A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has achieved a milestone no other series in the Game of Thrones universe has reached. The show’s fourth episode has earned the highest single-episode rating on IMDb in the entire franchise, surpassing episodes from the original series and its prequel.
Titled “Seven,” the episode aired on HBO and HBO Max on February 8, 2026. It quickly earned a rating of 9.7 out of 10 on the popular review site. This score moves it ahead of classic episodes from Game of Thrones, including major battle episodes and fan-favorite finales. The achievement is significant, setting a new bar for storytelling in Westeros.
The Climax of a Simple Knight’s Trial
The episode centers on the fallout for Ser Duncan the Tall, played by Peter Claffey. After defending puppeteer Tanselle from the cruel Prince Aerion Targaryen in the previous episode, Dunk finds himself on trial for striking a royal. Prince Aerion, seeking to ensure Dunk’s defeat, demands a “Trial of Seven.” This is an ancient Andal tradition where the guilt or innocence of an accused person is determined by a combat between two teams of seven knights.
Dunk, a humble hedge knight with few allies, struggles to find six other knights to stand with him. The episode builds tension as Dunk and his squire, Egg, scramble to find champions. The tension peaks when a knight Dunk counted on, Ser Steffon Fossoway, betrays him to join Aerion’s side. With only minutes before the trial begins, Dunk is one champion short, which would mean an automatic guilty verdict.
Prince Baelor’s Shocking Decision and a Legendary Theme
As Dunk makes a final, desperate speech about true honor and knighthood to the gathered crowd, an unexpected champion steps forward: Prince Baelor Targaryen. Baelor is Aerion’s uncle, the heir to the Iron Throne, and a revered figure known as “Baelor Breakspear.” His decision to fight for a common hedge knight against his own family is a monumental act.
Showrunner Ira Parker explained the character’s choice. He said Baelor is a man who has lived with a reputation for honor, but sees this moment as his true test. “Virtue untested is no virtue at all,” Parker stated. He described Baelor’s motivation, saying, “This poor schmuck is going to get absolutely murdered unless he does something about it.” By stepping onto the field, Baelor chooses to live up to the ideal of a true knight, even when it is most difficult.
The episode concludes with Baelor riding onto the tournament field to join Dunk’s side. This heroic moment is accompanied by the first full, triumphant use of composer Ramin Djawadi‘s iconic Game of Thrones main title theme in the series. The powerful musical cue, paired with the visual of a prince defending a hedge knight, created an electric ending that resonated deeply with viewers.
Also Read:
Fan and Critical Praise for a “Pure Game of Thrones Moment”
The immediate reaction from audiences was overwhelmingly positive. On IMDb, hundreds of reviews poured in, many calling it a “masterpiece” and the best episode of the new series. Fans specifically highlighted the emotional weight, the book-accurate storytelling, and the impactful ending.
One reviewer wrote, “This felt like a pure Game of Thrones moment. If anything is the true successor to GOT, it’s not House of the Dragon – it’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”. Another added, “The ending alone is up there with anything from GOT”. Many expressed that the episode captured the spirit of the early seasons of the original show, focusing on character, moral choices, and political tension over sheer spectacle.
Critics also praised the episode. A review noted that “Seven” is “full of richly charged emotional moments that ask what it means to be a true knight” and called the final sequence “like crack cocaine” for fans of the franchise.
A Prophecy and the Road to the Trial of Seven
Beyond the main trial plot, the episode included other key developments. Dunk’s squire, Egg, was revealed to be Aegon Targaryen, the son of Prince Maekar and a young member of the royal family. His confession to save Dunk from kidnapping charges added another layer of complexity to their relationship.
The episode also featured another mysterious prophecy. Daeron Targaryen, another of Egg’s uncles, shared a dream with Dunk. He described a vision of Dunk lying beneath a great, dead dragon. In a world where dragons are extinct, this is widely interpreted as a metaphor for a Targaryen. The prophecy hints at Dunk’s future role in potentially fatal conflicts with the royal family, starting with the imminent trial against Prince Aerion.
The series, based on George R. R. Martin’s “Dunk and Egg” novellas, has been celebrated for its faithful adaptation and smaller-scale, character-driven story. It has already been renewed for a second season.
Also Read: How Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock Takes A Wildly Different Path From Past Adaptations
For more stories from the world of Westeros and the latest in television, keep reading VvipTimes.
