A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, “Seven”, Review!

“Seven”, the fourth episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.  It is directed by Sarah Adina Smith, who directed last episode, and written by Aziza Barnes. She co-wrote the second ep and Annie Julia Wayman, who was a writer on the last ep. Executive producer, Ira Parker, is also the episode’s writer. Seven of course refers to the Faith of the Seven, which was brought to Westeros by the Andals. Also, a reference to what we will see later. Re:cap "The Squire"; Prince Aerion, who was brutal in the first joust, he stabbed Ser Humfrey Hardyng’s horse in the neck with his lance! This was stunning in the novella where the lance went through the horse’s neck! Egg, who was the focus of the episode, was angry at Aerion for targeting the horse. We find he values the company of horses. Later, he watches the puppet show and Aerion is there watching a dragon being killed. 

Egg runs back to tell Dunk and the hedge knight runs to see Aerion break the fingers of Tanselle! Dunk, which we see for the first time, rages and hits the prince! Aerion’s men hold Dunk and Aerion says his tooth was loosened. He orders all of Dunk’s teeth to be broken, Dunk struggles, but is slammed against the stage. Eggs runs in and orders the guards not to touch Dunk. In turn, Dunk is worried about his squire and doesn’t want him harmed. Egg says if he is hurt they will be taken to his father. Dunk’s squire also recognizes the guars as Wate and Yorkel! Dunk is freed. Aerion asks what Egg did to his hair. Egg tells his brother (!) that he didn’t want to look like him! We get operatic singing as we see Aerion’s expression. Dunk staring. Tanselle and then Raymun Fossoway. Aerion and then Egg’s face, the face of a Targaryen prince! Finally, Dunk’s face which is a mix of emotions. A dark cell, Dunk sits whith the tiny opening splattered by rain. Egg enters the cell in his black and red doublet. He tells the guards to leave the food. Dunk begins tearing into the food. 

He says he must beg forgiveness for lying to Dunk. Again, this is near word for word, like the novella. His uncle is of course, Prince Baelor, heir to the Iron Throne! Dunk is angry that is all a lie. Egg admits his real name is Aegon. He says he was supposed to be Daeron’s squire, but he is a drunk more than a knight. Daeron took them to the inn to stay until the joust was over. He of course was the lord at the inn who was drunk and had a dream of Dunk. Egg says Daeron shaved his head. This is powerful, Dunk is frustrated, and Egg quietly speaks with a sparkle of a tear at his left eye! Egg tries to apologize. Yes, Dunk is right in being angry, but actually Egg is his superior as a prince. Still, this is between two friends, not hedge knight and prince. By the way, Egg has always called him Ser Duncan when he became his squire. Egg says Prince Baelor is waiting to talk with Dunk. Baelor is in his room looking through a book by candleight. Dunk bends the knee with Egg behind him. He defends Egg as his squire. Baelor says his son should have come to him instead of Dunk and Egg counters that he ewanted his borther, Aerion to die. 

A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS -- “Seven” -- PETER CLAFFEY -- Credit: Steffan Hill/HBO. 

Baelor tells his son to leave. Alone, the prince asks about his skill as a knight. Dunk responds that Ser Arlan trained him in swordmanship and jousting. Baelor tells him his brother Maekar found Daeron drunk and “a huge robber knight” took away Aegon. Dunk calls him a liar and that he was at the inn four nights ago. He asks what happened to the girl, Baelor says she will face high treason, from the dragon killed in the puppet show. Aerion says that it would lead to revolt and he says laid hands on the Blood of the Dragon. Dunk wonders if Baelor would have helped the girl, but he is a prince not a hedge knight. He stands forward and says that all knights take the oath, “to protect the innocent.” Aerion wants Dunk beheaded which Baelor stopped, but there still will be a trial. I like the dialogue between these two characters. They speak about what is just and fair, but it all falls within this medieval-type society. The tone is low, Dunk raises his voice in defiance, but Baelor speaks softly and with reason. In a court, the lowest offense would be to cut off a hand. 

The prince says there is an alternative. He asks again his worth as a knight. One of the most powerful openings of the series! Dunk stands before Prince Maekar while Aerion eats walnuts and the rest of the table is silent. He stumbles out the words, “Trial by combat.” Aerion tries to refuse and his father says he cannot since any knight accused of a crime can challenge. Maeker adds that he can withdraw his claim against Tanselle. Aerion states a “Trial of Seven.” Baelor explains that is an ancient trial by combat. He says it came from the Andals and the Seven Gods. Dunk still doesn’t understand and Baelor says it is seven champions since the gods might favor them. Maekar asks why his son doesn’t face Dunk alone and Aerion says he has to face all of the dishonor he sees on the Targaryens. It is Trial of Seven at dawn so Dunk must find six other knights to fight against Aerion’s seven champions. Maekar pulls away his son angry at him. Dunk asks if he can go and Baelor tells him to find his champions. In the rain at night, Dunk walks to his tree with Thunder and Chestnut. He tells them he thinks he will die. 

