As the episode begins, the ceremony for Alfred (David Dawson) continues. Thyra (Julia Bache-Wiig) continues yelling for Beocca (Ian Hart). Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) remains locked in a cell. Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravicius) and the others rush to put out the fire. Aethelwold (Harry McEntire) tries to strengthen his relationship with Aethelred (Toby Regbo). Aldhelm (James Northcote) tries to convince Aethelred to stay away from him. Finan (Mark Rowley) sends Oferth (Ewan Mitchell) after Beocca. Finan and Sihtric realize that Thyra could still be inside. The fire gets far worse. Beocca rushes to the scene and cries for Thyra. Thyra takes the knife and kills herself. After the fire is put out, Hild (Eva Birthistle) tries to comfort Beocca. Finan offers him a drink of ale.

Beocca is suspicious. Aethelwold and Aethelred discuss the future. Aethelwold believes they should negotiate with the Danes and let them slaughter Edward (Timothy Innes) and his followers. Beocca enters and slams an axe onto the table. He accuses Aethelwold of killing Thyra. Haesten (Jeppe Beck Laursen) fires up the Dane army by telling them that Alfred is dead. Aethelflaed (Millie Brady) visits Uhtred. Uhtred needs to leave Wessex and never return. Uhtred tells her to find Beocca. Beocca enters. Beocca begs Uhtred to stay. He tells Uhtred not to abandon what he helped build. Uhtred learns about Thyra’s death. Aethelred wants Aethelflaed to tell her mom and brother that he will no longer stand with Wessex. Aldhelm admits he agrees with her. He tells Aethelred that he would not side with the Danes or Aethelwold.

Aethelred stabs Aldhelm in the stomach when he learns he did not send for the 50 guards. Sigebriht (Ed Birch) intends to betray Edward at the last minute. The Danes march towards battle. Aethelflaed finds Aldhelm bleeding. She tends to his wound. He tells her that she has his heart. He insists she needs to act for Mercia. Steapa (Adrian Bouchet) prepares to escort Uhtred from Wessex. Everyone gathers outside. Aelswith (Eliza Butterworth) wonders what Uhtred is doing. Uhtred shows off his letter of pardon. Uhtred tells Aelswith that the Danes are coming. Beocca stands up for Uhtred. Aethelwold speaks out against Edward. Edward says to unhand the prison. He intends to let Uhtred speak. Uhtred reminds everyone what he has done for Alfred and Wessex. He admits Alfred was his king and it was an honor to serve him. Edward asks why Alfred didn’t announce it. Uhtred speaks about Leofric.

Uhtred suggests Alfred wanted everyone to see the new king, Edward, dispense justice. To Aethelwold’s dismay, Edward is allowed to make his decision. Edward admits Alfred trusted Uhtred most. The pardon stands. Uhtred gets his sword back. He says his path may one day lead back to Bebbanburg. He says he will follow Edward Rex. The Dane army continues their march. Brida (Emily Cox) tells Cnut (Magnus Bruun) that she must kill Aethelwold. Uhtred says that they should march out and meet the Danes. Aethelred is worried. Uhtred agrees that they’ll be outnumbered. Nevertheless, he believes they can win the battle. When they leave, Edward admits he is not his father. Finan and Uhtred suggest fighting at Bedanford. They believe the land would be to their advantage. Edward agrees to do it with their help. Beocca intends to get involved in the battle. Later that night, Uhtred confronts Sigebriht.

Sigebriht says he is not a traitor. He just isn’t for Edward. He promises to be there for Wessex. Aethelwold enters the pictures and offers his condolences for Ragnar. Aethelwold claims Uhtred will die unwritten and forgotten. Finan hopes the letter from Edward will be good. Uhtred speaks to the men. They ride towards battle. The Danes do the same. Uhtred and Finan speak with the others. They’re going to travel past Bedanford to throw off the Danes and Aethelwold. Osferth confirms he has the blood safe. Uhtred confirms to Beocca that it is Thyra’s blood. Uhtred believes it will save Ragnar’s son. They must kill the man who killed Ragnar with a blade marked with Ragnar or Thyra’s blood. Uhtred isn’t sure who he needs to kill yet. Aethelwold travels alone.

He makes it to the Danes. He tells Brida and the others about Uhtred. Aethelwold is convinced that Sigebriht is with them. Brida sends Jackdaw (Tygo Gernandt) to deliver a message to Uhtred. Edward and Uhtred wait for Sigebriht to arrive with the army. Sihtric and Finan kill the spies. Jackdaw is allowed to speak with Uhtred. The message is Aethelwold. Jackdaw confirms that they’re here. He warns that Uhtred will be facing death. Osferth gives Uhtred the blood. Edward rallies the troops. A short time later, the battle begins. Uhtred and his army wait for the Mercians to arrive. Aethelflaed arrives with the Mercians. Aethelwold is convinced Sigebriht will side with him and the Danes. We see Sigebriht approaching with his men. Sigebriht sides with Wessex. Haesten blames Aethelwold. Haesten says that they have been betrayed. Cnut kills Sigebriht. Brida and Uhtred stare down Aethelwold.

He makes a run for it. Uhtred goes after him on horseback. Haesten says they’re possessed by devils. He believes the battle is lost. Aethelwold is cornered. He pleads with Uhtred. Aethelwold eventually admits to killing Ragnar. Uhtred says Aethelwold will need silver to travel. He throws Aethelwold the blood and kills him with his sword. Brida joins him. He believes Ragnar is crossing into Valhalla. Uhtred says that Edward’s great victory over the Danes will be written in the chronicle. Other battles lie ahead. Uhtred visits his brother’s grave. He admits Uhtred of Bebbanburg will not be mentioned in the chronicles.

 

The Last Kingdom Review

I’ve finally finished the 3rd season of The Last Kingdom. The finale was excellent. It had a little bit of everything. There was the heartbreak for Beocca, an intense battle and Edward’s rise. While the battle was indeed won, there could be more ahead. Will Netflix give us the opportunity to see what lies ahead? I hope so. I enjoyed the season immensely. Alfred is gone and that creates a new chapter for the series. Things could get interesting with the new king.

It appears Uhtred is going to side with Edward. We might know where his loyalty belongs now. I hope we’re given the chance to see how that plays out. The finale was great. An 8.5 out of 10 is deserved. Catch up with previous recaps of The Last Kingdom right now!