A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Just Repeated Game of Thrones’ 2 Best Fights (& 1 Has a Deeper Meaning)

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Season 1, Episode 5 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, titled “In the Name of the Mother,” feels the most like Game of Thrones, especially with its two impressive battle scenes. HBO’s new prequel has mostly stood out by forging its own path – the initial episodes were less grand and more focused on the ideals of knighthood, rather than power struggles for the Iron Throne. However, the show is becoming more ambitious, culminating in a spectacular sequence: the trial by combat. Be warned: spoilers follow.

I really enjoyed the latest episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms! While it leaned more into backstory, there was still plenty to keep me engaged. The trial scenes weren’t the massive battles we were used to in Game of Thrones, but they felt right for this story and kept Ser Duncan the Tall as the central figure. The way it built to Dunk’s win over Aerion Targaryen was fantastic, but honestly, the real shocker was Baelor Targaryen’s death at the end. Both those moments actually reminded me a lot of scenes from Game of Thrones Season 4, which was a cool connection to see.

Baelor Targaryen’s Death Was Similar To Oberyn Martell’s In Game Of Thrones

Baelor’s choice to fight alongside Dunk in a trial by combat wasn’t the same as Oberyn Martell volunteering to fight for Tyrion Lannister. Oberyn was motivated by a desire for revenge for the wrongs done to his sister, Elia, and saw this as his opportunity. Baelor acted more out of a sense of pure goodness. However, despite their different reasons, both men met a similar fate: they were both killed, suffering a fatal blow to the head.

Both deaths were shocking and meant to be emotionally powerful, especially after we’d grown to care about these characters. They serve as a stark reminder of how harsh and unforgiving this world can be, regardless of someone’s morals. While their deaths felt both abrupt and potentially preventable – neither had to fight – it was their willingness to act on their beliefs, even knowing the risks, that ultimately made them so compelling and unforgettable.

Dunk’s Brawl With Aerion Recalled Brienne vs. The Hound (& There’s A Deeper Link Between Them)

Before the truly shocking moment of Baelor’s death, we had the fight between Dunk and Aerion, and it was a fascinating clash of styles. Aerion was clearly the more technically skilled fighter, especially considering how injured Dunk was – honestly, in a fair duel, he might have won. But this wasn’t about Ser Duncan the Tall; it was about fighting Dunk of Flea Bottom, and that changes everything. It’s a clever move pulled straight from George R.R. Martin’s source material, and it’s where the entire fight is ultimately won or lost.

The action shifts from a traditional sword fight to a brutal struggle for survival. It’s messy, violent, and feels incredibly real, putting the viewer right in the middle of the chaos. This fight strongly resembles the intense battle between Brienne of Tarth and the Hound in the Game of Thrones Season 4 finale, “The Children.” That scene was one of the show’s most memorable – and realistically gritty – and this one is the closest in style and intensity.

The connection between Dunk and Brienne adds another layer to their comparison. They’re both physically imposing and embody the qualities of a noble knight. Interestingly, it’s been revealed they’re related – Brienne is a descendant of Ser Duncan the Tall, and even inherits his shield. This family tie makes their shared battles and heroic qualities even more meaningful.

The season one finale of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will be available on HBO and HBO Max starting Sunday, February 22nd, at 10 PM Eastern Time.

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2026-02-17 21:19