It's an emotional episode for Dunk, who is going through a hard time that gets harder.

Takeaways From This Week

• The episode explores serious themes and character depth.
• Dunk's optimism contrasts with the dark situations he faces.
• Securing allies is crucial to Dunk's success.
• The knighting scene highlights the importance of honour.
• Dunk represents one of the few genuinely good characters in Westeros.
• The episode sets up significant events for future episodes.
• The use of music enhances the show's emotional moments.
• Character connections are vital for plot development.
• The humour in the episode balances its serious tone.
• Predictions about character fates add suspense to the narrative.

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: Seven
• Synopsis: Dunk angers the Targaryens and demands trial by combat. When Aerion calls for a trial of seven, Dunk must find six warriors to join him in battle.
• Director: Sarah Adina Smith
• Writer: Aziza Barnes, Annie Julia Wyman, Ira Parker
• Cast: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Daniel Ings, Shaun Thomas, Tanzyn Crawfor, Danny Webb, Henry Ashton

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: https://explosionnetwork.com/support

A huge reveal about Egg's past comes in episode three of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and Dylan tries very hard to make sense of what a fortune teller said.

Takeaways From This Week

• The episode focuses on the friendship between Dunk and Egg.
• Egg's character is developed, revealing his knowledge and compassion.
• A major antagonist is introduced, raising the stakes for Dunk.
• The reveal of Egg's Targaryen lineage adds depth to the plot.
• Foreshadowing hints at future conflicts and character arcs.
• The fortune teller's predictions create intrigue for the series' direction.
• The episode balances plot-heavy moments with character exploration.
• Themes of violence and its impact on characters are explored.
• The songs in the episode serve as a narrative device and thematic commentary.
• The hosts express excitement for the next episode and its developments.

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: The Squire
• Synopsis: Ser Duncan prepares for the tournament, and much more is revealed about Egg.
• Director: Owen Harris
• Writer: Hiram Martinez, Ira Parker, Annie Julia Wyman
• Cast: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Daniel Ings, Shaun Thomas, Tanzyn Crawfor, Danny Webb, Henry Ashton

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: https://explosionnetwork.com/support

In the second episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Dunk gets a yes, but we're still an episode away from seeing him take part in the games.

Takeaways From This Week

• The show's pacing is slower than in the previous series.
• Dunk's character is portrayed as a sincere and somewhat bumbling knight.
• Egg's background hints at a deeper connection to the Targaryens.
• The jousting competition is set to be a brutal and significant event.
• Character interactions provide both humour and depth to the story.
• Foreshadowing is evident in Dunk's journey andthe challenges ahead.
• The series is building towards a climax with the jousting competition.
• Dunk's motivations are tied to proving himself and honouring his master.
• The dynamic between Dunk and Egg adds a layer of charm to the narrative.
• The show has been renewed for a second season, indicating potential for further character development.

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: Hard Salt Beef
• Synopsis: Dunk appeals to various lords in order to gain entrance into the tournament, but Egg advises him to hold onto his pride. When the Targaryens arrive at Ashford, Dunk seizes his moment with Prince Baelor.
• Director: Owen Harris
• Writer: Aziza Barnes, Ira Parker
• Cast: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Daniel Ings, Shaun Thomas, Tanzyn Crawfor, Danny Webb, Henry Ashton

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: https://explosionnetwork.com/support

We discuss the premiere episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which offers a more comedic and light-hearted take on the Game of Thrones world and Westeros.

Takeaways From This Week

• This series has a lighter tone than previous shows.
• Dunk is a relatable character with dreams and anxieties.
• The 30-minute runtime makes the episode feel brisk and engaging.
• The interactions between Dunk and Egg are humorous and endearing.
• Baratheon is portrayed as a party-loving character, a departure from the serious tone of previous Baratheons.

