The Last Kingdom season 5: All episodes reviewed and explained

Episode 9

The endgame for The Last Kingdom kicks off in this episode. This feels like part one of a two-parter, and I’m totally fine with it. It begins with the resolution of the tense stand-off in Eoforwic. As Edward clings to the idea that he must be obeyed no matter how shortsighted his orders, his mother Aelswith and Eagdifu present a unified front that finally convinces him to join the battle for Bebbanburg. Eliza Butterworth absolutely nails whenever she’s given meaty material to sink her teeth into, and her appeal to Edward — not as an advisor, but as a mother who can recognize that her son is afraid — is perfect.

Once the armies are on the move, things get complicated fast. The joint Saxon army led by Edward, Uhtred and Aldhelm camps out just five miles south of Bebbanburg, but underestimates the savvy of the Scottish king Constantin, who slipped into the fortress ahead of them by arriving on a single small boat. It’s been interesting that Constantin has been aligned with loathsome characters like Aethelhelm and Wihtgar, because he doesn’t seem so bad. That’s driven home this episode when he tells Aelfwynn that he really doesn’t want to marry her, and that theirs will be a marriage of convenience that will go unconsumated. I had a feeling that the two were going to get along. Aelfwynn tells him that this was the first moment someone had just been honest with her in a while. It’s really nice and makes me root a bit for them despite the situation.

Of course, Uhtred and company don’t know that Constantin’s actually not awful or that Aelfwynn is now feeling warmer about the idea of marrying him. Knowing that the Scottish army is closing in and time is short, Uhtred launches a daring stealth mission into Bebbanburg in order to get Aelfwynn out of the fortress before the army besieges it. And in order to pull it off, he needs a little help from his friends.

One thing that always helps make a final season of a show feel more climactic is when we get callbacks and reappearances by older characters, and The Last Kingdom delivers on that front in “Episode 9.” Uhtred takes his trusted brothers-in-arms Finan and Sihtric with him for the mission, as well as enlisting help from Father Pyrlig and Haeston, who he happens to find at a nearby monastery. Hild, the priestess who formerly fought in Uhtred’s band, is there as well. The reunion gives one more moment to allow Uhtred some doubt before the plan is set in motion. And despite his insistence that Hild stay behind, we see the knowing glance she shoots at Haeston. It’s the end of the show, of course she’s going to get involved.

As for the mission itself, there are a lot of highlights: Uhtred, Sihtric and Finan’s perilous climb up the rocky abutment behind Bebbanburg; Haeston’s tense conversation with Aethelhelm about the siege of Winchester last season and his subsequent death at the hands of King Constantin; everyone doing their best Assassin’s Creed impression to sneak around the inside of the fortress without alerting Wihtgar’s guards; Finan and Sihtric getting captured…So many things go pear-shaped on the mission and it ratchets the tension way up.

Knowing that the Scottish army is coming, Edward brings his own forces to bear on Bebbanburg while Uhtred and the rest of the gang are still inside, putting all their lives in danger. This season has had a few rushed moments, but considering that this is the penultimate episode it never felt like things were being contrived or moved prematurely. (Except for Edward’s army, stick to the plan, man.) “Episode 9” felt like it was set-up for the pivotal moment of the show’s final season, and it took the time to do it right.

The Last Bullet Points

• It’s a serious point in The Last Kingdom’s favor that while many of our major players are still alive, the deaths that have happened this season have felt really impactful. Haeston is a character who has survived when so many others haven’t, sneaking his way into our hearts and becoming a really likable character, even if he is a scoundrel. He gets not one, but two chances to show he has a heart of gold in the end by trying to save Aelfwynn and then refusing to out Uhtred. Sad to see him go, but it’s the end of the show. He had a good run.
• Aelswith and Eadith going to enlist the aid of Stiorra and her Danish followers was a really interesting development. The show is bringing all its hanging plot threads together for the finale, and I’m all for it.
• Despite how many heavy events are happening, the show also keeps its sense of humor. Uhtred had some fun moments this episode, like pranking Haeston in the monastery and telling Sihtric and Finan not to flirt with the nuns.
• Relatedly, it felt like this penultimate episode really brought a lot of the elements that have made the show successful throughout its run into the mix. The light humor, the missions with Uhtred and his loyal companions, politicking, family drama, armies maneuvering. This final stretch is classic The Last Kingdom, and it isn’t missing a beat.

The Last Kingdom Episode Grade: A-

– Daniel