As the episode begins, we join the confrontation between Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) and Wihtgar (Ossian Perret). Uhtred tries to convince Wihtgar to face him one on one but he isn’t going to cooperate and threatens to kill young Uhtred (Finn Elliot). Things escalate as Wihtgar aims his crossbow at young Uhtred and fires. In a split second, Beocca (Ian Hart) steps in the way and saves young Uhtred. He perishes on the ground and this enrages Uhtred. He kills a few men while trying to get to Wihtgar but Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravicius) and Finan (Mark Rowley) try to get him to flee. Finan eventually convinces Uhtred that it is best to flee. They rush for the boat while boulders are launched in their direction.

While the boat is damaged, they get away. Wihtgar tells Aidan (Anthony Cozens) that they won’t make it through the night so they can let them go. After the intro, we jump over to Winchester and see that Edward (Timothy Innes) is trying to prepare for Cnut with Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller). Pyrlig (Cavan Clerkin) enters and tells them that Cnut has left Aegelesburg and is now camped near Tameworthig. He goes on to say that Aethelred (Toby Regbo) has pushed into East Anglia. Mercia expects Edward’s aid now that Aethelred has left them unprotected. Edward believes Cnut is trying to draw them out so he can find them in a place that is beneficial to him. Aelswith (Eliza Butterworth), Aethelflaed (Millie Brady), and Aldhelm (James Northcote) enter seconds later.

Aelswith wants her son to help Mercia but he isn’t ready to do that. Edward orders Pyrlig to send a messenger to track down Aethelred and get him to return. In private, Aethelflaed tells her mother that her duty is Mercia and he must do what she can. She is warned that Edward will see that as a defiance but she reminds her mother that Edward isn’t her king. Her mother says that she’ll need a place for the fyrds to assemble before recommending the valley in Tettenhall since lesser numbers might stand a chance there. Aelswith promises to speak with Edward and she doesn’t believe he will abandon her. Meanwhile, Uhtred and his men make it to shore. Then, Cnut (Magnus Bruun) gets a visit from Bjorgulf (Oscar Skagerberg) who is carrying a Saxon head.

We join Eardwulf (Jamie Blackley) in East Anglia. He visits Eadith (Stefanie Martini) and learns that she has received a gift from Aethelred but she doesn’t want to wear it. Eardwulf believes he has news that will put him in better spirits so they visit him together immediately. He isn’t happy that Eadith isn’t wearing her new outfit before Eardwulf gives him a sword they took from a Dane. Aethelred is happy and says that he’ll be rewarded. He offers to consider reclaiming the family’s name if Eardwulf can take all of East Anglia. Finan checks on Uhtred and tries to cheer him up but Uhtred is not happy because Beocca isn’t next to Thyra. Uhtred blames himself and says he failed Beocca. Finan returns as Sihtric makes a sling for Osferth (Ewan Mitchell) who has injured his arm.

Finan tells them about Uhtred before saying they need to return south. Sihtric is given jewelry so he can trade it in for money to buy horses at the village nearby. Brida (Emily Cox) performs a ritual so she can determine if her curse has been broken and she is pregnant. She returns to Cnut and they agree to burn all villages until Edward comes out. Brida says that they should do it for Ragnar and Cnut agree with that. Edward sits down with his comrades and Aelswith tells him about Cnut burning more villages. Then, Aethelhelm reveals Aethelflaed has decided to act on her own and that upsets Edward. Aelswith tells him that his sister is going to summon the Mercian fyrds to Tettenhall and he must join her. Uhtred finds his son praying for Beocca and that angers him.

Uhtred tells his son that they do not need his words. When Uhtred steps away, Finan tries to convince his son that he is a good man. He explains that Uhtred is doing everything he can to give his son the legacy he never had. Then, Uhtred tells Finan that he doesn’t think he can lead the man anymore and that he should let them leave if they want. Uhtred says he has lost his lands and his name. Edward waits for word from or about his sister and complains to Aethelhelm. However, his comrade believes he might be able to use these events to his advantage. He says that he should let the Lord of Merica return to defend his wife and lands but Edward knows his sister’s army won’t stand a chance. Aethelhelm says that will be a good thing since it’ll get rid of King Aethelred.

He tells Edward that Alfred knew uniting the kingdoms could come with costs so losing his sister could be part of that. Uhtred does a ritual of sorts for Beocca before Finan arrives and comforts him. Finan wants Uhtred to realize that this is not the end and that Beocca would want him to believe the same. A Wessex messenger (James Craze) makes it to Eardwulf and asks about Aethelred but Eardwulf kills him while his sister watches from a distance. Next, Uhtred and his men run into Haesten (Jeppe Beck Laursen) and Cnut’s boys. They agree to camp there for the night. Osferth learns about Cnut and Brida attacking Merica and Uhtred admits he is worried about Aethelflaed. Haesten interrupts before he insults Uhtred and Aethelflaed. He gets into a scuffle with Uhtred who gets the better of him.

Haesten promises to tell Uhtred who set Ragnar up to get killed if he lets him live. After a bit more fighting, Haesten tells Uhtred that Cnut is responsible for Ragnar’s murder. Uhtred lets him go but he keeps Cnut’s kids and orders for them to be tied up. Osferth isn’t sure that Uhtred is making the right decision. Eadith catches her brother burying the messenger’s body. He explains that he had to kill the man to prevent Aethelred from learning that Cnut did not sail to Irland and is attacking Mercia. He believes everything will be okay as long as Aethelflaed dies in battle since that will allow Aethelred to marry his sister. Eadith returns to her tent and puts on the outfit Aethelred bought her. She visits his tent and they have set. That night, young Uhtred asks his father what he is going to do with the boys.

Uhtred says they’ll take them to Aethelflaed in Merica. They chat about young Uhtred’s mother and Uhtred says he still sees her in his dreams. His son says his mother told him Uhtred left because he fought for a cause. She believes he would always have the strength to stand up when others have fallen. We jump over to Aylesbury in Merica and see bodies on the ground and some hanging from the gate. Aethelflaed and Aldhelm arrive and check out the destruction. There are a few survivors and Aethelflaed says they’ll bring them food. Meanwhile, Aelswith speaks with Pyrlig about her husband and how much he valued loyalty. Aelswith tells him to take a message to the Welsh king Hywel but Pyrlig is worried that doing so will get him into trouble with Edward.

She uses his religious believes to pressure him into delivering the message. Next, Brida and Cnut learn about Aethelflaed and her army. Bjorgulf is told to get Aethelflaed and bring her to Cnut. Uhtred makes it to Aethelflaed in the middle of the night and tells her about Cnut’s kids. She explains that she had to force Edward’s hand before telling Aldhelm that they’ll march to Tettenhall at dawn. After that, Aethelflaed asks Uhtred what happened in Bebbanburg and he begins sobbing so she comforts him. Bjorgulf’s army moves in as the episode ends.

 

The Last Kingdom Review

This was a pretty good episode of The Last Kingdom but I think many people could see that Beocca was a dead man walking. I am not sure what gave it away but I’ve had a feeling he was a goner since the season started. That is too bad since I’ve always liked Beocca. Uhtred is a wounded animal now and he is stirring things up with Cnut. I am sure Brida is going to flip sides when she learns that Cnut has something to do with Ragnar’s death and I am curious as to what Edward will do. I have to say that I find Timothy Innes’s acting to be a little over the top sometimes but I can overlook that most of the time.

Otherwise, the show has been very good this season. This episode scores a 7.5 out of 10. Previous recaps of The Last Kingdom are available on Reel Mockery.