The best episodes of The Last Kingdom
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
As a climactic battle with the Danes draws near, untested Edward faces dire decisions about the fates of Uhtred, Wessex -- and England.
- 02
The peace has broken, the Danes are threatening Wessex, and a huge storm rages. Uhtred puts himself forward for a daring stealth mission to outflank the Danes and destroy their ships, but in the process is challenged to a one-on-one fight with Ubba.
- 03
A message from Uhtred and the machinations of Skade exploit divisions among the Danes. His health failing, Alfred wrestles with Aethelwold's fate.
- 04
Uhtred risks returning to Wessex to fulfill his vow to Brida. As the royal wedding approaches, Aethelwold spreads discord from the shadows.
- 05
Uhtred suffers an unbearable loss in his attack on Bebbanburg but takes some valuable captives during his retreat south. Aethelflaed prepares for war.
- 06
Hoping to be joined by Edward's troops, Aethelflaed and Uhtred ally with the Welsh to face Cnut's thousand-warrior army at the Battle of Tettenhall.
- 07
A repentant Aethelred lingers near death while his ealdormen vie for control of Mercia and Edward uses his niece Aelfwynn as a bargaining chip.
- 08
Armies converge in an epic, final showdown that determines the fate of a king's dream for England — and Uhtred's hope of securing his family's future.
- 09
Uhtred's scheming uncle claims his lands; Aelfric becomes a puppet-lord for the Danes; Uhtred is captured by his father's killers.
- 10
The Danish invasion of Wessex sees Uhtred driven to hiding in the marshlands with King Alfred. With Wessex lost and the life of Alfred's child hanging in the balance, a bond is finally struck between the two men. They must work together if Wessex is to be reclaimed.
- 11
Leaving the marshes, a united Alfred and Uhtred must get word to Saxon forces to assemble and fight a decisive battle for Wessex and England. Treachery, deception and heartache follow as Wessex is saved — but at what cost to Uhtred?
- 12
Winchester celebrates Aethelred and Aethelflaed's wedding, but the festivities are short-lived as the clouds of war gather and Alfred runs out of options to keep the peace. When rumours swirl, Alfred's mistrust of Uhtred reaches a new low and Uhtred is relegated in his duties as the warlord of Wessex. Aethelred is called to step up to the plate, but a fatal mistake allows Erik and Sigefrid to outwit the Saxons and terror reigns.
- 13
Edward makes a kingly decision. Alfred lays plans for his son's future reign. Aethelwold faces a treacherous task. Uhtred and Brida search out a seer.
- 14
As Uhtred and his men draw closer to Bebbanburg, prodigal son Wihtgar returns with some tricks up his sleeve. News of Cnut's treachery reaches Wessex.
- 15
Eardwulf and his men pursue Uhtred's party as it flees through a countryside ravaged by disease. Tensions rise between Edward and the Mercians.
- 16
Aelfwynn suffers from the sickness sweeping the land. Edward proposes an unexpected path forward for Mercia. Brida is freed by Cnut's kinsman.
- 17
Uhtred reluctantly prepares to take power in Mercia but secretly formulates an alternate plan. Brida joins the Danes in attacking the Welsh.
- 18
Uhtred and Brida are fugitives, running from Aelfric; Uhtred pleads his innocence to a Viking warlord, but he is not believed.
- 19
Uhtred and Leofric lead a raiding party to Cornwall on a mission for wealth and independence. The party becomes mercenaries for a Cornish King, and Uhtred attracts the attention of a beautiful sorceress queen named Isuelt. Iseult's charms and the promise of silver make Uhtred feel like he finally has the chance of a new start. However, when he returns to Wessex he is faced with the wrath of King Alfred and a judgment that leaves both his life and the life of his best friend Leofric hanging in the balance.
- 20
Betrayed by Guthred and condemned to a life of slavery, Uhtred and Halig, along with fellow slave Finan, are forced to row endlessly on a trader ship.Meanwhile, in order to gain their allegiance, Guthred welcomes Aelfric and the savage Dane brothers Erik and Sigefrid into Eoferwic,- a reward for dispatching Uhtred. But when a dispute in the terms threatens to jeopardise the agreement, Guthred offers Gisela as a peace offering. but will she comply?
- 21
Aethelflaed is missing and Aethelred and the Saxons return to Winchester to break the news to King Alfred, while Uhtred goes home to Gisela with plans to uncover the truth by his own means. Alfred's stubborn determination causes Odda to question whether the will of the king and the good of the kingdom are at odds – will he need to make a choice of loyalty between the two? Uhtred and Sigefrid come face to face for the first time since the Northmen's banishment from Northumbria, and Uhtred is confronted with a decision which will define the fate of Wessex.
- 22
Uhtred turns his attention to Aethelflaed's plight. Alfred forces Edward to face his duty. Ragnar's army marches but traitors emerge from within.
- 23
Uhtred receives news that Bebbanburg's defenses have been weakened by Scottish attacks and plans to seize his birthright, but Edward refuses to help.
- 24
The Danes under Brida and Sigtryggr sack Winchester, guided by the traitor Eardwulf. Haesten ambushes Uhtred's party and seizes valuable captives.
- 25
Edward besieges Winchester as he awaits Aethelflaed's reinforcements, but Uhtred isn't convinced that conquest is really Sigtryggr's ultimate aim.
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