just getting his shit wrecked. I had to pause at one point and remind myself that I know he doesn’t die. He obviously doesn’t die, but oh man, they are going to make it as hard as possible to recover from this, apart from losing a limb or being covered in burns or something. Mind you, this is medieval era medicine. So, leeches and bleeding and all sorts of questionable choices are what’s going to get you healed. But he does get some licks in on Aerion. I loved it when the whore (Rowan Robinson) jumped up and cheered. Duncan might not have a lot of allies, but some people do care. It’s not enough. He’s down again, and you have to wonder if this might really be it. But it can’t be? He doesn’t die? Egg’s pleading made my heart weak. “Get up.”
How I love this man. He just can’t give up. And you can tell now that Aerion is scared. He’s been injured far less than Duncan, but the fact that Duncan has been injured this much and is still going is not good for Aerion. Using the energy he’s used being fast and moving quickly means his energy could be depleted before Duncan’s is. And wouldn’t you know? Aerion gets a little bit smacked around and yields before the hedge knight takes his life. Which he has every lawful reason to do, should he wish. But that’s not who Duncan is, and he extends mercy. In the aftermath, Baelor comes to see him, and Dunk immediately bends the knee. Any prince who would stand behind him is a prince he would stand behind. And Baelor admits he needs good men. But sadly, not for long. The bash to the back of the helm did more damage than believed, and as Baelor dies in his arms, Duncan can say nothing else besides “I’m sorry.” And as another Targaryen is lost to familicide, we have to wonder what’s next for Dunk and the realm.
My husband chuckled at my notes when asked if it was for this show. When I said, “Yes, why?” He responded, “All I can read easily is FUCK. In all caps.” I’m not naive enough to believe things will be smooth sailing from here. This is Westeros. But I’ll be here for every single moment.
