- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 5 is now available
- The penultimate episode of this season revolves around the Trial of the Seven.
- Viewers have had a lot to say about the game of Thrones the last entry of the program
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 5 debuted on HBO Max and many other streaming platforms. And, if there were any doubts among fans that the penultimate episode of this season, titled 'Seven', would be epic and heartbreaking, they were erased throughout its 30-minute duration.
From flashback sequences about Dunk's past to the emotionally devastating ending of this episode, viewers have had a lot to say about 'In the Name of the Mother' since it aired. I can't emphasize this enough: Full spoilers for the fifth entry of this season immediately follow.so come back now if you haven't seen it yet.
Does Ser Baelor die in episode 5 of The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
Yes. You don't get a mace blow to the head of that magnitude in the game of Thrones (Got) universe, one that sinks into your skull and helmet, no less, and lives to tell the tale.
Anyone who has read The errant knightalso known as the first entry in the 'Dunk and Egg' novella trilogy that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'(AKotSK) from which the first season is adapted, they would have known that this moment was approaching. For everyone else, it's an absolutely heartbreaking scenario that has surprised many of the HBO Max show's devoted viewers.
“It hurts as much as it does when I read the books,” lamented ResetEra user GambitPool, before fellow Deception forum member simply wrote, “That was brutal… I wasn't expecting that ending.”
“Brutal” is a word that many have used to describe Baelor's death since 'Seven' aired on many of the world's top streaming services, but it's not the only adjective that comes to mind for many.
“Disturbing ending,” said ResetEra member SolVanderlyn, while fellow user Neen used Baelor's final words to convey how devastating this scene is: “'My brother's mace, more like. He's strong.' Damn hell.”
Since Baelor is heir to the Iron Throne and, at least for a Targaryen, a kind and honorable man, his passing is a hammer blow (or should it be a mace blow (sorry, too soon…)) to everyone. Thrones universe too.
As some fans have pointed out, the events that have unfolded since Dunk attacked Aerion in AKotSK Episode 3 has led up to this moment. In fact, as ResetEra user Neece wrote: “Prince Baelor's death to me was the cost for Dunk's lie that he was knighted. The gods judged Dunk innocent of the accusations against him by Aerion and Daeron, but had to punish him for the lie. Is Dunk worth becoming a great knight if he possibly cost the kingdom a great king?”
For those of you wondering, this is probably the moment Maekar hit Baelor #AKOTSK #AKnightOfTheSevenKingdom pic.twitter.com/gv1uh4s51rFebruary 16, 2026
That being said, the blame can't fall squarely on Dunk.
In fact, if Aerion had not called a Trial of the Seven, if Steffon Fossoway had not betrayed Dunk to fight for Aerion, and/or if Baelor had not joined Dunk's side at the end of episode 4, Baelor would have lived and probably would have become one of the most benevolent rulers of Westeros.
What else are fans saying about episode 5 of Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
Despite Baelor's death, viewers have been discussing 'In the Name of the Mother' as a mainstream show in the hours since its release.
“That was heartbreaking, it might be one of the most brutal episodes of television I've ever seen,” ResetEra member. Domino said, while DanDanderson stated, “This show is the first show in a long time that legitimately makes me scream shit out loud at my TV.”
“This is the first time in game of Thrones where I could feel the weight of the fight,” Redditor Nick___ added, before Reddit user jarheadsynapze weighed in: “I haven't been this stressed since. [Game of Thrones episode] 'Battle of the Bastards'”.
AKotSKHowever, the fanbase has been divided over one aspect of episode 5's plot. Namely, the flashback sequences of Dunk's childhood and how he and Ser Arlan first crossed paths.
“I really didn't like the flashback. I just hate flashback episodes in shows in general,” ResetEra member JEH opined before Neece appeared again to say about the death of Dunk's childhood friend Rafe: “I just don't like that the flashback is going to introduce frigging into the conversation this season.”
“Honestly, I wasn't a fan of the flashback and cuts in planning before the trial began,” BossAttack mused, “especially the whole plan Baelor concocts to arm himself with longer tournament spears instead of war spears.
“The flashback is a lot darker than anything Dunk thinks in the books, and of course, here it's a lot older too. It also doesn't serve the main purpose of showing Dunk as a fighter in Flea Bottom, and using those fights, not any knight training, to defeat Aerion. Instead, he's basically shown as a super shy guy. I can't say I like that change.”
There are some who liked the inclusion of flashbacks. The Reddit post above is proof of that, as is this one from ThatCrazyGuy of ResetEra: “Beautiful, emotional, dark episode. The violence is visceral and heartbreaking, as someone pointed out. The fights are brutal and desperate, I'm just trying to live. I haven't read the books. The flashbacks really hit me, about where Dunk came from and the pain he suffered and what Ser Arlan was all about.”
If it wasn't clear by now, there's only one more episode left before that. AKotSKThe debut season leaves our screens. But fear not, for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 was announced and has already begun filming ahead of the 2027 release date.
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