Raymun is there and takes him to the Fossoway pavilion. Ser Steffon says he saw Aerion hurt Tanselle and says, “I’m for you.” Steffon says that the Fossoways have always been in Westeros before the Targaryens. Dunk says there are no other knights. Steffon brings up taht he knows Ser Lyonel, Lord Lannister, and Ser Otho. He leaves to wake those knights. Raymun doubts his cousin will bring the others to join their cause. Then, Egg appears and says he will still be Dunk’s squire. Daeron is also there and Dunk slams him down for his lies. He says he wants to be knocked out in the first charge! Daeron explains he had to say something to cover for Egg. Dunk’s squire explains that the Kingsguard will also be champions in the Trial of Seven. Egg says he will find other knights. Dunk can’t believe Egg would want his brother dead. Egg tells him that Aerion would go to his bed at night and have a knife to Egg and make him a sister! Daeron wants to Ser Duncan in private. He says his dreams come true. Daeron says he dreamed of Dunk, a fire, and “a dead dragon.” He says he saw Dunk with the dragon that was dead.

 Dunk remembers Tanselle at the puppet show. Dunk walks into the broken puppet show and holds the head of the puppet knight, Hamlet-style. The armorer, Steely Pate, says Tanselle gave him his shield. At his tent, Steely Pate says she headed to Dorne, the part of Westeros at the southern end. He takes out the shield and said he made a new shield for Dunk. The armorer is asked how much he will charge for the work, Steely Pate says a cooper. At night by torchlight, men are setting up the joust in the wet weather. It is dawn with Dunk walking with his padding. He greets his fellow champions including Ser Humfrey who has a broken leg. The knight says he can’t walk, but he can fight if he is on a horse! I really want Ser Humfrey to get some payback after what happened to his horse! Ser Robyn Rhysling has an eyepatch covered in chain mail and says he will fight against the Targaryens when he says they go against the gods! He was the knight who stumbled over to Egg when he was practicing with Thunder. 

Also Ser Lyonel Baratheon is with them. Dunk thinks Ser Steffon brought him, but Ser Lyonel says it was Egg. He wants the Kingsguard in “their pretty white gowns”! Also on Dunk's side is Ser Humfrey Beesbury (Danny Collins), no explanation why he joined. Ser Dunk the Tall walks with his armor on. I really like Steely Pate helping him don the armor in the novella. The townsfolk watch him. He and Steely Pate turn to see Ser Aerion’s group arrive at the misty tourney grounds. Prince Maekar and Aerion. Raymun says to Dunk that there are only six knights; Aerion, Maekar, and Aeron, plus the Kingsguard, Ser Donnel of Duskendale, Ser Roland Crakehall and Ser William Wilde. Ser Steffon asks Raymun for his helmet. Dunk says with Steffon they only need one more knight. Steffon says he fights for Aerion! Betrayal! Ser Lyonel smiles and Egg has a sad look. Raymun says his cousin promised Ser Duncan and Steffon says he was made a lord for fighting Dunk! This makes me think of the betrayal of the Scottish lords at the Battle of Falkirk in Braveheart (1995). 

Steffon asks for his horse and Raymun pushes him back to say get his own horse! Steffon rides across the field. Raymun asks Dunk to knight him! Ser Lyonel tells Dunk that any knight can make a knight. Dunk is called over to Lord Ashford and Ser Lyonel says he will knight Raymun! I love seeing Raymun proving his mettle! Ser Lyonel gives the vows; bravery for The Warrior, to be just for The Father, “protect the young and innocent” for The Mother. Three of the Seven missing Crone, The Maiden, The Smith, and the Stranger. Dunk in armor looks up to see Ser Arlan. This is where he becomes a knight. Dunk always had Imposter Syndrome up to this point. Lord Ashford says they can’t delay the trial. Aerion says his rival has only five knights. Dunk adds six with Raymun. Lord Ashford says if he can’t find another knight, then he will be guilty. Dunk asks for a moment. Dunk rides over to the quiet viewing stand. Lady Gwin looks solemnly down at him. Ser Duncan addresses the lords saying that they don’t know Ser Arlan of Pennytree, but he caught him to be a knight. Also, the vow of defending the innocent. Another scene like A Knight's Tale (2001). A spoiler ends the ep! “Seven” is another incredible episode, testing what is a true knight, it is where finally Dunk becomes a knight of Westeros! 

Five Shields out of Five! 

#AKnightOfTheSevenKingdoms, #Seven, #SarahAdinaSmith, #AzizaBarnes, #AnnieJuliaWayman, #IraParker, #PeterClaffey, #DexterSolAnsell, #BertieCarvel

#ShaunThomas, #YoussefKerkour, #RossAnderson, #DannyCollins, #FinnBennett, #SamSpruell, #HenryAshton, #EdwardAshley, #PaulHunter, #CaraHarris, #DanielWebb  

The [Fourth] World of Jack Kirby panel!

Last night, February 5th, was the Jack Kirby panel on his Fourth World at the ArtCenter Library with six special guests! The panel was at the Artcenter College of Design in Pasadena. It is a campus buzzing with students and their projects. Hopefully, everyone can make a visit during one of the panels! The Artcenter’s website is at: https://www.artcenter.edu/. This discussion seems to go hand in hand with the Skirball Cultural Center’s Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity exhibition. There is still time to visit the exhibit which runs until March 1st. Don’t miss this one! Details here: https://www.skirball.org/museum/jack-kirby-heroes-and-humanity. The Fourth World was several connected titles that Kirby wrote and drew for DC Comics. 

