As the episode opens, Arthur Pendragon (Iain De Caestecker) stares up at the sky. Sagramor (Ken Mwosu) claims the people question his decision to release King Gundleus (Simon Merrells). Arthur says they believe he is a “gullible fool.” Sagramor reminds him that Gundleus has been gone for three weeks. Arthur tells him that King Gorfydd (Aneirin Hughes) is the “real prize.” He boasts of having leverage but warns that losing Ladwys (Tatjana Nardone) will cost them everything. Ladwys claims to have heard that she is an asset to him. Refuting the rumor, Arthur says it is Gundleus’ love for her, not her. As he walks away, she pulls something out of her mouth before questioning why he neglects her if she is so valuable to him. He offers to relocate her to the cellar. Ladwys warns that she refuses to let Gundleus betray himself for love before cutting her neck. Arthur quickly intervenes as the blood spews from her neck laceration.

While treating Ladwys’s wound, Morgan Pendragon (Valene Kane) demands Arthur stop the madness before assuring him that her condition is not serious. Arthur admits to underestimating Ladwys.

Derfel (Stuart Campbell) collects taxes when Raince (Keith Dunphy) grabs the bag, sending the coins scattering about. Lohilt (San Shella) demands he be careful when Raince shoves him. Derfel shoves Raince. Lohilt assures him that he can handle “brutes” like Raince. Owain (Daniel Ings) asks when was the last time Prince Cadwys (Billy Postlethwaite) paid taxes. Looking at the record, Lohilt says five years ago. Owain suggests alerting Cadwys of their impending arrival to give him time to hide his gold. Derfel warns the messenger that they will be watching. Owain compliments his good sense. Derfel tells Lunete (Olumide Olorunfemi) about Owain’s compliment. Lunete says he is also very handsome.

Avalon – Nimue (Ellie James) walks through the burnt remains to her makeshift bed.  Elsewhere, Author and Morgan visit their mother, Igraine’s gravesite. He reminds her of their mother telling them tales about “Excalibur” while she worked. As he holds up an old sword, Morgan claims to have told him the story, not their mother who blamed him for King Uther (Eddie Marsan) rejecting her. He admits to being “centered” by whatever it was she gave him. He says she vowed to make him a sword before sheathing the old sword.

Derfel, Raince, Owain, and Lohilt creep to an area above a Roman villa that they allow Cadwys to live in. They secretly listen as the messenger tells Cadwys that Owain will be there to collect taxes tomorrow.

Avalon – Drawing a dagger, Nimue watches a rider approach. Seeing it is Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) she greets him with an embrace. She admits to hearing the Gods but they never answer. He says the Gods are drowned out by her anger. He tells her that he will speak with Arthur. She assures him that it will be a waste of time. He says Arthur knows things are only to get worse. She suggests keeping Gundelus alive shows weakness and cowardice. He assures her that she will be the most powerful druid but she will be greatly tested. Elsewhere, Owain, Derfel, Raince, and Lohilt watch Cadwys’ men emerge from the villa with a chest. Derfel follows the men.

Caer Cadarn – Merlin warns that letting Gundleus live will come at a high price. Arthur assures him that it will be worth it. Merlin urges him to make the Tribe Kings submit to him. Arthur says it will be Gorfydd’s decision to attend Mordred’s Naming Ceremony. Merlin warns against trying to befriend them. Arthur reminds him of Uther’s attempt to strong-arm Gorfydd failed.

After refusing to shake Owain’s hand, Cadwys leads him to an empty cell. He claims his harvest failed. Owain repeats the claim. Raince laughs. Owain warns that he cannot return to Caer Cadarn without his tax. Cadwys nods to one of his men to give Owain a bag of coins. Looking inside the bag, Owain agrees to make due before leading his men away from the room.

Caer Cadarn – Merlin greets Ralla (Charlie Duncan) and Morgan. Grasping Mordred’s foot, he envisions impending devastation.

Owain tells Cadwys that Dumnonia provides him with a nice villa but he cannot afford to pay his taxes. Cadwys claims the moor has tin that fetches a hefty price in Gaul. He says Uther authorized Kernow men to work the old Roman minds because they lacked the skills. Owain suggests taking miners up to the moor. Cadwys warns that they would know it was him and force him to pay sarhead. He says if the miners felt threatened, they would turn to him for protection. Nodding at Derfel, Owain agrees to do it. Derfel visits the cave where Cadwys’ men took the chest to find a bag of coins. A man attacks him from behind. A fight ensues and ends with Derfel knocking the man out. Returning to the villa, Derfel tosses the bag of coins on the table. Owain accuses Cadwys of repaying Dumnonia with “scorn” but no longer.

