The latest episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms delivered a fight scene that earns its place among the franchise's most brutal faceoffs. The Game of Thrones universe changed television in its ability to deliver big-budget battles on the small screen. However, it is the smaller swordfights that often prove more visceral.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms may have seemed like a more light-hearted view of Westeros in the early episodes, but it has now proved its brutality matches Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. Across all three shows in the franchise, these are the fights that really packed a punch.
1. Erryk Cargyll vs. Arryk Cargyll
The first two seasons of House of the Dragon have delivered plenty of big dragon moments, but there haven't been as many one-on-one swordfights. However, season 2 did manage to deliver one that was fierce and tragic. This is because the fight is between twin brothers, Ser Erryk Cargyll and Ser Arryk Cargyll.
The Cargyll twins find themselves on opposite sides of the Dance of Dragons, with Erryk serving as a member of the Queensguard of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and Arryk a member of the Kingsguard of King Aegon II Targaryen. When Arryk poses as his brother in an attempt to assassinate Rhaenyra, the two brothers square off.
It is an emotional fight as neither brother wants to hurt the other, but they are both steadfast in their duties. In the end, the vicious fight leaves Arryk dead, and Erryk, filled with guilt, takes his own life.
2. Arlan of Pennytree vs. the City Watch
While there was one big fight we all knew was coming in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 5, the show managed to give us another surprising one. In the flashbacks of Dunk's younger years, we get to see his first interaction with Ser Arlan of Pennytree and how the old knight came to his rescue.
The fight explodes with a surprise, with Ser Arlan suddenly and drunkenly charging out of nowhere to save Dunk from the City Watch. It is a chaotic, close-quarters brawl that shows, despite the impression we got about Ser Arlan initially, he knew how to fight when the cause was right.
3. The Hound vs. the Lannister men
The Hound could always be counted on to deliver a brutal fight, and this one is perhaps his most satisfying. While traveling across the Riverlands with Arya Stark, the Hound runs into Polliver and some other Lannister men. While he initially wants to keep a low profile, the constant talk of his brother, The Mountain, and King Joffrey eventually leads to The Hound picking a fight with these villains.
The build-up to the fight is great, as The Hound threatens Polliver while demanding that he give him his chickens. When asked if he was willing to die for some chickens, The Hound coolly responds, "Someone is." He delivers on that promise, taking on all the men single-handedly.
The Hound attacks with such verocity that he truly does seem like an animal. He throws men around like ragdolls, throwing punches, and brutally bashing one man's face into a blade. While Arya doesn't get in on the fight much, she does get some sweet revenge on Polliver.
4. Brienne vs. The Hound
While it was easy to root for The Hound when he took on the Lannister men, it was hard not to root against him when he faced off with Brienne of Tarth. The two powerful warriors meet on the Kingsroad, and it doesn't take them long to cross swords.
What is so exciting about the fight is that these are two characters who proved themselves among the best fighters in Westeros. However, it is the fight that really cements Brienne as a true warrior. Neither of them holds back with biting, punching, and wailing until Brienne finally drops The Hound off a cliff.
5. The Mountain vs. The Viper
Perhaps the most memorable example of a trial by combat, Gregor Clegane, a.k.a. The Mountain taking on Oberyn Martell also led to one of the most shocking deaths in Game of Thrones. There were truly high stakes on the line with this fight, including Tyrion Lannister's life.
After seeing The Mountain as a seemingly indestructible force for much of the series, it was thrilling to see a character whose speed and finesse outmatched this brute. However, Oberyn's arrogance cost him severely, leading to The Mountain getting the upper hand and delivering a brutal finishing move on Pedro Pascal's character.
6. The Trial of Seven
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms brought a lot of humor to the Game of Thrones franchise in its first season, so it came as a bit of a shock when it became as violent as it did. Of course, this didn't come out of nowhere, as Dunk's Trial of the Seven was setting itself up to be a wild battle for the young knight's future.
Just as the show examines the complicated reality about knights in Westeros, the fight takes any romance out of such battles. It is a dirty, bloody, and frightening sequence where even a formidable figure like Dunk comes close to losing his life. The amount of pain Dunk takes in this scene adds to his endearing quality, but it is still hard to watch him endure such punishment.