The episode opens with Arthur Pendragon (Iain de Caestecker) holding Lord Owain (Daniel Ings) after killing him in a duel. Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) appoints Arthur the ruler of Dumnonia and defender of Britain. Sagramor (Ken Nwosu), Lanval (Matt Lella), and the rest of Arthur’s men cheer.

Arthur shows Merlin his mother, Igraine’s sword. Merlin tells him that the sword has multiple names, Caledwich, Cadalchog, and Excalibur. He claims Gobannus from the Otherworld forged the sword that was later owned by a druid. He explains how he beat the druid in a “dream contest” to take ownership of the sword. Arthur questions why Igraine never told him. Merlin says she feared King Uther Pendragon (Eddie Marson) would accuse him of treason. Arthur accuses Merlin of “meddling” in his childhood. Merlin assures him that Igraine approved of his helping to raise him. He says Gobannus leaves the Otherworld to help Excalibur’s wearer in trouble. Arthur reminds him that he killed Owain, not the sword. Merlin urges him to realize he is not alone. Arthur vows to bring peace to Dumnonia but on his own terms.

Lunete (Olumide Olorunfemi) asks Derfel (Stuart Campbell) why he waits to give the cat to Sarlinna (Faith Delaney). Derfel tells her that it isn’t tame. When the cat eats from his hand, he says it is an improvement from yesterday. He reminds her of Sarlinna being without a family. She describes Owain as a “good man.” He admits to feeling relief, now that he is no longer Owain’s man. Raince (Keith Dunphy) barges in accusing Derfel of betraying Owain. Derfel denies telling Arthur about what happened at the mine when Raince attacks him. Nimue (Ellie James) screams Raince’s name to add it to a Curse Tablet before dropping it on the floor. She boasts of holding their deaths, lives, and souls in her hand. Ordering them to drop to their belly, she warns that Igraine will take them to the Otherworld if they harm Defel. Raince and the other men swear an oath before letting them go. Lunete voices concern about the men coming for her.

King Gorfydd (Aneiin Hughes), King Tewdic (Sagar Arya), King Cadwys (Billy Postlethwaite), and Arthur gather around a table in King Uther’s Great Hall. Gorfydd reminds King Mordred is the King of Dumnonia, not Arthur. Merlin says Arthur has been appointed the ruler by the Gods. Gorfydd tells them that King Arthur chose King Gundleus (Simon Merrells), Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder), and Lord Owain as Mordred’s Protectors. He warns Bedwin to watch his back after Arthur killed Owain and imprisoned Gundleus. Cadwys snickers. Bedwin says it is an honor to serve Arthur. Prince Tristan (Gabriel Tierney) assures them that he will not miss the slaughterer of his people. Tewdric (Sagar Arya) says Queen Norwenna (Grace Ashley) was killed at the hands of Gundleus. Gorfydd asks what is Arthur’s plan. Arthur vows to rule Dumnonia until Mordred comes of age before warning them of an impending Saxon raid. He says the Saxons have taken control of Durobrivis and Calleva.

Lunete expresses her desire to have a nice life with children. She claims her father, Hywel (Sifiso Mazibuko) wanted them to be together. Derfel says his destiny is to be a warrior for Arthur. She reminds him that Arthur and his warriors do not travel with women. He says they return home to tell their wives and children stories. Lunete tells him that it was not meant for them to be together.

Tedwric explains his strategy to strengthen his borders. Arthur claims a Saxon spy told them of a new leader named Aelle. Tristan says Kernow is safe. Arthur warns that it would take three days for the Saxons to raid Kernow and Isca after Dumnonia has fallen. He says an alliance between Kernow, Dumnonia, Gwent, and Powys means a unified attack if any of the kingdoms come under attack. Tewdric is the first Tribe King to join the alliance. Next to join, Tristan says Arthur has proven himself a friend of Kernow. Gorfydd boasts of having control of the Saxons even in a raid. Arthur points out that Ratae is his only town preventing a Saxon breach. Gorfydd assures him that Ratae will never fall. Arthur says King Ban felt the same about Ynes Trebes. Gorfydd reminds him that Ynes Trebes has not fallen. Arthur claims to have seen how the Franks surrounding the town are growing stronger while the Gauls suffer from water and food deprivation. Gorfydd says Powys has an alliance with Siluria. Arthur suggests a pardon if Gundleus joins their alliance. Gorfydd refuses to submit to Dumnonia. Arthur says a Council of Kings would have equal power to make unified decisions. Arthur offers to marry Gorfydd’s daughter, Ceinwyn, the “Star of Powys”.

Caer Dolforwyn, Capital of Powys – Princess Ceinwyn (Emily John) informs Guinevere (Jordan Alexandra) of Gorfydd’s decision to marry her to Arthur. She complains about Arthur’s “bastard” status. Ceinwyn says it is part of an alliance between Dumnonia and Powys. Guinevere tells her that it could be a good union.

Gorfydd tells Arthur that Ceinwyn means the world to him. Arthur vows to not let her down. Lanval questions why Arthur is marrying a princess who he knows nothing about. Sagramor suggests Arthur is doing it for Britain.

