Every single episode of The Last Kingdom, ranked worst to best
(6) SEASON 2: “EPISODE THREE”
“Hild and Ragnar hunt for Uhtred, who lays plans for escape. Alfred eyes the kingdom of Mercia, and chaos erupts when Guthred’s alliance crumbles.”
Recap
Uhtred, Halig and their new friend Finan suffer terrible abuse as oarsmen aboard a Viking boat in the North Sea. Aelfric is enraged when he learns that Guthred has not beheaded Uhtred but sold him into slavery instead. Aelfric withdraws from his deal with Guthred, and the Viking brothers Sigefrid and Erik quit with him. Knowing that Guthred will barter her hand to Aelfric to resurrect the alliance, Gisela goes into hiding.
Acting on King Alfred’s orders, Ragnar the Younger, Hild and Steapa arrive in Eoferwic looking for Uhtred, then follow his trail to the slave master who bought him. As Eric and Sigefrid pillage the countryside, Guthred’s mental weakness and instability become more and more apparent. In Winchester, Alfred negotiates a deal with the ancient Ceolwulf, the “Father of Mercia,” to wed Aethelflaed to the handsome young Mercian lord Aethelred.
Reforming his army, Guthred promises Gisela to Aelfric, but she cannot be found. Battered and broken, Uhtred, Halig and Finan winter in Iceland, then attempt an escape. They are caught, and the wounded Halig is killed. Upon his return to England, Uhtred is nearly captured by Sven, but Young Ragnar and Hild rescue him.
Uhtred reconnects with Young Ragnar and heals in the care of Hild. Uhtred returns to Eoferwic in time to save Gisela from a proxy marriage to Aelfric, killing Abbot Eadred in the process. King Alfred demands that Uhtred swear his service to him or he will have Young Ragnar executed for the murder of Abbot Eadred.
Our Take
This Uhtred in captivity, this episode takes us far afield of our usual stomping grounds, but is still firmly rooted in England, what with Guthred’s changing fortunes and Aethelflaed’s story in Winchester. It’s a busy episode with lots of political maneuvering, particularly with Guthred, who’s completely out of his league trying to negotiate with the likes of Aelfric, Erik and Sigefrid. Abbot Eadred, however, is quite adept among the vipers.
Uhtred’s story features three of the best cinematic moments in the series up to this point. The death of Halig on the prow of the Viking ship is terrible, haunting, magical and deeply affecting. The broken Uhtred’s recognition and embrace of his brother Ragnar is raw and sad and beautiful. And most profound of all is the montage in the field, where Hild draws Uhtred back to the world of the living by washing his scars, cutting his beard and hair, and absorbing and sharing his pain. If this scene leaves you dry-eyed, you may have no heart at all.
After all that struggle, Uhtred’s impetuous rage gets him in trouble at the end of the episode. He’s back on his feet and riding to save Gisela, yes, but his infuriated killing of the unarmed Abbot Eadred allows King Alfred to blackmail him by threatening to blame and execute Young Ragnar for the murder. In order to save Young Ragnar, Uhtred must kneel and pledge his sword once again to Alfred of Wessex. It’s action and consequence, emotion and politics; it’s The Last Kingdom all the way through.
Poor Uhtred just can’t get out of his own way. His glorious return to Bebbanburg must wait once again.
QUOTE: “You are a great warrior, Uhtred. You are a Saxon who is also a Dane, the very embodiment of the England that must emerge. I request that you enter my service.” (King Alfred, forcing Uhtred to kneel and pledge his fealty to the crown)