If you finished ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ episode 4 and immediately checked the calendar, you’re not alone. The episode did not merely increase the stakes, but it also paused just before the crash. And due to a weird scheduling choice, the fans are now experiencing a slightly longer break than expected before the story continues.
The good news? There is nothing wrong with the release plan. The bad news? It takes time at the most inopportune time.
Episode 4 Gave Fans Early Access, But It Came With A Catch
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ has been comfortably establishing a weekly schedule since its premiere, with new episodes released on Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max. The rhythm was abruptly broken when episode 4 came out early on streaming. To prevent conflicting with Super Bowl Sunday, HBO premiered episode 4 on HBO Max early on a Friday morning on February 6, while still airing it on linear HBO at its usual Sunday slot.
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This was a surprise present to the fans, which later became a curse. The fourth episode, called “Seven”, is considered to be the strongest episode of the show so far. It established the trial by seven, brought startling changes in allegiance, and closed on a note which virtually insisted on a continuation. Viewing it days before the release date meant that fans consumed the episode more quickly than anticipated and then had to sit with that cliffhanger.
Episode 5 Marks A Return To Normal, Not A Delay
Episode 5 is not delayed, as it feels. HBO is merely reinstating the show to its regular routine. The second episode will be released on Sunday, February 15, at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.
Due to the early release of episode 4, the episode break is not seven days as normal, but nine, a minor difference on paper. However, a torturous one considering the cliffhanger the show was left on.
In case you missed it: Why ‘A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms’ Feels Like Westeros At Its Best
The trial by seven is set to be the most intense and brutal episode of the season to date, and the anticipation is reasonably high. The upside? HBO is well aware of what it is dealing with. Episode 5 is positioned to be one of the most-watched installments of the season, fueled by buzz, speculation, and that now-infamous ending.
The additional wait only sharpens the impact sometimes. So yes, the pause feels cruel. However, what ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ has demonstrated to date is that the show is worth the wait.
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