It was noted on the panel that Kirby wrote and drew five of the titles titles a month!, far beyond the input of today’s comic creators. DC Comics heralded Jack Kirby creating for DC with the tagline, “Kirby is Coming!” Kirby introduced Darkseid in a cameo in Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #134 (1970). Kirby worked on the title, Darkseid had plans for Superman, this was until issue #148 (1972). New Gods #1 (1971) realized the Fourth World with Orion, the son of Darkseid, fighting against him to protect New Genesis. The Fourth World expanded with Mister Miracle #1 (1971) which featured Scott Free, son of Highfather who ruled New Genesis. He was raised on Apokolips ruled by Darkseid who searches for the Anti-Life Equation that will have him dominate the minds of everyone in the universe!  

The panel of The Fourth World of Jack Kirby assembles!, ArtCenter Library, author’s photo. 

Joining the two titles was Forever People #1 (1971), one of my favorite super teams, young heroes who tangle with Darkseid! They merge into the powerful entity, Infinity-Man! Kirby’s run on The Fourth World titles finished with Mister Miracle #18 (1974). Kirby gave an ending to his saga with The Hunger Dogs graphic novel in 1985. The panel was moderated by Michael Dooley, ArtCenter professor of Comics and Animation. He is author of The Education of a Comics Artist (2005). The panelists include Jim Thompson, co-chair of the Will Eisner Hall of Fame judging committee. The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards started in 1988 and is the most important comic book awards given out at San Diego Comic-Con. It is named after one of the most well regarded cartoonist with this ground breaking comic strip, The Spirit (1940-1952). Also, bringing in graphic novels as a term with A Contract with God (1978). The Will Eisner Hall of Fame first inducted Carl Barks, Will Eisner, and Jack Kirby. 

You can check out the many comic creators here: https://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards/hall-of-fame/. Thompson gave an overview of Kirby’s career up to the Fourth World titles. Next to Jim Thompson was Charles Hatfield, author of Hand of Fire: The Comics Art of Jack Kirby (2011). He also part of the Comic Book Apocalypse: The Graphic World of Jack Kirby, in 2015, at Cal State University Northridge. Mention was made of the five founders of the San Diego Comic Con called the San Diego Five String Mob whom Kirby immortalized in Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #144 (1954). At one end of the table was Tony Puryear who wrote and illustrated the graphic novel, Concrete Park (2014). He is also a screenwriter who wrote the summer blockbuster, Eraser (1996). He discussed the cover art of Kirby and noted the smaller art boards used in the late 60’s to the 70’s, the time of New Gods. The audience clapped at his presentation! Find more about Puryear and find his artwork at: https://www.tonypuryear.co/ 

Sign for The Fourth World of Jack Kirby, photo by the author. 

On the other side of Jim Thompson was Alonso Nunez, he is the executive director of Little Fish Comic Book Studio. Also, Nunez is president of the San Diego Comic Fest, this is alternative to Comic Con, find more info at: https://www.sdcomicfest.org/  Nunez spoke about the mythology behind Kirby’s Fourth World. The last guest was Kevin Dooley who was an editor for DC Comics. He also wrote the Mister Miracle series in 1996. Dooley said that it was like a sitcom with Mister Miracle and his wife, Big Barda. They wed at the conclusion of Mister Miracle #18. Big Barda is another favorite character for me. She was introduced in Mister Miracle #4 (1971). She led the Female Furies and eventually falls for Scott Free on Apokolips. She leaves Apokolips and reunites with Mister Miracle in her first appearance. The series also had Scott Free accept his destiny as a god to save Big Barda. The panel was full of knowledgeable speakers who gave insight on Jack Kirby’s masterpiece! 

#TheFourthWorldOfJackKirby, #ArtCenterLibrary, #SkirballCulturalCenter, #JackKirbyHeroesAndHumanity, #MichaelDooley, #TheEducationOfAComicsArtist, #JimThompson, #WillEisnerHallOfFame, #WillEisnerComicIndustryAwards, 

#SanDiegoComicCon, #WillEisner, #TheSpirit, #AContractWithGod, #CarlBarks, #CharlesHatfield, #HandOfFireTheComicsArtOfJackKirby,#ComicBookApocalypseTheGraphicWorldOfJackKirby, 

#SanDiegoFiveStringMob, #SupermansPalJimmyOlsen, #TonyPuryear, #ConcretePark

#Eraser, #NewGods, #AlonsoNunez, #LittleFishComicBookStudio, #SanDiegoComicFest, #KevinDooley, #MisterMiracle, #BigBarda 

Strolling Through the (Theme) Park: Disneyland!

 Disneyland, yesterday, offered chances to catch up on some things I had missed and one new delicious meal! I had missed the Disney robot so I walked over to the Main Street Opera House. I was just in time for the show, Walt Disney: A Magical Life, that was just starting. This new addition to the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show. It opened last year, on July 17th as part of the 70th anniversary of Disneyland. It begins with a short film about Walt Disney that is recut from One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It seems like there was the addition of the creation and loss of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Interesting, but it does leave out the return of Oswald in 2006. 

Also, the contribution of Ub Iwerks the chief animator and also his work on the popular Alice Comedies that had Disney’s first star, Virginia Davis, before Oswald and Mickey. The curtains open to Walt’s office at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. The Walt robot is ok, the speech wasn’t particularly inspiring, but I like seeing Walt kinda in person. So if there is any artificial of the face sculpt and awkward Audio-Animatronics, just sit a few rows back, it is fine. He ends with that it all started with a mouse and the upper part of the studios have screens that show a magical type overview of Disney works. I hope the company will make parks and other experiences affordable for families. This would honor Walt’s dream more than any robot. 

