Warning: This post contains spoilers for the Season 1 finale of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms as well as some future events from George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire universe.
“Visor’s cracked. My fingers feel like word.”
As Prince Baelor “Breakspear” Targaryen’s fateful words in the closing minutes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘s fifth episode proved once again, if there’s a character who seems too good to be true in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire universe, they’re likely not long for this world.
The death of Hand of the King and heir to the Iron Throne Baelor (played by Bertie Carvel) as a result of the brutal Trial of Seven of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) is an event that echoes across generations in Martin’s saga. As the author himself put it when asked in a 2022 interview about his favorite “seemingly minor moment” that changed the course of Westeros’ history, “The death of Baelor Breakspear—who was the heir, next in line to the throne, and I think would’ve been a very strong and competent king—who dies to defend the honor of an insignificant hedge knight. How is Westeros history different if Baelor does not die? That would be very significant.”
As those who are familiar with Westerosi lore already know, the eventual crowning of Maekar Targaryen (Sam Spruell) as king in place of his late older brother Baelor ultimately leads to Aerys II “The Mad King” Targaryen inheriting the throne around 40 years later. This, in turn, kickstarts the events of Game of Thrones, resulting in Robert’s Rebellion, the exile of the Mad King’s daughter Daenerys Targaryen, and the eventual return of dragons to the world. You know the rest, Thrones fans.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. First, let’s talk about how the days immediately following Baelor’s death played out in the Season 1 finale of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Although Dunk is…
