As the episode begins, a woman yells at King Edward (Timothy Innes) about killing her husband. Eadgifu (Sonya Cassidy) reminds him to ignore all threats and maintain his dignity. He asks Aldhelm (James Northcote) whether those in Eoferwic have located Pyrlig. There is no news of Pyrlig, but Aldhelm believes Sigtryggr (Eysteinn Sigurdarson) will be unsettled by the news from here. Edward agrees and suggests making overtures to Sigtryggr and Scotland to reassure them. Edward tells him to let King Constantin know they’re eager to renew the alliance, but Aldhelm doesn’t work for him. While he understands Edward’s reasons, Aldhelm won’t be a part of this. Once Aldhelm leaves, Eadgifu is confident that Edward is doing what is best for Mercia.

When he asks whether he should’ve shown more mercy, Eadgifu argues a kingdom is never made without bloodshed. It doesn’t need to be ruled by fear. Instead, Edward should show the world that he is just and lives by the faith. He meets with townsfolk and offers them to feast while they fast. He holes to atone and put the turbulence behind them. Aelfweard (Ewan Horrocks) asks Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller) whether he is sincere, but Aethelhelm can no longer read his mood. Aelfweard feels sickened by it all and the way he dishonors his mother. He is told he is a fine young man who will one day be king. After asking why Edward doesn’t name him the aetheling, Aethelhelm says some men cannot think of their own demise because it frightens them.

He offers to find a way to resolve this with his permission. Moments later, Aethelhelm gives Bresal (Harry Anton) money and says he needs to be certain that nothing can be traced back to him. Bresal promises they will say they’re from King Sigtryggr. He knows what he is doing but warns Aethelhelm that this could start a war between the Christians and Danes. He hopes it does and leads to the King falling in battle so Aelfweard can inherit the land free of the heathen curse. Bresal wonders if there are other ways to gain influence. Aethelhelm has learned like Edward that nothing is as effective as the stench of death. Aalys (Kathy Peacock) tells Aelflaed (Amelia Clarkson) she can return home from the Holy Isle after they deliver the tapestry.

Aelflaed hopes the King will never know that she went away. Aalys wonders if she regrets traveling with simple folk although Aelflaed calls her a gift from the lord. She goes on to say the life of a queen can be somewhat lonely. They’re stopped by a man pleading for help. Once Aalys approaches to help him, the man grabs her and holds her at knifepoint. Other soldiers come out and begin asking for the farm girl from Lewes. Aelflaed lies by claiming she is the visionary. The men claim they were sent by King Sigtryggr. Meanwhile, Sigtryggr learns that all of Mercia’s Ealdormen have been slaughtered even though his sister wasn’t cold yet. Wolland (Jaakko Ohtonen) warns Sigtryggr and Stiorra (Ruby Hartley) that they could be next when Edward comes to conquer.

They agree to send a band to the border, double the patrol, and send a warning to King Edward. Sigtryggr wants Edward to know they will be ready if he chooses to come North. Then, he tells the townsfolk they are restored and it is time to remove the Saxon sign. Haesten (Jeppe Beck Laursen) finds Aelflaed’s necklace before his man (Vilmos Krasznai) shows him the bodies nearby. When Haesten finds Aalys, she tells him the men were sent from the King of Jorvik. They said Sigtryggr wanted vengeance. She tells Haesten they were with the dead queen before he looks up and sees Aelflaed hanging. He tells his man to take the body down and clear all traces of it. After the intro, Ingrith (Ilona Chevakova) finds out that some of the men are coming back to Rumcofa.

Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) tells Aethelstan (Harry Gilby) to go straight to the boatman to get something fast so they can sail at high tide. Uhtred visits young Uhtred (Finn Elliot) to tell him he is still alive. He tells his son about Sigtryggr, Stiorra, and Lady Aethelflaed. Young Uhtred says that is a cruelty, but it brings Uhtred some comfort to know she is at peace. His son has walked some and his body is strong. Uhtred promises him that he will be avenged. Brida is alive and they think she has Prylig so they’re going to take a boat to track her. Uhtred invites his son to come, but young Uhtred says Lord is not calling him to revenge. Uhtred suggests killing her might be his destiny alone although his son says it might not be his destiny. He recommends finding a wife and having more children. Uhtred would not curse another child to have him as a father.

When young Uhtred asks about the son who is hidden and doesn’t know his father, Uhtred says it is not safe for him to know that. He claims Aethelflaed is not departed because she is still with him. His son says they must walk with wounds that will not heal. In Buccstan, Aelswith (Eliza Butterworth) warns Aelfwynn (Phia Saban) that they are not here to be seen. Aelfwynn worries that someone is planning to kill her, but Aelswith says someone is planning to give her life. Aelswith has chosen a husband for her and it is someone she knows. Father Benedict (Patrick Robinson) goes to Cynlaef (Ryan Quarmby) because he has been asked to deliver a message.

