Honor, Blood, and Betrayal: The Hedge Knight’s trial of seven turns deadly

The latest episode of The Hedge Knight delivered one of its most emotionally intense and violent chapters yet, as the long-awaited Trial of Seven unfolded in the episode titled “ In the Name of the Mother .” The episode aired Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s novella, the episode centers on the rare Westerosi ritual in which seven champions fight to determine justice. Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) , played by Peter Claffey, faced Prince Aerion Targaryen and his supporters, with Prince Baelor Breakspear joining Dunk’s side in a stand for honor. The fierce battle led to heavy casualties and ended in tragedy when Baelor was accidentally struck by a mace wielded by his own father, Prince Maekar , as he tried to save Aerion. The devastating moment was capped by Maekar’s anguished cry, “My boy!” , which quickly became one of the episode’s most talked-about lines.

Viewers and critics praised the episode for its emotional weight , intricate costumes , and intense choreography. Raymun Fossoway’s heroism emerged as a standout, while the visual design of the Trial of Seven was widely applauded across fan discussions and social media.

The season has steadily built toward this confrontation, beginning with the introduction of Dunk , a humble hedge knight, and his companion Egg , later revealed as a Targaryen prince in disguise. Their arrival at the Ashford Meadow tourney led to Dunk’s clash with the cruel Prince Aerion after he defended a mistreated performer.

Later episodes deepened tensions within House Targaryen , with Prince Baelor emerging as a symbol of justice by standing with Dunk despite political risks. What began as a personal dispute evolved into a larger struggle over honor, power, and family loyalty .

With Baelor’s death and new fractures in the royal family, the series now heads into its season finale, expected to examine the political fallout of the Trial of Seven and the next phase of Dunk and Egg’s journey.