As the episode begins, Aethelwold (Harry McEntire) listens as someone shouts he is dead. Brida (Emily Cox) wakes up to hear that Alfred (David Dawson) is dead. Jackdaw (Tygo Gernandt) believes the rumor to be true. Brida goes after Ragnar. She spots blood on the tent and becomes concerned. Ragnar is dead. Brida doesn’t want to believe it. Cnut (Magnus Bruun) looks at Aethelwold in shock. Cnut checks on Brida. She asks everyone who killed him. Cnut tries to convince her that it was his woman. Bloodhair accuses Brida. Cnut agrees to lead with Bloodhair. They plan on burying Ragnar and marching onward. Aethelwold says a few kind words about Ragnar. We jump over to Droitwich. Aethelflaed (Millie Brady) finds Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) with the horse. They speak about the way Uhtred is able to gain trust from his men and convince them to follow him into battle.

Aethelflaed asks Uhtred to kiss her. He tells her that he would enjoy it and regret it. He claims that she cannot be with him. Uhtred makes it clear that he is still worried about Skade. Aethelflaed believes Uhtred can use Alfred’s army to fight Haesten’s army and recover Skade. Meanwhile, Beocca (Ian Hart) tells Alfred that they’re ready for another chapter. They believe it will frighten the Danes to see Alfred alive on the battlefield. Aelswith (Eliza Butterworth) watches as Steapa (Adrian Bouchet) helps a frail Alfred onto his horse. Alfred rallies the troops before they march onwards. The Danes prepare to bury Ragnar. Brida asks to be left alone. Brida tells Cnut that some of the men believe the battle is already lost. Cnut claims that they can lead together. Brida questions that. Cnut confesses that he wants to bed her.

Brida accuses him or Bloodhair of killing Ragnar. He tries to convince her otherwise. Cnut speaks to his army about Ragnar’s death. Aethelwold seems thrilled. Brida continues grieving. Finan (Mark Rowley) practices his swordsmanship with Osferth (Ewan Mitchell). Brida surprises them. Finan tells Osferth to fetch Uhtred. He meets with her moments later. Uhtred learns about Ragnar’s death. She blames Uhtred for Ragnar’s demise. Uhtred blames Skade. Finan tells him that death comes to them all. Uhtred says that they’ll go to Alfred and beg for an army to recover Skade. Haesten (Jeppe Beck Laursen) tells Skade (Thea Sofie Loch Naess) about their plans. Skade tells him that the man she chooses will benefit greatly from Alfred’s death. She will have to give herself to that man. She tells him to prove himself. She explains that he will need to kill Uhtred to take his place.

Uhtred and his men head to Mercia. Uhtred tells Steapa that he is there to see the king. Aethelred (Toby Regbo) is surprised to see his wife. Aethelred is willing to let them in without weapons. Aldhelm (James Northcote) will advise the king that Aethelred is there. Aethelred is worried about what his wife knows. Aethelred wants his man at the ready in case she is going to discredit him. Uhtred, Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravicius) and the others are allowed to meet with Aethelred and Edward (Timothy Innes). Aethelflaed tells them about Uhtred saving her. Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller) and Aethelred want to know how Uhtred knew of Haesten coming for Aethelflaed. Alfred makes his entrance. Uhtred requests to speak with Alfred alone. Alfred admits he believes Haesten fully. Alfred wants to know what Uhtred wants.

Uhtred wants 1,000 men. He tells them about Ragnar. He offers to get rid of Haesten for them. Later, Edward wants to speak with Uhtred and give him hope. Edward and Father Pyrlig (Cavan Clerkin) want to hear more about Uhtred’s plan. Edward puts together a plan to meet with Uhtred. Aethelred becomes upset that Aldhelm continues defending Aethelflaed. Edward and Beocca sit down with Uhtred. Edward asks about Haesten’s army and the fortress. Uhtred tells Edward that he intends to bait Haesten out. Edward offers to give him 500 men. He is confident that he can get the men for Uhtred. Edward tells Aethelflaed that he will need to ask the king. She tells him that he may need to beg. Later that night, Aethelflaed speaks angrily with Aethelred.

She wonders why he doesn’t seek to punish Haesten. Haesten feeds Skade. He claims that he will kill Uhtred. Beocca and Edward speak to Alfred. He is not happy with his son. Edward pleads with him to change his mind. Alfred wonders if Edward will ever be ready to be king. Edwards learns that Alfred has decided to go with Uhtred’s plan. Alfred prepares for battle. Aethelred hopes it will be the end of Alfred. Finan sends a Dane to Haesten with a message. Haesten tells Skade about Uhtred’s arrival. Soon, Uhtred and his army approaches the fortress. Haesten greets them. Uhtred offers to fight him one on one. Haesten decides to come after him. Alfred and his army ride towards battle. Haesten and his men finally make their move. Uhtred and his army flees. Then, they prepare for battle. Osferth asks for protection from the good lord.

Alfred watches but waits. Edward becomes worried. Uhtred becomes worried. Chaos ensues. Edward encourages Alfred to attack. Osferth fights in battle. Alfred forces Edward to make a decision as the episode ends.

 

The Last Kingdom Review

This was an intense episode of The Last Kingdom. Things have got much better as the season has progressed. Ragnar’s death forced Uhtred to return to Alfred. He needed an army to recover Skade and deal with the curse. Alfred wasn’t willing to help. Instead, Edward offered support. Unfortunately, it was support he could not provide. Uhtred’s plan worked. Edward wasn’t able to live up to his end of the bargain. Will that change in the upcoming episode?

Is Alfred forcing Edward to make the tough decision? I can’t wait to watch the next episode and find out what happens! This one scores a solid 8.5 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of The Last Kingdom on Reel Mockery.