As the episode begins, young Uhtred (Finn Elliot) and Stiorra (Ruby Hartley) travel with the others while Aelfwynn (Helena Albright) sobs. Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) stops briefly before Eadith (Stefanie Martini) catches up with them. She tells them about Aethelflaed (Millie Brady) being imprisoned by her brother and releasing her. Then, she tells Uhtred that Aethelflaed wants to meet him at the ruins of St. Milburg’s Priory. They’re a bit suspicious of Eadith but decide to bring her along with them anyway. Meanwhile, a ceremony is prepared for Aethelred (Toby Regbo). Edward (Timothy Innes) is angry with Uhtred and intends to take his lands in Coccham and his children. He finds out that he can’t do that because Uhtred’s children are with him.

Edward tells Cenric (Mate Haumann) and Eardwulf (Jamie Blackley) to keep the situation hidden from everyone else since it could create problems. However, they’re worried that doubts were already whispered by the Ealdormen. Eardwulf warns Edward that his decision is not final in Mercia. Pyrlig (Cavan Clerkin) arrives seconds later and tells Edward that his sister has escaped. Eardwulf gets angry and demands that the traitors be dragged back to Aegelesburg before apologizing for speaking out of frustration. Edward says that he will let Cenric’s men track them down. Edward is convinced that the Ealdormen will never find out about the fugitives since they’ll be tracked down so quickly.

Meanwhile, Uhtred speaks with Eadith about his relationship with Aethelflaed and says that he does not serve her. Beggars rush out of the woods and tell Uhtred’s men that the road is closed due to sickness. This greatly concerns Finan (Mark Rowley) since he has seen sickness and how it can destroy men. Young Uhtred thinks they’re going to be fine since the sickness will only take sinners but the others aren’t sure about that. Uhtred decides they should hide the horse and continue forward on foot. Next, Aldhelm (James Northcote) and Aethelflaed stop and he suggests getting off of the road for the night but Aethelflaed wants to be there when her daughter arrives. She isn’t sure that they’ll ever be able to return to Aegelsburg.

Eardwulf finds Burgred (Dorian Lough) and his son (Kirill Banfalvi) in the King’s chamber and he doesn’t like that. Burgred believes God wants them to right the wrongs done to Mercia and Eardwulf argues that he will be betrothed to the child. Burgred believes the king is hiding something from them and has been lying to them about something so he says they’ll wait for their moment. As people pour into the village gates for protection, Eardwulf tries to find 12 men to leave with him immediately. Moments later, Ludeca (Richard Dillane) and Pyrlig learn about the sickness sweeping through the lands. Pyrlig tells Edward and Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller) about the sickness. They head outside and contemplate whether to close the gates.

Edward wants to protect all Saxons but Aethelhelm says they shouldn’t overrule Ludeca. Burgred wants to leave the gate open as well but it is ultimately closed when Edward agrees with Ludeca to avoid making it look like he seeks to conquer them. Back in Winchester, Aelflaed (Amelia Clarkson) learns that Aelswith (Eliza Butterworth) has escaped. We see that she is traveling with a small group of soldiers and Uhtred’s journey continues. Aethelhelm asks Aldhelm if she was wrong but he says she was trying to protect her daughter. They’re approached by travelers who warn them about the sickness a bit later. Despite that, Aethelflaed decides to stay and not abandon her child. Finan carries Aethelstan (Caspar Griffiths) before he learns about the boy being Edward’s firstborn.

Aldhelm smells burning bodies and that convinces them that the sickness is close. She believes Uhtred has gone ahead to Ceaster and decides to do the same. The same travelers run into Eardwulf and his men and they’re asked about the warriors and children but they haven’t seen them. When they learn about the sickness, some of the men flee so Eardwulf agrees to double the reward to get them to stay. Uhtred and the others stop for a break while Finan goes on about the sickness and Stiorra reveals she doesn’t want to be a wife. Finan becomes convinced that Aethelflaed is not coming. Uhtred believes they would’ve made it there first on horseback so he decides to head for Ceaster.

