As the finale of The Last Kingdom begins, Aethelstan (Harry Gilby) assumes it is a warning when Yahya (Bamshad Abedi-Amin) shoots an arrow near him. He rides back to the army to tell King Edward (Timothy Innes) that they do not wish to comply. Young Uhtred (Finn Elliot) asks whether he saw his father, but Aethelstan did not. Wihtgar (Ossian Perret) wants to get the girl and parade her without telling King Constantin. Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) overhears this. Finan (Mark Rowley) and Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravicius) contemplate making their move before they quickly kill the guards. Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller) tells Constantin (Rod Hallett) to ignore all demands and pray for time, but Constantin says it is dishonorable to ignore a challenge from another King.

Aethelhelm tells him to get the marriage bond sealed although Constantin reminds him he could just hand him over. Wihtgar interrupts to say the gate guard can rebuff any assault, but he would place the Lady Aelfwynn (Phia Saban) somewhere safe as a precaution. Constantin agrees so he sends her with Wihtgar. Aethelhelm tells Constantin to just let Edward attack and wait. King Constantin admits it isn’t in his blood to sit and wait. He will speak to Edward if he comes to the gate. Aelfwynn is taken so she can be shown to the Saxons as Wihtgar tells Yahya to put a knife to her throat. Aldhelm (James Northcote) yells for Aethelstan to offer a negotiation, but Edward tells him to do nothing. Aelfwynn claims King Edward does not come for her and she is just caught in it.

Wihtgar orders Yahya to show them he is ruthless by throwing her over. Uhtred sneaks up behind Wihtgar, grabs him, and holds a knife to his throat. He tells Yahya to release Aelfwynn or he will kill him. When Aelfwynn is released, Uhtred instructs her to run. After a brief scuffle, Uhtred fights with a few guards and flees. Wihtgar orders his guards to follow and seize him. Uhtred catches up with Finan and Sihtric who have found Hild (Eva Birthistle). She came because she feared Haesten would betray Uhtred’s plan, but he did not. When Uhtred learns how he died, he suggests his death finally brings him honor so he will be welcomed in Valhalla. Uhtred tells them about Aelfwynn and Edward attacking. Finan believes they have an advantage because they don’t know Uhtred is there.

However, they do and they’re searching for him. Wihtgar gets angry while telling Constantin and Aethelhelm about Uhtred being in Bebbanburg. He complains that the alliance has brought him nothing and Uhtred hunts him in his own fortress. Constantin suggests he finds him. Aethelhelm orders the guards to bring Aelfweard (Ewan Horrocks) to him. Aethelstan watches as the Saxon soldiers try to bash the gate down. Uhtred and the others slowly move through the fortress while Wihtgar’s army tries to keep the soldiers out. Yahya has boiling liquid poured on the Saxon soldiers near the gate. Then, he looks in the distance and sees the church burning telling him that the Scottish army is coming soon. Domnal (Ross Anderson) leads the men toward Bebbanburg.

Aelfweard tells his grandfather that they’ve lost this fight so he should throw himself at his father’s mercy. He offers to plead for him, but Aethelhelm tells Aelfweard that he lost any influence with Edward when he joins with him. Constantin begins laughing when Aethelhelm says they’ll hold their nerve and make him King. He tells Aelfweard that his grandfather promises a great deal and plans should change when events change. Aelfwynn listens from above as Aethelhelm tries to get his grandson to drink to calm himself. Once Uhtred sees Aelfwynn, he asks Hild if she can get her to Father Pyrlig if they distract the remaining guard. She says yes, but she will need a torch to signal to him. Sihtric gives her a weapon since she’ll need one.

She had hoped not to hold such a thing again. Uhtred admits it breaks his heart to drag her into this fight, but Hild says she was dragged in by her own will. He asks her to protect Aelfwynn as she has protected others. She tells him to fight on for Bebbanburg because he has earned this and God is not cruel. After Hild leaves with Aelfwynn, Uhtred says they will attack and it will draw in the guard to defend them so the women can escape. They overhear Yahya tells Constantin that his army will be there shortly and the gate will be breached soon. Aethelhelm believes the armies will meet on the field and Edward will be routed by dusk.