Once I was back at Main Street, I heard the Dapper Dans and watched a song as they performed of the Main Street Firehouse with the lamp lit at Walt Disney’s apartment on the upper floor. I continued on and saw the jazz band, The Straw Hatters, on the other side of the street! I saw at Main Street Cinema, “So Much That We Share: A Tribute to the Sherman Brothers.” This was a very good short film, basically covering “It’s A Small World.” I headed over to the Haunted Mansion. I picked up a water bottle, Dasani, $5.25, not a large bottle, regular size, 16.9 fluid ounces! What I really wanted to check out was the effigies including some owls and a fountain in the new queue area. This opened on November 26, 2024. 

The Audio-Animatronic of Disney at Walt Disney: A Magical Life, author’s photo. 

I really didn't like seeing a nice lady struggling to move her wheelchair through the tight line ropes. At least three tight turns. I do not think this is ADA compliant. If there is a wheelchair accessible entrance through the Lightning Lane, then a cast member missed guiding her there. A complete and utter failure for the park. I always enjoy the Haunted Mansion attraction. I did notice that the gallery of paintings with the Medusa and the Horseman that it is too dark. Not shuffle darkness, it is stumbling, step on shoes darkness. Tiny strips on the floor, maybe ghostly blue, this should run up to the loading area. This could prevent the awkward excuse mes and possible accidents. Then, I went across the Hungry Bear restaurant path to Galaxy’s Edge. What I noticed is that it is incredibly quiet. 

There was some strange New Age-y music that absolutely doesn’t make me think of Star Wars. I heard that April 29th of this year they will bring in music. Hopefully, John Williams’ "Galaxy’s Edge Symphonic Suite" which is currently nowhere in the park expansion. It is so quiet that it reminded me of the dead malls. I saw at Dok Ondar’s a new item, Dok’s Mystery Treasures, $14.99, like the Disney Parks Collector Packs. At the price, it looks like a cube, so I hope the pieces like the Emperor’s Royal Guard helmet are larger. There just wasn’t enough creatures for me. I did take a pic with Boba Fett, the only character that I met, and I like character interaction. The only attraction that was open was Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. The standby wait was 5 minutes which was for most of the attractions. 

Spicy Pork Belly Grilled Cheese at Pym’s Kitchen, DCA, author’s photo. 

I got again assigned Engineering for almost every time I went on the attraction so I would not highly rate my experience, it’s boring for me. I also saw that the pilots again grinding the Falcon by going down instead of up. This should be explained by a Flight Crew (Cast Member) to guide the Falcon once the engines start to pull up into the sky. A simple solution. I was looking around the park for some Lorcana cards. I eventually took the Monorail to go to Pin Traders at Downtown Disney. They had a card folder, boxes, and puzzles, but no cards. From there, I park hopped to Disney’s California Adventure for the one thing, food! First, I stopped by the Carthay Circle Restaurant, I heard and saw the buttons! These were recreations of buttons that Walt Disney had lost in the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)! I heard about it from a YouTube video, ask a cast member to point out the buttons! I also saw the performance of the jazz band, Five & Dime, you should catch these talented cats! 

DCA is celebrating the 2026 Lunar New Year Festival which finishes on February 22nd. So I heard praise about one food item, the Spicy Pork Belly Grilled Cheese, this was at Pym’s Kitchen. $15.49 which I got with a drink $4.99. The sandwich is worth the price!, delicious, “marinated in Korean Spices”, low level spicy, you can taste it, but no burn. There is a cup of Pickled Onions and “Potato Bites”, read: tater tots. I read something about no stunts at The Amazing Spider-Man show. I talked to a cast member who said it was a modified show. This is more correct. First, the Spider-Man performer is the closest to the superhero at the meet and greets, recommended. Also, in the show, jumping and performing back flips. This is stunts. Then, the stuntronic leap, which stuns every audience. There was a part where Spidey hung upside from a webline on a crane. Then, wall crawls upside down the Stark building. The only problem is that the show just ends. The leap and that’s it, no announcement by Spidey, “Thanks for coming to see me!” or by WEB. Disneyland Resort has some interesting additions including sandwiches!, there's some room for improvement. 

#Disneyland, #WaltDisneyAMagicalLife, #OneMansDream, #OswaldTheLuckyRabbit, #UbIwerks, #AliceAComedies, #VirginiaDavis, #DapperDans, #TheStrawHatters, #SoMuchThatWeShare, #TheShermanBrothers, #HauntedMansion, 

#GalaxysEdge, #JohnWilliams, #GalaxysEdgeSymphonicSuite, #DokOndars, #DoksMysteryTreasures, #BobaFett, #MillenniumFalconSmugglersRun, #Monorail, #DowntownDisney, #PinTraders, #DisneysCaliforniaAdventure, #CarthayCricleRestaurant

#SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs, #FiveAndDime, #LunarNewYearFestival, #SpicyPorkBellyGrilledCheese, #PymsKitchen, #TheAmazingSpiderManShow 

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, “The Squire”, Review!

