As the episode opens, King Gundleus (Simon Merrells) forces Princess Morgan Pendragon (Valene Kane) and Derfel (Stuart Campbell) out of the castle. Bishop Bedwin’s (Steven Elder) body is stretched out on a travois attached to a horse. Gundleus howls as Ladwys (Tatjana Nardone) and King Gorfydd (Aneirin Hughes) watch from a wall walk. Derfel covers Bedwin’s body with a sheet before assisting Morgan onto a horse. After exiting Powys, Morgan and Derfel encounter Princess Ceinwyn (Emily John) who informs them of Gorfydd’s plan to marry her to a Saxon. Derfel says Gorfydd has an alliance with the Saxons. She asks them to tell Arthur Pendragon (Iain De Caestecker) that she refuses to be part of a treaty that takes down Britain.

Arthur vows to make Gorfydd pay for killing Bedwin. Morgan assures him that nothing will bring Bedwin back. He questions why Bedwin returned to Caer Dolforwyn. Guinevere (Jordan Alexandra) suggests he thought it possible to placate Gorfydd like in the past. Irate, Morgan says he returned to clean up the mess Arthur made. Arthur thanks Derfel for his courage before admitting to publically humiliating Gorfydd. Derfell tells them that Ceinwyn claims Gorfydd and the Saxon have a treaty and she will marry a Saxon. Arthur says they must prepare for war.

Caer Cadarn – Arthur stresses the need to understand the cold-hearted, strategic Gorfydd. Guinevere assures him that Gorfydd is wrong about the Saxons. He voices concern about the future of the isle. He orders a message taken to King Tewdric (Sagar Arya) who has the best spies in Britain. He demands to know the details of the Saxon and Powys treaty. He says if Tewdric is aware of the pact why he never informed him. Sagramor (Ken Nwosu) volunteers but Arthur tells Lanval (Matt Mella) to go.

Sagramor tells Arthur that Dumnonia and the Tribe Kings have about 100 bands ready to fight. He warns that the Saxons and Powys will defeat them in a day. Guinevere reminds him of Dumnonia losing its druidess, Nimue (Ellie James), and no one knows Merlin’s (Nathaniel Martello-White) whereabouts. Once alone, Arthur asks Guinevere if he made a mistake with Nimue. She says the druidess’ powers are impressively powerful before urging him to send for her. He tells Derfel that Nimue has been banished from Avalon for poisoning three of Sansum’s (Andrew Gower) men. Derfel questions why he did not stop it. Arthur claims Derfel is one of the few that he can trust.

Avalon – Ralla (Charlie Duncan) denies knowing if Nimue killed Sansum’s followers. She suggests Nimue felt cornered by the Christians with Merlin and him gone. He urges her to tell him where Nimue went when Culwyn (Gwion Morris Jones) approaches. Derfel asks how he got a black eye. Culwyn attributes it to a stubborn workhorse. After warning of impending war, Culwyn asks to not be judged for wanting to live in peace.

Morgan asks for Morgan’s forgiveness. She says it has always been impossible for her to deny him anything. She asks if he thought Gorfydd would not retaliate after being publicly humiliated by him. He vows to make Gorfydd pay for what he did to Bedwin. She says his being blinded by desire has destroyed any hope of uniting the tribes. She warns that his legacy will be Dumnonia’s ruin if he doesn’t make it right.

Avalon – Ralla tries to speak to Derfel but Culwyn nudges her forward. Derfel finds Guinevere in the Tower. She assures him that he has reason to avoid Caer Cadarn after what he witnessed in Powys and Arthur’s treatment of Nimue. She says it is foolish to lose Nimue for some “miserable” Christian when she spots her druidess collar. Derfel believes Arthur knows Nimue’s whereabouts. Guinevere asks if he believes Nimue poisoned Sansum’s followers. He says through a curse.

Caer Cadarn – Lanval tells Arthur that Tewdric’s spies have confirmed the pact between the Saxon leader, Aelle, and Gorfydd. He says it is rumored that Aelle approached Gorfydd after his betrothal with Ceinwyn was called off. Arthur questions why Tewdric never alerted him sooner. Lanval tells him that Tewdric denied any previous knowledge of the pact. Arthur asks if Tewdric can be trusted. Sagramor warns they have little option.

Avalon – Ralla claims after Arthur confined Nimue in the Tower, two bad men came for her two days later. She says Arthur repeatedly asked Nimue if she poisoned the Christians but she refused to deny it. At the site of the new church, Derfel tells Brother John (Rhodri Miles) that it is strange that he fell ill when they all share water and food. John asks him to leave if he doesn’t believe in God. Derfel says Bedwin spoke of “common ground”. John and the other Christians are woodsmen but refuse to say anything about the three dead men. Derfel picks up a piece of wood before entering the woods. At Caer Cadarn, Sansum officiates Bedwin’s funeral. Back in the woods, Derfel finds a camp. He descends into a well where he discovers a dead animal. Later, he drops the dead animal on the ground in front of Arthur. He attributes the tainted water to the Christian’s long recovery and deaths. Guinevere asks if only the Christians utilize the well. Arthur admits to sending Nimue to the Isle of the Dead. Derfel suggests his debt to Sansum was too important to invest time to investigate the deaths.

