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The Last Kingdom Season 5 Episodes
Season 5 Episode Guide
10 Episodes 2022 - 2022
Episode 1
Episode #5.1
Wed, Mar 9, 202254 mins
Uhtred has served several years, being named Lord of Rumcofa (Runcorn), commanding his men as garrison to helps protect the northern border of Mercia, whilst collecting toll and raising Edward's royal bastard Æthelstan to manhood and training him to be a fine warrior. While celebrating the Red Moon festival, bandits hired by Lord Aethelhelm attempt to kill Æthelstan during his rite of passage board hunt, but the prince kills three men before their leader can escape and Aethelhelm decides to lie low again till another opportunity to eliminate his grandson's rival for the throne, Edward refusing to declare him Aetheling 'yet'. In Iceland, Brida has become the leader of a fanatical band of Danish warriors who follow her and teen daughter Vibike, now a Seer, even when a man is designated human sacrifice to the volcano. They sail to attack England. Sigtryggr and his wife Stiorra rule in Eoferwic (York) while maintaining peace between Christians (Saxons) and (Viking) pagans. Sigtryggr's ever-unruly lush brother Rognvaldr, whom he believed lost at sea, returns from Ireland, vowing to have cleaned up his act, albeit drunk again. He has secretly joined Brida's horde and leads their attack into Eoferwic, forcing Stiorra to hide. Eadith returns to Rumcofa shortly before Aethelflaed, Aelfwynn and a recovered Lady Aelswith come to visit for the festival and install fallen priest Benedict as dubious missionary to local Danes. Suddenly, freshly-castrated Uhtred junior staggers into town and reveals that Brida has unleashed her ruthless orgy of vengeance.
Episode 2
Episode #5.2
Wed, Mar 9, 202256 mins
Uthred is worries-sick his castrated priest son may never become a 'real man', blaming himself for not having killed Brida, while his men stand border guard in Rumcofa expecting an attack, not the news of the fall of Eoferwic. Uhtred realizes that vindictive monster Brida is going after his entire bloodline as revenge upon him. To loyalty-tested Rognvaldr's horror, she humiliatingly tortures 'Christian-friend' Sigtryggr, who may leave to save Stiorra by bringing her Uhtred. Stiorra escaped with her attendants into the old Roman sewers below Eoferwic, forced to watch as Brida tortures and sacrifices local women to lure her out. In Winchester, Edward is fascinated when childhood flame Lady Eadgifu of Kent arrives to petition him to return her stolen lands. He grants it and invites her to remain at court. Seeing his family's influence waning, Lord Aethelhelm seeks to foment war with Northumbria by encouraging Edward to attack Eoferwic without Mercian assistance, forcing the king to rely on him for money. He sends his men to the Mercian border towns, forbidding them in the name of the King to assist Uhtred, whom Aethelflaed, whose healer Eadith declares her incurable cancer fatal in months, grants only a dozen warriors to rescue Stiorra, devoting her last force to arranging a Mercian succession, but her dumb daughter prefers a knightly toyboy to the 'boring' throne. Infuriated Uhtred meets Pyrlig's advance force from Wessex, which Edward has sent to reinforce his sister, whom he expected to attack Eoferwic. Finding Sigtryggr on the road and hearing of Aethelhelm's decree to the Saxon towns, they dare to enter the city using the Roman sewers.
Episode 3
Episode #5.3
Wed, Mar 9, 202254 mins
Stiorra challenges Brida for the lives of the townsfolk to trial by combat with her. As the Danes make the square for their duel, Uhtred, Sigtryggr and his men enter the city to free the locals and assault the invaders, aided by the soldiers of Wessex. Ignoring Uthred's due warning, 'seerer' Vibike dies while falling from a bell tower but Uthred allows grief stricken Brida to escape with the shattered remains of her forces, by change managing to capture Father Pyrlig during her escape. Facing defeat, Rognvaldr appeals on his knees to brother Sigtryggr, who imprisons him as a traitor. Victorious, Sigtryggr believes Mercia has abandoned their truce by not helping retake York and urges Uhtred to switch loyalty to him, abandoning the disloyal Saxons, but Uhtred prefers tracking down Brida. When Finan reveals Aethelflaed's sickness, Uhtred and his men make haste back to Aylesbury to her deathbed. Rognvaldr is offered a quick death or trial by the pagan gods under Dane law, which he chooses: he must lift a bar of metal from a boiling cauldron with his bare hands and carry it nine steps without dropping it. In Aylesbury, a weakening Aethelflaed intends to name daughter Aelfwynn as Mercian successor, but in Winchester Aethelhelm plots with ealdormen to have his own grandson Ælfweard rule as king of both Mercia and Wessex. Overhearing the plot, Eadgifu informs king Edward.