"The Squire" has some terrific new scenes that really explore Dunk and Egg's friendship and shocking drama! The director of the third episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is Sarah Adina Smith. She also directed two episodes of the action show adaptation, Hanna (2019). The writing team includes Hiram Martinez, who wrote 2 eps of the sci fi series, Snowpiercer (2020) and Annie Julia Wyman who was story editior and writer for the crimes show, Tokyo Vice.  Dunk is asleep, his face half lit with red, the blue of darkness is at his other side as well as showing Egg staring at him. He looks up and makes a horse nickering, a better opening that the other two eps! It is early morning, Egg holds out his hand to Thunder, he calms the war hourse. Then, he takes Thunder out for a stroll, beautiful photography of the misty morning, sun glowing through the trees.Thunder becomes uncooperative with Egg yanking on his reins. 

Egg starts to calmly talk to Thunder and says a horse doesn’t want to be ordered around to which the warhorse nods! Horse whisperer?nHe says that he needs Thunder’s help for the joust. Egg screams to have Thunder charge and the warhorse is still in place! Funny! Finally, Thunder trots forward. Next, we see Thunder at a full gallop, impressive. I really like this scene because it is added from the novella. Egg pretends to hand Dunk his lance and then sword, cheering on Thunder racing across the meadow, suddenly an older man with an eyepatch (William Houston) and a staff asks if he stole the horse. Houston was the herald in The Last Knight (2021). The man tries to reach for Thunder, but the warhorse bucks and he retreats. Then, we get two riders at a joust, ending with a shattered lance! One rider has a bloody eye. Flashback, Egg recognizes Ser Robyn Rhysling, Ser Robyn says he is a “vessel for the Warrior.” 

We finally get to see Dunk who is sewing a patch when Egg arrives with Thunder. Dunk orders him to brush down the warhorse. He shows Egg how to sew and tells him it takes practice. Egg is paring a stick with his knife in a tree. He idly sings a song of the Targaryens! Dunk asks Egg to get his armor for the joust. Egg says he doesn’t have a shield, Dunk says they will pick it up on the way, Egg counters that only high born knights start the jousts. Dunk did not know this part! A butcher is about to behead a goose and Dunk tries to explain he only wants the eggs. Tanselle in a blue dress walks up as Dunk has two handfuls of eggs. She tells him that the shield will be ready in the evening. Egg makes fun of him as Dunk puts the eggs in his pouch! Egg stirs in the eggs as Dunk stirs the salt beef. They have it in millet bread. Next, they cheer at the joust, Egg is right at the edge so he doesn’t need a boost. 

A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS -- “The Squire” -- DEXTER SOL ANSELL -- Photo: Steffan Hill/HBO.  

Egg and Dunk mock each other, then argue about ale since Egg finds it disgusting! They overlook the tents and Egg says he wants to live there. He says he will be a war campaign and returns to be rewarded and marries this lord’s “second most beautiful daughter.” Egg tells Dunk he would marry the first most beautiful daughter. I really like this added dialogue with the friendship developing with knight and squire. Dunk says he is a good worker and Egg asks him if he can continue as his squire. The hedge knight worries about losing his first joust. Before he can say anything about Egg as his squire, they are interrupted by Plummer who is still hocking phlegm, and go for a walk. The Master of the Games admits that Lord Ashford overspent on his daughter’s tournament. Ashford faces difficult times and Plummer says he is looking to “reverse their fortunes.” He asks Dunk about the youngest son, Ser Androw. 

Flashback to the knight with the red shield, unhorsing his opponent, Plummer says a challenger may come around and unhorse Ser Androw with some bets on that knight. Dunk starts to walk away and says he doesn’t want a thrown competition. Plummer says he would get Ser Androw’s horse, weapons, and armor. He would like an answer on the next day. Dunk is left alone and then he hears horns blaring. Everyone is headed to the joust including a troubled Dunk and Egg. A herald announces Prince Aerion Brightflame. The knight rides up with his red cloak and armor of dark plates. He is the same knight who mistook Dunk for a stableboy when he arrived in Ashford. It is a bit confusing which knight is which, but this is the end of the joust seen last episode in the novella. Ser Baelor watches his nephew sitting next to Lord Ashford. He acknowledges his father and then rides to the tent of his Prince Valaar. He says he won’t embarrass him and then rides over to the tent of Ser Hubert Humfrey Hardyng (Ross Anderson). 

He says, “It’s time you faced the dragon.” Ser Hubert’s helmet has a red face. Aerion’s helmet looks almost like Dr. Doom with slots like eyes in an angry expression and red spines. Ser Humfrey rides out to cheers. They start their charge and Egg screams out almost desperately, “Kill him! Ser Humfrey points his lance downwards, but Prince Aerion dodges it! They pick up new lances and Prince Aerion lowers his lance at the list fence. Dunk is shocked saying, “He’s too low.” This strikes Ser Humfrey’s war horse who goes spinning breaking another list fence. They fall with the horse crushing Ser Humfrey’s legs and he screams in pain! This is far more graphic in the novella so warning to any animal lovers. Gwin shuts her eyes at the horrific display. Ser Baelor lowers his eyes. The crowd is angry, Prince Aerion rides up to his fallen opponent opening his visor, Ser Humfrey’s face covered with blood, and one of the crowd throws a rock at Prince Aerion shutting his visor. This riot by the crowd is new, but they were angry in the novella. 

