As the episode begins, Finan (Mark Rowley) asks the others whether the King will relent, but Aldhelm (James Northcote) says he has shunned his advisors. Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) says they’ll leave at sunrise. Eadith (Stefanie Martini) tells Aelswith (Elizabeth Butterworth) that his men still bar the gate and the Mercians seem set on departure. She fears that neither will back down. Aelswith finds Eadgifu (Sonya Cassidy) awake so she suspects she cannot sleep either. Eadgifu reveals she is not in the King’s favor tonight because she told him he should not turn his back on Northumbria. Aelswith claims no man enjoys hearing the truth from the woman he loves, but when it must be delivered God is with us. Aelswith pulls her away while King Edward (Timothy Innes) watches the city from his window.

He wants all men of Wessex gathered at the gate since his order is being defied. Eadgifu approaches him with Aelswith who pleads with him not to turn on other Saxons. Edward recommends Eadgifu return to Winchester because now is not the time to become allies. They’re not allies and instead just the women who love him. Aelswith promises to say the truth and leave. She claims his deal to forsake Aelfwynn and make a bargain with the Scots is not without merit. Although it could bring peace, it could divide the Saxons. Aelswith urges him not to risk sundering Mercia from Wessex. When Edward says she should be advising Lord Aldhelm, she says otherwise because she agrees with Aldhelm. She also believes Aethelflaed would follow Uhtred.

Edward says he is the King and does not follow, but Aelswith calls him a King who is choosing not to lead. She wonders why he has made such a strange choice. She believes he fears Alfred and his legacy, but he is strong enough to fulfill his father’s dream. Aelswith thinks he is worthy to live in the chronicles as the one who unified England. He claims it isn’t fear, but Aelswith suggests she knows when he is afraid because she is his mother. She assures him that he is deserving of this moment and that God will favor him. Aelswith encourages him to seize this moment because it is his destiny. In the morning, the guards are ordered to leave their posts and rejoin the army. Uhtred and Finan learn that Edward’s men no longer defend the walls.

As Uhtred and his men ride out, they see Edward and his army waiting for them. Edward asks Uhtred if they’re heading to Bebbanburg. Aldhelm whispers for Uhtred to let the King have this moment. Uhtred tells Edward that they’ll do that if it is his command. Edward says he’ll need someone loyal to hold the border lands in Northumbria. Uhtred suggests they confront the Scottish King on the road, break his alliance with Lord Aethelhelm, and make a bargain for Aethelflaed’s daughter. They will retain Northumbria for the Saxon people. In Bebbanburg, Wihtgar (Ossian Perret) asks Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller) whether they’re going to be besieged. Aethelhelm says they’re expecting to decamp and go south for battle.

As soon as Constantin arrives and the marriage is consummated, they will be on their way with their supplies. When Wihtgar asks when the army will arrive, Aethelhelm only says soon and walks off. Wihtgar tells Yahya that he doesn’t know and just hopes they’ll come. Wihtgar confirms his cousin Uhtred still fights for the Saxon King. Cynlaef (Ryan Quarmby) joins Uhtred and the others. He tells them he has had a momentous journey and there is so much to tell. They learn that two nights ago scouts saw Constantin’s men preparing a boat near his port at Dynbaer. Uhtred wonders if it could be an advance guard sailing with Constantin himself. Edward doesn’t think he’d arrive by the sea gate like a trader because he is a great king.

Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravicius) theorizes he might be bringing a gift for the wedding feast. Edward and Aldhelm say it is a show of strength so he will lead as many men as possible. Uhtred agrees that they’ll stick with the original plan and it’ll hopefully take days for Constantin to gather his full army. Yahya tells the soldiers that they’re to report back three times daily and set fire to the church when King Constantin’s army appears on the horizon. When the army sets up camp, Edward tells his mother where she should stay to remain safe. Eadith asks Uhtred how far Bebbanburg is from here. Uhtred believes it is five miles although their journey will be longer. They will head west through the woods and go around the fortress at a distance. Then, they will make their ambush from the roads above it. Aelswith believes word will spread about a mighty army camping nearby so Edward admits there comes a point when they cannot hide. Uhtred asks Eadith if she will stay here and not foolishly go into the battlefield.

