As the episode opens, Owain (Daniel Ings) admits going to the mine was a “mistake.” He gives Derfel (Stuart Campbell) coins as an advancement for being a future warlord. Derfel looks at Lunete (Olumide Olorunfemi) before accepting the coins.

Arthur Pendragon (Iain de Caestecker) questions if Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) will conduct the Edling King’s Naming Ceremony. Morgan Pendragon (Valene Kane) claims a message was taken to Avalon. He says there has been no response. She vows to apply pressure before informing him of the murderer scheduled to be sacrificed making his peace with the Gods. He says a sacrifice is a “spectacle” that was once the way of things when Owain and his warriors arrive. Owain boasts of taking five times the gold from King Cadwys (Billy Postlethwaite) who last paid taxes five years ago. Raince (Keith Dunphy) tells him that Derfel helped double their load. Arthur asks Derfel if what they say is true. Derfel says a “master” taught him. Arthur says hopefully Owain paid him. Owain questions if his plan to get King Gorfydd (Aneirin Hughes) to Mordred’s Naming Ceremony was successful. Arthur suggests keeping the Tribe Kings busy without a word of politics.

Gorfydd assures Arthur that humiliating Gundleus (Simon Merrells) has no purpose. Arthur says it is justice because Gundleus is a murderer and rapist. Arthur vows to keep his end of the bargain by letting Gundleus live. He tells him that Gundleus and Ladwys (Tatjana Nardone) will be allowed to reunite.

Avalon – Merlin tells Morgan that he will not conduct Mordred’s Naming Ceremony. She warns that his absence will send a message. Holding out what appears to be a saber, he says as a “druid in all but name,” she will do it. Morgan asks if Nimue (Ellie James) is in danger. He promises to worry about Nimue while she prepares for the Naming.

While spear-fishing, Gorfydd says he and King Uther (Eddie Marsan) went hunting after the Saxon raid. He tells Arthur that Uther believed the Saxons wanted their lands, not peace. He warns that the Saxons are coming for them. Gorfydd suggests Gundleus’ release is a step to building peace between the Powys and Dumnonia. While watching their surroundings, Arthur tells him that he is Gundleus’ master. Gorfydd confesses to sending Gundleus to burn Caer Cadarn, not Avalon when Arthur throws his spear into the woods. A closer look reveals a man crawling on his knees with a spear in his stomach. Identifying the man as a Saxon spy, Arthur says he has been watching them since they arrived. Derfel asks his name but he refuses to tell him. Owain finds a map of the southern regions in the Wilenca’s (Carl Anderson) pocket. The man speaks in Saxon before pushing the spear deeper into his body. Derfel says the man warned that King Aelle would kill them. Elsewhere, Nimue searches for herbs on the ground when she hears voices. She takes refuge will they pass.

Gorfydd questions what King Cerdic will think of King Aelle. Arthur assures him that the Saxons need new blood like all armies. Gorfydd reminds him of the Saxons being “meticulous” and “patient” unlike other armies.

Lunete tells Derfel that Anna’s brother will build them a home if he buys the materials. He admits to being unsure about his future. He says people died when they raided the tin mine. She assures him that he will forget. He tells her that the gold is tainted with blood. Lunete reminds her of what Owain said about the past being unchangeable. Elsewhere, Nimue appears to eat poisonous herbs.

Prince Tristan (Gabriel Tierney) tells Derfel that he represents the people of Kernow. Derfel sees the young survivor from the mine raid at his side. Tristan warns of a battle between Dumnonia and his kingdom if justice is not served. Owain demands to know what justice he seeks. Tristan explains how Uther invited his people to work the mine in peace. He claims the mine was raided and a family slaughtered last week. Tristan threatens to take justice into his own hands if the person responsible for ordering the raid is not killed. Owain claims to have heard rumors of the Blackshield Irish tribe raiding the moor. Tristan points out that nothing was stolen from Dumnonia. King Cadwys (Billy Postlethwaite) threatens to kill him if he speaks further. Tristan urges them to ask his witness. Arthur intervenes to have the witness brought forward. Sarlinna Ferch Edain (Faith Delaney) claims to have seen her family killed under a full moon. She says the killer was wearing warrior rings. Owain shames Tristan before denying the girl’s allegations. Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder) points out that the law doesn’t value a child’s word. Tristan says Uther was ruthless but he was fair. He vows to challenge Owain if Dumnonia doesn’t serve justice before leaving.

