A Prequel TV Series That Surprises Viewers
The Atlantic
February 15, 2026
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Sally Jenkins, a staff writer at *The Atlantic*, shares her cultural picks in this edition of The Daily’s Sunday culture newsletter. She highlights *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*, a prequel series to *Game of Thrones*, for its clever screenwriting and lighthearted tone that surprises viewers despite its connection to the darker, ruthless world of Westeros. Jenkins also recommends Joni Mitchell’s 2000 version of “Both Sides Now,” which captures the poignancy of growing older, and the film *I’m Not There* for its mosaic-like storytelling style. Her selections reflect a mix of entertainment that balances artistry with accessibility.
Jenkins praises *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* for its ability to reverse expectations set by the original series, offering fresh surprises even for jaded viewers. She draws parallels to classic Hollywood screenwriting techniques, noting how Charles MacArthur and Charlie Chaplin innovated the pratfall scene—a lesson in reinventing tired tropes. Jenkins also lauds *The Diplomat* as the smartest-written show she’s seen in a while, and expresses excitement for the next season of *Project Hail Mary*, a space adventure film that builds on the reliably engaging genre formula.
Her picks extend to literature, where Ian McEwan’s *What We Can Know* stands out for its psychological depth and ability to make even improbable scenarios feel believable. For nonfiction, Sidney Blumenthal’s multi-volume biography of Abraham Lincoln impresses her with its fresh insights despite seeming like a well-trodden subject. Jenkins also returns to Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem “God’s Grandeur” for its vivid imagery and rhythmic power, while enjoying the contrasting moods of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and the anthemic loudness of the Killers’ “Mr. Brightside.”
These recommendations highlight Jenkins’ appreciation for storytelling that
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Originally published on The Atlantic on 2/15/2026