The shocking death in the latest Game of Thrones installment is a true masterpiece by George R.R. Martin. Brace yourself for a thrilling episode that will leave you on the edge of your seat!
In the penultimate episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, we're not only treated to some classic GoT deaths but also a long-awaited backstory that adds depth to the narrative.
Our writers, Rebecca Onion and Nadira Goffe, delve into the question: Who is the worst person in Westeros this week? And boy, do they have some intriguing candidates!
Rebecca sets the stage, describing how Dunk, our protagonist, faces the Trial of Seven, a consequence of his noble act of defending Tanselle from Aerion Targaryen's wrath. With the help of his squire, Egg, Dunk assembles his team of seven, and we witness the anticipation of how this inexperienced knight will fare in battle.
The episode's violent scenes, sanctioned by Westeros' bloodthirsty morality, make it challenging to assign blame. Even Aerion, the perennial brat, gets a pass for now. But when Dunk is knocked out by a spear, the writers seize the opportunity to flash back to his origins in Flea Bottom, introducing some potential contenders for the title of Westeros' worst.
Young Dunk (Bamber Todd) and his friend Rafe (Chloe Lea) sneak onto a battlefield near King's Landing, scavenging from the corpses of the highborn. In a heart-wrenching scene, Dunk attempts to mercy-kill a wounded man, only to be stopped by Rafe, who suggests they ransom him instead. The poor soul is spared death but not the misery of being dragged out from under his horse by two 11-year-olds. Is Rafe the villain here? A thought-provoking question indeed!
Nadira weighs in, acknowledging Rafe's irritating nature but arguing that her actions stem from necessity and poverty rather than malice. We're taken to Flea Bottom, a place Rafe describes as "full up on people hurtin'," where the two friends eke out a living through swindling, thieving, and luck. Their plan to escape to the Free Cities is dashed when Rafe is caught by the City Watchman, Alester (Edward Davis), leading to a tragic and fatal encounter.
Alester emerges as a strong contender for the worst person this week. But before we crown him, Nadira presents some other candidates. Aerion, despite being brutalized in battle, is not let off the hook. After all, this battle was his doing, resulting in unnecessary deaths due to his cowardice. Crowning him the villain repeatedly would be too predictable, as would declaring Dunk the hero.
Instead, Nadira suggests some potential "Best Person" nominees. Ser Arlan, who takes Dunk under his wing after the death of Rafe, is a candidate, but his drunken and absent fatherly figure persona diminishes his adoration-worthy qualities. Then there's Baelor Targaryen, who supports Dunk during the Trial, only to meet a gruesome end with a significant brain injury. Baelor's death, a tragic consequence of standing up for Dunk, puts our knight in a tough spot.
Rebecca ponders whether any of these "good" guys outshone the bad guys this week. She expresses her love for Baelor, acknowledging his noble gesture in the previous episode but arguing that his death is morally insignificant. As for Ser Arlan, while he rescues Dunk, his initial indifference towards the boy leaves a sour taste.
In the end, it's the City Watchman, Alester, who takes the crown for the worst person this week. His actions are straightforward and unforgivable: robbing two children of their silver and then slitting Rafe's throat in front of Dunk, covering him in gore and forcing him to witness his friend's gruesome demise. A truly heinous act that leaves a lasting impression.
So, who do you think deserves the title of Westeros' worst? Join the discussion and share your thoughts! Is Alester truly the villain, or are there other characters whose actions warrant closer scrutiny? Let's delve deeper into the complexities of morality in the world of Game of Thrones!