It turns to chaos with guards running over to the scene. The two Whitecloaks charge out of a gate with their horses. The crowd is held back by guards. A man-at-arms in yellow surcoat, walks over to the horse with a halberd. He raises the halberd. Egg tells Dunk he wants to go and they both leave through the crowd. Dunk calls it a mishap and wants Egg to be ready for a mishap when he jousts. Egg says it wasn’t a mishap, look at his eyes!, all of the sad hatred burns in his eyes, powerful. He loves horses. A shirtless Ser Lyonel complete with his antler helmet begins to sing. The lightness of Ser Lyonel’s drunkness just can’t lift up spirits after Prince Aerion’s joust. The rest of his party sings along about poor Alice who lost two of her fingers. Of course, Dunk and Egg are somber at a table. Egg wonders if the song is true and if there was an Alice. He says he could be a “story of honor”, a crippled girl getting past her condition and pleasuring men. Egg says her real name was Hope and that belongs to anyone who needs hope. A kinda poetic phrase for such a drunken song. 

Later in the market, Dunk asks Egg if he knew his father, he says his own father was hanged for being a thief in Flea Bottom. Dunk walks to see Plummer and then continues on. A fortune teller in a ragged black cloak says Dunk will be successful and “richer than a Lannister.” Dunk says to tell Egg’s fotune. She says, “You shall be king”, then that he will die in a fire! Egg is shocked and Dunk laughs. Raymun Fossoway greets Dunk and he introduces Raymun to his squire. Raymun wants Dunk to join him with a cuppa cider. Egg wants to see the puppet show and says he will bring Dunk’s shield. At Raymun’s tent, he asks whom Dunk will challenge, Dunk replies maybe Ser Androw. Raymun tells Dunk that Aerion was angry at Lord Ashford for giving up his horse. Dunk says that Egg thought Aerion intended to kill Humfrey’s horse. Raymun is angry at the Targaryens and says they not honorable. Egg watches the puppet show with a knight, played by Tanselle, fighting a dragon. It breathes fire blocked by the knight’s shield. 

Dunk notices Prince Aerion is there. The knight stabs the dragon, it shrieks, and blood like red flowers toss out of it. Everyone is quiet as Tanselle stares at Aerion! I really dread this part. Raymun and Dunk are laughing at the tent. Dunk says Prince Maekar was missing at the joust. Raymun says he had left in the morning to find his sons, Daeron and the youngest son. He says they left Summerhall, but never showed up in Ashford. Egg enters shouting Ser Duncan’s name! I’m really not looking forward to what happens. He says Aerion’s “hurting her.” Dunk walks through the angry crowd. Aerion is on the stage and takes Tanselle’s finger and breaks it! Difficult for me to write that part. Tanselle screams. Dunk’s eyes blaze and he charges Aerion hitting him several times and throwing him down. He is held by guards. Aerion picks himself up and spits blood. He says Tanselle is a traitor because dragons never lose. Dunk is silent. Aerion says one of his teeth is loose so all of Dunk’s teeth will be broken! Spoiler for the ending! "The Squire"  episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms revolves around Egg which is great, the joust, and the ending are stunning! 

Five+ Shields out of Five! 

#AKnightOfTheSevenKingdoms, #SarahAdinaSmith, #HiramMartinez, AnnieJuliaWyman, #IraParker, #PeterClaffey, #DexterSolAnsell, #TanzynCrawford, #DanielIngs, #FinnBennett

#OscarMorgan, #RossAnderson, #PaulHunter, #CaraHarris, #TomVaughanLawlor, #WilliamHouston 

Re:tro Re:view - First Knight!

First Knight is a modern romance between the dashing Lancelot, Queen Guinevere, and Arthur giving a fresh polish to the world of Camelot! It is directed by Jerry Zucker who directed the supernatural romance classic, Ghost (1990). The film’s story was by the writing team of Lorne Cameron, David Hoselton, they had both written a comedy sequel to It’s a Wonderful Life for the tv movie, Clarence (1990). Lastly, William Nicholson, who also wrote the screenplay, he had previously co-written the drama, Nell (1994). It is based on the 12th century romance poem by Chrétien de Troyes, The Knight of the Cart. The poem had Guinvere kidnapped by Melegant and rescued by Lancelot. We hear the tolling of church bells at the beginning, long lines of knights cross a grass field below hills. Text rolls up explaining that after fighting wars, Arthur of Camelot turned to building a land of “peace and justice.” 

He also thought it was time to get married. His former knight, Prince Malagant, jealous of Arthur, left Camelot. The land is divided between Malagant’s greedy allies and those loyal to the king. It goes on to tell of Lancelot who was a wanderer, not a knight, but he was an expert using the sword. This moves to crossed swords. The Challenger, Josh (Mark Ryan), presses Lancelot played by Richard Gere back. Gere has an incredible career and is known playing Edward Lewis in the romantic comedy, Pretty Woman (1990). Ryan was also the assistant sword master for this film. He was also sword master on King Arthur (2004). Ryan played Nasir in Robin of Sherwood (1984-1986), a character that strangely became Morgan Freeman’s character in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). 

