“He probably questions his whole way of life”: Peter Claffey explains Dunk’s emotional struggle in episode 2

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 2 aired on January 25 and delved deeper into Dunk’s inner turmoil. It explored how the hedge knight feels about his late mentor, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), and everything he learned from him. There comes a point where he begins to wonder if this life he has chosen for himself, following in the footsteps of Ser Arlan. In a new interview, Peter Claffey, who portrays Dunk, opened up about the character’s dilemma.

Quick read:

• Peter Claffey on how Dunk struggled to understand if he was doing the right thing.
• Dunk is unsure if Ser Arlan was really the great hero he thought him to be.
• Things begin looking up a little for Dunk in episode 2.

Peter Claffey speaks about Dunk’s mental debate

Peter Claffey’s Dunk is not in a good position, neither financially nor emotionally. The Irish star acknowledged his emotional dilemma in the interview. He explained, “He [Dunk] probably questions his whole way of life and questions whether Ser Arlan was the person that he looks up to. It was lovely to try and explore that because I think it’s the whole mentality of Dunk throughout the whole show- ‘Is this the way you live or am I supposed to live a different way? Should I be looking up to him the way I am?’ So, I think that’s really difficult for Duncan.”

Ser Arlan was all Dunk had in the name of family, and even he is dead. All he had inherited was a few coins and three horses. Now, he is participating in a tourney with no prior experience. Considering Ser Arlan never won one in his decades of knighthood, Dunk’s odds are not exactly looking up. Not to mention that none of the lords Ser Arlan served seem to remember him.

Dunk finally gets a breakthrough in episode 2 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Dunk’s desperate attempts to find a lord who remembered Ser Arlan came up empty, and without someone to vouch for him, he was barred from entering the tourney. In a last-ditch effort, he turned to Prince Baelor Targaryen. Luckily, Baelor did, in fact, remember Ser Arlan and even told the tourney master to enlist Dunk.

Despite not having enough coins, Dunk went up to Steely Pate for some new armour. As expected, it cost way more than he could afford, but Steely Pate took pity on him and offered to arm him for less. Even to be able to pay that, Dunk sold one of the horses, Sweetfoot. He promised to buy back the horse if he won the tourney. The episode ended with Dunk determined to honour Ser Arlan’s legacy despite his doubts about how great the old knight really was.

Read more: Is Dunk a himbo?: Here’s what A Knight of the Seven Kingdom’s Peter Claffey has to say