Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 3 releases tonight, here’s what to expect

Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 3 releases tonight on HBO and HBO Max, bringing a major confrontation between Dunk and rogue prince Aerion Targaryen. The Game of Thrones prequel continues its Sunday weekly schedule at 10 p.m. ET. Tensions at the Ashford tourney reach a breaking point in this third chapter.

What Time Does Episode 3 Release Tonight

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 3 premieres tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET and 7:00 p.m. PT on both HBO and HBO Max. This marks exactly one week after episode 2 aired on January 25. The 30-minute episode will be available to stream immediately on HBO Max for subscribers. On the linear HBO channel, the episode airs again at 10:35 p.m. ET with additional showings early Monday morning.

For international viewers, the episode drops Monday, February 2 at 3:00 a.m. GMT on Sky Atlantic in the UK. Canadian fans can watch on Crave simultaneously at the US time. Indian audiences get the episode on JioHotstar at 8:30 p.m. IST, one day after the US premiere.

The Ashford Tourney Heats Up with Major Drama

Episode 3 titled “The Squire” places Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire Egg at the heart of the Ashford Meadow tournament. According to the official HBO synopsis, Egg attempts to train Dunk’s uncooperative horse while Dunk teaches his squire an important skill. The episode then shows both characters taking in the tourney’s first full day of events. Crucially, Dunk receives a proposition from the Ashford steward that could secure his future as a knight.

However, this tournament episode isn’t purely lighthearted training montages. The episode 3 preview teases serious conflict brewing. Peter Claffey as Dunk and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg share endearing moments, joking about ale and eggs. But darker moments emerge as Prince Aerion enters with blood on his mouth, declaring, “The dragon ought never lose.” This line hints at the key book scene from George R.R. Martin’s source material coming to life.

Dunk Faces Off Against Rogue Prince Aerion Targaryen

The episode 3 trailer reveals a major turning point as Aerion Targaryen, played by Finn Bennett, emerges as a true antagonist. Unlike his uncle Baelor, who showed Dunk kindness, Aerion believes he is a dragon and demands to be treated as such. The HBO preview shows Dunk telling Raymun Fossoway that he thinks he and Aerion are quite evenly matched, setting up the confrontation.

According to the source material, the episode likely adapts the pivotal scene where Aerion watches a puppet show featuring a dragon’s death. Believing this to be treason against house Targaryen, Aerion becomes enraged and breaks fingers. This forces Dunk into a dangerous position defending an innocent victim.

What Fans Are Saying About Tonight’s Episode

“This week’s episode seems to have a little bit of everything. There’s the endearing, lighthearted side to Dunk and Egg’s relationship, with the preview using fun music at the start. But there’s also the tourney, full of thrilling matchups, and then there’s Aerion. The Targaryen prince seems to be emerging as a threat, and the fact that the preview includes a scene with blood on his mouth doesn’t make him look like he plays well with others.”

— Winter is Coming, HBO’s official Game of Thrones fan site

Fan reactions to the episode 3 preview have shown excitement mixed with some frustration. Many viewers want longer episodes, noting that each installment is only about 30 minutes. Some complained they’d rather wait for the full season, while others celebrate weekly releases. The consensus remains strong that the show is excellent quality, justifying the brief runtime based on the novella source material with shorter story length.

Can You Catch Up Before Tonight’s Premiere

New viewers have just hours left to catch episode 1 and episode 2 before episode 3 releases tonight. Both episodes are available on HBO Max right now. Episode 1, “The Hedge Knight” aired January 18. Episode 2, “Hard Salt Beef” aired January 25. Together, these two episodes introduce Dunk and Egg’s relationship, establish the Ashford tournament stakes, and introduce all the Targaryen princes.

HBO Max offers multiple subscription tiers starting at $10.99 per month with ads or $18.49 without ads. Students can get 50% off subscriptions if you have a valid student email. If you already subscribe to Hulu or Prime Video, you can add HBO Max for an additional fee. Don’t miss the mounting tension at Ashford when episode 3 drops tonight at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Jessica Morrison

Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.