He argues that everything he predicted has come. Constantin says they should let Edward believe he has alarmed them if his pride is his fault. He wants the sea gate opened so anyone without the stomach for a fight can leave. He also asks them to take men off the gate and reduce their defenses. Finan doesn’t think Edward would be stupid enough to believe they’re abandoning Bebbanburg. They head to the ramparts just in case. Hild and Aelfwynn run into a guard who gets rough with them. Hild has no choice but to kill him. Aelfwynn thanks her before they’re surprised by a group of soldiers that rushes past them. The Saxon guards trying to bash the gate are set on fire. Aethelhelm tells Constantin it is foolhardy and he should let the guards do the fighting, but Constantin didn’t see him as a coward.

Wihtgar complains about him opening the sea gate although Constantin says there are fewer here to protect. At Constantin’s request, Yahya asks the men to pull back and show Edward that they’re retreating. Uhtred hopes that Edward won’t believe it. Uhtred sees the Scots behind Edward who doesn’t see them. He also notices that men are gathering at the gate. Finan says they’re going to attack them on two fronts. Edward believes they’re beating them back. Aldhelm tells him that soldiers are leaving on boats, but there is no word from inside Bebbanburg. Aethelstan says Uhtred has taken command, but his son says no because he couldn’t take the fortress with three men. Edward refuses to listen to young Uhtred as he prepares to lead the men on foot.

Young Uhtred warns him that the Scots might be closer than they know. Edward yells that he is no warrior and offers no counsel so he should leave the battlefield. Uhtred tries to warn the Saxon soldiers outside the gates. Aethelhelm tells his grandson they should view the victory from above and preside over it. Edward yells that they will take Northumbria for England. Cynlaef (Ryan Quarmby) and the others follow his lead. The Scottish soldiers come out of the forest behind them, knock young Uhtred to the ground, and rush Edward’s army. Constantin prays before the gate is open and they rush out to battle. Aldhelm yells for the shield wall as the army is pushed toward the edge of the cliff.

Aethelstan warns his father that they’re going to be pushed into the sea as Finan calls them stupid arselings. Uhtred sees Stiorra (Ruby Hartley) and Wolland (Jaakko Ohtonen) by the forest. They turn around to leave the battle as Uhtred and the others ride out to catch up with them. Aldhelm and the soldiers try to push to avoid going over the cliff. Constantin and his men continue pushing as Saxon soldiers start falling to their deaths. Aldhelm tries to break out only to get knocked down and trampled on the ground. Uhtred catches up with Stiorra who believes the battle is already over. Aelswith (Eliza Butterworth) pleads with her not to leave her son. Stiorra says Edward has trapped himself so they cannot win. Uhtred asks to lead her men in battle.

Wolland doesn’t think they can win the battle either. Stiorra wanted to help with all her heart, but it is too late. She tells Uhtred to come with her and save himself. Uhtred and the others aren’t going to leave though. He tells her that her brother came, Aethelstan is on the field, and many who are known to her. She claims she chose Sigtryggr’s kin over her own when she married him although Uhtred believes he would support him now. Wolland says no Dane should die for Saxons after all they’ve done to us. Uhtred knows this. Aelswith promises that the Danes will be rewarded if they help, but Stiorra isn’t sure she can’t promise that. Uhtred argues that he can. He tells them that he speaks to them as a man who has lived among them.

He shows them his necklace as he explains their Gods are his Gods. Uhtred was born a Saxon but raised a Dane. That divided him for years, but he wonders if the Gods have led them all here. Uhtred asks them to fight for him and for Northumbria. If they take these lands, they will be taking them for Saxons and Danes. He promises them that all Danes will live in peace here. They will have lands and homes. Uhtred asks them to do this for what their forebears came here for. Edward’s army is still being pushed further over the cliff’s edge. Uhtred, Stiorra, Finan, and the others rush toward the Scottish army to help Edward. Constantin learns they’re fighting on two sides as they quickly begin losing many soldiers. Wolland is stabbed through the chest with a spear. He kills the attacker before collapsing to the ground.

