Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has revealed itself to be much more than a tale of a simple knight and his squire. The collection of individuals at the tourney represents people of various stations throughout the kingdom, creating a microcosm that reflects the larger societal structure. Navigating the tourney appears to be just as complex as climbing the social ladder in Westeros, something Dunk was unprepared to do.
After only a few days, Dunk’s understandings of knighthood and nobility are challenged. He begins to recognize that the highborn lords and ladies are not as honor-bound as the stories suggest. Like every child in Westeros, he grew up hearing tales of great knights, noble lords, lovely maidens, and the esteemed ladies of great houses, internalizing the belief that these figures embody a higher moral standard that maintains Westeros's status quo. However, the reality up close is vastly different.
Episode 3, “The Squire,” concluded with a surprising but satisfying reveal. In the episode, Dunk’s education into the political games of society’s elite truly begins as the tourney kicks off. The joust between Ser Humfrey Hardyng and Prince Aerion seems to be a metaphor for the relationship between the Targaryen royalty and the people who serve them. Because of his low status, Dunk must watch Aerion Targaryen and Ser Hardying’s joust, rather than compete himself. He and Egg both leave the arena sobered, but with different levels of understanding of Aerion's treachery. Egg and Raymun Fossoway don’t allow Dunk to shy away from the truth that Aerion would intentionally harm Ser Hardying, breaking his knightly vows. They want Dunk to understand that society's rules do not apply to everyone, because they want him to survive.
Although feelings of disillusionment begin to seep in, Dunk doesn’t fully understand that the people who govern Westeros are deeply flawed, not aspirational. When he intervenes to save Tanselle Too-Tall at the end of the episode, Dunk’s attempt to embody knightly values nearly costs him his life.
Similarly, Egg grapples with harsh realities. While wise beyond his years in some ways, he still clings to fantasies of finding his way to a simpler, happier life. Egg is at his most childlike state at the beginning of the episode, imagining himself serving as Dunk’s squire in a training activity that evolves into lighthearted pretend play. Egg allows himself a rare moment of optimism when he shares his ideas with Dunk, possibly the only person in his life who doesn’t understand why his daydreams could never unfold. Aerion's presence at the joust reminds Egg of the life waiting for him after the tourney, and the fortune he receives later in the episode speaks directly to his fears that his destiny is chained to the Iron Throne.
At the end of the episode, Egg surrenders his anonymity and risks his burgeoning bond with Dunk when he reveals his identity as Aegon Targaryen to save his knight’s life. It seems that Egg and Dunk, like everyone else, may be doomed to their stations, unless they can see the world of Westeros for what it truly is and learn to reinterpret the rules of the game.