Lancelot’s sword is locked in corps à corps with Josh’s blade and tells him how to win, “Be the only one with a sword.” They strike a few times, but Lancelot swings his opponent’s sword up to catch it! He turns to the audience of villagers to applaud the Challenger. Lancelot is skilled, kind, and a showman. He holds up a bag of his winnings. Mark (Paul Kynman) is told by his wife (Rose Keegan) to give it a try. He steps forward, much taller than the swordsman. Mark splits a wooden post in half with his sword. Lancelot introduces himself and walks a few steps between them. Mark swings and Lancelot is able to dodge the strikes! Lancelot holds his sword to Mark’s neck. A few swings and then Lancelot strikes Mark’s pommel sending the sword to his hand! Mark wonders how Lancelot did the feat and wants to learn. 

Lancelot sheathes his sword and then seriously says he has to study his opponent. Mark says he can do it and Lancelot continues that he has to wait for the moment of a fight to win or lose. Lastly, Lancelot says, “You have to not care if you live or die.” This is a great character moment very early in the movie, a sellsword who is not a mercenary, more of a performer. He is driven by his fatalistic drive, I imagine because he may have lost his family, maybe a father who taught him to be swordsman, he could have been a knight. I wonder if this would be in the novelization. Lancelot rides away alone. The village returns to normal life, Mark and two other farmers shovel hay in a barn. 

A grassy hill overlooking the village, sinister music by Jerry Goldsmith, as figures begin to appear along the hill! the maestro, also composed music for bio sports drama, Rudy (1993). They approach of the riders. They take all of the villagers into the barn, lead some of them into a hidden compartment, and block the doors. The raiders begin to attack the villagers, one uses a crossbow pistol!, Mark and the others watch as the horsemen begin to torch the straw roofs of houses! The lieutanant of this bandit group is seen through the barn slats, Ralf, played by Ralph Ineseon, he was in Game of Thrones playing Dagmer Cleftjaw, many recent movies including Professor Krempe in Frankenstein. Torches are thrown at the barn’s hay and cart. The fires are smothered and the sparks fall down to the women and children in the compartment. One of the farmers tries to get out of the barn, but he is hit by the crossbow bolt of the leader. 

Mark whispers his name, Malagant! He is played by Ben Cross who was Harold Abrahams in the Academy Award winning historical drama, Chariots of Fire (1981). He wears a studded leather armor of his soldiers. Malagant addresses the survivors in a circle. telling them that men had crossed his border so he has destroyed their village. He lifts his sword, with a jagged edge at the haft of the blade, and says, “Now then, I am the law!” The village destroyed at the beginning of a medieval-type movie is a trope, but here the leader tries to enforce his brutality through lies, even more chilling and threatening to the innocent people. Mark and the others pull everyone out of the smoke-filled barn.  Then, we get the white sails of a windmill gently turning, this is above a large city, Lyonesse, spread across a valley. On a field, medieval football, probably Royal Shrovetide Football is being played. They play with red or black sashes holding a stick behind their backs. A large leather ball wrapped in thread is kicked.

One of the players is Lady Guinevere played by Julia Ormond. She had previoulsy played Susannah in the Western romance, Legends of the Fall (1994). Guinevere’s introduction playing with the people is a joy. She wears an orange dress with gold embrodiery. The costumes were by Nanà Cecchi, she was also costume designer for Ladyhawke (1985).  The ball is kicked by Guinevere, smiling, into a small ditch. Two elders try to get her attention as Guinevere accidentally falls in the game. One (Jeffrey Dench) tells her about the attack. She walks with them and joined by Jacob (Paul Bentall) and her ladies-in-waiting. The elders confirm that it is Malagant and that a small group is there to see her. In a courtyard, Mark and his wife, start to bow. Mark explains that they were charged with crossing the border. Guinevere knows it is lies. Mark says that they will all fight.  

She has Jacob make certain that the survivors get food and drink. Once the villagers leave to recover, Guinevere discusses Malagant. The elder says Malagant wants his treaty to be signed after the death of her father. Guinevere turns to her advisor, Oswald played by the great John Gielgud, she tells him that she wants to marry. Also, to live in Lyonesse. He brings up the marriage proposal of Arthur of Camelot. Guinevere says she accepts the propsal. She says she wants to marry for love and tells Oswald, “How could I love anyone more?” This resolves to a pool that reflect’s Lancelot’s face. He is in a forest and hears the approach of horses. The knights of Camelot ride up, steel breastplates and others with a thick, blue cloth and studded chest strip. Great armor designs made by the film's armorer, Charles Bodycomb. Guinevere is in one of the carriages with her hand maidens; Else (Jane Robbins) and Petronella (Jean Marie Coffey). 

Lancelot on the side of the road, sees Guinevere pass by, and then whistles for his black horse.  Then, Lancelot hears a bird call, and moves his horse to the escorts. They are blocked by a tree and Sir Patrise (Valentine Pelke) senses an ambush and shouts, “Look to the trees!” The knights begin to form a protective line around the carriages. A thin mist tangles the trees at the top of the hills. Another call and then Prince Malagant’s men charge with swords. Sir Kay (Christopher Villiers) tells his fellow knights to wait as the warriors are almost upon them. Then, orders the attack, mistake, he should have given room for the horses to charge and just trample over them. Guinevere’s handmaidens are repulsed by the bloodshed. Malagant’s forces retreat and a few of the knights purse them. Jacob reassures Oswald in another carriage. Sir Kay with Sir Patrise has the knights wait by the carriages. Ralf gives another whistle. Malagant’s second line attacks on horses! 