Eadith begins mentioning the possibility of helping the wounded, but Aelswith stops her and says she will not. They know their role in this. Aelswith claims this is one of the moments that men must face alone. Wihtgar is surprised to see what ship Constantin (Rod Hallett) brought to Bebbanburg. As they go inside, Aethelhelm says he was hoping his arrival would be a little more clandestine. Constantin did not become a king to hide in a forest. Aethelhelm believes they have the element of surprise and it is precious in war. He doesn’t want Edward to find out too soon and argues that his weakness is his impulsiveness. Constantin refuses to sit and wait for an attack because it is cowardly. Aethelhelm believed they would attack once Constantin has cemented his ties with Mercia.

Constantin claims he is a man of his word. When Constantin sees the future King of Saxons Aelfweard (Ewan Horrocks), he urges Aelfweard to trust no one who advises him. He begins laughing. Aethelhelm offers to get Aelfwynn (Phia Saban) to join them, but Constantin would prefer to see her alone after they’ve dined. Aelfwynn looks out her window and realizes that she cannot escape. Finan jokes with Uhtred about riding up to the gate and teaching his cousin a lesson, but Uhtred has tried that before. Uhtred wonders if that would be better than dragging all of these people to their doom. Finan believes they want to do this and they’ll tell stories of them their whole lives. Sihtric tells them that the news is heavy and their plan to ambush is mistimed because Constantin is already in the fortress.

Uhtred discusses this with Edward, Aldhelm, and others. Uhtred believes they just misjudged it. They believe it was only a household guard in the boat as Uhtred predicted. Uhtred says don’t see it as a sign and they should just make another plan. Edward believes they should attack before his army arrives, but Uhtred does not. Aldhelm warns him that Aethelhelm cannot be trusted with Aelfwynn when he is trapped in a corner. If they had got to Constantin, it would’ve been a negotiation. Now, they give him nothing to lose. Edward still believes they can outman the army at Bebbanburg. Aethelhelm doesn’t think they can risk Aelfwynn in the chaos that will engulf Bebbanburg. Uhtred says there is another way. He can leave with some of his men and they can wait until they receive word from them.

They will get Aelfwynn out of the fortress before they attack. Uhtred reveals there is a route to Bebbanburg that can’t take even half a dozen men. Although he had dismissed it as too perilous, it might be possible with a tiny group. He is asked what happens when they meet the household guard of Bebbanburg. Uhtred asks Pyrlig (Cavan Clerkin) whether he is strong enough to join them. Cynlaef wants to go too, but Finan believes four is enough. Uhtred says do not attack until he signals. If the plan works, they will return with Aelfwynn. If it doesn’t, this will be the last time they speak together. As they walk away from the camp, Uhtred says they go north past Bebbanburg on to the next cove. They will seek the help of someone he knows or Finan will have to think of something.

They ride until Uhtred meets with Hild (Eva Birthistle). She believes he is there for Aayls, but he says he is there for Bebbanburg. Uhtred tells her about his plan and asks whether the trader Haesten (Jeppe Beck Laursen) is still in these lands. She shows him where Haesten is and reveals he refuses to leave because he is making such good coin here. Uhtred sneaks up behind him to scare him before admitting he has come to offer silver for his help. He believes Haesten can help him by distracting the household guard at Bebbanburg, but Haesten doesn’t want to help.

Uhtred threatens to retake his lands and punish him for this refusal. Haesten suggests he could go to Bebbanburg and warn them of the attack although Uhtred doesn’t think he will. Haesten says he is busy making silver. Uhtred questions whether Valhalla will welcome a man who sells relics to fools. Haesten says his ancestors came to these lands to become rich so he is living his birthright. Uhtred insists he won’t need to yield his sword since he only wants him to draw the guard to the shore. If he does that, Uhtred will pay him handsomely. Uhtred says he’ll have the coin when he takes Bebbanburg and Haesten knows who will win the contest between him and Wihtgar. Haesten reminds him that he isn’t known for his loyalty so it might not be wise to put this in his hands.

