WiC Binges: The Last Kingdom season 3

THE LAST KINGDOM: SEASON 3, “EPISODE ONE”

Netflix Episode Description: “His health failing and fearing for his legacy, Alfred sends Uhtred to confront a new threat: fierce Danish warrior Bloodhair and his sorceress, Skade.”

We open in a swamp with the Viking seer Skade in a trance. She experiences a vision of Bloodhair, her warlord protector, in a frantic battle, taking down King Alfred. It’s an excellent appetizer for the season, and an exciting look at our new, formidable threat.

In Winchester, a sunken-eyed Alfred prays and asks Beocca about his purpose. Right off the bat, the show sets up Alfred’s new driving motivation: as his death approaches, he’s obsessed with securing his legacy and ensuring that his quest for a united Christian England continues.

And then there’s Uhtred. Though he now sports a more Danish hairstyle, Uhtred arrives at Winchester as Alfred’s loyal sword warrior, trouncing the unprepared (and now all grown up) Edward in training. A couple new characters appear in the form of Bishop Buchenwold and Brother Godwin, the Christian version of a seer.

The menacing Haesten, the former lieutenant of the fallen Eric and Sigefrid who now owes Uhtred his life, arrives. He’s now in league with Alfred but obviously distrusted by Uhtred and Beocca; he informs the king that Bloodhair and his men have landed on the coast of Wessex. Bloodhair’s forces raid and pillage the village of Awelton and Alfred, calling on Aethelred and the Mercians to support him, marches on the Danes. Uhtred takes Skade prisoner, but her spells and curses may have great power over him given his Viking upbringing. Will she bewitch him?

The scene between Alfred and Skade at Aesceneum Burh is chilling, with an uncertain Alfred going to her to to ask how long he might live. The Last Kingdom excels at quiet, magical moments, and the whispering Skade looks she could offer many, particularly as regards Uhtred. We all know Uhtred’s a sucker for a pretty face, but so, apparently, is Bloodhair. The climactic battle sequence, with Uhtred fighting in alliance with Aethelflaed and Alfred, is layered, gripping and more sprawling than anything we’ve seen so far.

Of course, on The Last Kingdom, no victory comes without terrible cost. Gisela’s death in childbirth darkens the Saxon celebration and leaves Uhtred dejected and vulnerable to the irresistible seductions of Skade.

Overall, everyone is back in action and operating pretty much as we’d expect, including the snotty Aethelwold, who’s still playing his psychological games. It’s nice to see that Uhtred and Gisela’s relationship has survived (at the beginning, at any rate), and that their children are alive, with a new baby on the way. Unfortunately, Uhtred once again has a lot to lose. Aethelred remains plenty conniving, but the real treat is the newly empowered and confident Aethelflaed, now the mother of a daughter sired by Erik the Viking and well-placed to lead the Mercian guard.

The Last Kingdom has always delivered beautiful images and well-choreographed fighting, and it looks like it’s gotten a bump in it’s production budget, because everything is bigger and better. There seemed to be less humor than we’re used to, but these are dark days, so perhaps it isn’t called for. In terms of story, Bloodhair and Skade are great antagonists. Pair them with the untrustworthy Haesten and the plotting of Aethelwold and Aethelflaed, and The Last Kingdom is off to a flying start.

Random Impressions

• Does Bloodhair seem to enjoy those torture scenes less than the sadistic Skade?
• Is it just us, or does it look like Aethelred’s counselor Aldhelm is considering ditching the Mercian lord and hitching his wagon to Aethelflaed’s rising star?
• The previously timid Osferth sure showed some balls walking up to those Vikings in front of the church in Awelton.
• Holy tomato, that first meeting between Uhtred and Skade has her frightening him right down to the bottom of his superstitious pagan core.
• Why is Alfred still being a knucklehead by ignoring Uhtred’s strategic advice?
• Is Beocca setting up the next big setback, mentioning that their women and children are vulnerable in the now-unprotected Winchester?
• Despite being such a worm, Aethelwold may prove a more intuitive predictor of the future than any Viking seer.
• Shield wall!
• Gisela, sadly, was doomed. The way must be paved for Skade.

Our Take: “Episode One” delivers the story punch we’ve all been waiting for. An excellent installment. Grade: A.

Quote: “Bloodhair has a woman you would like, Uhtred. Skade. Her Beauty blinds you like the sun yet is all the darkness of the night. She’s a seer. She’s of the devil, Father (Beocca).” (Haesten)