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: The Hedge Knight
• Synopsis: On his journey to the forthcoming tournament in Ashford, Dunk meets a clever young boy named Egg, who offers to be his squire.
• Director: Owen Harris
• Writer: Ira Parker
• Cast: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Daniel Ings, Shaun Thomas, Tanzyn Crawfor, Danny Webb, Henry Ashton

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: https://explosionnetwork.com/support

The season finale has left a few fans disappointed, especially with a long wait for what's next. But were Dylan and Ashley left as disgruntled? Listen to find out! And what they thought of the season as a whole.

Takeaways From This Week

• The season finale focuses on setting up the pieces for Season 3
• The episode features memorable quotes and amusing scenes
• There is a possibility of a peaceful resolution to the war
• Daemon's realization that there are bigger things in the world than the crown serves as the crux of the episode. Rhanera decides to go find Aegon and confront him
• The scene between Alicent and Rhanera is tense and filled with sharp dialogue
• The future of the show is uncertain, with war looming and characters in danger
• A teaser for the spin-off show, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, was released

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: The Queen Who Ever Was
• Synopsis: As Aemond becomes more volatile, Larys plots an escape, and Alicent grows more concerned about Helaena's safety. Flush with new power, Rhaenyra looks to press her advantage.
• Director: Geeta Patel
• Writer: Sara Hess
• Cast: Emma D'Arcy, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Sonoya Mizuno, Matthew Needham, Tom-Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Kurt Egyiawan, Abubakar Salim, Clinton Liberty, Kieran Bew, Ellora Torchia, Tom Bennett

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

In the penultimate episode of the season, we get alllllllll the dragons.

Takeaways From This Week

• The episode focuses on the development of the dragon riders and the war for the Iron Throne.
• Alicent's storyline is explored, but her character's purpose is unclear.
• Damon's character shows growth and vulnerability.
• The opening scene with Rhaenyra and Adam of Hull sets the tone for the episode.
• The significance of lineage and bastards is discussed. Elitism is a prominent theme in House of the Dragon, with the noble folk believing they are more deserving of being dragon riders.
• The moral dilemma of sacrificing lives for the greater good is explored, with Rhaneyra making the choice to potentially lose a few randoms to win the war.
• The introduction of new dragon riders, such as Ulf, adds excitement and unpredictability to the story.
• Lena's storyline of searching for a wild dragon adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative.
• The upcoming season finale is highly anticipated, with the potential for a major battle and the resolution of various storylines.

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: The Red Sowing
• Synopsis: The war for the Iron Throne escalates, and Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, in a crucial gamble, is prepared to risk everything in her urgent quest for dragon riders.
• Director: Loni Peristere
• Writer: David Hancock
• Cast: Emma D'Arcy, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Sonoya Mizuno, Matthew Needham, Tom-Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Kurt Egyiawan, Abubakar Salim, Clinton Liberty, Kieran Bew, Ellora Torchia, Tom Bennett

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

It seems we'll be seeing some new dragons in the coming episodes, or at least one with a new rider, as things get ready to heat up.

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: Smallfolk
• Synopsis: With few options left, Rhaenyra embarks on a risky venture while Aemond takes steps to reshape the Green Council.
• Director: Andrij Parekh
• Writer: Eileen Shim
• Cast: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Matthew Needham, Sonoya Mizuno, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Phia Saban, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Jefferson Hall, Kurt Egyiawan

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Following the intense finale from last week, this episode leaves Dylan a bit sour, especially when it comes to Daemon's story.

Takeaways From This Week

• Damon's storyline is the weakest element of the show
• The Greens are strategizing to fill a void on Agon's council
• Character moments reveal power dynamics and shifting alliances
• Dragon blood is needed to ride the dragons

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: Regent
• Synopsis: Amid whispers of bad omens, the Greens consider how to fill a void on Aegon's Council. Jacaerys sets out on a rogue mission to strike a deal. Daemon enlists Lord Willem Blackwood to help persuade the Brackens to bend the knee..
• Director: Clare Kilner
• Writer: Ti Mikkel
• Cast: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Matthew Needham, Sonoya Mizuno, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Phia Saban, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Jefferson Hall, Kurt Egyiawan

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion