A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 5 delivers a brutal trail of Seven and Major Death

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has aired its fifth episode, titled “In the Name of the Mother,” and it has become the most intense instalment of the season so far. The episode centres on Ser Duncan the Tall’s trial of seven against Prince Aerion Targaryen, a bloody combat that tests loyalty, honour, and survival. It also deepens the show’s political backdrop, including early hints of the Blackfyre Rebellion and the fragile state of the Targaryen Dynasty.

The Trail of Seven takes place in the present-day timeline of the series. Dunk’s side includes Prince Baelor Targaryen, Lyon Baratheon, and several other knights, while Aerion leads a team of ruthless fighters backed by his father, King Maekar. From the start, the fight is not a tournament but a life-or-death battle, and the honour of that reality hits Dunk and his allies hard.

Dunk Himself is badly beaten during the flight, taking multiple wounds and nearly being killed. At one point, he collapses, and only a memory of his late mentor, Ser Arlan, pulls him back to his feet. In a final surge, he overpowers Aerion, forcing the prince to withdraw his accusation rather than die, which technically clears Dunk’s name.

However, the victory is a hollow one. Several of Dunk’s allies, including Ser Humfrey Bees and Ser Raymun Hardyng, are killed in the opening charge. The biggest shock comes when Prince Baelor, who fought for Dunk despite the Kingsguard rules, is struck by a mace that crushes his skull; he dies in Dunk’s arms, fulfilling a prophecy about a “falling dragon.”

The episode also uses flashbacks to show Dun’s younger years in Flea Bottom, where he dreams of a better life and bonds with a friend named Rafe. These scenes contrast sharply with the brutality of the trail, underlining how far Dunk has come and how much he has lost along the way. They also set up his later relationship with Egg, as the show continues to build the foundation of the “Dunk and Egg” stories.

Episode 5 premiered on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. ET in the United States on HBO, with global streaming on Max. In many international markets, including India, it became available on Monday, February 16, 2026, in the morning. Early audience and critic reactions highlight the episode’s long, chaotic battle sequence and the emotional weight of Baelor’s death.

In the current status of the series, Dunk survives the trial but is left physically broken and emotionally scarred. Aerion remains alive, setting up future tension between the two, while the political fallout from Baelor’s death could reshape the Targaryen court. With only one episode left in the season, the show is now heading toward a finale that must deal with the consequences of this brutal trial and the looming threat of civil war.