As the episode begins, Eardwulf (Jamie Blackley) rides next to Aethelred (Toby Regbo) as he is rushed to his bed. Once they arrive, everyone begins praying for his safety and Eadith (Stefanie Martini) urges her brother to stop praying for his death. Meanwhile, Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravicius), and the others return to Saltwic. Uhtred’s daughter Stiorra (Ruby Hartley) is there to meet them. Aethelflaed’s daughter Aelfwynn (Helena Albright) and Aethelstan (Caspar Griffiths) are there as well. Aethelflaed (Millie Brady) promises to tell Uhtred about Aethelstan later. Seconds later, Finan (Mark Rowley) tells the group that Aldhelm (James Northcote) is on his way to meet them.

Once he arrives, he tells them about Aethelred being on his deathbed and this convinces Aethelflaed to return so she can be by his side. Uhtred tries to convince Aethelflaed to come to Coccham with him so he can protect her but she isn’t going to do that. Next, Aethelred wakes up to find himself surrounded by the Ealdormen. He seems to have forgotten his battle and several other things. He asks who advised them to go to East Anglia and Eardwulf blames everything on Aethelred. Eardwulf is asked why he is lying to Aethelred and he says he is trying to ease him in his time of need. Burgred (Dorian Lough) is not happy with Aethelred for leaving them alone to face the Danes while Ludeca (Richard Dillane) tries to calm him down.

Eardwulf lies to the men and claims he tried to convince Aethelred to return sooner but his request was ignored. Uhtred and Aethelflaed meet with Aldhelm in the morning. Aethelred tells Eadith he doesn’t want her to leave his side since they’re in love. After that, Eardwulf asks Eadith if he has remembered what happened and she is worried that he is going to regain his memory. Their conversation ends when Aethelflaed enters the room and speaks with Eadith. Then, she asks for everyone to leave so she can speak to her husband in private. Aethelflaed tells her husband that she is worried about the fate of her daughter and wants to prevent her from being abused further. They discuss their relationship and how it created a crack in Mercia. She tries to convince Aethelred that she can find someone for their daughter and make the kingdom thrive.

They also discuss Aethelred’s cruelty over the years and he tries to apologize for his behavior. Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller) and Edward (Timothy Innes) arrive in town. Edward explains that they’ve won the war and he wants to help them find peace now. He tells his comrade that he wants his mother publicly rebuked for getting help from King Hywel before telling Cenric to have the men directed there to help rebuild the town. Uhtred watches as the men discuss the future of Merica. Burgred wants his son to take over but the others aren’t willing to go with that. Aldhelm arrives and tells Uhtred and Aethelflaed that the people are angry because they believe Wessex abandoned them. They’re worried that Mercia is going to break away from Mercia.

Meanwhile, Aethelred’s wound is tended to once again. Edward enters to check on Aethelred but he learns that Aethelred has lost many of his memories. Once Edward sees his current state, he decides that he must act decisively to install someone in Mercia before chaos can break out. Aethelhelm gives him encouragement to do that and bypass the Ealdormen. Pyrlig (Cavan Clerkin) tells Edward about the men who are fighting to take over Mercia. Aethelhelm tells Cenric that there might be more trouble so the Wessex guards should settle within the walls and that he should punish Aelswith (Eliza Butterworth) personally. Edward speaks with his sister and Uhtred before learning about some in Mercia wanting to split from Wessex. They agree to use Aelfwynn to seal the bond.

Uhtred says she is too young to be used as bait but Aethelflaed agrees to the arrangement as long as Edward can find the right suitor. In Winchester, Aelflaed (Amelia Clarkson) stops Aelswith and tells her that her son is too young to be displayed in public. Meanwhile, Eadith speaks to her brother about remedying their problem with Aethelred. He tells her that she cannot choose to play only to run away when it gets a little dangerous. Uhtred finds Aethelflaed and tells her about Edward summoning all troops to the city and he suspects he is waiting for a fight. They find Eardwulf arguing with Eadith before Aethelflaed tells Eadith that Aethelred wants to see her and Uhtred scolds Eardwulf for belittling his sister.