Owain urges Arthur to not give in to the “greedy” Kernow miners. Arthur reminds him that the miners have not requested a settlement. Owain assures him that they will because they dare ask the Blackshield Irish. Arthur says the mine provides well for the miners. Owain reminds him of how he spoke his name after Uther threatened banishment. Arthur admits to owing him a debt. Owain swears he never stepped one foot in the mine. Elsewhere, Merlin finds Nimue with blood running down her legs. She tells him that it has to be done. He warns that she could have died. She tells him that she defied the Gods. Treating her symptoms with Mandrake and Belladona, he says they both have defied the Gods.

Morgan tells the prisoner (Darren Evans) that Coltsfoot will ease his cough. He asks if she would go through the trouble of curing him only to kill him. She admits to wanting him healthy when he meets the Gods. She assures him that his death will not be in vain before giving him coltsfoot. He asks if it will be over quickly. She says no.

Gorfydd says Oengus Mac Airem made a pact to not raid their borders. Pointing out that Oengus is on the Hibernian Coast, he questions why he would risk everything to cross Dumonia at night just to raid a tin mine. Gorfydd claims to have last seen Oengus about two years ago. Arthur suggests he switched up his routine. Gorfydd walks away laughing. Elsewhere, Nimue tells Merlin that she will accept her fate because she is free of Gundleus’ child.

Caer Cadarn – Gorfydd offers to give Arthur advice when he is King of Dumnonia. Arthur admits to having no desire to be the King. Gorfydd says it is Gundleus’ to be present at Mordred’s Naming Ceremony. Arthur tells him that Gundleus will never be allowed to attend the Naming of a child he tried to kill. Gorfydd warns that disrespecting Gundleus is disrespecting him. Arthur demands he not blame him if their association taints him with Gundleus.

Lohilt (San Shella) gives Arthur the tally stick from Cadwys’ haul. Looking at the tally stick, Arthur says gold and coin only covered half of what Cadwys owed in taxes. Arthur tells him that repetitive mistakes are unacceptable. Lohilt admits to adjusting the debt accordingly.

Morgan performs Mordred’s Naming. Arthur gifts Mordred a sword. Cadwys, King Tewdric (Sugar Arya), and Gorfydd offer the Edling King gifts. After sacrificing the prisoner, Morgan presents her prophecy which reveals Mordred will live a long life, win wars, and be feared among the Saxons. Later, Arthur asks Morgan what her vision revealed. She asks if he believes in her gift. When he doesn’t respond, she repeats her earlier prophecy.

Bedwin informs Arthur that Tristan is challenging Owain after refusing their settlement. He suggests doubling their offer. Arthur assures him that Tristan refuses to be bought. Bedwin warns that Owain will kill him. Elsewhere, Arthur asks Derfel what will happen if Sarlinna’s allegations are true. Derfel suggests Tristan will lose if he is destined to fight Owain. Arthur informs him of his decision to fight Owain for Tristan. Derfel assures him that the Gods will be on his side.

Bedwin tries to convince Tristan to wait for a settlement. Tristan challenges Owain to a duel which he readily accepts. Arthur announces that Owain must pay the price for harming the people of Kernow. Owain tells him that he is going to sleep. As he walks away, Arthur calls him a murderer, coward, and a liar. Lanval (Matt Mella) urges Sagramor (Ken Nwosu) to stay. Arthur draws the sword from his mother’s forge. Derfel urges him to use his but he refuses. Bedwin reminds them of their commitment as Mordred’s protectors. The duel ensues and ends with Arthur stabbing Owain in the stomach. Arthur holds Owain while he dies before the episode ends.

 

The Winter King Review

Nimue defies the Gods by taking herbs to end her pregnancy. Merlin does the same by treating her fever and pain.

Merlin refuses to preside over Mordred’s Naming Ceremony. As a druid, Morgan performs the ceremony and sacrifices a prisoner to reveal King Mordred’s future. Her vision is similar to Merlin’s but she keeps it to herself. Arthur suspects she saw something disturbing. She refuses to share her vision with him because he doesn’t believe in her gift.

The sole survivor, Sarlinna, from the mine identifies Owain as the leader of the raid. Owain refutes the girl’s claims. Prince Tristan refuses Dumnonia’s offer to settle the dispute. He challenges Owain to a duel. Arthur reviews the tally stick from Cadwys’ assets. Lohilt collected gold and coins to cover half of Cadwys’ tax debt. He tells Arthur that the total was adjusted to clear Cadwys’ debt. Knowing Sarlinna is telling the truth, Arthur decides to fight Owain to protect Tristan. Owain cheats throughout the fight but Arthur kills him in the end.

The episode deserves a 5.8. Get more The Winter King recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds online awareness, click the link to learn more.