Aelswith knows about his affection for her granddaughter and wants him to come to Buccstan on Sunday. Aethelstan listens as Benedict says he will meet with Aelfwynn and marry her. He suspects Cynlaef has been selected because he is a nobody. If Aelfwynn marries him, no Ealdorman will be able to move her hand. Cynlaef says he will do it to protect her. Haesten arrives in town seconds later. He reveals he is a trader and owner of 30 ships. They argue about their settlements briefly before Haesten says they need to speak somewhere out of sight. He shows Uhtred the Queen’s body and says the visionary has been placed with his kin. Finan (Mark Rowley) wonders why Sigtryggr would do something so stupid.

Uhtred says he has not. Haesten wonders if it was his brother or Brida while Osferth questions if it might’ve been the Mercians seeking revenge. Osferth (Ewan Mitchell) says this is a bad omen and will only deliver more death. When Uhtred asks why he is telling him this, Haesten says they both have interest in keeping the peace. He doesn’t think Edward will spare Uhtred’s daughter when he retaliates. Uhtred needs to make Sigtryggr denounce this act. He tells Osferth and Finan to stay here and defend the Queen’s body. Aethelstan and Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravicius) are sent to Aegelesburg. If they hear of this, they should come north to warn him.

As they prepare to leave, they argue about whether it is a good idea to hide the Queen’s death. Uhtred pleads with Haesten to come with him to Eoferwic to tell them what he knows. Uhtred warns them there will be a slaughter beyond Brida at her worst if they find out about the Queen. Meanwhile, Pyrlig (Cavan Clerkin) tries to convince Brida (Emily Cox) that she doesn’t need to hold the sword toward him at all times. Brida explains that he is stronger than her so the sword makes them equal. Pyrlig asks how long they’re going to travel. She says there is where the journey ends. If he travels south, he will eventually reach Winchester. Pyrlig doesn’t think Edward wants battle with Danes.

He encourages Brida to come with him to Winchester and seek peace because the war she started and the war within her should end. She eventually accepts his offer of safe passage and protection. She wants to be taken to Uhtred because he is the enemy with whom she must reconcile. Aethelhelm complains to Bresal that they’ve heard nothing about the visionary’s death although the news should be spreading. Bresal insists the bodies will be found since they were left by an open road. When they see Sihtric and Aethelstan enter the gate, Aethelhelm believes someone is ahead of him and trying to make use of this moment.

He tells Bresal that they have to find Aelswith and Aelfwynn because a man must be nimble in a fight to the death. Moments later, Sihtric and Aethelstan listen as Aethelhelm talks to Edward and Eadgifu. He says an atrocity has occurred against the faith. Bresal approaches Eadith (Stefanie Martini) who pretends the horse belongs to her husband. He offers her a sack of money, but she says she doesn’t need it. He wants to know where Aelfwynn and Aeslwith are hiding. Bresal claims people are worried about Lady Aelfwynn’s safety so she should find him if she remembers where they are. When he leaves, she rushes over to Aldhelm to tell him about Bresal. When Aldhelm admits that isn’t good, Eadith says she will travel to them and warn they’re being tracked.

She wants him to stay and keep an eye on the King though. Aethelhelm tells Edward about Aalys being slaughtered as she carried the tapestry on its sacred journey. He reveals she was hung from a tree like a piece of rotten meat. Aldhelm hides nearby to listen to everything. Aethelhelm argues they should join together to confront the Dane threat before Sigtryggr and his brother unite to slaughter them all. After Edward asks where he heard the news, Aethelhelm reminds him he has friends in every town. He recommends acting quickly and meeting fury with fury because the common people will act on his behalf otherwise. He is surprised when Edward says he’d like to have it confirmed first.

Edward is adamant he won’t be moved to retaliate until he is certain since the pilgrims could be resting peacefully in Lindisfarne right now. Once Aethelhelm leaves, Edward asks Aldhelm if there is any truth to it. He agrees to ask around. Aldhelm worries it could cause great division between Christian and Dane. Edward hopes he has proven to Aldhelm that he isn’t wholly impulsive since he needs men he can trust. Sihtric tells Aethelstan to stay and watch Aethelhelm. If he has heard this much, he is going to hear much worse. Uhtred and Haesten reach Eoferwic where Sigtryggr says he is insulted. If he was going to attack Wessex, he would do more than strangle a Queen. Stiorra argues it is the work of Edward himself.

