Seven above, it’s good to be back in Westeros!

In January, HBO premiered its newest “Game of Thrones” prequel, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” and as a sworn bannerman of George R.R. Martin, it was a must-watch for me.

We’re now two-thirds of the way through season one, and with the most climactic episode airing this weekend, I wanted to share my thoughts so far and perhaps persuade you to join us at the tourney grounds for episode five.

Set nearly a century before Daenerys Targaryen restores magic to the world and almost as long after it fades following the events of “House of the Dragon,” “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” tells a smaller, more intimate story, exploring Westeros from the perspective of its lowborn smallfolk like never before.

The tale follows two unlikely heroes, the young and naive but courageous hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his diminutive squire, Egg, on a grounded, often hilarious journey across the Seven Kingdoms.

Based on the Tales of Dunk and Egg, season one follows Martin’s first novella in the series, “The Hedge Knight.” Having read all three released novellas in anticipation of the show, I can confidently say this is one of the most faithful adaptations I’ve ever seen on screen, capturing both the humor and character-driven charm that make the books so beloved by the fan community and the author himself.

In the opening scene we meet our protagonist, Dunk (Peter Claffey), who is at a crossroads, both literal and figurative. His mentor, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), the unremarkable but honorable knight who took him in and made him his squire, has just unexpectedly died of a chill he caught while travelling. The show opens at his graveside, where Dunk is alone and uncertain of what to do next.

Standing above his grave, Dunk quietly admits, “I don’t know the right words.”

That simple line, pulled straight from the page, tells the audience everything about who Dunk is.

Throughout the story, he fumbles for words, speaking with raw honesty and the awkward sincerity of youth. He says what he feels, unpolished and unpretentious, and in doing so reveals an integrity that stands in sharp contrast to the polished speech and performative heroics of the knights and nobles around him.

With his mentor gone and no clear path forward, Dunk faces a choice about the life he wants to claim. After a period of hesitation and reflection, he gathers the knight’s gear, mounts up and rides on toward the tourney at Ashford Meadow. From that decision emerges the show’s central question: what, in truth, makes a knight? Is it their victories on the battlefield and at tournaments, or the steadfastness of their vows?

Before departing, Dunk takes a small, unglamorous pause that has drawn a lot of attention. Some viewers see Dunk’s stop to answer nature’s call as unnecessary, but I think it helps establish the series’ lighter, more human tone, and distinguish it from the darker, more serious worlds of “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon.”

While I greatly enjoyed both “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon,” and the books they are based on, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is much more approachable. It trades the sprawling political intrigue and constant high-stakes violence of its predecessors for a focus on character, humor and the lives of ordinary people navigating Westeros, making the story more personal. And its faithfulness to the books not only makes the adaptation feel authentic but also reassures fans that the story will unfold naturally and thoughtfully, unlike “House of the Dragon” or the divisive finale of “Game of Thrones.”

Showrunner Ira Parker explained that this particular moment is meant to illustrate Dunk’s nervousness and humanity as he stands on the brink of something bigger than himself, visually underlining that he’s “not a hero yet” and still a kid with a nervous stomach, which I think works wonders thematically.

From there, we follow Dunk to the Inn at the Crossroads, where a disheveled drunk ominously warns him that he has appeared in his dreams and tells him to stay away. There, he meets Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), a clever and obstinate stableboy who wants to become his squire. Dunk initially resists, but Egg proves persistent, returning to his side and quickly embroiling them both in situations that test their wits, courage and survival.

The casting of Claffey and Sol Ansell is spot on. Their on-screen chemistry is so much like what’s on page, you’d think Parker shook the book and these two fell out. The pair capture the older-brother, younger-brother dynamic of Dunk and Egg perfectly. Egg looks up to Dunk, teases him relentlessly and gets up to just enough mischief to keep their relationship lively and real.

The casting, above all, is what brings Ashford Meadow, where most of the story takes place, to life. Other standout performances include Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel “The Laughing Storm” Baratheon, whose outrageously funny, flirtatious and intellectual performance brings the larger-than-life character alive; Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle “Too-Tall,” who is exactly the girl you can imagine Dunk swooning over; and Finn Bennett as Aerion Targaryen, who perfectly embodies the aloof cruelty and ethereal beauty Martin imagined for the antagonizing young prince.

As a standalone story, you don’t need to have seen either show to follow along. While many fans of the original series and “House of the Dragon” have enjoyed it based on what I’m seeing online, it’s definitely a different viewing experience. If you loved the world of those shows but aren’t drawn to the violence, high stakes, political intrigue or dragons, this series is likely much more your speed.

There’s so much more I could share, but experiencing it firsthand is part of the fun. From the breathtaking cinematography to the heart-pounding jousts and the lively energy of the tourney, the show immerses you fully in its world — a Westeros that feels familiar yet refreshingly alive, with humor, heart and adventure.

Each episode is about 30 minutes, and all four released so far are available to stream on HBO Max. Episode five will debut this Sunday, Feb. 15, at 10 p.m. ET both HBO and HBO Max, featuring a twist you won’t want to miss. The season finale premieres the following week, Feb. 22, in the same time slot.

Be sure to tune in to find out whether Ser Duncan the Tall is really the knight he professes to be.

Hunter Smith is a Staff Reporter at The Express.