As the episode begins, crowds gather for the funeral of Aethelred but some aren’t happy with their former king. Edward (Timothy Innes) and Aelswith (Eliza Butterworth) attend the event together. Aelswith encourages her son to ignore the disrespect being shown for Aethelred. Meanwhile, Pyrlig (Cavan Clerkin) uses the distraction to let Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) and Stiorra (Ruby Hartley) into the city. Once they’re inside, Uhtred asks Pyrlig to hide his daughter and Edward’s firstborn. Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller) warns Edward that the city is going to run out of grain soon. Finan (Mark Rowley) is worried that Uhtred doesn’t have a plan but Uhtred suggests otherwise.

Cenric (Mate Haumann) tells Edward that the Ealdormen have called their Witan for after the funeral and they do not believe Edward needs to know about it. They’re not going to let him enter the Witan either. Uhtred tells Finan that he is the only one who knows where Aelfwynn hides so he thinks he will be able to use that to strike a deal with Edward. Meanwhile, Burgred (Dorian Lough) speaks out against Edward. Ludeca (Richard Dillane) argues with him a bit as they try to figure out what to do next. Edward arrives and tries to enter only to be told that the Witan is closed to all but Mercians. He reminds them that he is Mercian in blood through his mother.

Edward sits down and intends to listen to the conversation. Uhtred arrives and listens in the distance as they discuss Eardwulf going after Lady Aelfwynn. Aethelhelm accuses them of hoarding the grain and Burgred admits they hoard it so it cannot fatten Wessex fighters. Uhtred interrupts and tells Edward that Aelfwynn (Helena Albright) can’t be betrothed to Eardwulf because he killed Aethelred. He shows them the ring to prove that he is telling the truth. During this time, Eadith (Stefanie Martini) and Osferth (Ewan Mitchell) check on Aelfwynn. Eadith has come up with a way to cure the girl but it is dangerous and Osferth is worried about it.

Edward and Uhtred speak in private. Uhtred doesn’t want to tell Edward about Lady Aelfwynn until he is sure that Aethelflaed will be protected. Edward threatens to have Uhtred seized if he doesn’t tell him where she is. Uhtred doesn’t answer so he is taken away seconds later. After that, Edward changes his strategy and decides to find a way to split the Ealdormen. Next, Rhodri (Nigel Lindsay) discusses the Danes getting closer to their position while Brida (Emily Cox) listens from her pit. Rhodri turns his attention to Brida and teases her. Next, Burgred takes the grain to storage so Wessex will not be able to steal it. Cenric interrupts and says that the King demands the grain be shared fairly among the people.

Meanwhile, Aldhelm (James Northcote) and Aethelflaed (Millie Brady) continue their journey. They’re worried that they’re being followed so they rush ahead and find a place to hide. Edward speaks with Burgred about the grain and other things. Edward stands up for himself and says that they’re dishonoring Mercia for breaking the accord they’ve held so long. Burgred pulls out his sword and intends to fight Edward for Mercia. Edward tells Burgred about his power and the fact that he has taken his son to Wessex for religious instruction. Next, Aldhelm and Aethelflaed find out that Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravicius) has been following them. Sihtric tells Aethelflaed about her daughter being sick as well.

Then, we see that Uhtred has been chained up and he speaks with Cenric. Aethelhelm enters a few moments later and he orders Cenric to give Uhtred a beating. Eadith checks on Aelfwynn and finds out that she is worsening. She convinces Osferth to take the child back to Aegelesburg. Aelswith checks on Edward and talks to him about Burgred’s son. She tells Edward that the people of Mercia are Saxon but they’ll never be of Wessex. If he tries to force them to be, they’re going to fight back. Aethelhelm enters seconds later and confirms Uhtred is not willing to give them any information. Edward checks on Uhted moments later and finds him beaten and bloodied. He tries to convince Uhtred that he didn’t order this.