The Saxons manage to push away from the edge and continue the fight. Constantin orders his men to burn the fortress so they don’t have their stronghold on his border. He orders Domnal to take any hostages he can as many of their soldiers begin fleeing. Edward gets knocked to the ground. Finan checks on him but he is unconscious so he begins calling for help. Wihtgar and Yahya try to stop the soldiers from lighting fire to the fortress. Aethelhelm tells Aelfweard they need to get him to safety. He fears what Edward might do to his son if he prevails. Uhtred watches Cynlaef get taken hostage by the Scottish soldiers. He can’t reach him in time to stop them. Pyrlig (Cavan Clerkin) arrives and confirms to Uhtred that Hild and Aelfwynn made it to safety.

When he asks what he can do, Pyrlig is told to take hostages including Domnal since they’re doing the same. Aethelstan watches as Uhtred runs into the fortress to go after his cousin before following him. Uhtred confronts Wihtgar who admits he is afraid of him because they’re not equal in swordcraft. Yahya and other soldiers come to fight alongside Wihtgar. By the time Uhtred kills them, Wihtgar has already fled inside. Aethelstan runs inside and screams for Uhtred not to fight alone. Aethelstan runs into Aethelhelm and quickly disarms him. He calls him a stinking turd in his hole unable to face the carnage he has unleashed. Aethelstan puts a knife against his neck and asks for a reason not to cut the eyeballs from his skull.

Aelfweard arrives and tells Aethelstan he’ll have to fight him if he kills his grandfather. Aethelstan says he’d be a fool to beg for his life since he has betrayed him and Wessex many times. He demands that Aethelhelm tell him the worst of it. Aethelstan tells him to confess his sins and live or die disgraced. Uhtred looks around for Wihtgar while Aelfweard waits to hear what Aethelhelm has to say. Aethelhelm claims it is a story that is hard to understand and for the honor of their bloodline, but Aethelstan suggests otherwise. Aethelstan knows it will scar Aelfweard’s soul to hear that he had his mother killed to start a war with the Danes. Aethelhelm denies it at first. He eventually admits that she was not the target and it was a tragedy.

Aelfweard reminds him that he blamed his father although Aethelhelm still blames him. He claims Edward’s disregard sent her to the pilgrims. He would’ve never done it had he known. Aelfweard leaves his sword after telling Aethelstan to do with him what he will. Aethelstan intends to let him live so he can face the agony that he caused. Aethelhelm wants his grandson to know he is a man of honor. He kills him. Wihtgar tries to sneak up behind Uhtred who suddenly grabs him and holds him over the banister. Uhtred demands he call him the real Lord of Bebbanburg. Wihtgar says he will never surrender. He tells Uhtred to kill him as he killed his father because that is the legacy of their line. He warns Uhtred that his son will kill him if he does this. When he says that is the destiny, Uhtred says it is not before throwing him over.

Uhtred is impaled as he lands on the table below. Aethelstan yells for Uhtred who walks outside and sees that Bebbanburg is on fire. He tries to convince Uhtred to leave, but he will not. Aethelstan pleads with him to leave for him if not himself. Uhtred claims that he will die in Bebbanburg. It begins downpouring and puts out the fire before Uhtred drops to his knees to cry. Later, Lord Constantin enters Bebbanburg with hostages including Cynlaef, Aldhelm, and young Uhtred. Sihtric brings out Domnal. Uhtred welcomes Constantin to Bebbanburg before calling himself heir to the fortress and the lands that surround it. Constantin acknowledges him as lord of this fortress and the lands around it. Then, they begin talking about exchanging hostages. Uhtred promises Domnal is the same man because they’re not savages.

Constantin isn’t sure about exchanging six men for one even if it is his nephew. He demands Uhtred swear to Scotland, but he refuses and declares these are Saxon lands where Danes can thrive. Constantin warns him that the lands are disputed and he will always claim them. He is ready to accept the offer anyway. Constantin tells Uhtred he’d strike a bargain for a longer peace if he were wise. He can bring more men so lost battles do not mean lost wars. Uhtred isn’t afraid to fight him. He will tell him his terms if he’d like to make longer peace though. A wobbly Edward is led inside by Finan, Aelswith, and Eadith (Stefanie Martini). He says victory is ours as Constantin leaves with his soldiers. Stiorra enters the fortress where she sees young Uhtred with their father.