Derfel demands Arthur bring Nimue back to Avalon. Arthur warns that it is too late because she has reached her destination. As Derfel prepares to leave, Arthur vows to bring her back but for now, he is needed in Caer Cadarn. Derfel accuses him of not keeping his promises. Arthur orders him to fight at his side against the Saxons to honor him. When Derfel leaves, Arthur scolds Guinevere for seeking Derfel out. She describes his decision to send Nimue to the Isle as “ill-judged” and “hasty”. She accuses him of condemning Nimue for a crime that she never committed. She says even if Nimue did kill the Christians, it was her way of defending Avalon. She regrets putting themselves in Sansum’s debt. He demands to know if she sought out Derfel. She tells him that he should be thanking her and Derfel for the truth. He blames himself for not listening to Gorfydd’s warning about her.

Avalon – Derfel tells Culwyn that men from the Isle of Dead came for Nimue on Arthur’s orders. He says Culwyn was brave for fighting the emissary of the dead. Culwyn embraces him. Stricken with pain, Derfel drops to his knees holding out his scared hand.

Caer Cadarn – Guinevere apologizes to Arthur, assuring him that he is not alone. They get intimate. The next morning, Tewdric tells Arthur that Gorfydd will leave tomorrow for Noden’s Vale where he will meet Aelle. He adds that Gorfydd plans to sail to avoid an encounter with Dumnonia. Arthur suggests closing in on him at Venta. Tewdric says if Aelle dropped his plan to fight under Saxon leader, Cerdic, Arthur can exploit the fracture by becoming Cerdic’s ally. Arthur vows to speak with Aelle. Tewdric assures Arthur if Gorfydd and Aelle made a treaty four months ago, the lost opportunity of a united isle is not his fault. He stresses the need to have his trust and respect. Arthur apologizes before agreeing to trust him. Later, Arthur polishes Excalibur and repairs the grip. He orders Sagramor to send a message to King Mark to request Tristan (Gabriel Tierney) deliver a load of tin to Caer Cadarn. He tells Lanval to summon Derfel because he speaks their language.

Arthur explains how King Uther Pendragon (Eddie Marsan) taught him how to build post fence and thatch a roof. Tristan says there are tin mines on the Saxon land. Morgan argues that the land belongs to Dumnonia, not the Saxons. She suggests the Saxons need tin to repair their weapons. Arthur believes he can convince Aelle to speak with him by offering him their tin. Sagramor questions why they would supply the Saxons with tin to repair their weaponry. Arthur says they will utilize the tin as a bargaining chip for time. Later, Guinevere gives Arthur a hand-drawn map of Ratae that he can gift to Aelle. She says if Gorfydd does not have Aelle, it will ruin him. He warns against gifting Saxons with land. She informs him that Derfel left last night to find Nimue. Derfel can be seen racing toward the Isle of the Dead as the episode ends.

 

The Winter King Review

Guinevere conspires against Arthur to urge Derfel to investigate the three Christian deaths. Derfel discovers Sansum and his followers are drinking from a tainted well. He removes the dead animal carcass from the well to prove Nimue’s innocence. Arthur admits to sending Nimue to the Isle of the Dead. He promises to help bring her home but needs Derfel to stay in Caer Cadarn to prepare for the impending war. Derfel leaves to find Nimue. Guinevere tells Arthur that his condemnation of Nimue was hasty. She believes Dumnonia needs Nimue because she is a power druidess.

Ceinwyn tells Derfel and Morgan that Gorfydd formed a treaty with the Saxons. Denying any knowledge of the pact, Tewdric learns from his spies that Gorfydd plans to meet the Saxon leader, Aelle, at Noden’s Vale. Aelle recently backed out of fighting under Cerdic. Tewdric urges Arthur to form ties with Cerdic to fight against Gorfydd and Aelle. Arthur believes he can convince Aelle to give Dumnonia time by offering him tin. Sagramor warns Arthur that the tin will be utilized to repair the Saxon weaponry to be utilized against them later.

Guinevere draws a map of Ratae for Arthur to give to Aelle. She says without Aelle and Ratae, Gorfydd would be ruined. Arthur refuses to give Saxons land, only gold and silver.

The episode deserves a 5.8. Get more The Winter King recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more. Join our forum to discuss the latest TV shows, movies, and celebrity news.