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S1·E5 — The Judgment of the Gods

Daeron II Targaryen, the Good holds the throne Hand: Prince Baelor Breakspear

The hour retold

The trial itself, before gods and men, and the episode stages it as everything the tourney's earlier jousts were not — no ribbons, no favors, just seven against seven and a hedge knight's hand and foot on the scales. Dunk's ragged company faces three princes, three white cloaks and a bought apple; the lances shatter and the melee closes into a brawl in the mud, the Laughing Storm bellowing, Raymun finding his cousin Steffon and paying the family's debt in steel. It is close, ugly, and expensive: Ser Humfrey Beesbury dies in the press, and broken-legged Hardyng takes wounds no man in his condition should survive.

Dunk wins it by remembering he was a boy of Flea Bottom before he was ever a knight. Driven to the river's edge by Aerion, he drops the sword he was never properly trained with and beats the yield out of the prince with his bare hands, and Aerion recants his accusation with a hedge knight's fist for a conscience. The trial is won — and the episode's final image poisons the victory before it can be enjoyed. Across the field, in the confusion of the melee, Prince Maekar's mace has glanced off his own brother Baelor's helm, and the Hand of the King is swaying in his saddle over a blow that everyone, including Maekar, is about to spend the rest of their lives insisting was nothing.

What happens

Seven against seven before the eyes of gods and men: Dunk's ragged seven against three princes, three Kingsguard, and a bought apple.
The lances shatter and the melee closes in. The Laughing Storm bellows; Raymun finds his cousin Steffon and pays the family debt in steel.
Ser Humfrey Beesbury dies in the press; Ser Humfrey Hardyng takes wounds no broken-legged man should bear.
Aerion drives Dunk to the river's edge — and Dunk, remembering he was a boy of Flea Bottom before he was a knight, drops his sword and beats the yield out of him with his hands.
Aerion recants. The trial is won — but across the field Prince Maekar's mace has found his brother Baelor's helm, and the Hand of the King is swaying in the saddle.

The people of the episode

DtSer Duncan the Tall — Wins his hand, his foot, and his name — at a price no one would pay willingly.EEgg — Watches his family fight itself over the knight he chose.BBBaelor Breakspear — Takes a mace blow meant for no one and shrugs it off. For now.MTPrince Maekar Targaryen — His mace, his brother's helm — a blow no one saw land clean.ABAerion Brightflame — Recants his accusation with Dunk's fist as his conscience.LBSer Lyonel Baratheon — Fights through the seven with a storm's own laughter.RFRaymun Fossoway — Green apple against red: he settles it with his cousin directly.TTanselle — Gone from the meadow before the trial ends — Dunk never finds her to say farewell.

The fallen — spoilers

Ser Humfrey Beesbury — Died in the trial of seven, standing for a hedge knight's honor.