The latest entry in the Game of Thrones universe has done something no other series in the franchise could manage. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms just hit a major milestone that puts it ahead of its predecessors, and fans cannot stop talking about it.
The HBO series, which premiered on January 18, 2026, follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, a lowborn hedge knight, and his young squire Egg across Westeros . Based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, specifically The Hedge Knight, the show takes place about 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones . Now airing its first season on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and Max, the show has quietly been winning over audiences with its grounded storytelling .
But episode 5, titled “In the Name of the Mother,” just changed the game entirely .
The Highest-Rated Episode in Franchise History
According to IMDb data, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 5 has scored a perfect 10 out of 10 rating with nearly 2,000 reviews submitted . This is not just a win for the new show. It officially makes this episode the highest-rated episode in the history of Game of Thrones and all its spin-offs .
To put this in perspective, the original Game of Thrones series had several episodes that fans still consider masterpieces. “The Rains of Castamere” (Season 3, Episode 9), “Battle of the Bastards” (Season 6, Episode 9), and “The Winds of Winter” (Season 6, Episode 10) all hold a 9.9 rating on IMDb . They came close but never reached a perfect score.
Even House of the Dragon, the first and more expensive spin-off, peaked with its Season 2, Episode 4 titled “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” which scored a 9.7 . The new, smaller-scale show just surpassed them all.
What Happens in Episode 5?
The episode centers on a major moment known as the “Battle of the Seven.” A behind-the-scenes image that surfaced online just before the episode aired had already sent fans into a frenzy . The photo, reportedly captured from a camera monitor during filming, appeared to show Prince Baelor Targaryen (Bertie Carvel) and Prince Maekar Targaryen (Sam Spruell) locked in combat . Behind them, Ser Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings), also known as the Laughing Storm, is seen stepping back to avoid a swing .
What caught everyone’s attention was Baelor’s position in the shot. The character appeared to be on his knees rather than actively fighting his brother . Fans immediately began speculating that the episode would include a tragic turn for the beloved prince.
One fan wrote on social media, “Baelor isn’t even tackling Maekar, he’s just on his knees on the ground. It’s over” . Another reacted, “welp im NOT watching ep 5” . A third viewer shared, “i can’t wait to watch the new akotsk episode but i am also sad because i know what will happen” .
Why This Episode Resonates So Strongly
The success of this episode comes down to what makes A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms different from its predecessors. Creator George R.R. Martin himself warned viewers before the show premiered that this is not a series for those seeking “action, and more action, and only action” . He revealed there is a “huge” and “exciting” fight scene in the season, but clarified that the show focuses on character, “duty and honour, on chivalry and all it means” .
Showrunner Ira Parker described the tone in simple terms. โNobody’s thinking about magic. This could basically be 14th century Britain. This is hard nose, grind it out, gritty, medieval knights, cold with a really light, hopeful touch. It’s a wonderful place to be. We are ground up in this series, we are starting right at the bottom. We’re not with the lords and ladies, the kings and queens” .
Fans have embraced this approach. After the premiere, one viewer posted on X, “No dragons in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. No white walkers. No massive battles for the throne. Just a young hedge knight trying to prove his worth at a tournament. Sometimes the smallest stories hit the hardest” .
Another fan wrote, “The A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiere was FANTASTIC! The scene where Ser Dunk takes Egg on as his squire made me tear up. As a fan of the book, this episode did it justice. An absolute masterclass in Game of Thrones storytelling” .
The Cast Bringing Westeros to Life
The show features Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall, often called “Dunk,” and Dexter Sol Ansell as his young squire Egg . The cast also includes Finn Bennett as Prince Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen, Egg’s cruel older brother, Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor “Breakspear” Targaryen, and Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen, Egg’s father . Daniel Ings plays Ser Lyonel Baratheon, and Tanzyn Crawford appears as Tanselle, a Dornish puppeteer .
At the world premiere in Berlin, Germany on January 13, Martin joined the cast on the red carpet, expressing his enthusiasm for the project . He had previously written on his blog that he had seen and loved “all six episodes (the last two in rough cuts, admittedly)” and found the cast “just incredible” . He added, “The rest of the cast is terrific as well. Wait until you guys meet the Laughing Storm. And Tanselle Too-Tall” .
Martin also confirmed that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is “as faithful as an adaptation as a reasonable man could hope for” .
Also Read:
What Makes This Record So Significant
The original Game of Thrones series ran for eight seasons and became a global phenomenon. Its highest-rated episodes are considered landmarks of television. “Battle of the Bastards” is famous for its immersive, large-scale combat sequences. “The Winds of Winter” delivered shocking twists with Cersei destroying the Great Sept. “The Rains of Castamere” gave us the infamous Red Wedding.
For a new show with no dragons, no White Walkers, and no massive battles involving thousands of soldiers to surpass all of them is remarkable. It proves that audiences are connecting with the smaller, more human story at the heart of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
The series is set roughly 90 to 100 years before Game of Thrones, during an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet faded from living memory . It follows Dunk and Egg as they travel Westeros, encountering lords and ladies, knights and puppeteers, all while the boy’s true identity as Prince Aegon Targaryen, future king, remains a secret .
Episode 3, titled “The Squire,” revealed Egg’s true heritage when he blew his cover to protect Dunk from his brother Aerion . Leading up to that moment, the show had been dropping subtle clues. Egg’s posh accent, his knowledge of noble houses, his shock at Dunk wanting to join the Kingsguard, and his reaction to Aerion’s cruelty all pointed to his royal blood . A fortune teller even predicted that Egg would become king but die horribly, a reference to the Tragedy of Summerhall known to book readers .
Now with Episode 5 achieving a perfect score, the show has cemented its place in franchise history. New episodes continue to air Sundays on HBO and Max, with the finale scheduled for February 22 .
For more entertainment news and updates on your favorite shows, keep reading VvipTimes.
