This review contains full spoilers for this week’s episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
The penultimate episode of the first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms delivers a brutal and emotionally resonant installment, revealing key details about Ser Duncan the Tall’s past and the events that shaped his strong moral compass. Episode 5, “In the Name of the Mother,” immediately establishes a grim tone with the Trial of Seven between Dunk’s allies, including Prince Baelor Targaryen, and the forces of the cruel Prince Aerion.
Peter Claffey shines as Dunk, who is quickly knocked unconscious, prompting a flashback to his youth. We see a young Dunk (Bamber Todd) and his first love, Rafe (Chloe Lea), scavenging battlefields in Flea Bottom to make a living. Although Dunk is portrayed as sensitive, Rafe is hardened by the harsh realities of their environment.
Much of the episode unfolds in the past, following Rafe and Dunk’s desperate plan to earn enough money for passage to the Free Cities and a recent life. Their hopes are shattered when a city watchman (Edward Davis) harasses them, and Rafe’s repeated attempts at pickpocketing ultimately prove fatal.
In a heartbreaking scene, Rafe has her throat slit by the watchman and dies in Dunk’s arms. She had always been the stronger of the two, urging Dunk to confront tricky truths, including the likelihood that his mother was never coming back. Their dream of escaping Flea Bottom ends with a brutal act of violence. (The episode also hints that Rafe may have been of Dornish descent, potentially explaining a connection Dunk feels later in life with the imperiled Tanselle.)
Rafe’s death also marks young Dunk’s first encounter with Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), who intervenes, despite being intoxicated, and swiftly dispatches the watchman and his accomplice. With no other options, Dunk secretly follows Ser Arlan, who eventually offers him water and a simple piece of advice: “Gain up.”
“Get up” becomes a recurring theme throughout the episode, with Egg urging Dunk to rise and defeat Aerion. Dunk, portrayed as a resilient but somewhat dim-witted fighter, endures numerous injuries before ultimately triumphing over Aerion, forcing him to concede. Though, this victory comes at a devastating cost with far-reaching consequences.
Following the battle, Prince Baelor arrives to check on Dunk, only to be discovered with a fatal head wound, believed to have been inflicted by his own brother, Maekar. Like Ned Stark in Game of Thrones, Baelor’s honor and commitment to doing what’s right lead to his death. Dunk, who had finally found a high-born knight he could admire, inadvertently caused his demise. The episode reinforces the idea that misfortune seems to follow Dunk wherever he goes.
The Trial of Seven sequences are particularly striking, showcasing unflinching knight-on-knight violence reminiscent of films by Ridley Scott. Every blow, groan, and blood spurt contributes to a visceral and cinematic experience. While earlier episodes featured impressive jousting scenes, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms saved its most brutal and impactful moments for its penultimate installment. The series continues to build anticipation for the season finale, airing February 15 on HBO, and is already generating buzz among fans of George R.R. Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas.