Edward spends time with Ludeca and he learns more about Eardwulf’s attempt to redeem his family name. Edward confronts him and speaks to him about pulling him to safety during the battle before Eardwulf tells him about the soldiers in Mercia. Burgred arrives and wants Edward to remove his troops immediately. Aethelhelm speaks with Edward about Ludeca and he isn’t sure he is a good candidate for them. He also says that Aethelflaed needs to start doing as she is told. Edward wants to learn as much about Eardwulf as he can. After that, Uhtred speaks with Pyrlig about the battle and other things. They discuss Beocca and Uhtred says he always knew what was coming. Cenric goes to Aelswith and confides her to her room as punishment.

Aelflaed gets involved as well and that leads to a little back and forth. Eventually, Aelswith agrees to accept the queen’s orders. That night, Edward speaks with Aethelhelm about his decision and Eardwulf enters. Ludeca seems to believe that he is going to be selected to take over for Aethelred. During this time, Eadith sits with Aethelred and they discuss their relationship and other things. Next, Edward announces that he would like Eardwulf to take over Mercia and he refers to him as the Peacemaker. After that, Eardwulf tells Aethelred about the news but Aethelred says he will never rule Mercia because he doesn’t trust him. Eardwulf gets angry and kills Aethelred while his sister watches from a distance. Next, Aethelflaed confronts her brother from breaking their agreement. Once her brother leaves, Eadith checks Aethelred.

Aethelflaed and Edward arrive in time to find out that Aethelred has passed. Edward tells Eadith to tell her brother that his betrothal will take place imminently. Aethelflaed says she is going to fight that decision but her brother isn’t going to listen to her. She tries to encourage Ludeca to refuse the plan too but he isn’t willing to listen to her. Aethelhelm tells Cenric to ride to Saltwic to fetch Aelfwynn and not to use force. Uhtred learns about everything from Aethelflaed moments later and Aldhelm believes hew can find a way to bargain out of this. Uhtred says they need to rally their allies against Eardwulf. Pyrlig warns them that soldiers have gone to get Aelfwynn. That night, Edward tells Eardwulf to have Aethelflaed confined until everything has settled. Eardwulf locks her away seconds later and Eadith watches.

Aelswith speaks with a soldier and gives him money to do something for her. Sihtric and Finan play a game while young Uhtred (Finn Elliot) speaks with his sister. Soldiers arrive with the intention of taking Aelfwynn away. Stiorra tells Finan and Sihtric that they have a plan. She opens the door and tells Cenric that the lady has been taken to Winchester by Uhtred before letting them in. Cenric and the others search the place but they’re unable to find Aelfwynn. They leave and Uhtred returns alone a few moments later. He learns about his daughter tricking the guards and sending them away. They decide to flee for Ceaster. Eadith checks on Aethelflaed and tells her that she has alerted the man who protected her and he is outside the window.

Aethelflaed doesn’t want to trust her but she finds that Aldhelm is waiting for her outside. Eadith is told to find Uhtred on the road to Ceaster and tell him to meet her at the ruins of Saint Milburg’s Priory. She promises Eadith money for doing this. Aldhelm and Aethelflaed flee Mercia before the episode ends.

 

The Last Kingdom Review

After a great episode, this one feels like a step in the wrong direction. It was entirely too predictable. I am sure I wasn’t the only one who knew that Edward was going to choose Eardwulf to take over. I am also suspicious that others knew Eardwulf was going to murder Aethelred before the episode was over. I was hoping for more and felt that Aethelred’s exit from the show was disappointing. The show has done away with many of the original characters while letting the new characters steal the spotlight.

I could also do less with the cheesy romance between Aethelflaed and Uhtred. The episode was slow, uneventful, and predictable. Where did the kids come from? I don’t recall the show mentioning them hiding out before so I am thinking the writers just threw them into a castle together conveniently. Heck, I can’t recall Uhtred having a daughter named Stiorra but it has been a long time since I watched the previous seasons.

Even if he did, it is odd that he would suddenly find her in Saltwic although there hasn’t been mention of her all season. Again, I was hoping for more but I guess I’ll have to wait for the next one. This one scores a 6.5 out of 10. Previous recaps of The Last Kingdom are available on Reel Mockery.