Many viewers are wondering who dies in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 5. Given that it’s the penultimate episode and features a trial by combat involving several knights, does it include any major deaths? Does Ser Duncan make it out alive?
Here’s a breakdown of the major deaths in this week’s episode.
Who dies in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 5’s ending and beginning?
It’s a tradition for a series set in the Game of Thrones franchise to deliver intense storytelling and epic battle sequences in its penultimate episode. While A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a more grounded story, Episode 5, titled “In the Name of the Mother,” continues that legacy.
The episode features several deaths, but two of them were a major part of Dunk’s life. The episode begins with his trial and later delves into his past through a flashback. This is where the first major death occurs.
The flashback features Dunk’s early days in Flea Bottom, living in the city with his friend and love interest, Rafe. The two salvage armors and other metals from a nearby battlefield to sell them and earn enough coins to sail to the Free Cities. However, a crooked City Watchman, Alester, from whom Rafe had previously stolen before, corners the two in an alley and takes away their coins.
Frustrated by the incident, Rafe swiftly steals Alester’s knife, though he soon realizes it. In a shocking move, he approaches her from behind, grabs the knife, and slits her throat. That’s when a drunken Ser Arlan shows up and kills the two guards with a little help from Dunk. The young boy then grieves for the loss of his friend.
The second death takes place at the end of the episode. After the flashback, the episode continues with the intense fight-off between Dunk and Prince Aerion Targaryen. Meanwhile, the rest of the knights fight in the background. Despite being close to death, Dunk gains an upper hand over the prince and forces him to yield and withdraw his accusations.
Both Steely Pate and Ser Raymun drag Dunk to the side and tend to his wounds. When Dunk asks who all died, Raymun tells him that Beesbury and Hardyng both died in the first charge. Later, when Baelor Targaryen shows up beside him, Dunk kneels before him and says, “I am your man.” Seemingly proud of him, Baelor responds, saying that he and the realm need good men like him.
Baelor then asks Raymun to remove his helmet, noting that his visor has cracked and that his fingers feel like wood. Pate then notices that Baelor’s helmet crushed against his skull. Baelor says that it was probably his brother’s mace, acknowledging that he’s strong. When Pate removes his helmet, a large piece of Baelor’s skull comes off with it. He immediately collapses to the ground and dies. Dunk cries in guilt, holding him.