Episode 4
Episode #5.4
Wed, Mar 9, 202254 mins
Uhtred reaches Aylesbury in time to see Aethelflaed one last time, sharing a last sunset in the snow and mixed feelings about what they sacrificed for the Mercian cause before she closes her eyes in his arms,kissing him. NextEdward arrives in Aylesbury with Aethelhelm and armed soldiers, assuring her appointed heiress Aelfwynn of his resolve to fulfill the dream of King Alfred, although his intentions remain vague. As Aelswith prays in the chapel, she fears that God has forsaken her. In Eoferwic, Rognvaldr passes the test of carrying burning metal and must wait outside the city for three full days: if his hands begin to heal by the third day, he has earned the gods' forgiveness. Sigtryggr agonizes over his brother's ordeal, although Stiorra insists not to show weakness. Rognvaldrs hands do begin to heal, but Sigtryggr remains ambiguous about his brother's fate, acknowledging only that he is his blood. Riding with followers into Yorkshire, Brida mourns her daughter mad with grief and tortures captured father Pyrlig, questioning him about his faith and seeking a divine bargain to restore Vibike in exchange for the lives of her remaining followers, but Pyrlig tells her that God cannot trade lives. While her last followers desert Brida, she and Pyrlig resolve their differences somewhat before burying symbolically Vibike. Back in Aylesbury, church bells announce Aethelflaed's death. Edward has the Mercian Eoldormen assembling to decide the succession ambush-killed, aware that Aethelhelm has bribed them to reject Aelfwynn's claim, before Uthred's men can protect them, alarmed by royal bastard Aethelstan. Instead of supporting his weak niece he declares himself as Alfred's sole heir King of all Saxons and Angles, finally annexing Mercia. Bitterly grieving Aelswith quickly escorts Aelfwynn, whom Uthred just swore to protect, to safety as Edward mounts the Mercian throne. Æthelstan confronts his father about the bloodshed, but Edward counters that sometimes a few must die in order for many to live; his seizing the throne prevents a possible civil war which Aelfwynn would have been too weak to prevent.
Episode 5
Episode #5.5
Wed, Mar 9, 202257 mins
While king Edward attempts at Aylesbury to placate the people of Mercia with penance and fasting for the death of the Ealdormen, news of the slaughter reaches Eoferwic. Deeply troubled, seeing Edward's actions as the methods of a bloodthirsty ruler intent on war, Sigtryggr sends a rider south to warn Edward not to approach Eoferwic. Aelfwynn and Aelswith take shelter at Buxton where Aelswith reveals her plan to marry Aelfwynn to her lover Cynlaef, one of Uhtred's men, hoping that once marries a commoner, Aelfwynn won't be perceived as a threat or political pawn. Queen Ælfflæd, seeking solace in her faith as she sees her marriage to Edward fail, secretly travels north to Lindesfarne in the company with Christian visionary Aalys. Unbeknownst to them, Aethelhelm has sent men to murder Aalys and blame on the Danes, hoping to foment a war between the Danes and the Saxons which 'ideally' leaves Edward dead, the Danes defeated and the throne open for his grandson Ælfweard. The women are ambushed but Ælfflæd is mistaken for Aalys and killed. Discovering this and surviving Aalys, Haesten has the bodies concealed and goes inform Uhtred in Rumcofa. As the news spreads, Danes and Saxons blame each other for trying to start a war. Uhtred and his men desperately try to uncover the truth to prevent more bloodshed, but Sigtryggr and Edward prepare for battle, encouraged by Aethelhelm, who ignores he ordered his daughter's death. A militia secretly raised by Aethelhelm in Edward's name attacks Rumcofa, killing Osferth. Discovering Ælfflæd's death, a devastated Aethelhelm contemplates suicide until his lieutenant persuades him to continue his plan. Meanwhile, Brida releases Pyrlig to return to Wessex, but he convinces her to come with him to atone for her sins, after they first seek out Uhtred..
Episode 6
Episode #5.6
Wed, Mar 9, 202253 mins
Edward and Sigtryggr departing for battle, Uhtred rides to timely inform Edward of Aethelhelm's betrayal. Edward calls off the war and sends Uhtred to inform the Danes. In Buxton, Eadith comes warn Aelfwynn and Aelswith for danger, but Aelfwynn, fearing Aelswith could lock her in a nunnery if Cynlaef does not arrive, already fled. Sigtryggr's forces discover Aethelhelm's army before Uhtred arrives and mount a surprise raid at dawn across a frozen lake, to slaughter the Saxons. Uhtred tries to fight his way to Sigtryggr to stop the attack, but Edward, seeing his own troops slaughtered, leads a counterattack which breaks the Danish forces. Aethelhelm escapes to Scotia, hoping to continue his plotting to put his grandson Ælfweard on the Saxon throne. Sigtryggr and Stiorra are captured, but Uhtred obtains their release from Edward, if Sigtryggr and his men are baptized and swear loyalty to him. Sigtryggr refuses, incurring Edward's death sentence. Sigtryggr gets reluctantly Uhtred to agree to kill him, as being slain by the greatest Danish warrior is most honorable. On the road south, Brida and Pyrlig encounter war refugees, but Pyrlig doesn't tell her. Discovering his subterfuge; believing it manipulation and disillusioned by another Saxon-Danish war, Brida stabs Pyrlig and says that if he survives he may tell Uhtred she's coming for him.
