IR TV Review: A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS - EPISODE 5 (“In The Name Of The Mother”) [HBO]
As the end of Episode 4 approached, "A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms" seemed to be reaching its breaking (or peaking) point. Episode 5: "In The Name Of The Mother" uses an intrinsic plot device to really set Dunk's thought process. While the beginning of the episode steps into the battle of "Seven" full throttle, when the light seems lost, it reflects back to an earlier time (as the best stories do). A adolescent Dunk is shown surviving on the streets with his best friend (a girl). They are simply trying to get away and find a better life and the jump cut of how we are introduced to them is supposed to confuse the audience on purpose and not give context (with titles). It actually makes what we are seeing more impactful. It could be in Dunk's mind or is it real? The narrative doesn't really explain it but it shows his introduction to his mentor knight which nicely integrates from what we saw earlier.
We understand that their relationship is not perfect but the way the young actor playing Dunk inflects the naivete but also just the good heartedness of the eventual hedge knight bodes well for us to understand why he sees life the way he does. The trauma Dunk sees and feels as a young teenager but also the simple consequence of life that leads him on his path shows him as a boy who just happened to see the only way open to him. That is why when the action finally comes back to the present, it shows a certain resiliency even when it is dire. A parallel cut between his old master and Egg in the stands is beautiful, powerful and mythical. While not unduly original in how it works, it is nonetheless effective, especially in how the tournament ends. The way it does though is a great twist on the concept of Dunk's life, infinitely simple and yet infinitely complicated despite the fact that he just wants to be with ones who love and respect him. That said, he is always one step behind the eight ball. A-
By Tim Wassberg
