We don’t return to the motion of the trial of seven till over 20 minutes into the episode, as Dunk regains consciousness on a subject that’s so stuffed with mud and fog it’s tough to trace what’s taking place. Knights on horseback fly previous, maces swing alongside his helmet, and lances shatter overhead. Nothing about that is horny or feels just like the stuff of legend, although it’s a provided that this occasion will nearly instantly be reframed as such as soon as it’s over. Dunk and Aerion grunt and wrestle within the filth, stabbing and scrabbling at one another, meting out the form of wounds that make you surprise how both of them continues to be standing, not to mention preventing. And for a second, Dunk isn’t. However these are the Dunk and Egg novellas, so, spoiler alert, it seems okay for him in the long run.
However whereas he does get a conventional hero-type second, dragging himself again to his toes amidst the group’s cheers, what’s stunning is how ineffective all of it in the end feels. Sure, ultimately forces Aerion to yield, and the Targaryen in the end withdraws his accusation over what was, objectively, an extremely ridiculous cost. However the price of all of it seems to be effectively past what anybody possible anticipated. Heck, perhaps we ought to have all guessed instantly that Baelor Targaryen was doomed the second he stepped ahead to do one thing just because it was proper. That’s the way it rolls on this universe, in spite of everything, and Baelor joins an extended listing of fine males — Eddard Stark, Oberyn Martell, Robb Stark, Jorah Mormont, to call a number of — who have been arguably too pure for this world of blood and gore. That he dies is perhaps the least stunning factor that’s occurred on the present all season, however man, it positive does suck.
Not for the least of which purpose being that his loss of life is solely horrible. Bashed behind the top by his youthful brother’s mace, Baelor basically dies the minute he takes his helm off, as a result of…it was just about the one factor holding his mind in. It’s a horrifying visible — and to not point out downright merciless when it comes to its framing, contemplating the present gleefully leads us to imagine all the pieces’s superb mere moments earlier than. For a second, we’re allowed to hope that the one deaths Dunk must dwell with on his conscience are these of Ser Humfrey Beesbury (whom he simply met) and Ser Humfrey Hardying (who was already gravely injured anyway). That’s not all that dangerous, contemplating! As a substitute, he’s not solely gotten the inheritor to the Iron Throne killed, however the one Targaryen who didn’t look like a whole monster. He’s basically modified Westeros’ historical past, and most definitely not for the higher, given the parents concerned.
Although, in Dunk’s protection, it does appear as if Baelor’s loss of life was foretold, which means that it possible couldn’t have been prevented. In final week’s episode, we realized that his (drunken) nephew Daeron, like Home of the Dragon’s Helaena, is presented with what’s referred to as dragon goals. These visions aren’t normally clear or simple, however they’re additionally by no means improper. And, earlier than the match, Daeron dreamed of Dunk; particularly, of Dunk and a lifeless dragon with an enormous wingspan that had fallen on prime of him however left him alive. In hindsight, it feels apparent what Daeron’s dream meant — Baelor dying in Dunk’s arms — however on the time, with so many Targaryens taking part within the trial, nobody may have guessed which it most likely referred to.
Maybe it’s bizarre to mourn Baelor so intensely, given how little time we really spent with him. Nevertheless it’s exhausting to not surprise what may have been, what tragedies may need been prevented, had Baelor taken the throne. Plus, there’s the sheer novelty of getting to observe a Targaryen like him, who has been purposefully set in opposition to a lot of what his household usually stands for. Alas, Prince Baelor, we hardly knew you. Right here’s hoping that Dunk can hold on to the world you’ll have made.
