As the episode begins, we’re taken to Wales where Brida (Emily Cox) ransacks a town with a small army by her side. Brida notices a young girl running into the nearby trees with a crying baby but lets the girl go. Once they’ve finished, Brida and the Danes decide to return to the fort. Aethelflaed (Millie Brady) wakes up next to Aelfwynn (Helena Albright). She steps outside and watches as Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) walks through the village. She confronts him and explains that he is not the right person to rule Mercia because he is wild and impetuous. Uhtred warns her that another lord may decide to banish her. Nevertheless, she would rather protect Mercia even if that means being banished from Mercia. Their conversation is interrupted when Pyrlig (Cavan Clerkin) enters the room.

Pyrlig lets Uhtred know that he will need to be baptized before he can rule Mercia. Uhtred isn’t eager to get baptized but he agrees to do so to appease the Ealdormen. We jump back to Wales and see that Rhodri (Nigel Lindsay) is still confined. He listens as Sigtryggr speaks to Brida about staying there. Brida expresses the desire to go to Wessex or Mercia so he can face someone other than farmers and their wives but Sigtryggr sees no reason to leave. She explains that Edward and Uhtred slaughtered their kin so they need to pay for that. He says that they’ll be punished in time but Brida says she didn’t sit in that hole to watch his men grow fat and the Saxons grow stronger.

Sigtryggr says he must ask his men to fight for a reason that he believes in. She says she is going to go find their allies to the north since they’ll fight the Saxons. Seconds later, Eadith (Stefanie Martini) gets a visit from Aethelflaed who admits she was wrong to doubt her. Eadith suggests she could be beneficial to Aelfwynn. Aethelflaed wants to know why she told on her brother and Eadith explains that she knew what her brother was doing was wrong. Next, young Uhtred (Finn Elliot) meets with his father and speaks about the baptism. He admits he would be happy about it if he thought his father was sincere in accepting God into his heart. Their conversation continues until Pyrlig arrives and tells Uhtred it is time.

Meanwhile, Brida abuses Rhodri and treats him like a dog. She hangs him and puts him out of his misery. After that, Uhtred is baptized in front of Edward (Timothy Innes), Aelswith (Eliza Butterworth), the Ealdormen. Edward is confident that he is making the right decision. Meanwhile, Osferth (Ewan Mitchell), Finan (Mark Rowley), and Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravicius) hit the pub and celebrate Uhtred becoming lord. Stiorra (Ruby Hartley) joins them and drinks with the men. Meanwhile, the baptism is finished and Uhtred confirms to Edward that he is ready. Edward wants to discuss matters after the Witan. Meanwhile, Aelswith tells her daughter that this isn’t the worst outcome. She explains that Edward is doing what he believes it best but Aethelflaed thinks he is looking out for himself and not Mercia.

Aldhelm (James Northcote) interrupts and lets them know that they’re gathering. After that, King Hywel (Steffan Rhodri) learns about the attack on the village in Wales. He speaks with the girl holding the child and finds out what happened. Prylig lets Uhtred know that they’re ready for him. Ludeca (Richard Dillane) speaks about Uhtred helping Mercia and other things before they approve Uhtred as the new leader of Mercia. Uhtred sits on his throne before letting the Witan know that he has something to say. His first order is to step down and hand the throne to Aethelflaed. Edward, Ludeca, and the others are not happy with that decision but Uhtred isn’t going to change his mind. Aethelflaed joins the conversation as well and says she will remain chaste while she is ruling Mercia.

After some back and forth, the group decides to support Uhtred’s decision but Edward is not happy about that. Cenric (Mate Haumann) orders his soldiers to man the gates and this convinces Finan and Sihtric that something is wrong. They fear that King Edward’s guards are seizing Aegelsburg. Aldhelm tells Uhtred that his reign was brief but he did make the right decision and Mercia has the leader it needed. Finan arrives before telling Uhtred about Edward’s guards. They head outside where Pyrlig tells them that Edward did this because he feels insulted. Ludeca tells Uhtred that the Mercian Guard is leaderless without Eardwulf so they’re in disarray. Aethelflaed believes it is best to wait and let her speak to her brother.

Uhtred and Aldhelm encourage her to flee the city but she doesn’t agree with that strategy. Uhtred tells Finan to stay with Aethelflaed and guard her quarters. Uhtred leaves the city with Sihtric and Osferth by his side. Meanwhile, Brida finds Eardwulf (Jamie Blackley) and he quickly agrees to help the Danes. Brida’s comrade knocks him out to shut him up. Young Uhtred speaks with Pyrlig about his father’s decision to relinquish the throne to Aethelflaed and he wonders if he should be angry at him for mocking God. He says he is not. He explains he wants to serve God and only God so he is going to go to Wessex without speaking to his father or letting him know about his plans. Next, Edward finds his mother with Aethelstan (Caspar Griffiths) who says that Edward is a good king.

