Sally Jenkins doesn’t do fluff. As one of the most feared and respected voices in sports journalism, she’s made a career out of cutting through the noise. So when she dedicates her Atlantic column to an HBO fantasy series, you pay attention.
Her verdict? “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is a masterpiece of restraint.
Debuting in January 2026, the series stripped away the dragons and the armies of the undead. Instead, it gave us Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg. Jenkins, who joined The Atlantic in September 2025 after a legendary run at The Washington Post, calls it “delightful.”
This isn’t about spectacle; it’s about the grind.
While Game of Thrones leaned into shock value, this prequel leans into humanity. Critics agree, calling it “the most faithful adaptation of Martin’s work to date.” It’s small-scale, gritty, and focuses on the dirt under the fingernails rather than the crown on the head.
But Jenkins didn’t stop at Westeros.
She pivoted to the stadium, highlighting the bizarre, beautiful rise of “Mr. Brightside” as a sports anthem. Watching “80,000 middle-aged men” scream lyrics about jealousy and “calling a cab” at Buffalo Bills games isn’t just a trend—it’s a cultural shift. From the mud of Westeros to the snow of Buffalo, Jenkins is tracking the heartbeat of modern storytelling.
Jordan Blake is a rogue film critic and former VFX compositor with over 15 years of industry experience. Tired of paid reviews and “safe” opinions, Jordan left the studio system to tell the audience what Hollywood won’t. He specializes in forensic frame-by-frame analysis, exposing bad CGI, and decoding hidden lore that others miss.
Known for his “no-nonsense” approach, Jordan pays for his own tickets and refuses to attend press junkets, ensuring his loyalty belongs only to the fans. If a movie is a cash grab, he’ll say it. If it’s a masterpiece, he’ll explain why technically.
Specialty: VFX Breakdowns, Script Analysis, Hidden Details.
Motto: “Cinema doesn’t lie, but marketing does.”
Follow him for: The truth behind the pixels.