He hated the Queen and hates us so he has killed her to justify a war. Uhtred doesn’t think he wants a battle but will retaliate when he hears about this. He will go to Edward with Sigtryggr’s denial and recommends coming with him. Sigtryggr doesn’t want to leave Eoferwic unprotected again and thinks his word is enough. When Sigtryggr leaves, Stiorra argues that he suffers from his allies deserting him. Uhtred promises he didn’t desert them and has men ready to track Brida. He warns Stiorra that he is trying to save them from a battle that they won’t win because Edward has twice the army and silver. Stiorra isn’t afraid of a man who can’t even protect his own wife.

Uhtred asks Haesten to take him to the visionary so he can find out who spread these lies. The messenger from the Danes arrives to speak to Edward. He warns them that they’ll be ready if King Edward decides to come north. Aethelhelm claims Sigtryggr wants war, but Edward says he is warning them not to approach. Edward asks Aethelstan whether Uhtred is with him. Aethelhelm says his greatest warrior has abandoned his post at Rumcofa to join Sigtryggr, but Aethelstan argues Uhtred is a man of honor and only went to see his child. Edward requests Aethelhelm take a gift to Scots since they’ll be nervous of trouble on their border. Once he leaves, Edward talks to his son about being a fighter. He needs a loyal man to lead the Mercian guard.

Aethelstan suggests he was banished, but Edward insists there are worse fates than being raised by Uhtred. He would like to accept. When he asks whether Edward wants his oath, he is asked whether he needs it. Edward asks who he can trust if he can’t trust his son. Bresal tells Aethelhelm he doesn’t think this is wise. Aethelhelm wonders if he can provoke Sigtryggr since Edward can’t be provoked. Since he is anticipating an attack, Aethelhelm will give the heathen what he expects. He tells Bresal that his men are common folk so he will like them. Back in Buccstan, Aelswith tries to get Aelfwynn to ignore it and go to sleep, but she can’t since she has too much to consider.

He will come Sunday so they need to be patient. Aelfwynn asks what it is like being married. Aelswith argues it is the greatest gift God can bestow when one is married to the right person. She continues by telling her granddaughter why she and Alfred had such beautiful children. Aelfwynn worries she might be marrying the wrong person since she barely knows Cynlaef. Aelswith has heard that marriage can be a living hell with the wrong person. Regardless, the bond holds fast. Aethelhelm tells his soldiers about the murder of the visionary and how the Danes who killed her now disguise themselves in godless Rumcofa. He can’t be seen going against his King’s command, but there will be warm fires in his camp to anyone who wishes to avenge this.

He continues getting them fired up for a war by saying they should seek the justice that Edward should seek. Bresal arrives in Rumcofa where he tells Finan they’re from the King and there are Dane murderers here that need to be handed over. Finan says his men will attend to it. Father Benedict tells Bresal that no Dane here would kill Queen Aelflaed because they’re good people. Bresal asks why he mentioned the Queen. Finan yells for Cynlaef before telling young Uhtred he needs someone to alert the men downriver so it doesn’t look like they want a fight. He doesn’t believe they were sent by Edward. Ingrith offers to go and raise the men of Rumcofa. Father Benedict shows Bresal the body of the Queen while Finan and Osferth try to calm the soldiers.

Bresal approaches Osferth who begins asking who he is. Osferth yells for Finan because he knows they’ve been here before. Bresal tells his soldiers that the Danes of Rumcofa have murdered their Queen. While Osferth and Finan fight the soldiers, Bresal begins separating them into groups of Christians and Danes. While the fight continues, Ingrith tries to flee to raise the men. Young Uhtred tries to hide some of the Danes and Father Benedict tries to help, but Bresal throws them to the side. His men go inside and begin slaughtering the Danes. Back outside, young Uhtred begins bleeding from the crotch before he is forced to watch the slaughter. As Osferth begins fighting with Bresal, Finan helps Ingrith after she is thrown from her horse.

Finan, Cynlaef, and others watch as Osferth is fatally stabbed by Bresal. Finan comforts Osferth as he screams that he is going to die. Meanwhile, Haesten tells Aalys not to be afraid because Uhtred is no danger. She confirms that the men claimed they came from Sigtryggr. He wonders how they knew where to find her, but Aalys says they told no one that the Queen rode with them. Aalys reveals they came for her instead of the Queen. The Queen took her place. Finan deals with Osferth and the others who have been killed. Finan blames himself for Osferth’s death while young Uhtred asks Benedict not to pray for the Danes because they have other customs. Ingrith asks young Uhtred to take the survivors to Danelaw since Mercia is no place for them.

