In Review: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (S1 – EP2) Hard Salt Beef

Synopsis: In Hard Salt Beef Dunk appeals to various lords in an effort to gain entry into the tournament, but Egg urges him to hold fast to his pride. When the Targaryens arrive at Ashford, Dunk seizes his moment to approach Prince Baelor.

The Story

Hard Salt Beef picks up where the previous episode left off. Ser Dunk and Egg have begun working together, but the question remains whether Dunk can secure entry into the competition. He seeks sponsorship from an established knight, hoping it will grant him a place in the tourney. Egg urges him not to abase himself for the sake of opportunity, warning that pride, once lost, is difficult to reclaim.

The camp itself hums with tension and spectacle. Knights boast, nobles scheme, and rumours swirl as the realm’s power players gather. Dunk’s outsider status leaves him vulnerable, yet his innate sense of justice and stubborn honour continue to set him apart from the more calculating men around him.

The arrival of the Targaryens dramatically shifts the balance, bringing royal authority and long-standing rivalries into sharp focus. Seizing his chance, Dunk boldly approaches Prince Baelor Breakspear, whose measured presence and reputation for fairness contrast sharply with the arrogance of many at court. Their meeting hints that Dunk’s fate may yet turn, even as unseen dangers gather around the tourney grounds.

After watching the jousting on the opening day, Dunk begins to doubt his own suitability as a knight and turns to Egg for counsel.

Acting

Peter Claffey continues to impress with his portrayal of the humble, slightly naïve Ser Dunk the Tall. The scene in which Dunk makes his case for sponsorship to Prince Baelor, recounting his former master’s jousting match with the prince, forms the emotional heart of the episode. It neatly captures Dunk’s honesty, reverence, and lack of polish in courtly settings. The moment where Baelor recalls that Ser Arlan broke four of his lances, only to be gently corrected by Dunk, insisting it was seven, is especially effective, revealing both Dunk’s sincerity and his deep respect for his former master.

Equally strong is the developing chemistry between Egg and Dunk. Dexter Sol Ansell and Claffey play off one another naturally, allowing their relationship to evolve in small but meaningful ways. As the two spend more time together, the trust between knight and squire begins to form, grounding the episode emotionally and giving weight to Dunk’s growing self-doubt as he measures himself against the realities of knighthood.

Overall

This is a solid second episode that builds confidently on the principal characters introduced in episode one, deepening both their personalities and relationships. The action beats, particularly the jousting sequences, are strong and consistently entertaining, enhanced by effective close-up camera work that adds immediacy and impact to the clashes.

One of the quieter highlights comes when Dunk and Egg visit the young woman who paints puppets, asking her to create a new sigil for Dunk’s shield after he is told he cannot use his former master’s arms, as he is not family. The scene is warm and lightly humorous, with a touching sense of transition as Dunk begins to step out of another man’s shadow. There is also a lovely moment of near embarrassment when Dunk almost puts his foot in it after becoming smitten with the young woman, only for Egg to rescue the situation with some quick thinking.

Overall, Hard Salt Beef is an enjoyable episode that adds texture and emotional depth, layering doubt, pride, and growing trust onto its central characters while keeping the tone engaging and fun.