The latest chapter in the world of Westeros has just made television history. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 5, titled “In the Name of the Mother,” premiered on February 15, 2026, and has already shattered records by becoming the highest-rated episode in the history of the Game of Thrones franchise on IMDb.
The numbers are stunning. The episode currently holds a remarkable 9.9 out of 10 rating on IMDb based on over 27,000 user votes. This score places it alongside legendary episodes like “Hardhome” from the original series and surpasses the ratings of beloved installments including “The Rains of Castamere” (the Red Wedding) and “Battle of the Bastards.”
What makes this achievement even more impressive is that this is only the first season of a spin-off series, proving that the magic of Westeros storytelling is very much alive.
The Near-Perfect Score That Has Fans Talking
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 5 initially achieved a perfect 10/10 rating based on early reviews before its official premiere, and it has maintained its exceptional 9.9 score after tens of thousands of viewers watched the episode on HBO and Max.
Only three episodes in the entire Game of Thrones franchise have ever scored higher: “The Rains of Castamere,” “Battle of the Bastards,” and “The Winds of Winter,” all of which also earned 9.9 ratings. For a first-season prequel series to join this elite company is unprecedented in television.
The episode shows remarkable growth from earlier installments. The series has consistently improved with each chapter:
- Episode 1: 8.2/10
- Episode 2: 8.3/10
- Episode 3: 9.1/10
- Episode 4: 9.7/10
- Episode 5: 9.9/10
This upward climb demonstrates how the show has found its footing and exceeded audience expectations with every passing week.
What Happens in Episode 5: The Trial of Seven
The fifth episode centers on the brutal Trial of Seven, a medieval combat test that determines the fate of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey). After being accused by Prince Aerion Targaryen, Dunk must find six knights to stand with him in battle against seven champions from the opposing side.
The episode balances two parallel stories. It opens with a 20-minute flashback to Dunk’s traumatic childhood in the slums of Flea Bottom in King’s Landing, showing viewers why he fights the way he does. Young Dunk, played by Bamber Todd, experiences the death of his childhood friend Rafe (Chloe Lea) at the hands of a city watchman. This backstory explains Dunk’s fierce protectiveness over his young squire Egg.
When the action returns to the present, the Trial of Seven unfolds in what critics are calling the most realistic medieval combat ever shown on television. The sequence avoids clean Hollywood choreography in favor of chaotic, muddy, desperate fighting.
Director Owen Harris used what the production team called “helmet cam” shots, placing viewers inside Dunk’s helmet to experience the claustrophobia and confusion of battle. The sound design adds to the immersion, with muffled screams, ringing ears, and the sickening crunch of weapons hitting armor.
The Shocking Death That Broke Hearts
The episode’s most devastating moment comes in its final minutes. Prince Baelor Targaryen, played by Bertie Carvel, survives the trial itself but dies immediately afterward from a fatal head wound. In a tragic twist, the blow came from his own brother, Prince Maekar Targaryen (Sam Spruell), who accidentally struck Baelor while fighting.
Baelor represented the best of the Targaryen dynastyโfair, compassionate, and intelligent. His death removes the one person who could have prevented the eventual madness that consumes his family and leads to Robert’s Rebellion decades later.
The image of Baelor removing his helmet only to have the back of his skull come away with the steel is already being called one of the most unforgettable moments in the entire franchise.
Other casualties include two of Dunk’s champions, Ser Humfrey Beesbury and Ser Humfrey Hardyng, both of whom succumb to their wounds. Prince Aerion survives but is humiliated, forced to yield in the mud and retract his accusation against Dunk.
George R.R. Martin’s Personal Reaction
Original author George R.R. Martin has publicly shared his satisfaction with this episode through his personal blog. Martin wrote that he felt a thrill seeing his “Tales of Dunk and Egg” perfectly realized on screen.
“I felt a thrill seeing my ‘Tales of Dunk and Egg’ perfectly realized on screen.”
He expressed gratitude to the production team and actors for bringing his characters to life with such care and authenticity. This personal endorsement from the creator himself carries significant weight with fans who have waited years to see these stories adapted.
Fans Declare It the Best Episode Ever
Social media has exploded with praise since the episode aired. Viewers on X (formerly Twitter) have been sharing their emotional reactions, with many declaring this the finest hour in the entire Game of Thrones universe.
One fan wrote that the episode captured “the dirty chaos of medieval combat better than anything since The Last Duel.” Another described it as “visceral, exhausting, clumsy and arbitrarily deadly in the best possible way.”
The emotional impact of Baelor’s death has resonated deeply. A viewer commented that Bertie Carvel’s performance in his final moments was perfect, showing the prince speaking lovingly about Dunk and accepting his fate with grace even as death approached.
Another fan summed up the feelings of many by stating that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is “the best show I’ve seen in years” and praised its commitment to storytelling above all else, noting that no character is too valuable to die if it serves the narrative.
The costumes have also received special praise, with viewers calling for awards recognition for the armor designs featured in the Trial of Seven sequence.
Behind the Scenes: Making the Trial of Seven
The cast and creative team have shared fascinating details about filming this landmark episode. The battle sequence required extensive planning, with a large white board covered in cue cards breaking down every beat of the 14-person melee.
Peter Claffey, who plays Dunk, spent much of the battle sequence unconscious in the story, which presented unique challenges. The decision to knock Dunk out early allowed the team to focus on his internal journey rather than just external action.
Finn Bennett, who plays Prince Aerion, recalled that wasps became an unexpected challenge during filming. Rotting fruit used as set dressing attracted every wasp in Belfast to the location. The fake blood, made with sugary syrup, only made the problem worse. Bennett praised his stunt double Zach Roberts, who performed many of the complex moves while unable to see clearly through a helmet with tiny eye holes.
Daniel Ings, who plays Ser Lyonel Baratheon (the Laughing Storm), described coordinating seven horses to stand in a perfect circle and look menacing simultaneously as one of the trickiest parts of production. Horses would move backward unexpectedly or try to chew on each other’s reins, adding chaos to an already complex scene.
Showrunner Ira Parker admitted that some viewers might be displeased with the flashback interrupting the battle, but he stood by the creative decision.
“I hate that I’ve had to do a flashback at this point when everybody just wants the battle, but we had to. I do think it adds a lot to the story, and it adds to the ending.”
The chaos of filming matched the chaos on screen. Parker described how mud would dry up under hot lights, requiring fire hoses to re-wet the battlefield, while wind machines would shift unexpectedly, changing the direction of atmospheric mist. Through all these challenges, the team remained committed to their vision.
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Where the Series Stands Now
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has proven itself as more than just another spin-off. The show has carved its own identity while remaining faithful to the source material. Unlike House of the Dragon, which focuses on dragons and large-scale politics, this series offers intimate, character-driven storytelling about honor, class, and what it truly means to be a knight.
HBO has already renewed the series for a second season, expected to debut in 2027. The first season consists of six episodes total, with the finale scheduled to air on February 22, 2026.
For viewers who haven’t yet started watching, all episodes are available on HBO and Max. The series streams in the US on HBO and Max, in Canada on Crave, in the UK on Sky Atlantic, and in India on JioHotstar. Episode 5 runs approximately 37 minutes and is now available to stream.
With one episode remaining in the season, fans are eager to see how the story of Dunk and Egg will conclude. Given the extraordinary response to Episode 5, expectations for the finale could not be higher.
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