Image via HBO
Published Feb 6, 2026, 3:01 AM EST
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Editor's note: The below recap contains spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 4.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has finally gotten to the action with Episode 3's reveal that Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) is actually Prince Aegon. This week, "Seven" deals with the fallout of Dunk's (Peter Claffey) fight with Prince Aerion (Finn Bennett), and even though the hedge knight was only defending Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford), he faces serious dangerous consequences. However, throughout Episode 4, new and sometimes shocking allies appear to aid Dunk, leaning into the heroics of knighthood and building anticipation for the upcoming Trial of Seven more than anything else. At this point, the real excitement is only beginning.
Dunk Faces Consequences in 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Episode 4
Image via HBOFollowing Episode 3's shocking end, Dunk is locked away until Prince Aegon comes to visit him. Having shed his disguise, the young prince apologizes for deceiving Dunk, but the hedge knight is angry with him, believing it a game to make him seem foolish. Aegon explains that he wanted to squire in the tourney, and his brother, Daeron (Sam Spruell), planned to hide in an inn until it was over, going so far as to shave Aegon's head to remain inconspicuous. As previously revealed in Episode 1, he took things into his own hands, becoming Egg and attaching himself to Dunk. Poor Egg is upset by Dunk's reaction, but given his situation, his anger is understandable.
Aegon escorts Dunk to Prince Baelor (Bertie Carvel), where Dunk assures the king's heir that Egg was a good squire and meant no harm, but his trick caused more challenges than Dunk realizes. Not only did he ask Dunk to get involved with Aerion by going to him instead of Baelor, but when Maekar (Sam Spruell) found Daeron, the older prince claimed his brother had been taken by a huge robber knight, which Maekar believes to be Dunk. Baelor goes on to explain that Aerion's version of the puppet show will accuse the performers of attacking the Targaryen dynasty, and though he doesn't argue with Dunk's insistence that it was an innocent story, Baelor calls it unwise. The puppet show itself is not the concern, though, as Dunk indisputably attacked a prince. While Dunk defends himself with his knight's oath to protect the innocent, Baelor informs him that he has no intention of allowing his execution. However, even Prince Baelor cannot prevent a trial, and between Maekar and Aerion's accusations, the lords would find Dunk guilty — yet Baelor seems to have another idea.
After meeting with Baelor, Dunk stands before the princes and lords to ask for a trial by combat, a Westerosi tradition that will allow a fight between the accuser and the accused to determine guilt. Despite Maekar's suggestion that Aerion is afraid to face Dunk, the cruel prince insists that Dunk is being accused of multiple wrongs and therefore needs a "Trial of Seven." This rarely practiced form of trial by combat requires seven champions on either side, in honor of the seven gods worshiped throughout most of Westeros, under the belief that the sacred number will encourage the gods to intervene in the results. However, if Dunk cannot find six additional champions, he will not be allowed to fight before being declared guilty. While Aerion's plan gives Dunk another obstacle to face before the story's main event, it also emphasizes Baelor's attempt to help Dunk, which shouldn't go unnoticed.
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Dunk Looks for Allies in 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Episode 4
Image via HBODunk returns to his camp, where Raymun Fossoway (Shaun Thomas) is waiting for him. Raymun takes Dunk to his cousin, Ser Steffon (Edward Ashley), and the pair listens to Dunk's story. As Dunk tells them about the Trial of Seven, Steffon agrees that Dunk was acting as a knight should and promises to fight as one of his champions. Dunk tries to warn him about the possibility of making an enemy of the royal family, but the Fossoways have no love for the Targaryens. Steffon insists that they aren't so frightening now that their dragons have died out and offers to find Dunk five more champions. As Steffon leaves to rouse others, Raymun suggests Dunk run just in case, but Dunk admits that he may deserve what's coming to him for not knowing his place.
