With A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms racing toward its finale this Sunday, one of the most talked‑about moments has already unfolded: Baelor Breakspear’s choice during the Trial of Seven. Actor Bertie Carvel explained why Baelor’s decision to side with Dunk was not just about the trial itself, but about the example he wanted to set for young Egg.
Quick Read
- Bertie Carvel highlights Baelor’s moral choices in the Trial of Seven.
- Baelor sides with Dunk to guide Egg’s future.
- Carvel stresses that goodness is defined by actions, not destiny.
Baelor’s choice in the Trial of Seven
Carvel underscored that Baelor’s decision to stand with Dunk was rooted in the belief that morality is shaped by choices, not fate. “One of the things I like about this story is that it matters what people do from one minute to the next,” Carvel explained in an interview with TV Insider. “You don’t come out of the womb predetermined to be good, bad, or ugly. Goodness is as goodness does.”
He rejected the idea of Baelor being inherently virtuous, emphasizing instead the power of deliberate action. “I’ve heard a lot today about Baelor being a good man, and that’s not true until it is… What makes the story moving and heroic is when people choose to do the right thing in spite of what they might choose.”
Ser Duncan and Prince Baelor in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (Image: HBO)
Setting an example for Egg
Carvel also revealed that Baelor’s choice was meant to guide Egg, who was watching closely. “[Baelor] can see in the example of his brothers what [Egg] might become, and I think, has hope for that boy and wants to set a good example,” he said.
By siding with Dunk, Baelor demonstrates to Egg that leadership and honor are defined by choices made in the moment. It’s a lesson that resonates beyond the trial, shaping Egg’s understanding of what it means to be a Targaryen prince. That choice, heroic and tragic, is what makes Baelor’s role unforgettable as the series heads into its finale.
Read next: Here’s why Prince Baelor Targaryen sided with Dunk in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 4
