The smaller scope of offers numerous advantages. It lets us see moments that would stay hidden in larger shows like Game of Thrones or , — such as puppet show performances or the behind-the-scenes logistics of tournaments. With the introduction of fan-favorite character Egg, there’s space to depict this young boy just being a kid: marveling at fire effects, watching jousts, and munching on snacks.
Yet one of these lighthearted scenes where Egg acts his age actually references a major segment of Westerosi history that unfolded between House of the Dragon and this series — and it matters for the Targaryens’ future.
Warning! Spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 2 ahead!
Episode 2 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms depicts the Targaryens’ arrival, Ser Duncan finally getting someone to vouch for him, and the start of the tournament. Later that night, back at the elm tree Dunk and Egg call home, Dunk is thinking about the challenge of winning the tournament while Egg play-fights in the background. “Do you yield, Blackfyre bastards!?” he yells, thrusting a stick like a sword. But who exactly are the Blackfyres? They’re a key part of Targaryen history.
The Blackfyre Rebellion began with King Aegon IV, a character George R. R. Martin has called the “King Henry VIII” of Westeros. Much like his real-world inspiration, he was cruel, large, and promiscuous, fathering many bastards even though he was married to his sister Naerys. (Both he and Naerys are grandchildren of Daemon and Rhaenyra from House of the Dragon.)
On his deathbed, Aegon IV declared all his bastards legitimate. Normally, this would be unproblematic — we saw Corlys Velaryon legitimize bastards in House of the Dragon. However, one of these bastards, Daemon (son of Aegon and his cousin Daena), saw this as his chance to seize the throne. Aegon IV had always favored Daemon over his trueborn son Daeron the Good (who was then king) and even gave Daemon Blackfyre: the Valyrian steel sword heirloom once wielded by Aegon I, the Conqueror. So when Daemon decided to challenge his half-brother for the throne, he took the name Daemon Blackfyre.
So when Aegon says “Blackfyre bastards,” he’s not being derogatory — that’s actually how Daemon and his half-siblings are described. The Blackfyre Rebellion split Westeros in two, but it ended with a final battle at Redgrass Field about 13 years before A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set. Basically, Aegon is pretending to fight in a battle that happened a few years before he was born.
There would be multiple Blackfyre rebellions during the Targaryen reign, but the first shook the entire kingdom — changing the political landscape and even affecting how children play. That’s an effect only A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms can show.