Caer Cadarn – After putting a spell on the guards, Merlin retrieves the Edling King, Mordred. He walks through the castle where he encounters Arthur. Merlin urges him to heed the Gods’ warning before suggesting he be raised in a mountain village. Arthur warns that he will not let Mordred be killed based on a vision. Merlin believes the Gods punished Uther’s cowardice with an “evil spawn.” Dumnonian warriors approach. Handing Mordred to Arthur, Merlin urges him to look into the infant’s eyes because it will be their last warning.

Lunete wipes the blood from Derfel’s lip. Cadwys watches as his gold is loaded onto a wagon. He assures Owain that they can enter the tin mines without consequence. Owain and Cadwys shake on it.

Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder) voices concern about Gundleus not returning. He urges Arthur to trust him. Arthur claims to have only trusted his men in exile. He describes Sansum (Andrew Gower) as “strange.” Bedwin admits to feeling “sinful” around Sansum before leaving. Morgan scolds Arthur for releasing Gundleus. She urges him to make Bedwin his ally. Arthur assures her that Gundleus will return.

Lunete and Derfel get intimate. She claims to not mind him thinking of Nimue. He says Nimue is with him. She admits to not missing Avalon.

Avalon – Merlin tells Nimue that the is pregnant with Gundleus’ child. She vows to not let the child be born because the Gods will take her powers. He says the Gods will not dispose of King Gundleus’ child. Grabbing her things, she flees.

Owain tells Derfel that he will come with them to settle a dispute between Cadwys and the miners. He vows to only take the miners’ tin, not their lives. Derfel reluctantly agrees to accompany him to the mines. Cadwys’ guide, Ultan (Frank Bourke) leads Owain, Raince, and Derfel to the tin mine. At the mine, Ultan explains the layout of the moor. He claims the watchman stays after the miners return to their settlement. When Owain offers him money, Ultan says Cadwys already paid him. Later, Owain and the others paint their shields black to make the miners believe they are with Irish raider, Onegus Macairem. They creep toward the moor while the watchman is at supper. A girl watches as they load up the tin. A dog barks before they come under attack. As the fight ensues, Derfel kills a man. The girl watches Owain kill the dog. Derfel helps the girl hide before alerting the others that the shelter is clear. Owain shoves him out of the way to have a look for himself before ordering the men to load up the tin.

Caer Cardarn – Bedwin greets King and Queen Eachern, and Cadwys. Morgan assures him that King Tewdric (Sagar Arya) will be there. He says there has been no sign of Gorfydd or Gundleus. She says if they do not arrive, Arthur’s plan will fail. Elsewhere, Arthur practices with the old sword. Bedwin and Morgan rush outside to see Gundleus and Gorfydd approaching. A servant alerts Arthur of their arrival. Ordering silence, Gorfydd believes Mordred cries because he knows they have arrived. He orders Mordred brought to him. Gundleus prepares to toast the Edling King when Gorfydd hits him. Arthur boasts of a being bastard born free. Gorfydd accuses him of sending Owain to rob the tribes. Arthur assures him that Owain is collecting overdue tax. Gorfydd refuses to shake a bastard’s hand. Arthur demands he respect Uther’s memory. Gorfydd reminds him of Uther berating and beating him until he cried. Gripping the handle of the old sword, Arthur orders Gundleus to be returned to captivity.

Referring to Arthur as a “bastard,” Gundleus swings his sword only to make contact with Arthur’s sword. A second swing knocks the sword out of his hand. Placing the tip of the old sword at Gundleus’ throat, he threatens to leave Gorfydd with nothing if he declines to pledge to the Edling King. The episode ends.

 

The Winter King Review

The best episode of the season so far. The slower pace improved the clarity, making the action scenes and dialogue more understandable. Unfortunately, the same thing cannot be said about the acting and cinematography. At this point in the season, it is unlikely either will improve.

While the series is too flawed to deliver excellence, it is possible to enjoy as long as you don’t expect too much. There are some intense scenes that make the watch worthwhile. The episode deserves a 5.8.

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