A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Finale: Trial of Seven Changes Everything

HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms delivered one of its most intense moments yet. Ser Duncan the Tall faced Prince Aerion Targaryen in a legendary Trial of Seven that left viewers stunned and eager for the finale.

[{"selector":"#anim-8930c228-4bae-459e-b1f8-350aa5a33565 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(39.61738772467988%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-48bf6c04-54e1-4ba3-816a-d581eb1d3d34","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-160dafc2-6602-46e1-ba73-452face1ca74","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(104.21052%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A Trial of Seven is an ancient Westerosi tradition where seven warriors defend the accused against seven champions of the accuser. The ritual honors the Seven Gods, allowing divine judgment to decide guilt or innocence through combat.

[{"selector":"#anim-5b77e578-a6f8-4472-be47-714b9c8051da [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5001cfe7-0614-47cb-a1e9-8e8f580a07c1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Ser Duncan, known as Dunk, struck Prince Aerion after the royal cruelly broke a puppeteer’s fingers. In a realm ruled by Targaryens, defying a prince is nearly unthinkable, but Dunk chose honor and justice over fear.

[{"selector":"#anim-0a437fdf-3147-412f-98b5-20eee7a19569 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-60e2a714-9fcf-4a94-9950-6d0ba7652d09","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Although Dunk survived and emerged victorious, the brutal battle resulted in devastating losses, including a shocking death that no one anticipated. The episode also revealed emotional details about Dunk’s humble origins and journey across Westeros.

[{"selector":"#anim-c18ce0b1-592b-45c9-a07a-8007441556cb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.59374990044751%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-61b124f3-0cac-4267-a236-375010ec535b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set nearly a century before Game of Thrones and between it and House of the Dragon. The Targaryens still rule the Iron Throne, but their dragons are gone and their power is fading.

[{"selector":"#anim-d10e1dc7-333a-45bb-8461-e101d2b2caf6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-760512be-7f9a-4579-81f9-1d525981b11e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Episode 6, the season finale, premieres Sunday, Feb. 22, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. The episode will stream simultaneously on HBO Max, giving fans one final chapter in this dramatic first season.