Every single episode of The Last Kingdom, ranked worst to best
(26) SEASON 1: “EPISODE FOUR”
“After Uhtred faces betrayal and falls into hostile hands, his Danish brother, Ragnar the Younger, scrambles to spare his life.”
Recap
After a quick wedding to Mildrith, a furious Uhtred learns her family saddled with immense debt to the church. Many months pass, and Mildrith is now heavily pregnant. Guthrum, Young Ragnar, Brida and the Viking army advance into Wessex; the peace is over. Guthrum’s plans are disrupted when Ubba takes his men to avenge the death of his brother in Ireland. On the road to battle, Uhtred confronts Alfred about Mildrith’s debt, to no avail.
Alfred prepares to lay siege to the now Viking-controlled stronghold at Werham. Alfred and Guthrum parley. Hostages are exchanged. Among them is Uhtred, whom Alfred has send in as a spy. Gthrum treats the hostages as guests, and Alfred is reunited with Brida and Ragnar, who are now lovers.
In Uhtred’s absence, Mildrith gives birth to a son. Upon news of Ubba’s return, Guthrum moves to kill all the Saxon hostages, but Young Ragnar prevents Uhtred’s murder and secures his release. Uhtred signals Alfred’s forces about Ubba’s return.
Our Take
“Episode Four” is the quietest installment in the series to this point, but still moves at a nice clip. Uhtred and Leofric are hilarious as brotherly pals, with Leofric teasing his buddy about Mildrith’s piety. But the chemistry between Uhtred and Mildrith is palpable; it’s endearing to watch them discover their attraction for each other.
The return of Young Ragnar and Brida, now in Guthram’s army, is a little startling, because now Uhtred is positioned as their enemy. Also, Ragnar and Brida are lovers now, and while Uhtred wants to be happy for them, his prior relationship with Brida causes friction. There are unresolved feelings there.
This episode features a long sequence of the Saxon army leaving Winchester to march on Guthrum’s Vikings. There’s a long conversation between Uhtred and Alfred about the nature of god. There’s a long conversation between Guthram and the hostage Father Selbix about the nature of god. It’s not the most pulse-pounding episode, but a solid breather and a chance to do some character building.
QUOTE: “I’ve made promises. Revenge and such … She (Mildrith) brings land. I’ll become lord under Alfred. I’ll be able to make wealth, gather men, take back what’s mine. Plain or not, she serves her purpose.” (Uhtred, to Leofric on the eve of his wedding to the as-yet unseen Mildrith)