WiC Binges: The Last Kingdom season 3

THE LAST KINGDOM: SEASON 3, “EPISODE EIGHT”

“Uhtred risks returning to Wessex to fulfill his vow to Brida. As the royal wedding approaches, Aethelwold spreads discord from the shadows.”

Recap

Sailing to Coccham, Uhtred gets romantic with Skade, drinking her blood while she whispers promises of glory into his ears. Aethelred, Aldhelm and Aethelflaed arrive in Winchester as Alfred’s health further declines. The city prepares for the wedding of Edward and Aelflaed.

One-eyed Aethelwold remains in the city, continuing to scheme with Lord Sigebriht (who covets Edward’s first wife Eanflaed) against the crown. Aethelwold plans to divide and conquer, plotting to keep Uhtred and Edward separated and overthrow Edward in the period of uncertainty immediately after Alfred’s death.

Uhtred, Skade and company arrive in Coccham to discover the locals being robbed of their winter stores by Bishop Erkenwald and his men. Skade cuts down a cross erected in the great hall by (now Abbess) Hild. Uhtred learns that Alfred is seeing to the good care of his children in Winchester, but that they have been relocated to a Christian household. Uhtred drowns Skade, thus breaking her curse over him.

Uhtred sneaks into Winchester within Bishop Erkenwald’s caravan. Alfred prepares to attend Edward’s marriage ceremony while fretting over Aethelwold’s presence in the city; he wants to pave the way for Edward to ally himself to Uhtred, much to the dismay of Aelswith. Uhtred obtains Thyra’s blood to coat his sword so he can use it to slay Ragnar’s murderer and free Ragnar’s soul from limbo. Beocca and Thyra hide Uhtred (an outlaw in Wessex) and thwart a capture attempt by Aethelwold.

The wedding of Edward and Aelflaed begins. Beocca sneaks Uhtred into the castle so he can meet with Alfred, who is looking more and more like a ghost.

Our Take

“Episode Eight” is a very good installment. It’s one of those narrative-management episodes where the storytellers are lining up the characters for the major events to come, and that’s not a bad thing.

The episode’s big shocker is Uhtred’s sudden killing of Skade, performed as required to end her curse on him (according to Brida); the drowning neither draws blood nor breaks the skin. It sure looked like she was seducing him, but he was the one playing her the whole time. Good on you, Uhtred! Their continuing relationship would have been fascinating to watch but he could not have her on his arm while joining forces with Alfred and Edward in Wessex. So off she goes (or under) and Uhtred can now swing back towards the Saxons.

Seriously, what is Alfred doing by allowing Aethelwold to remain in Winchester? He previously banished his bad nephew to a monastery (he didn’t stay there) for lesser crimes. The blinding was a small punishment for his treason, but surely a faraway exile is absolutely necessary. It almost feels like Alfred wants Edward to be in peril. On top of that, how does the fallen prince manage to run around the city with a band of armed men?

It was so great to see Hild again. She’s traveled with Uhtred to Winchester, so necessity may well force her to once again don armor and pick up a sword. Osferth’s character is developing nicely — don’t forget that, as Alfred’s bastard son, he has a claim to the throne, albeit a weak one, although stranger things have happened. Finan is great and we wish he and Sihtric had more to do.

It’s sad to watch the doomed Alfred desperately attempt to protect his son by trying to keep Uhtred in the picture for after he’s gone. He’s determined to give Edward the opportunity to make Uhtred his oathman, but it looks like Aelswith isn’t going to honor his wishes. Aelswith sure is looking ungrateful, opposing the pagan Uhtred so vehemently after he’s repeatedly rescued Wessex and saved the lives of both her children.

The last scene with Uhtred looking over the pages of Alfred’s written legacy is truly profound. It reminds us of the dreams of the dying man, and how long we have been watching him and Uhtred struggle to be good men true to the quests they have chosen in the face of what Fate has in store for them. The final shot, with Alfred standing behind Uhtred, is fabulous and spooky — Alfred looks like a ghost.

Random Impressions

• Why is it that Uhtred’s always getting busy with his ladies in ponds? Oh, wait … this time things transpired differently. Do Viking seers go to Valhalla?
• The Finian/Osferth bromance continues.
• Sihtric’s wife needs a bigger part.
• Aethelwold and Sigebriht just look like the most treacherous characters in town. Is anybody else really looking out for Alfred and Edward’s welfare? Athelwold needs to meet with an unfortunate accident, right now.
• All that said, Aethelwold is really rocking the exposed-BBQ’ed-eye socket look.
• Good old Abbess Hild, imperturbable as ever despite Uhtred and Skade cutting down her cross; she’s always able to see the goodness shining inside Uhtred.
• Love those cool monk robe hoodies.

To Sum Up: “Episode Eight” gave us a surprise and plenty of drama, but the inexplicable agency allowed to Aethelwold feels like it’s there to service the story. Grade: B

Quote: “Lord, today is about hope and stability, which is what Wessex needs. But the fear must be halted, dispatched … Which is why you hope and pray, perhaps, that Uhtred will return. If that is the case, Lord, then your prayers have been answered.” (Beocca, to Alfred)