Edward tells his mother he intends to hold onto Mercia until someone he can trust is in charge but she believes he can trust his sister. She suspects Uhtred might’ve done them a favor and that Aethelflaed will be loyal if Edward allows it. That night, King Hywel and his men into to storm the fort and take it back. However, they fall into a trap set by Sigtryggr and have to retreat after many are slaughtered. After that, Eardwulf wakes up and finds Brida eating. He tries to convince her that he can help her. He says he has information that she will find valuable or she can kill him. Stiorra tells Finan that Aethelflaed needs to come outside so she can see what is happening.

She discovers that Uhtred has returned with the fyrd and they’re willing to stand up to Edward’s army. Aethelflaed says they will stay outside until they’re invited in. She doesn’t want to risk lives and doesn’t believe there is any conflict between herself and her brother. Young Uhtred tells Stiorra about his decision to go to Wessex and she pleads with him to take her along so she will have something to do and won’t be bored. However, he refuses her offer. That night, Edward looks at the fyrd and contemplates what he should do before telling his sister that he’ll let them in since she has the support of the people of Mercia. He urges her to enjoy the moment since it may not always be this way and she’ll need to make impossible decisions that may change things.

Then, he turns the conversation to East Anglia which has grown lawless since Aethelred’s death. He wants to send men from Wessex and Mercia there to maintain control and his sister agrees with that. She also wants to push north into Northumbrian Daneland. She believes they can achieve their father’s dream together. Uhtred finds Pyrlig and learns about his son leaving for Wessex. Pyrlig tells Uhtred that his son is a young man he can be proud of even though he doesn’t agree with his religious beliefs. Uhtred asks if he will return and Pyrlig says he hopes so. Uhtred approaches Aethelflaed to tell her he is going to return to Coccham since it is too painful to see her every day and not be able to be with her. She admits the price they pay is great and that she’ll miss him.

Uhtred promises that he’ll always answer Mercia’s call as long as she is on the throne. She says she knows that before Uhtred departs. The following day, Aelswith goes to Edward so she can speak to him about Aethelstan. She wonders what to do with the boy since people in Winchester want him gone. She requests to take charge of the boy and take him to Bedwyn if her son is okay with that. She wants to raise him so he can follow in their footsteps. Edward agrees and says she should begin making arrangements. He also wants Uhtred to accompany her. Aethelflaed pays a visit to Eadith because she wants to discuss the reward she promised her for delivering the message to Uhtred. She gives her a bag and says it would make her look weak if she allowed Eadith to stay around after everything that has happened.

She doesn’t want to punish Eadith too harshly so she has arranged a place for her at the nunnery where she can live and stay safe. However, Eadith says she would prefer to find a place on her own. She is given permission to say goodbye to Aelfwynn. Eadith says goodbye to the children before we jump over to the Danes. Brida visits Sigtryggr and tells him that he has missed a great victory. She says she is more certain than ever that they must attack the Saxons now. She wants to show him something that will change his mind. Eardwulf enters and Brida believes he will help them take Winchester without a single drop of Danish blood being shed. Meanwhile, Uhtred and his group sit at the pub and realize they’ve lost out on wealth and power.

When Finan goes for more ale, Eadith offers to pay for the ale as long as they let her travel with them when they leave the city. Finan agrees. Eardwulf tells the Danes that Edward no longer believes the Danes are a threat and that his army has taken to Aegelsburg so that is leaving Winchester undefended. Brida believes this will be their best opportunity to take Winchester. Sigtryggr belittles Eardwulf before telling Brida that they’ll leave for Winchester today.

 

The Last Kingdom Review

The Last Kingdom has been one of my favorite shows in recent years but I think this season is a turning point. This might be the point where the show dips in quality and that continues until the show is ultimately canceled. This episode was a perfect example of what the show has become and it isn’t pretty. At this point, it feels like everything we’ve worked for has been tossed out of the window because Uhtred has found a lady friend.

In the past seasons, Uhtred maintained his goal of reclaiming Bebbanburg and that always gave us something to look forward to. Now, it seems that he doesn’t care about his destiny at all making the character a bit aimless. I am not sure what the point was in making Uhtred lord of Mercia only for him to hand it over to Aethelflaed seconds later. It felt like a waste of time honestly. Now that he has given up control, I really see no point in him having a say in anything Mercia or Wessex does.

The season has been lackluster and too predictable. It is not the worst thing I’ve watched but it is disappointing to see where this show is headed. It is getting harder to care about Uhtred, Edward, and Aethelflaed and I find myself caring more about the side characters who get little screen time anymore. The writers are too focused on creating a love story and creating a powerful female leader. I have no problem with that as long as it is done well but it isn’t here.

I’ll stick with it and always will but I think this show’s best days are behind it now. The episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Previous recaps of The Last Kingdom can be found on Reel Mockery.