Every single episode of The Last Kingdom, ranked worst to best
(5) SEASON 1: “EPISODE EIGHT”
“Calling upon Saxon forces to rally and drive the Vikings out of Wessex, Uhtred and Alfred gird for a decisive battle, but treachery awaits.”
Recap
Alfred meets with some of his surviving generals in the swamp and plans a way to force the Danes to meet them in “one defining battle.” To have any chance at all, they need the support of Odda the Younger’s large Devonshire fyrd. Guthrum offers Aetholwald the crown if he assassinates Alfred. Alfred and Uhtred leave the swamps to gather what is left of the army of Wessex. Uhtred discovers that his son has died. Uhtred and Iseult make love, and she tells him that Thyra is still alive.
Odda the Elder, miraculously recovered from his head wound, is forced to kill his son, Odda the Younger, when he discovers his secret alliance with the Danes. Alfred’s army meets Guthum’s Viking force at Ethandun. Skorpa kills Iseult and brings her head to Uhtred. Uhtred leads the Saxon attack and kills Skorpa. Leofric dies in the battle, but Alfred and the Saxons emerge victorious. The defeated Guthrum is baptized and accepts the Christian god.
Our Take
Offering intense political maneuvering, personal tragedy and the show’s biggest battle yet (and shield wall), “Episode Eight” is a fine conclusion to the first season. As always, the show excels in small moments; as the battered group prepares to head into the countryside to reform Alfred’s scattered army, we see the bond between Alfred and Aelswith grow. I also love the feel-good bro-hug moment when Beocca tells Uhtred, “Your father would be a proud man, as am I.”
Aethelwold scurries around Winchester, terrified of Guthrum, Brida and Ragnar the Younger, scheming to kill Alfred, and seeming both ridiculous and frighteningly devious. The bigger scumbag is Odda the Younger — nicely played with a nervous arrogance by Brian Vernel — who pursues treachery, trying to join the Danes and play Sorpa and Guthrum against each other. It’s fascinating to watch how these minor players can threaten the plans of generals and kings.
As we’ve come to expect, all victories in The Last Kingdom are bought at a high price. Uhtred’s discovery of his son’s grave is devastating to watch, and Alexander Dreymon delivers one of his most vulnerable scenes. Odda the Elder, who begs Alfred to forgive his treacherous son, is nevertheless forced to kill his boy. We lose both Leofric and Iseult in the battle, both heavy blows to Uhtred and to those of us who grew to care for them.
The Battle of Ethandun is big and bloody and worthy of a season finale, but it never loses track of the characters. Uhtred’s superhero move of vaulting the Viking shield wall is a bit much, but we’re willing to forgive these kind indulgences as long as they don’t occur too often. And we really, really did want to see him slaughter the nasty, bloody-mouthed Skorpa.
Afterwards, Leofric and Iseult are given proper farewells. Alfred stands victorious over the Danes, overseeing Earl Guthrum’s conversion to Christianity while holding Ragnar the Younger and Brida as prisoners to keep the new peace. The battered and bereft but hopeful Uhtred dreams of heading north and retaking Bebbanburg.
QUOTE: “In the year 878 at Ethandun, King Alfred defeated Guthrum of the Danes and drove them from Wessex … As for Uhtred the Godless, my journey continues. My path leads north, to blood feuds to revenge, and to Bebbanburg. Destiny is all.” (Uhtred)