The Last Kingdom season 5: All episodes reviewed and explained

Episode 7

Every time I think that the final season of The Last Kingdom can’t get heavier emotionally, it proves it can still break more hearts. There was a strong sense of the show mirroring past events in this episode, most obviously in the final showdown between Uhtred and Brida, which is set amidst the ruins of their adoptive father Ragnar’s burned longhall where the two first met in the series premiere. I don’t always love when The Last Kingdom has flashbacks, but in this scene it worked really well. The fact that Uhtred and Brida reconciled in the end, after everything they’ve been through and done to one another, was beautiful.

But of course, we all know by now that anything good in Uhtred’s life is fleeting. I gasped out loud when Stiorra gave Brida the Ygritte treatment. It was heartbreaking, and the acting from everyone involved was exceptional. It’s tough because on the one hand you feel bad for Uhtred and Brida…but on the other, you really can’t begrudge Stiorra’s choice either. Brida killed tons of people she knew and lived alongside at Eoforwic. As has been the case often this season, there’s no right answer to be had.

Another place I felt the show mirroring its past was when Stiorra turned down Edward’s offer to rule Eoforwic in his stead. Something about that scene and Stiorra’s unwillingness to bend the knee reminded me of Uhtred and Alfred’s early days. It was another shocker moment, and gave us more glimpses of Edward being pushed ever closer to darkness. He’s been an extremely gray character this season, and I have a feeling it’s going to get worse.

Though it wasn’t all bad for Edward; he also found out his mistress Eadgifu is pregnant. Rather than send her away, he decides to marry her. Of course, current heir Aelfweard is none too happy about this, seeing it both as dishonoring his recently murdered mother and destabilizing his own claim to the throne of Wessex. He and his unfortunate bowl cut convince Father Benedict to help him leave Eoforwic, so he can seek shelter with his grandfather Aethelhelm.

And we can’t forget Aelswith’s triumphant moment. After being captured by Aethelhelm’s men, Aelswith, Aelfwynn and Eadith know that time is running short. Unbeknownst to them, Aelfwynn is being spirited up to Scotland to be married off to the king there, part of a shady deal that Aethelhelm is brewing. But Aelswith is used to being threatened, as she demonstrates by taking out a knife and showing that she has clearly never had to actually use it.

Nonetheless, the scene where Aethelhelm’s errand boy is strangling Eadith and Aelswith comes to her rescue was an absolute stand-out. Aelswith almost leaving Eadith to her death was tense, and leads to the elation that Aelswith shows after saving her. I loved this scene.

But just in case any of us forgot that this is The Last Kingdom and good things aren’t allowed, the situation quickly reverses when the other henchman slings Aelfwynn over his horse and escapes.

The Last Bullet Points

• “Tonight all love is buried,” Stiorra says over Sygtryggr’s corpse. What a line. The show is hitting some serious poetic beats as it nears its conclusion and I’m all for it.
• The shot of the mass grave mound from the previous episode’s battle was brief but soberingly powerful.
• Aethelhelm laughing in Wihtgar’s face might have been one of my favorite moments for him all season. Because yeah, anyone who’s ever met Uhtred would know that guy wouldn’t stand a chance against him in a fair fight. I like that the show has started setting up Wihtgar and Bebbanburg for a potential series finale showdown.

The Last Kingdom Episode Grade: A-

– Daniel