A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Ep 2

TL;DR:

Episode 2, “Hard Salt Beef,” aired on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Baelor Breakspear helps Dunk enter the Ashford tourney.
Dunk sells his horse, bonds with Tanselle, and picks a new sigil.
The show adds small tweaks while staying close to the novella.
New episodes air Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” returned with Episode 2, “Hard Salt Beef,” on Sunday, January 25, 2026. The hour stays focused on Dunk and Egg at the Ashford tourney and sets up the trials ahead.

Item	Detail
Title	Hard Salt Beef
Air date	Sunday, January 25, 2026
Where to watch	HBO in the U.S., streaming on Max next day in many regions
Setting	Ashford tourney and camp
Tone	Warm character beats, light humor, rising stakes

What happened

The royal party arrives at Ashford. We meet Baelor Breakspear, Maekar, and Aerion Targaryen as the princes sweep into camp with banners and Kingsguard in tow. The spectacle reminds viewers that the dragons are gone and the crown feels smaller.

Dunk’s problem remains the same. He needs a lord to vouch for him so he can ride. After an awkward approach, Baelor shows rare kindness and backs his claim, clearing the path to the lists. It is a gentle, smart beat that fits Baelor’s book reputation.

To gear up, Dunk sells his beloved palfrey and scrapes coin for armor and a repainted shield. The tourney scenes pop, with several jousts running at once while the crowd roars from the rails. The scale feels rough, loud, and dangerous.

Dunk and Tanselle’s bond grows. She helps him shape a new crest, and their shy flirting gives the episode heart. Recaps highlight how the show lets this connection breathe without losing pace.

Big moments to note

Baelor’s choice matters. His public support gives Dunk legitimacy and hints at court politics beyond the lists.
A new sigil for a new knight. The elm and shooting star motif marks Dunk’s own path, not Ser Arlan’s.
The Ashford tourney feels real. The episode stages messy, concurrent bouts seen from the crowd, not a royal box.
Selling the horse stings. It shows the cost of honor for a poor knight and raises the stakes for every tilt.

How the show adapts the book

Reviewers note the hour follows “The Hedge Knight” closely, while adding small, character-first tweaks. The series makes Dunk a touch more proactive. He seeks out Baelor, rather than only stumbling into help. The script also seeds future lore with a light touch, including a nod to Blackfyre history that will matter later.

The camp life outside the lists gets more time. We see games, trade, and late-night noise that make the world feel lived in. The flirtation with Tanselle is richer on screen, giving Dunk warmth that balances his size and doubts.

Performances and craft

Peter Claffey keeps Dunk gentle, awkward, and brave. His scenes with Dexter Sol Ansell’s Egg carry the show’s humor. Bertie Carvel’s Baelor reads as wise and kind, not aloof. Reviews praise this tone, which stays intimate and human while sitting inside a famous franchise.

The jousting montage is shot from the ground. Spears splinter, riders collide, and the crowd’s cheers feel rowdy. The choice sells the danger without dragon fire or huge battles.

What changes for Dunk after Episode 2

He has a place in the lists, thanks to Baelor.
He carries his own colors and crest.
He owes favors and coin, which adds pressure.
He has allies at Ashford, but also new eyes on him.

These beats push him toward the trial to come, both in the arena and with the princes watching.

How to watch the next chapter

New episodes air Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO, with streaming on Max following in supported regions. The season continues on a weekly cadence, with the finale dated for Sunday, February 22, 2026, per Den of Geek’s listing. Check local guides for regional times.

Quick checklist for fans

Mark Sundays, 10 p.m. ET, for new episodes.
Expect more tourney politics and Targaryen family friction.
Watch for deeper Blackfyre hints in dialogue.
Track Dunk’s debts and whether he wins back his horse.
Keep an eye on Dunk and Tanselle’s slow-build bond.

Why it matters

The episode proves this prequel can stand on character, not only scale. It brings Westeros back to mud, coin, and simple honor without losing stakes. That mix should keep both book readers and new viewers invested week to week.