Ingrith tells Finan they will take Osferth back to the place of his birth and let him rest in Wessex. Uhtred intends to meet Sihtric on the road to Aegelesburg. Haesten is asked to take Aalys to Lindisfarne since Uhtred has friends there who can hide her. Uhtred suspects someone wants to stir the people and it was too sly for Brida. He will tell Edward who might be restrained if he knows his wife was not the prey. Haesten believes Uhtred owes him more money, but Uhtred says he was properly compensated by whatever he stole from the dead Queen. Uhtred knows that people do not entirely change.

Aethelstan talks to Aelfweard who says he cannot forget the boy held hostage with him in Winchester and offered the Danes his life for his. Aethelstan learns about the uprising in Rumcofa. Aldhelm interrupts to tell Aelfweard to go inside and Aethelstan to fetch the King. When Edward learns about the Queen, he admits he thought he had found a friend when she was first brought to the palace. He will tell her father as penance for ignoring his warnings about the Danes. He also wants to ready both armies to extract justice from Sigtryggr. Edward wants to take Sigtryggr’s wife as punishment for his. Eadgifu joins Edward after Aldhelm leaves. He tells her that she humped the Queen’s husband, gave her flesh freely, and brought the wrath of God.

She believes she is blameless and he is placing his guilt on her, but Edward screams that they’re not blameless. Eadigfu says this was the work of men and not God. She instructs him to find the men who wronged her and make them feel his wrath. Edward breaks down and admits he is not a good man, but Eadgifu comforts him while suggesting otherwise. He does what Eadgifu recommends and tells her son the dreadful news moments later. Eadgifu asks Edward to think of no one except her. She tells him not to let it destroy him and be a good King. Father Benedict tells Stiorra and Sigtryggr what has happened while young Uhtred says they claimed it was to avenge the death of the Queen.

Sigtryggr believes they’re trying to cleanse all Danes from Saxon lands. He promises to protect them now that they live under the shield of Eoferwic. He goes on to say they will be avenged. He tells Stiorra that they have to go to war. Aldhelm tells the men they will go north to confront Sigtryggr to send word he will pay in blood. They’re no longer men of Wessex or Mercia and will fight under one King as Saxons. Aldhelm asks Aethelstan to send a guard to find Aethelhelm so he can come home to his child. Uhtred catches up with Sihtric who tells him about the talk of confronting the Danes in battle. He learns about Aethelhelm knowing about the dead visionary, but not the dead Queen.

Uhtred begins wondering whether Aethelhelm planning the killing of Aalys to poison the people against the Danes. Uhtred explains what he has unleashed will pit his daughter against the Saxons so they need to alert Edward about the enemy within. Finan and Cynlaef catch up with them to tell them about the attack on Rumcofa and their loss. Rognvaldr asks his brother if he can lead warriors. Sigtryggr allows him to join the vanguard and walk out front. Stiorra agrees they will retaliate against the King even if that means fighting the ones she loves. Once she says they are united, Sigtryggr says they will leave to join their men on the border without delay. They will summon the Saxon king and destroy Edward’s army upon the high hills in three days.

Aethelstan catches up with Aethelhelm to bring him back to Aegelesburg. When Aethelstan doesn’t tell him why, Aethelhelm refuses to return today. Bresal arrives to say the bastard may be concealing what he learned in Rumcofa. Aethelhelm learns that his daughter was traveling with the pilgrims and was also killed. Bresal insists it isn’t his fault while Aethelhelm says it is clear where the blame lies. Bresal follows him and finds him with a knife while contemplating suicide. Aethelhelm says it is the honorable way. Bresal takes the knife and asks when they’ve done the honorable thing. He reminds him that his grandson needs him alive, but his grandson’s fortunes are ruined without the Queen.

Bresal recommends making them rise again by finishing what he started. He tells Aethelhelm to find himself and fight. He pulls himself together as the episode ends.

 

The Last Kingdom Review

While the action was turned down in this episode, it was still very eventful with plenty of politics, backstabbing, and emotions. Now that we’re getting closer to the end, we can see where the finale is heading and who the real enemies are. Unfortunately, we knew some characters wouldn’t make it through the final season and Osferth was the first long-term character to be killed this season.

Those scenes were well done as Finan and the others tried to come to grips with their loss. It will also make it more meaningful when Uhtred and the others get vengeance for their fallen friend. Uhtred knows about Aethelhelm, but I have to wonder whether he’ll be able to do anything about it before Edward and Sigtryggr go to war.

A lot can happen in the next few episodes. The fifth episode closed one door and opened many more. Plus, it was nice to see Haesten back. The episode scores a 7.5 out of 10. The Last Kingdom recaps can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support us by following this link.