One looses a crossbow bolt next to Guinevere! Others take out the knights on the carriage while one of Malagant’s bandits jumps on a carriage horse. He rides off with the knights unaware that their most important dignitary is kidnapped! The carriage races through the forest, Guinever has Elise jump from the carriage. Guinevere has Petronella try to jump, she is too scared, but then another bandit leaps onto the carriage. He begins to cut into the carriage roof with his sword. The bandit sees the carriage is empty and then Guinevere outside pulls him out slamming into a tree! I like that Guinevere saves her ladies-in-waiting and then takes out a Malagant marauder! Still, she falls, rolls and heads into the forest while Malagant riders try to follow. Guinevere runs and then falls to hide under ferns. The riders pass and then dismount to search the area. One brutish man (Angus Wright) hacks the ferns until Guinevere runs!

 She is pulled aside as a crossbow bolt hits the tree behind her! Lancelot covers her mouth, then stands up, and knocks away one crossbow pistol with his sword. It lands next to Guinevere. He kills three of the swordsmen and Guinevere watches him. Lancelot searches around knowing there is another marauder. The brutish one grabs Guinevere and points his crossbow pistol at Lancelot! He tosses away his sword and says he wants teh woman. Guinevere is holding the crossbow pistol. Lancelot tells the marauder to turn her around to look into her eyes, he does, and Guinevere kills him. Lancelot whistles for his horse and then takes Guinevere through the forest. He does not recognize the Lady of Lyonesse. He turns to her and says she is all the reward that he could need, she slaps him for the insult, and then he reaches in for a kiss which he calls an insult. 

Guinevere drops off the horse and starts walking toward the road. Lancelot follows her carrying the reins. She tells him that she gave her word to be married. He says he can tell when a woman wants him since he can see the desire in her eyes! Chemistry. I really like this interpretation since the legend just has uncontrolled passion between them. Here, Guinevere tries to resist him and wants to hold to her upcoming marriage. She asks him to never kiss her again. Lancelot promises only to kiss Guinevere if she asks him. She tells him that she will be married on Midsummer’s Day and he says she will ask for him to kiss her before that day. He rides off as her escort comes from the road. She runs up to hug Oswald. Sir Agravaine sees that Lady Guinevere is unhurt, his character is played by Liam Cunningham, he played Captain Crewe in A Little Princess (1995) adapting the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Cunninham might be known for playing Davos Seaworth in Game of Thrones.  

Night, the escort rides over a bridge, in a carriage, Oswald points out Camelot, just lights in the distance. Guinevere tells Oswald to send a message of any problems back in Lyonesse. Guinevere leaves the carriage now in a blue dress, rows of fire bowls amongst hedge stones line the way. Further on are lines of knights holding torches. They move in formation to reveal the figure of Arthur of Camelot. Sean Connery plays the king, there are many iconic roles for Connery, one of them is the Green Knight in the Arthurian adaptation, Sword of the Valiant (1984). He had a cameo as King Richard in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). The surging Jerry Goldsmith and the scene is probably my favorite of the movie, it is epic. 

Arthur welcomes Guinevere to Camelot. He says will send a message to Lyonesse and Guinevere says that she arrived in her new country. Also, “her eyes were filled with tears of joy.” He calls up the knights, they begin walking, and Arthur asks Sir Agravaine what happened. Agravaine says it was Malagant and admits that Guinevere was in danger. He says he didn’t realize that Malagant would have a second force watch their fellow soldiers die. Arthur says Malagant doesn’t care about the lives of his men, he just thinks about the win. He tells Agravaine that they fought together in so many battles, in the legend, Arthur fought in twelve battles. He takes Guinevere up a hill that he says he climbed as a boy and saw what was his city. It is breathtaking to see Camelot at night. It is glorious by day and the best Camelot on film. 

The “Camelot” theme returns as a march as Arthur, Guinevere, and the knights ride up to the castle. The stream of knights with torches against the gate and walls of Camelot is stunning, moreso as buckets of roses are dropped on them with the crowds cheering their new queen. A white horse rides wild and Lancelot races his mount to catch his reigns. Riding up is the King’s stableman, Peter (Stuart Bunce) who introduces himself. Lancelot is confused about who is king and Peter tells him he is Arthur of Camelot. The horse was meant as a gift for his bride. They ride back past a large, Celtic cross in stone, Camelot is in the middle of a river in the valley. Beautiful visuals and costumes. The actors are the finest, Connery and Gere. I don't think of the dialogue as flowery, but captures the dream of romance and a world of equality and justice. First Knight ranks at the top of my Arthurian and romance films!  

Five Excaliburs+ out of Five! 

#FirstKnight, #JerryZucker, #WilliamNicholson, #LorneCameron, #DavidHoselton, #JerryGoldsmith, #NinaCheechi, #CharlesBodycomb, #RichardGere, #JuliaOrmond, #SeanConnery, #BenCross, 

#StuartBunce, #CrjistoperhVilliers, #ValentinePelke, #JaneRobbins, #JeanMarieCoffey,#JohnGielgud, #PaulBentall, #JeffreyDench, #JontyMiller, #RalphInseon, #JonyMiller, #PaulKynman, #AngusWright, #MarkRyan, #RoseKeegan,