The sixth and final episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wrapped up a lot of the character moments and threads set in motion throughout the course of the season. Tinged with a sense of “why me”, a miserable Dunk questions his place in the bigger picture, in a world without Baelor Targaryen in it, thanks to him in some way, shape or form.

He brings this sense of worry to Lyonel, who chastises Dunk for thinking Baelor actually did anything noble. He fought against people who were sworn not to injure him, whereas people like himself, Reymun, and the two Humphreyes put their lives on the line in Dunk’s name. It does little to make Dunk feel better, though, whose survival guilt is tearing him apart. A good man, a rarity among the noble class, he’s discovered, has died because of him. Because he chose to defend a peasant girl. As Maekar notes later on in the episode, he may be remembered as the one who struck the blow that killed his brother, but Dunk will be just as much remembered as the one who killed Baelor. When crops fail, and wars are lost, and Baelor isn’t there to put it right, Dunk and Maekor will be to blame. No pressure.

But despite the glances and hesitations from people around him, Dunk is now a known entity, and he gets an offer not only from Lyonel to move to Storm’s End, but from Maekor to let Egg be his squire at Summerhall if he bends the knee and stays at court. Dunk refuses both, telling Maekor that he’s had enough of princes. Understandable feeling considering events that have transpired, but one that stings Egg, stating that perhaps he was wrong about Dunk being the knight he thought he was afterall. Egg looks up to Dunk because of his humble upbringing and his clear code of right and wrong, something sorely lacking at court, and this refusal to help tutor Egg in chivlary stings.

After reflecting on Ser Arlan’s final moments, of not letting a good story go unfinished, and speaking with Prince Daeron about how Aerion used to be a kind boy, Dunk brings Maekor a counterproposal: let Egg squire with Dunk on the road, under the hedges, away from the Targaryens and the corruption of power. Maekor naturally refuses, which is expected given his station, but more surprising was the subtle revelations of just how much the bitter prince cares for his youngest son. When Egg considers killing Aerion, Maekor doesn’t scold or beat Egg, but holds him close in silent understanding and one of the most emotionally vulnerable moments between Targayens we’ve seen to date. But I’m sure Egg was eavesdropping once again on Dunk’s conversation, and by the end of the episode, he has snuck away from his father once again and joins up with Dunk to hit the road to parts unknown, where new adventures await them in the nine kingdoms, as Egg scolds Dunk for not knowing better.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms certainly had its fair share of weird and out-of-place moments. From the projectile pooping, Ser Arlan’s third leg, and the very real song used at the end of the finale that took me out of the show and made me think of South Park, there were moments that felt like it was going out of its way to do something different. These smaller moments usually didn’t work for me. I also still think this would’ve worked better as a three-hour movie. But the show was thankfully elevated by great acting, great writing, tight runtimes, a faithfulness to the source material, and a sense of fun. What’s more, though, is that we had a hero character we could get behind and root for. Dunk may be a lunk, but he’s good-hearted and carries the virtues of a knight far more than those pesky nobles do. It’s nice to have a clear-cut hero without being muddled by “morally grey” tropes, to cheer on the simple act of doing the right thing. I, for one, can’t wait for future tales of Dunk and Egg.