Every single episode of The Last Kingdom, ranked worst to best

(1) SEASON 3: “EPISODE NINE”

“At the end of his days, Alfred takes Uhtred into his confidence about his plans for Edward’s uncertain future, but Aelswith charts a different course.”

Recap

Beocca has snuck Uhtred into the Winchester castle during Edward’s wedding. The dying Alfred, looking very much like a ghost, shows Uhtred the pages of his great kingly chronicle of Wessex. Alfred declares that Uhtred is not included in the written history but admits how important he was to it; the two drink wine and talk about the past, and the future.

Aethelwold continues pushing his conspiracies at the wedding, much to Aelswith’s dismay. Alfred and Uhtred continue to talk things out, with Alfred fearing his death will end all his dreams for Wessex. Aelswith discovers their meeting and Alfred sends her away. Alfred pardons Uhtred and asks him to protect Edward after his death.

Aldhelm disobeys Aethelred and disguises his noncompliance as advice, angering Aethelred, who plans to declare himself king of Mercia after Alfred’s death. In Hunstanton, Brida tries to get Cnut to admit that Aethelwold killed Ragnar. Saxon thugs hassle Thyra in Winchester while Aethelwold stews over Uhtred’s pardon. After Beocca pounds the man who antagonized Thyra, Aethelwold chats with Uhtred, attempting to convince Uhtred to turn against Edward.

Uhtred and Hild talk, and she reminds him that he is a free man, finally able to make his own choices. At Hunstanson, the Danes brawl in bored idleness. Uhtred goes to Alfred on his deathbed, promising that he shall remain in Winchester until Edward is crowned king. Aelswith attempts to persuade Alfred from his decision to elevate Uhtred once again, but Alfred does not relent, and dies.

Alfred’s family mourns for him, as does Beocca. Now, the troubled kingship lands squarely on Edward’s shoulders. Aelswith immediately moves to remove all heathen influences from Edward’s retinue, rescinding Uhtred’s pardon and casting Beocca from the court. Uhtred must choose between his promise to Alfred and the dangers of crossing Aelswith.

With Uhtred ousted from the Winchester court, treachery lurks in the form of Aethelred and Aethelwold, and fear of Danish people rises in Wessex. Alone and pursued by one of Aethelhold’s thugs, Thyra is in danger of being burned to death in her home.

Our Take

The Last Kingdom‘s Alfred/Uhtred scenes have always been entertaining, but as Alfred nears the end of his life, the show imbues their encounters with a dreamlike, near-mystical quality. Though the two men are like oil and water, the bond of brotherly respect and affection the years have forged between them can overcome that from time to time.

Surrounded by uncertainty, treachery and political tensions, the decisions made between Alfred and Uhtred grow more monumental as Alfred, holding a pardon and the blank page of the history to be filled in after his death, asks Uhtred to stand by Edward until the boy reaches manhood. David Dawson’s final appearance as Alfred is haunting, right up to his final moments on his deathbed.

When Uhtred speaks with Hild about his life, he reflects on his eternal dilemma: he feels that he, born Saxon and raised Dane, belongs nowhere. Hild tells Uhtred that he is “each and all” those things. The loss of King Alfred also means the loss of David Dawson and his magnificent portayal of the character.

“Episode Nine” may well be the most powerful episode of the series so far. With the king’s imminent death and the ground shifting below everyone’s feet, everyone takes a collective breath, uncertain of what is to come. As Aelswith says, “We must prepare for the first day in a new land.”

Uhtred is finally free, and yet he chooses to bind himself more tightly to Alfred than ever. What is certain is that the kingdom of Wessex is under dire threat from without and within, and Alfred’s dream can only survive if Uhtred stands with Edward against the storm.

Quote: “It will not be written that Alfred did stand on Uhtred’s shoulders, many times, but I know it to be true.” (Alfred, to Uhtred)

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