Every Episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Ranked

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Season one of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has finished, and the Game of Thrones spin-off gets off to a great beginning with its first six episodes—some of which are truly memorable. The show, based on George R.R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight novella, centers on Ser Duncan the Tall and his journey to compete in a tournament at Ashford Meadow. His travels take an unexpected turn when a conflict with Prince Aerion Targaryen leads to a trial by combat to determine his fate.

As you might anticipate, the high stakes create a TV show that gets more and more thrilling – though it doesn’t quite reach the same scale as Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. That’s why the later episodes are the most compelling. Here’s a ranking of all six episodes, considering everything from action and suspense to the quality of the writing and visuals.

Be warned: This contains spoilers for all six episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

6) “The Hedge Knight” (Episode 1)

The first episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, titled “The Hedge Knight,” isn’t a bad beginning for the new series, but it’s definitely the weakest episode so far. The show takes a little while to get going, and the heartwarming connection between Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg hasn’t fully developed yet. This makes the episode feel a bit incomplete, especially when you watch it again. While there are enjoyable scenes—like the clever take on the Game of Thrones theme song and Dunk’s visit to Lyonel Baratheon—the groundwork laid in this episode truly pays off in later installments.

5) “Hard Salt Beef” (Episode 2)

The second episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, titled “Hard Salt Beef,” is where the series really finds its footing. It deepens the connection between Dunk and Egg and introduces key members of House Targaryen, setting up important plot points like the revelation of Egg’s true identity, the Trial of Seven, and the death of Baelor Targaryen. The episode firmly establishes the show’s focus on themes of honor and knighthood, and balances humor, emotional scenes, and exciting action with a final jousting match. While relatively calm compared to later episodes, it’s a noticeable step up in pace from the first one.

4) “The Squire” (Episode 3)

“The Squire” is a pivotal moment in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, introducing a major plot twist and fully immersing us in the high-stakes conflict. The chapter begins pleasantly, allowing the character of Egg to show a more childlike side and making him even more likable. Once the action starts, the jousting is more exciting than before, largely due to Prince Aerion’s disruptive behavior. But the real standout is the ending, which reveals Egg’s true identity as Aegon V Targaryen and puts Dunk in a difficult situation. The chapter effectively balances character development and plot progression, fundamentally changing the direction of the story. While it’s a significant turning point, it’s not the most impactful in the series – the consequences of what happens here are more compelling than the chapter itself.

3) “The Morrow” (Episode 6)

The finale of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms mirrors the quieter endings of early Game of Thrones seasons, neatly tying up loose ends after a series of dramatic events. Despite being largely dialogue-driven, the episode, titled “The Morrow,” remains surprisingly tense and captivating. This is due to strong character development; by this point, we genuinely care about what happens to them, and are eager to see their stories continue. The episode is also emotionally powerful, from Dunk’s sadness over Baelor’s death, to Egg’s struggle with temptation, and culminating in a particularly moving final scene featuring Dunk, Egg, and Ser Arlan – it’s hard not to be affected.

Each moment in this episode feels purposeful, and the surprising reveal about the Egg cleverly mirrors the possibility that Dunk isn’t telling the truth about being a knight. The way they leave things at the end of the season hints at another exciting story to come, building the excitement you’d expect from a finale. While it’s not as action-packed as the episodes before it, it still manages to be compelling, even with a slower pace.

2) “Seven” (Episode 4)

The episode “Seven” begins immediately after Dunk’s clash with Prince Aerion, and even the quieter scenes – like his time in a cell and his interactions with the Targaryens – are skillfully done. You can really feel the tension as they decide his fate, and the actors deliver powerful performances. Once the Trial of Seven is set in motion, we get interesting insights into some of the less prominent characters, such as Raymun Fossoway and Lyonel Baratheon. But the real highlight is the episode’s ending. Peter Claffey perfectly captures Dunk’s emotions during his speech, Baelor’s decision is incredibly suspenseful, and the iconic Game of Thrones theme adds to the epic feel. The entire chapter is brilliantly constructed and is arguably the best episode so far, though “In the Name of the Mother” is equally well-made and perhaps a bit more thrilling.

1) “In the Name of the Mother” (Episode 5)

For me, “In the Name of the Mother” is the absolute standout episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and it’s quickly become one of the best battle episodes Game of Thrones ever did. While Dunk’s Trial of Seven doesn’t quite reach the epic scale of something like the Battle of the Bastards, it’s brilliantly filmed and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell both give incredible performances. The flashback sequence worked really well to enhance the current battle, although it risked being a little distracting. But honestly, putting us right inside Dunk’s perspective during the fight? That was a genius move, and one of the coolest things this show has ever attempted. It really makes you feel his confusion and pain. And Baelor’s death? A total shocker (if you haven’t read the novellas!), but sadly fitting for the harsh world of Westeros and the cost of trying to do what’s right.

I’m totally hooked on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms! I’m curious, what’s everyone’s favorite episode? Let me know in the comments, and let’s chat about it over on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-24 20:12