During their travels, Finan becomes concerned that Aelfwynn is getting ill but Osferth (Ewan Mitchell) believes she just needs to rest so he convinces Uhtred to stop for a bit. They rest for the night before Edward learns that the fugitives have not been located yet. He also learns about Eardwulf leaving with 12 warriors. Ludeca says that he knew Eardwulf was out for treasure and anyone could’ve told Edward that. Edward reminds Aethelhelm that he said Eardwulf would do as they requested. After a break, Edward and his men wake up. Aelfwynn is the last to get up and she ends up following a crow and nearly runs into Eardwulf but Uhtred saves her. Next, Aelswith makes it to Aegelesburg and wants to speak with her son.

Edward has a difficult choice to make but he decides to open the gates so his mother can enter. This convinces Ludeca that Edward is trying to conquer them and he tells Burgred that he was right. Edward denies sending command for his mom to be locked away so she blames it on his wife and Lord Aethelhelm but Edward doesn’t want to listen to her. Then, they chat about Aethelflaed. Then, we see that Brida (Emily Cox) is working as a slave and taking orders from Rhodri (Nigel Lindsay). Young Uhtred speaks with his sister about Alfred turning him into a Christian and he believes he did the same for her but he finds out otherwise. During this time, Osferth and Eadith give Aelfwynn water. Eadith says that it is nice not to have men expect something from her.

They decide to rest again and Eadith thanks Uhtred for not killing her brother when he was sleeping. She tells him that she would rather sleep on cold earth than in a palace where everyone thinks she is a harlot before they speak about their gods. King Hywell (Steffan Rhodri) celebrates with his men while Rhodri continues abusing Brida. Hywell encourages him to have some grace in victory but Rhodri isn’t willing to listen to him. During the night, Pyrlig sneaks a few people into the city so he can feel them and Aelswith notices. Brida upsets Rhodri by taking back so she is thrown into the pit. Hywel tells his men what he intends to do with the loot they’ve collected from battle. Aelswith interrupts Pyrlig and wants to know why her daughter fled. After that, she confronts Edward for imprisoning his sister and sending an army after Aelfwynn.

She reminds him that sending an army will start a war. She tells him about his firstborn being in Saltwic. Aelswith wonders how Edward has strayed so far but he thinks forging an alliance with Mercia is everything. In the morning, Uhtred carries Aelswynn and they continue onward. Eventually, they find a path but Eadith is concerned that Aelfwynn’s condition may be worsening. Eardwulf and his men show up behind them and try to chase them down. They run into the weeds and find a body of water filled with dead bodies. They’re trapped by Eardwulf who offers to spare them all in exchange for Aelfwynn. Eadith decides to tell the soldiers about her brother killing Aethelred. She tells them the truth about everything that has happened.

He tells them that Eardwulf will have the ring he stole from Lord Aethelred in the pouch he is wearing. The soldiers want to see what is in the pouch so Eardwulf hands it over to them. The ring with Aethelred’s seal is found inside. Eadith encourages her brother to flee to Frankia so he rides away and the others follow him. Uhtred gets the ring before Eadith explains she doubts she’ll ever see her brother alive again. Seconds later, a bloodied man walks toward Rhodri and frightens him. Brida listens as the man tells them that the Danes did it to him. He says the Danes have come from Irland and landed west of here. They want the Welsh to know that they’re intent on slaughter. He tells Rhodri that his head will be the first one they take.

Uhtred and his men get horses and Uhtred says he intends to tell Edward what kind of man he trusted. Uhtred and Osferth check on Eadith and Aelfwynn who seems to be getting worse. They agree to try to keep her alive until Uhtred returns. Before the episode ends, he says she is the future.

 

The Last Kingdom Review

This was an okay episode but nothing out of the ordinary. Finan had a few funny lines during the episode and I am glad that the Danes have returned. I am hoping that will increase the action and make things a bit more exciting. As for Eardwulf, I really doubt he is going to disappear quietly. His departure seemed a bit too easy so I doubt that is going to be the end of his story. I am not sure where we’re going from here so I guess we’ll have to keep watching to find out.

The episode scores a 7 out of 10. Previous recaps of The Last Kingdom are available on Reel Mockery.