A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 1 Review: If you’ve been watching shows on HBO Max for a while, you already know the drill. Content is never on time. Even if it’s just a few minutes, there’s always a delay. Today was no different.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was supposed to drop around 7:30 PM, but it showed up closer to 8 PM. The same thing happened earlier with Varanasi. At this point, delays feel like part of the brand.
My Rating: 4.0/5
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Series Name | A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms |
| Franchise | Game of Thrones Universe |
| Genre | Fantasy, Drama, Adventure |
| Platform | HBO Max |
| Language | English, Hindi & Multiple Languages |
| Episode Reviewed | Episode 1 |
| Timeline | ~100 Years Before Game of Thrones |
| Runtime (Episode 1) | Approx. 55 Minutes |
| Content Type | Web Series |
What A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Actually Is (And What It Isn’t)
This is not Game of Thrones as you remember it. This is not House of the Dragon either. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set roughly 100 years before Game of Thrones, in a time when dragons aren’t flying overhead or burning cities. In fact, dragons are more like legends here, things people talk about in stories, not things they believe still exist.
And honestly? That’s the point. This A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms show isn’t chasing spectacle. It’s chasing something smaller and more personal.
The Story So Far: Simple, But Intentional
At the center of the story are two characters:
- A man who wants to be a knight
- And a young boy who insists on being his squire
The twist? The so-called hero isn’t really a knight. He was once a warrior’s apprentice. His master dies, he buries him, takes his sword, and walks into a world where only real knights are supposed to compete.
The boy following him around clearly has his own secrets. From what I’ve read outside the episode, he may belong to a powerful royal family—but the first episode doesn’t confirm that. On-screen, he looks like an orphan with stubborn loyalty and something to prove.
And that uncertainty actually works in the show’s favor. This isn’t a story about saving the world. It’s about identity, pride, survival, and ambition.
Where Are the Dragons?
Short answer: they’re not here, at least not yet. As of the first episode, there are no dragons, no magic-heavy moments, no supernatural chaos. And from everything currently known, this season is meant to stay mostly grounded.
That might disappoint people coming in with Game of Thrones expectations. But here’s the thing: If you stop waiting for dragons, the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms show gets better.
The Vibe: Old, Quiet, and Surprisingly Nostalgic
One thing that really worked for me was the atmosphere. The forests. The long silences. Two people sitting by a fire, talking without urgency.
It reminded me of a time before phones, before constant noise. If you grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, or even if you just like slower, more reflective storytelling, you’ll feel it.
The cinematography is beautiful without trying too hard. Nothing flashy. Just clean, lived-in visuals that make the world feel old and real.
Performances and Chemistry
The real strength of the episode is the chemistry between the two leads. Neither overshadows the other. No one is trying to steal scenes. The balance feels natural, like two people stuck together on a journey they didn’t fully choose. That dynamic is going to carry this series if it continues like this.
There’s also an old Western vibe here. Not in aesthetics, but in spirit. Two travelers. Unknown dangers. Small towns. Personal codes of honor. I didn’t expect that, but I liked it.
The Pacing: This Won’t Be for Everyone
This is a slow-burning show. If you need constant action, big battles, or dramatic twists every 10 minutes, this will feel slow. Sometimes very slow.
But to me, it felt intentional. This is a setup episode. It’s laying emotional groundwork, not rushing toward shock value. That said, patience is required.
Also Read: Charlie the Wonderdog Review: Cute, Colorful, and Ultimately Disappointing
The Good & Bad In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
What Works
| Good Elements | Why They Matter |
|---|---|
| Grounded storytelling | Makes the world feel real and lived-in |
| Cinematography | Quietly beautiful without being distracting |
| Lead chemistry | Carries the episode emotionally |
| Old Western tone | Gives the series a unique identity |
| Personal-scale conflict | Refreshing change from world-ending stakes |
What Might Not Work
| Weak Points | Why Some Viewers May Struggle |
|---|---|
| Slow pacing | Not ideal for action-first audiences |
| No dragons (yet) | Might disappoint GoT fans |
| Low stakes (for now) | Feels smaller than other Westeros stories |
| Minimal spectacle | Very different from GoT expectations |
Final Thoughts On A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Judge It on Its Own Terms
If you walk into A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms expecting another Game of Thrones, you’ll probably be disappointed. But if you treat it as its own story, it works surprisingly well.
The first episode gave me that feeling, you know, when a show is quietly confident. It doesn’t scream for attention. It just sits there and lets the story breathe.
Right now, I’d give the series: 4.0/5
IMDb currently has the first episode sitting around 8.8, and honestly, that feels fair. The A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms show is available on Jio Hotstar in Hindi and multiple languages. I’m curious to see where it goes next, and whether it eventually connects more directly to the larger Game of Thrones universe.
Until then, this feels like a calm, grounded walk through Westeros… and sometimes, that’s exactly what a franchise like this needs.