Avalon – In a vision, Merlin discovers the Horn of Bran. Back to reality, he has a unique treasure in his hand. After viewing what appears to be a map, he prepares his horse for a trip North. Nimue suggests he feels the need to please the Gods by searching for treasures. He tells her about Stingy Bran before explaining how the Horn of Bran and the other 12 treasures will give them the power to get back Britain. He says Arthur utilized Excalibur to kill Owain. She says it is a sign the Gods are with Arthur, so she must forgive him. He believes Arthur could become King of Britain. Arthur arrives after Merlin’s departure to Strathclota in search of the Horn of Bran. Nimue tells him that the people of Caer Cadarn believe Derfel broke his oath to Owain. He says Owain’s men now belong to Kernow. He informs her of his plan to pardon Gundleus. She vows to kill him. He says no doubt but not now when Derfel emerges from a shack. Arthur makes Derfel his warrior. Derfel swears he will lay down his life for Arthur.

Lanval suits Derfel up in armor before cutting his hair. Later, Lunete gifts Derfel with Hywel’s sword. Gradually removing the sword from its sheath, he calls it Hywelbane.

Morgan Pendragon (Valene Kane) questions why Sansum (Andrew Gower) accompanies Arthur to Powys. Bedwin jokingly says Sansum won’t bother her with his Christian sermons. Morgan tells Arthur that she and Sagramor will stay behind to protect the Edling King. Correcting her, Arthur says Lord Sagramor. Gundleus and Ladwys (Tatjana Nardone) approach on horses. Gundleus pulls his sword on Derfel. Arthur tells him that Derfel is his man.

Bedwin tells Arthur that Uther’s refusal to respect Gorfydd hurt Dumnonia. He believes Arthur and Ceinwyn’s union will help matters. Arthur claims to have been too preoccupied in wars to meet many women. Bedwin confesses his feelings for Morgan but believes she would refuse him. Arthur assures Bedwin that he is only Mordred’s Protector, not a King. Later, Arthur is out for a walk when he sees Guinevere on a white horse. An owl frightens her horse. He rushes over to calm the horse. She tells him about “The Lady of the Lake”. Seeing Arthur’s symbol, she asks if he is a great warrior. Pretending to be Arthur’s man, he says yes. She explains how the Irish live without systems, unlike the Saxons. She assures him if she was a man, she would take her family’s land back from Irish Lord Diwrnach. He asks about Ceinwyn to Arthur. Guinevere says at least he is young and handsome when she realizes he is Arthur. As she walks away, he pleads with her to stay.

Arthur tells Guinevere that he killed his friend whose face he sees every time he closes his eyes. He explains why he killed Owain. She says he was not his best friend if he lied to him. She questions how he would feel if he couldn’t kill him. He says, “Compromised.” She suggests he isn’t a man to live with compromise before riding away without identifying herself. Lanval finds Arthur alone. He warns that Sagramor would never forgive him if something happened to Arthur.

Powys – Gorfydd orders his men to place Arthur’s banner beside Powys’ eagle banner. Guinevere and Ceinwyn watch as the men toast to peace. Ceinwyn voices concern about Arthur not liking her. Elsewhere, Lanval tells Arthur that a warrior will guard him. Arthur refuses to wear a robe. Giving Derfel a betrothal gift for Ceinwyn, Arthur says their being the same age may calm her. Elsewhere, Ceinwyn assures Guinevere that their relationship will never change.

Gorfydd explains the benefits of the alliance between the kingdoms and Dumnonia. He asks Guinevere to accompany Ceinwyn to Caer Cadarn. She says it is inappropriate for a lady-in-waiting to be unwed. He suggests choosing one of Arthur’s men to marry her. She reminds him of his oath to her father. He says she dismissed his offers. Guinevere confesses to respecting him like a second father. He orders her to be part of Ceinwyn’s new life in Caer Cadarn. Ceinwyn asks if she will be present at her wedding. Guinevere leaves to retrieve her a shawl. Elsewhere, Arthur questions if marrying Ceinwyn is right. Bedwin assures him that it is when Gorfydd escorts Ceinwyn into the room. She gives Arthur a gift. Derfel gives her a bag of coins. They are wed. Arthur is talking to Gorfydd when he sees Guinevere. Ceinwyn introduces Lady Guinevere of Henis Wyren. Arthur kisses her hand as the episode ends.

 

The Winter King Review

Arthur pitches his alliance to the Tribe Kings. Tewdric and Tristan are immediately on board. Gorfydd has no interest in submitting to Dumnonia. Arthur tells him that a Council of Kings will give each of them equal control. He agrees to pardon Gundleus if he joins the alliance but it still isn’t enough to convince Gorfydd. Arthur offers to marry his daughter. Not wanting to marry, Ceinwyn goes along with it to make Gorfydd happy.

Arthur is out for a walk when he encounters Ceinwyn’s lady-in-waiting, Guinevere. Believing she is Arthur’s man, she tells him that Powys’ biggest threat is the Irish, not the Saxons. He tells her about killing Owain. She assures him that Owain wasn’t his best friend if he lied to him. She leaves without identifying herself. She intentionally waits until the wedding is over to reveal her true identity. Gorfydd wants her to be part of Ceinwyn’s new life in Caer Cadarn. She declines his offer of a relationship because she sees him as a second father.

Merlin tells Arthur that the sword he utilized to kill Owain is Excalibur. He won the sword during a “dream constant”. Gobannus of the Otherworld made Excalibur.

Bedwin tells Arthur that he cares about Morgan. Arthur urges him to tell her. Nimue curses Owain’s men after they accuse Derfel of telling Arthur about the mine raid. Arthur asks Derfel to be his man. Not wanting a warrior as a husband, Lunete decides to return to go to her sister. She gives Derfel Hywel’s sword.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more The Winter King recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more.