A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms fans devastated by episode 5 tragedy – star breaks down “heroic” scenes

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**Warning: Major spoilers ahead for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 5.**

After the incredibly violent scene in episode 5, it’s clear that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms doesn’t shy away from the brutality fans expect from Game of Thrones.

In the most recent episode of the Game of Thrones prequel, Baelor Breakspear (played by Bertie Carvel) died a violent death shortly after saving Dunk (Peter Claffey) during the Trial of Seven.

During a brutal fight where Dunk wins a trial by combat, the Targaryen prince—the future heir to the Iron Throne—is unexpectedly attacked by his brother, Makear (Sam Spruell).

Initially unaware of how badly he was hurt, Carvel’s Baelor asked someone to take off his helmet. When it was removed, it became clear that the back of his head was almost completely gone, leaving a gruesome wound. He immediately collapsed and died.

Even though fans familiar with George R.R. Martin’s original story anticipated those events, they were still deeply upset by them.

One fan praised Bertie Carvel’s performance of Baelor in his final moments as flawless. They highlighted the poignant scene of the king, despite his impending death, calmly and warmly speaking to Dunk, offering acceptance and comfort, and maintaining his dignity even as he struggled to breathe.

People shared their sadness online, with one writing, “Rest in peace, Baelor,” and another saying, “I’ll always remember Baelor Targaryen.”

Carvel recently shared with TopMob and other media outlets how much Baelor’s bravery meant to him.

He said what really excited him when he first read the scripts was Baelor’s entrance onto the jousting field.

What I really enjoyed about Game of Thrones was how it constantly subverted expectations regarding who the main characters were. It felt very realistic – much like life, where it’s unwise to become too invested in heroes, because things are unpredictable and anyone can face sudden, unexpected setbacks.

In this part of Westeros, I was happy to discover that true heroism hasn’t disappeared, even with all the cynicism around. It’s refreshing to see goodness and champions still exist, and that’s the kind of story I want to follow. I want to hold onto the belief that even as the world grows darker, goodness and heroism can still prevail.

Seeing Baelor finally step up and do the honorable thing was exactly what I was hoping for, and it was incredibly moving. I genuinely felt like an audience deserved to witness that moment, and it brought me to tears.

Ira Parker, the showrunner, also told Entertainment Weekly that they were deliberately being ambiguous about Maekar’s motives.

We explored different possibilities regarding responsibility, essentially whether it was a mistake or if he intentionally killed his brother, he says.

It was really interesting for me to explore this and talk it over with both Ira and Sarah, the director of episode six. There’s a strong ambition within Maekar to be the top heir, and that could potentially come at the cost of his brother’s life.

Despite his feelings of guilt, sadness, or grief, he’s comforted by the fact that this situation means he’s next to inherit the throne.

As a huge fan of ‘Game of Thrones,’ I was thrilled to find out ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ is streaming on Sky Atlantic and NOW. If you’re thinking of joining Sky TV to watch it, they have all the details on how to sign up!

Want daily TV recommendations? Download the TopMob: What to Watch app and add A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to your watchlist! You’ll also get features and more.

Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, writing about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro, and she holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-02-16 19:42