Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for the Season 1 finale of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a prime example of what an adaptation can be if it remains close to the book. The latest Game of Thrones spin-off brings George R.R. Martin‘s Tales of Dunk and Egg series to life, almost adapting the first story word-for-word. Yet, in the final moments of Season 1, the series made a major change to the story in an odd choice. The finale, “The Morrow,” explores the fallout from Ser Duncan the Tall’s (Peter Claffey) trial, and one of the major questions is what comes next. After all, the show is renewed for Season 2, which cannot continue to follow the tourney. The finale hints at the future when Prince Aegon (Dexter Sol Ansell) resumes his disguise as Egg to become Dunk’s squire, setting them up for more adventures, but there is a catch when it’s revealed that Maekar (Sam Spruell) doesn’t know what his youngest son is up to. This is a distinct change from Martin’s novels, and though it may not seem like much, it undermines the character growth of Egg and Maekar while seeming to set up an unnecessary complication for Season 2.

How Does ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Change the Ending?

Though A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms stays almost religiously loyal to Martin’s book, the ending raises some questions. When Egg rejoins Dunk, it’s an exciting prospect, especially as Maekar previously rejected Dunk’s offer to take Egg on the road with him, but that’s not the end of it. The series includes a scene of the Targaryens departing Ashford, only to show Maekar searching for his son, who did not have his permission to join Dunk. Egg does join Dunk in the novels, but Martin’s version plays out differently. When Dunk first expresses his desire to have Egg as a squire the offer is contingent on them living the life of a hedge knight, but Maekar turns him down, just like in the show, but he does come around. Martin never actively wrote a scene where Maekar agrees to send Egg with Dunk, but the Targaryens leave before the boy joins Dunk, so Maekar knew where Egg was going, which changes everything.

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Change Hurts the Characters’ Growth

In Martin’s version, Maekar’s eventual agreement shows that he truly believes going with Dunk is best for Egg, allowing him to take an active part in breaking the cycle that so many Targaryens seem to fall into. As much as Maekar loves his sons, but his oldest two —Daeron (Henry Ashton) and Aerion (Finn Bennett) — are not the noble men that he hoped to raise, and sending Egg with Dunk is proof that he is trying to correct his mistakes (though he gives his son a way to prove his identity to get out of any scrapes). Maekar’s acceptance of this shows his character growth after he spends the story ignoring Aerion’s cruelty, but Maekar’s arc isn’t the only one that is disrupted by this change.

Having Egg run away again backtracks from his progress in Episode 4. Egg isn’t cruel, like his brother, but he can be arrogant and forget to consider how his choices impact others. When Dunk learns that he is a prince, he accuses the boy of being selfish and making him seem foolish, which brings Egg to tears. While this was an unintended consequence the first time, Egg repeating his mistake detracts from any remorse he may have felt, showing that he hasn’t grown aware from the lethal events of the tourney.

How Will This Change Impact ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Season 2?

Image via HBO

Most adaptations alter the plot, but A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms largely does not, making this moment stand out. For now, the change is mostly comic relief, but it has the potential to grow in Season 2. It shouldn’t be difficult for Maekar to guess where Egg is, especially considering this is the second time Egg has slipped away from his family to squire for Dunk, so it would be more surprising if they were not pursued. Dunk is no friend of the royal family, and this twist can only make that worse, adding a new conflict to Season 2, even though it is unnecessary. Season 2 will take on the second novella Martin wrote, which is full of Targaryen drama because of the recent Blackfyre Rebellion, which still divides lords who fought against each other. With this impacting the plot, Dunk’s personal issues with the royal family are irrelevant and should have been resolved in Season 1.

While this story isn’t done, Maekar will not be searching for Egg in Season 2, as Spruell has confirmed that he will not appear in the next installment. This could mean that the tension between them is never mentioned again, making it an odd choice to include in the first place, or it could be drawn out for several seasons. While Maekar himself will not be chasing Dunk and Egg, there are other Targaryens and their many allies who may be. Showrunner Ira Parker has remained tight-lipped about Season 2, but when asked about returning characters, he admits, “Whether or not somebody will come in and out of Dunk’s world again, I would say probably.” It may have the potential to explore interesting characters, but if Egg’s disappearance becomes a major plot point in Season 2, it will only emphasize this unnecessary change, which might best be forgotten.