She joins them. Finan comes in and tells everyone to stand for the King as Edward walks through the gates. Aelswith says her son has led them to such great victory. Edward tells Uhtred that his heroism on the battlefield will live on in the songs and chronicles. With a recommendation from Uhtred, he also praises the Danes. Edward congratulates Uhtred on restoring his birthright and may these lands be held by his descendants for all eternity. Meanwhile, Osbert (Olly Rhodes) asks Hild why they’re going to the fortress. She tells him they’re going to meet the new Lord of Bebbanburg who might be able to tell him something about his origins. Osbert questions whether she thinks he might’ve met his father. She says it is something like that.

Aelfwynn and Pyrlig enter the fortress as she runs to her family. Aethelstan goes over to Cynlaef while Aelswith tells Aelfwynn that she was worth the fight. Aelswith says she has a gift for her before Cynlaef comes over and they begin kissing. Uhtred asks Eadith about the wounded and whether she’d care to stay and look after them. Aelswith thinks that is an excellent idea since the sea air is very good for all manners of illness, but she’ll need rooms with a sea view. Uhtred finishes talking to his son as Edward approaches. He says they will feast because what he has done for his family cannot be matched in many lifetimes. Edward says he will accept his oath before the people after they feast. They will share the moment England is finally made whole and defeat the Scottish claim forever.

Uhtred reveals that Constantin has withdrawn his claim to these lands because he offered not to cede the lands to Edward. They will remain between the two and sworn to neither to ensure peace. Although Edward says the people here are Saxon, Uhtred agrees but says they’re not part of his kingdom. They will recognize Edward as their overlord and will pay homage. The lands will remain Northumbria’s and Northumbria’s alone. They will not become part of England in Edward’s lifetime. Edward says after everything they’ve given him Uhtred chooses now to betray the House of Wessex. Uhtred denies he is betraying anything because the House of Wessex will unite England eventually.

He believes Edward is the true king of the lands he holds, but the man who can unify this country must be a figure that the people can stand together as one. Edward has shown that he is not that man since he has sown discord between Saxon and Dane. Uhtred tells him the future will come so he should wait for it before walking away. Uhtred and the people drink to Bebbanburg. They begin chanting Uhtred’s name. As Lord of Northumbria, Uhtred is a thorn in the side of Wessex since he is all that stands between them and a united England. We see Constantin and Domnal planning an attack while Uhtred wonders if Alfred’s dream will be fulfilled in his lifetime. If so, who would rule here?

Aelfweard is locked in a cell. Will blood prevail or will king slay king once again on the battlefield? Eadgifu (Sonya Cassidy) and Edward have their baby. As Aethelstan and Uhtred practice, he gets the better of Uhtred before he helps him up. Uhtred believes the Gods are on his side now. We see flashbacks of past events involving Beocca, Uhtred’s father, Brida, Ragnar, and more.

 

The Last Kingdom Review

Despite a few hiccups here and there, the final season of The Last Kingdom was spectacular. Netflix has had a lot of duds recently with The Last Kingdom truly standing out as one of the streaming platform’s best dramas. It really had everything that you could ask for without adding all the unnecessary stuff that you’d prefer to ignore when you’re trying to escape reality for a few hours. It is a bit shocking that the show didn’t bend to modern norms, but it was better and more realistic for it.

We’ve been watching Uhtred’s journey since 2015 as he dutifully served Alfred and Edward. His efforts finally bore fruit since he reclaimed Bebbanburg for himself and his family. The episode did a good job of closing many doors while leaving enough open for the future film. Truthfully, the story could end here and I think I’d be satisfied since the outcome is potentially predictable. It was that well done. On the other hand, I wouldn’t complain about seeing this cast get back together for another project.

The battle was intense and felt authentic while there were enough twists and turns to keep the finale interesting. I also appreciate the decision to refuse Edward a united England considering his foolish decision to storm Bebbanburg instead of listening to young Uhtred. Overall, the series was great and the finale was pretty much perfect. The new characters such as Cynlaef, Rognvaldr, and Constantin were great additions.

As always, Adrian Schiller was a magnificent villain as Aethelhelm. We need more television like this that tells stories and aims to entertain without ulterior motives. The finale scores a 9 out of 10. Recaps of The Last Kingdom can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our project at this link.