George R. R. Martin Details Surprise A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Death in Resurfaced Interview
An interview with George R. R. Martin has resurfaced following the death of Baelor Targaryen (Bertie Carvel) on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms at the end of episode five, “In the Name of the Mother.”
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is sharing a glimpse at what could’ve been with Westeros.
George R. R. Martin, the Game of Thrones mastermind known for dense mythologies and a penchant for killing off beloved characters, referenced both of his trademarks in a poignant resurfaced interview.
Spoilers ahead!
Fans flocked to the author’s comments in the wake of episode five, “In the Name of the Mother,” wherein Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen (Bertie Carvel) died after volunteering to fight alongside Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) in a Trial of Seven battle.
Martin was quick to respond after one fan asked, “What is your favorite, seemingly minor moment that changed the course of Westeros’ history?”
“There are a couple of them. I think in The Hedge Knight, the first Dunk and Egg story, the death of Baelor Breakspear, who was the heir,” Martin explained in the Q&A for Penguin Random House in 2022, “next in line to the throne, and I think would have been a very strong and very competent king—who dies to defend the honor of an insignificant hedge knight.”
In a powerful moment at the end of episode four, “Seven”—complete with a swelling of the Game of Thrones music score, which hasn’t been the dominant theme of the HBO Max series—Baelor valiantly answers Duncan’s call for aid.
Alas, the royal was revealed to have been fatally wounded from a mace as Dunk went helmet-to-helmet with Baelor’s brother, Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett).
“How is Westeros history different if Baelor does not die?” Martin added. “That would be very significant.”
Carvel had a lock on Baelor’s mindset as he stepped onto the set.
“He holds this man’s fate in his hand at several moments in the story,” Carvel said during the post-show recap, alongside more interviews with the cast and producers about the Feb. 15 episode. “He’s got on his mind what the realm needs. I think in that sense he is noble, but at the end of the day—tragically—it is a cruel world.”
“Baelor chooses to do the right thing,” showrunner Ira Parker noted of the Targaryen’s decision to go against his family. “Like many people on Game of Thrones who choose to do the right thing, life intervenes as it will.”
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ season one finale drops Feb. 22 on HBO Max.
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