A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Seven
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 4, “Seven,” brings the ultimate stakes to the table when Dunk finally faces the aftermath of intervening between Aerion and Tanselle.
Dunk must find seven knights to fight alongside him in the iconic Trial of Seven, a special trial by combat variant.
It is Dunk’s best chance to survive Aerion’s accusations because a regular trial would not favor him at all.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 4 introduces the Trial of Seven as a method to define several main characters further.
There has not been a Trial of Seven in over a century, making this event the pinnacle of the season.
Dunk: Don’t all knights make the same oath? To protect the innocent?
Dunk is desperate to prove his innocence. His only wrongdoing is his attack against a Targaryen prince, even though Dunk protected Tanselle from Aerion’s violent wrath.
Unfortunately, Dunk must face trial because of Aerion’s royalty status. It does not matter that Dunk is right; he must prove his innocence to the rest of Westeros.
Aerion firmly establishes his personality through his reaction to Dunk’s request for a trial by combat. He initially turns Dunk down, but once he realizes he cannot refuse him, he proposes a Trial of Seven.
It is a fascinating narrative change from George R.R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight because while he proposes the Trial of Seven in the novella, there is nothing to indicate he refused a regular trial by combat.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms portrays Aerion as cunning and deceitful, complicating his character. Aerion is wildly violent and delusional in A Song of Ice and Fire, but he has few other significant traits.
Aerion’s refusal of Dunk’s initial request illustrates that Aerion is also calculating and clever. He knows his chances against Dunk one-on-one are slim, and he only has the upper hand in a regular trial.
Therefore, it makes sense as to why Aerion asks for a Trial of Seven.
Maekar is clueless about the Trial of Seven, a surprising narrative decision. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms also gives one of his iconic quotes from the novella to Aerion.
Aerion Targaryen: If a cause is just, good men will fight for it. If not, it will be because you are guilty.
This quote further characterizes Aerion, but it takes away from Maekar.
In The Hedge Knight, Maekar firmly believes in Aerion’s accusations and fully supports Aerion’s request for a Trial of Seven. However, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms portrays Maekar as puzzled and hesitant, a decision that could eventually backfire against his characterization.
Right now, there is not much to Maekar’s character other than his irritation and anger. While he sides with his son, he does not seem to believe in him as much as his A Song of Ice and Fire counterpart does.
Only time will tell how reducing this aspect of Maekar’s character will affect the narrative.
Steffon Fossoway: I do not know why tragedy so oft follows after honorable men, but when I find myself without the answers, the answer is always “more glory.”
Shaun Thomas, who portrays Raymun Fossoway, has a standout performance on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 4, “Seven.”
Raymun’s loyalty to Dunk is admirable. He wholeheartedly believes in his friend so much so that Steffon betraying Dunk feels more like a betrayal against Raymun.
There is nothing Dunk can do about Steffon defecting to Aerion’s team, so he shows no notable reaction, allowing Raymun’s fury to shine.
Raymun is not just angry at his cousin—he rages. He cannot believe his cousin would disregard his knightly vows for a lordship, illustrating the vast difference between hedge knights and knights of nobility.
Hedge knights are more likely to follow the knightly code of honor, truth, and protection, whereas noble knights care more about status.
Raymun is so furious that he demands to be knighted to participate in the Trial of Seven on Dunk’s team, demonstrating his character’s loyalty and conviction.
It is an excellent performance from Shaun Thomas, and easily the best on the episode.
Of course, Raymun is knighted by none other than Lyonel Baratheon, while Dunk searches for one last knight to join them.
Raymun’s knighting sequence might be the show’s best scene yet, with its poetically cinematic slow-motion shots and the parallels of Dunk’s ambiguous knighting.
It is truly a riveting moment that circles back to themes of knighthood, honor, and justice.
The narrative might never reveal whether Ser Arlan of Pennytree knighted Dunk, but Dunk is truer than most noble knights will ever be.
“Seven” ends with an unexpected twist—Baelor Breakspear chooses to participate in the Trial of Seven on Dunk’s side.
It is a character-defining moment that illustrates Baelor’s honor and moral code. He is a beloved character for a good reason, representing the exception to knights of nobility.
Despite some questionable characterization decisions, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 4, “Seven,” is a compelling episode that sets up the inevitable and epic Trial of Seven.
What did you think of this episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms airs Sundays at 10/9c on HBO.
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Sarah Novack
Sarah has been a passionate writer and blogger about various forms of media for as long as she can remember, and her favorite method of expressing this passion is through writing and discussion. She loves way too many TV shows, books, and movies, specializing in book-to-screen adaptations, fantasy, sitcoms, and procedurals.