Every single episode of The Last Kingdom, ranked worst to best
(17) SEASON 3: “EPISODE EIGHT”
“Uhtred risks his life returning to Wessex to fulfill his vow to Brida. As the royal wedding approaches, Aethelwold spreads discord from the shadows.
Recap
Having recovered Skade from the Dane encampment at Hunstanton, Uhred seems to be bewitched by her predictions of his glory. At Winchester, the quarreling Aethelred and Aethelflaed arrive for the royal wedding of Edward and Aelflaed. The brooding one-eyed Aethelwold resumes his acts of sedition, this time working to turn Sigebriht (Ed Birch) to his side to usurp Edward.
Uhtred and Skade arrive at his old estate of Cookham to find the stores being depleted by Bishop Erkenwald under orders of King Alfred. Infuriated by the cross hung in the feasting hall, Uhtred orders Erkenwald to take the cross down, but then discovers it was raised by abess Hild. Hild informs Uhtred that his children have been taken under Alfred’s care in Winchester and agrees to help Uhtred visit them.
Image: The Last Kingdom/Netflix
Beocca and Thyra worry about the consequences of Alfred ‘s impending death. Uhtred sends Erkenwald back to Winchester with Sihtric and Finan as part of his escort. Uhtred swims in a pond with the sliver-tongued Skade and drowns her, thus breaking her curse by killing her without breaking her skin. At Winchester, Alfred and Aelswith prepare for the Edward/Aelflaed wedding; Alfred outrages Aelswith by saying it would be acceptable for Edward to take the outlawed Uhtred as his oathman once he becomes king.
Uhtred catches up with his comrades in Erkenwald’s escort and sneaks into Winchester with them. Uhtred reconnects with Thyra and Beocca, seeking both to see his children and to collect Thyra’s blood for his sword. Aethelwold and Sigebriht suspect Beocca is harboring Uhtred and surround his house with angry Saxons, but a search of the house comes up empty. Edward’s wedding proceeds. Beocca sets up a secret meeting between Alfred and Uhtred, where Alfred looks very much like a ghost.
Our Take
I’m miffed by the continued presence of Aethelwold in Winchester, now even more bitter and conniving than he was with two eyes. Aelswith is surely correct: Aethelwold’s treachery was deserving of execution or, at the very least, banishment from Wessex — Alfred’s mercy regarding his nephew is a dangerous, obvious mistake.
Hild sighting! One of my favorite characters from seasons 1-2, she’s been conspicuously absent from season 3. She has such a great story and Eva Birthistle plays her with such sweet gravitas, it seems a crime to omit a character so important to Uhtred from the major storylines.
Uhtred’s killing of Skade is sudden and surprising but not unexpected: we knew he had to break her curse by killing her. The murder weighs heavily upon Uhtred, but his superstitious side accepts the necessity of it. Aelswith has some great scenes in this episode, desperate as she is to see her son become “God’s King,” unhampered by the doubts that beset Alfred.
Edward’s wedding is a lovely set piece. Beocca returns to his usual important lynchpin role, trying to smooth the troubled waters between Alfred and Uhtred. The episode’s best scene is the last, when Uhtred marvels at Alfred’s gorgeously illuminated histories while Alfred, pale as a ghost, stands behind him. It’s a superb capper to a fine episode.
Quote: “...Edward alone is not the answer. You know this yourself, lord, which is why you hope and pray, perhaps, that Uhtred will return. If that is the case, m’lord, then your prayers have been answered.. He is here.” (Beocca, to Alfred)