Not only are the Fossoways on Dunk's side, but Egg comes to visit him along with Daeron. Though Dunk threatens Daeron over his accusations, Daeron is surprisingly apologetic. Despite fighting among the accusers, he asks for a clean blow to his helmet and promises to fall without fighting back, but Egg's father, Maekar, is also one of Aerion's Seven despite Egg begging him not to, and he will not be so generous. Egg offers to help Dunk get champions, saying he hopes Aerion is hurt after years of being threatened and tormented by him. Despite being his brothers, Egg and Daeron insist that Aerion is dangerous, especially because he believes himself to be a dragon in human form. That isn't the only warning Daeron offers, pulling Dunk aside to tell him that he has the rare ability to tell the future in his dreams and saw Dunk surviving while a large dragon dies. Daeron can't tell if Dunk killed the dragon, but he doesn't want to die, though he seems to think one Targaryen will. The moment allows A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to emphasize the difference between Targaryens: some are evil, some are great, and some fall in between.
After his talk with Daeron, Dunk visits the scene of his fight, which is where Steely Pate (Youssef Kerkour) finds him. He gives Dunk the shield Tanselle painted for him and informs him that the puppeteers fled to Dorne. Not only does Steely Pate deliver the shield, but he also improves it, strengthening the metal to better protect Dunk, yet he charges Dunk next to nothing for it, seeming to respect Dunk for his courage. As lonely as Dunk may feel, he still has many supporters.
Dunk Isn't Alone in 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Episode 4
Dunk has more allies than he realizes, and when the crowd gathers for the trial, many knights intend to fight for Dunk. Ser Humphrey Hardyng (Ross Anderson), who lost a horse to Aerion in the joust, is fighting for Dunk despite his broken leg. Ser Robyn Rhysling (William Houston), the one-eyed knight Egg met in the previous episode, insists that the crown has gone against the gods, so he will fight on Dunk's side, as will Ser Humfrey Beesbury (Danny Collins). Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings) shows up for Dunk, saying that a Trial by Seven is rare, and he wants the glory of fighting in one. These men face the royal family in Dunk's name, but aside from a quick explanation of their choices, the series doesn't offer much about them.
Though Dunk initially credits Steffon, it is Egg who brings them together, showing how much the prince cares for the hedge knight. Dunk seems to have six of his seven fighters, but Steffon betrays him, switching to Aerion's side to be made a lord. Furious, Raymun not only refuses to squire for his cousin but asks to be made a knight to fight for Dunk. Though any knight can make another, Dunk hesitates, but Lyonel Baratheon knights Raymun, bringing Dunk's side back to six.
Dunk offers to fight with just six, but Aerion insists he forfeit. Dunk desperately addresses the crowd of knights, asking them to fight with him and reminding them of the knight's duty to protect the innocent. Dunk asks, "Are there no true knights among you?" in a powerful speech, and he gets exactly what he hoped for as Baelor himself rides out to meet Dunk. The Game of Thrones theme plays (with no crude interruptions this time), casting Baelor as the hero as he defies his family for Dunk. Maekar accuses Baelor of losing his senses, but Baelor suggests they let the gods decide Dunk's guilt, setting up an epic fight to clear Dunk's name, though viewers will have to wait another week for it.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is streaming on HBO Max with new episodes on Sundays.
Release Date January 18, 2026
Network HBO
Showrunner Ira Parker
Directors Owen Harris
Writers George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker
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Peter Claffey
Ser Duncan 'Dunk' the Tall
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Pros & Cons
- Episode 4 includes Dunk's passionate speech to the knights, showing exactly what he stands for.
- Baelor takes up a role as hero as he helps Dunk throughout the episode, ultimately becoming one of his champions.
- Daeron becomes a highlight of Episode 4, showing off a rare Targaryen ability and the range of personalities in the royal family.
- Episode 4 builds anticipation for the coming conflict, but it isn't especially fast-paced.
- Several of the knights who act as champion for Dunk barely appear, despite their significance.
English (US) ·