They discuss the reason Uhtred fought at Tettenhall and other things and Edward realizes that Uhtred loves his sister. Edward explains that he has followed the guidance of others for too long and he admits he has made mistakes. Edward tells Uhtred that he should return to Aelfwynn and keep his sister safe. Meanwhile, Brida overhears Rhodri talking about the Danes once again. He taunts Brida and gives her something to drink. Aethelflaed returns only to find out that her daughter has gone missing. Aldhelm says that the woman nearby says her daughter has passed into the next life.

Edward goes to Aethelhelm and tells him he wants him to leave the city. He accuses Aethelhelm of interpreting his wishes in a way that he finds unchristian. When he leaves, Aelswith tells Edward that Aelfwynn is outside of the city gates. They bring her into the town immediately and find out that she is ill. Osferth says that they need a priest to perform the last rites but Eward wants ever healer in town to help her.

Finan finds out about Uhtred’s beating moments later and Uhtred learns that his daughter has been helping Pyrlig. Burgred complains to Ludeca that Edward continues taking the town but Ludeca says he is feeding the people. Stiorra hands out grain before the locals get rowdy with her. Uhtred is forced to step in and calm everyone down. Edward watches as this happens and notices that the people are willing to listen to Uhtred. Aelswith is worried that Uhtred will make the Mercians rise against him. Edward wants to speak with Uhtred. Next, Brida listens as Sigtryggr and his army raid the town. The Danes are victorious and Rhodri is taken captive. Brida is rescued from the pit.

Uhtred speaks with Edward who doesn’t understand why he was a part of the disturbance in town. Edward asks Uhtred about wanting to bring peace to the city and he admits there is a risk of great slaughter. Edward paints a bleak picture for Uhtred before contemplating who he should put in place to rule Mercia. He reveals he thinks that person should be Uhtred but Uhtred doesn’t want that. Edward explains that people listen to Uhtred and he wants to use that to his advantage. He says that Uhtred can accept the offer so his reputation can be restored and his men can obtain status and wealth. Uhtred would be free in a few years to reclaim Bebbanburg.

In return for that, Uhtred would need to be loyal to his king Edward. Uhtred is left to think about the offer while Brida tries to convince Sigtryggr that she is who she says she is. She manages to do that after a little back and forth. Rhodri is going to be punished for the abuse and he is thrown into the pit. Uhtred sits down with Pyrlig and tells him about Edward’s offer. Uhtred says he wasn’t born to be lord of Mercia and he has never sought that type of power. Pyrlig believes that might be a benefit since Mercia has suffered from being led by ambition. He says that Uhtred would be able to protect Aethelflaed and bring peace to the lands. Brida tells Sigtryggr about Cnut being responsible for Ragnar’s death.

Then, they discuss Uhtred the Dane Slayer. Sigtryggr thinks about growing strong here, getting more silver, and then retaking Dyflin. He intends to cut the head off of one of the hostages and send it to Hywel. Pyrlig takes Aethelstan (Caspar Griffiths) while they’re followed by Aelswith. She catches up with them and demands to see the boy. She admits she feared he had been lost forever and she intends to thank Uhtred for bringing him there. Later, Aelswith discusses Edward’s arrangement with him. She brings the boy in and introduces him to Edward. Aelswith questions whether it is time to right the wrongs. She confesses that she was wrong to rip Edward for his wife and says the boy will need his protection. Edward tells her to place the boy back where he was concealed.

One of the Welsh soldiers delivers the head to Hywel. Then, Uhtred accepts Edward’s offer and they agree that he can rule as his own man. Edward wants to strike another bargain too. That night, Aethelflaed and the others finally arrive. Cenric allows them in and Aethelflaed is reunited with her mother. She learns that her daughter is okay. The men celebrate while Aethelflaed speaks with her mother and learns about Uhtred becoming the new lord. The party continues until the episode ends.

 

The Last Kingdom Review

This wasn’t the most action packed episode of The Last Kingdom but it wasn’t bad. A lot happened. Uhtred has agreed to rule Mercia while they’ll face a new danger in the form of Sigtryggr. It seems Brida and Sigtryggr want to kill King Hywel before turning their attention to Uhtred. This could set up an epic battle and bring the Saxons together. This episode was necessary for setting everything up and it did a good job of that.

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