Plus, it is not simple to lure a guard away from their defenses. After Haesten says it will cost him, Uhtred tells him that Finan is outside and he will explain the plan. Hild tells Uhtred that Pyrlig can borrow their smallest boat and they’ll think he’s part of a pilgrimage if they spot him. She urges him to return it. Uhtred says he will do all he can. Hild wishes him good luck and wonders if she should join him. Uhtred asks her not to do that because she has things to protect here. After Haesten goes outside, Hild says she can never be certain that he can be trusted. Uhtred questions whether he is making the right choice. Hild doesn’t think he can be wrong to protect Lady Aelfwynn or to see a home for his children, but she cannot say whether this is the time that has been chosen for him. She hopes it is. Since his motive is pure, her God will be with him.

Hild instructs him to get it done as dawn rises before tomorrow will be the first day of a new world. Outside, everyone goes over the plan. Pyrlig says Haesten will draw the guards down to the beaches before the tide turns. That will give them a small, reckless opportunity to get in by the guards’ room before they return. Pyrlig sits on his butt in the boat to get them out when the signal comes. Domnal (Ross Anderson) is shown riding with the Scottish army. Edward begins worrying since night approaches and there has been no word from Uhtred. Aldhelm tells him to be patient and that he has never let him down before. Edward says he has never been fighting for his own lands. They begin arguing about who has the interest of the Saxon people at heart before Aethelstan (Harry Gilby) and Cynlaef interrupt to say spies confirm the Scots have left a camp and march in this direction.

There is no word or sighting of Uhtred and they cannot track him. Aelswith asks Aldhelm and young Uhtred (Finn Elliot) what is being discussed and kept from her. Aldhelm says he fears Edward is going to attack while Uhtred worries he doesn’t care if his father lives or dies. She believes Edward is lost to be so enraged by Aethelhelm’s treachery. Aldhelm says it seems like he now believes he has a divine blessing. Once they leave, Aelswith worries that she might’ve been too emphatic in her encouragement to the king. When Aelswith asks Eadith to ride with her south, Eadith refuses to flee the bout since she can help wounded men. Aelswith isn’t suggesting they flee. If she wants to avert a slaughter, she should follow Aelswith. Eadith leaves with her while Aelfwynn gets a visit from Constantin who asks if she plans on jumping and swimming away.

He warns her not to be fooled by the calm because the tides change quickly and she’d be dashed on the rock. She doesn’t care since her life is over. She asks why he isn’t married and that he is older than her father. He jokes which father that would be before quickly apologizing for the unkind joke. Aelfwynn confesses she already hates him because she is being forced to marry him. Constantin doesn’t want to marry her either, but he won’t free her from this bargain. He has given his word and that is just the way of things. Constantin doesn’t think it is a terrible curse since she will be rich and well cared for, but she says he has no idea.

He suspects someone else holds her heart although she is pure. Constantin believes he should offer her his trust. He confesses he is in loved with a married woman. He has no wish to betray her by humping a girl of noble blood. Constantin says she will be his wife, she will live in the comfort of whichever fortress suits her, and he will enjoy the riches of her lands in Mercia. The marriage will be barren and he will never love her. Aelfwynn admits that is the first time someone has been honest with her for quite a while. Uhtred and the others walk along a thin cliff to reach Bebbanburg. Yahya tells Wihtgar that the seas have betrayed another ship when he sees Hild and Haesten down by the water. They approach Haesten who tells them they do not seek to trespass.

He claims they only want to wait for their cargo and salvage it. Hild tells them that he is a trader who brings relics to Lindisfarne. Haesten offers to let them have some of the spoils if they allow him to wait for the tide. Uhtred finds that the path in front of them is gone. They agree to climb as Finan says he always wanted to die at Bebbanburg. Aethelhelm suggests they offer no help since now is not the time to be distracted by acts of local charity. Wihtgar would like to claim the spoils are recompense. Constantin learns that the cargo is salt and relics. He agrees to let Wihtgar do as he sees fit, but he’d be wary of a ploy. Constantin reminds Wihtgar that Danes send men to observe in the weeks before they attack.

He suggests they may be at the mercy of sea raiders once they travel south. Yahya sends some men to the shore and some to the courtyard. Haesten sees Uhtred’s cousin and says he knows a greedy man when he sees one. Hild believes they can keep him talking. Wihtgar invites them into the fortress, but Hild quickly turns down the offer. He invites them in for the feast and says his men will gather the cargo and take a tribute. As they go inside, the soldiers are told to take their fill because Haesten is feeling generous. Finan nearly falls, but the others manage to pull him back up. Yahya yells for the men to quickly grab what they can and return to their posts. He also warns them to keep an eye out for more Danish ships.

Hild is told she can change in the kitchen since there are women there. Haesten’s weapons are removed. Uhtred, Finan, and Sihtric make it to the outer wall of Bebbanburg. Sihtric begins chopping at one of the repairs as they listen to see if anyone has noticed. Aethelhelm approaches Haesten who doesn’t seem to recall him. He reminds Haesten that he imprisoned him in Alfred’s tomb the last time they met. The siege at Winchester is imprinted in his memory. Haesten says he has lived and thrived regardless and they were younger men back then. When Haesten tries to leave, the guards stop him from doing so. Hild spots Aelfweard talking to Aelfwynn. She has to hide when guards enter the treasure. Uhtred and the others manage to get inside Bebbanburg.

They hide when guards arrive and wait for them to disappear. Sihtric recommends Uhtred dress up like a guard since he is the most likely to get spotted. Finan has a plan in case he and Sihtric get noticed. Edward decides to move forward although Aldhelm attempts to talk him out of it. Aethelstan agrees it is madness, but they must follow anyway. Uhtred and his men spot the King of Scots on the ground below them. Then, he spots his cousin talking to a group of men nearby. Uhtred begins approaching him before he has to hide when more soldiers arrive. Yahya tells Finan and Sihtric to stay in the courtyard. Wihtgar asks why Constantin places his men here. Finan uses a Scottish accident to say they do not discuss what measures we take to ensure their lord is protected.

When Wihtgar asks Constantin, he learns he is no man of his. Wihtgar wants them tortured for answers. Haesten gives men coins and tells them they will make twice this on his next cargo. Then, he spots Lady Aelfwynn, but he ends up frightening her. She goes screaming for help as Constantin enters. Constantin puts his sword to his stomach as Haesten tries to convince them it was just a misunderstanding. Constantin asks to know the truth and he will only take the lives of the other men. Hild watches from above. Haesten says he will tell the truth because he serves no one except himself. He says he has no allies here and is part of no plan. Constantin kills him anyway. He yells for them to clean up the mess and get the priest so they can get the marriage over.

Aelswith was told many had joined her among the trees here. She begins yelling for them before Stiorra (Ruby Hartley) and Wolland (Jaakko Ohtonen) arrive above them. While Finan and Sihtric are taken to cells, Aelswith admits they need Stiorra’s help. Wihtgar learns that many soldiers are approaching from the south so that stops him from torturing Finan and Sihtric. When Uhtred goes outside and sees the soldiers, he says no yet. Edward nods to Aethelstan who rides forward alone. He tells them to give up Lord Aethelhelm and Lady Aelfwynn or they will attack. He threatens to besiege and kill everyone if they refuse.

 

The Last Kingdom Review

We’re getting so close to the finale of The Last Kingdom and the season has been excellent so far. I do understand the people calling the plan to sneak into Bebbanburg stupid. While it had some good elements, nobody wanted to see Haesten do something dumb or get himself killed. However, I think this will create a great finale since there are so many parties involved. Stiorra is likely coming with an army, Uhtred and his men will create chaos inside Bebbanburg, and Edward is threatening with a massive army outside the gates.

I am willing to forgive a few cheesy moments and hiccups as long as the finale is spectacular. I am eager to see how things play out for Uhtred and the others. The episode scores a 7 out of 10. Recaps of The Last Kingdom can be found on Reel Mockery here. Learn how to support our work by following this link.