Episode 7
Episode #5.7
Wed, Mar 9, 202255 mins
While Sigtryggr gets a Danish burial, Edward fears Aethelhelm may march south to seize Winchester, hence refuses to push north to unite more of England. Fearing locals revolt again, Uhtred proposes to make ex-queen Stiorra lady governor for Wessex of Eoferwic to maintain stability and pacify its Danes. Stiorra refusing to take the oath of loyalty to Edward, the king banishes Stirorra and her followers and installs Rognvaldr instead. Eadgifu tell Edward that she expect his bastard and prepares to leave court but Edward declares it a divine sign and weds her immediately, disgusting prince Ælfweard as a betrayal of his recently deceased mother. He reveals his intention to father Benedict to be reunited with his grandfather Aethelhelm, and demands the priest accompany him. Brida ambushes a Saxon patrol and sends the survivor back to tell Uhtred to meet her at Leodis. Eadith and Aelswith catch up to Aelfwynn, but all three are captured by Aethelhelm's men and sent north to Scotia. There 'Wessex ambassador' Aethelhelm gets King Constanin of Scotia to promise assisting Aethelhelm in an uprising against Edward to put Aelfweard on the throne of Wessex and Mercia. In return, Constantin will wed Aelfwynn, earning half the riches of Mercia, a stake in its royal house and be assured that no further Saxon advances will be made into the North. On the road however, the three overpower and kill one of their captors, while the other man flees with Aelfwynn. Uhtred heads west to Leodis, to the ruins of Earl Ragnar's old feasting hall. In a short fight Uhtred overpowers Brida who begs for death and release to Valhalla. Uhtred then remembers his early childhood there with Brida and feels their bond remains too strong, as if he would kill part of himself. He slowly convinces a heartbroken Brida to forgive herself and start a new life, but just as she agrees, Stiorra's arrow shoots her through the chest.
Episode 8
Episode #5.8
Wed, Mar 9, 202254 mins
Grieving, Uhtred burns Brida's body and urges unrepentant killer Stiorra in vain to return with him to Rumcofa so that they can finally be a family, but she bitterly claims that he always sacrificed paternal responsibilities in favor of the Saxon cause, calling it his destiny, which she no longer believes in, only the Danish cause. In Eoferwic, Uhtred's men don't want to return with him to Rumcofa, their families having fled to Wessex. Aethelhelm and Aelfweard, who feels his mother betrayed by Edward's remarriage, are happily reunited and hosted at Bebbanburg at the command of Constantin as guests of Wihtgar, Uhtred's hostile usurper cousin. Aelfwynn is brought to the fortress, but refuses at a banquet to be wed to crucial ally Constantine when Aethelhelm reveals his plan of rebellion to Aelfweard, who seems uncomfortable but resolved to the plan. Father Benedict hastily leaves Bebbanburg to warn Edward. Escaped, Aelswith and Eadith bring Eoferwic their news, demanding a rescue for Aelfwyn, but Edward refuses to act hastily, fearing to play into Aethelhelm's plans. Aelswith's silver can't buy warriors and Uhtred refuses to go rescue Aelfwynn, putting his family first, until Father Benedict reveals Aethelhelm and Aelfweard's plans with Aelfwynn. Pyrlig counsels Uhtred that this may be God's intention, and Uhtred proposes to Edward that the combined armies of Wessex and Mercia head off Constantin at the Scottish border, cutting Aethelhelm off from his ally, then turn to defeat him in battle. Uhtred will then take Bebbanburg and rule Northumbria in Edward's name, fulfilling the dream of a united Saxon England. Edward refuses however, proposing instead to appease Constantin by dividing Northumbria between Saxon and Scottish rule to avoid bloodshed. In council, Uhtred's side is taken by Lord Aldhelm, Aelswith, Father Pyrlig, Finnan, Sihtric and Aethelstan but Edward orders them all held at sword-point, the gates closed and that no one leave the city on pain of death. Lord Aldhelm still promises that the Mercians will march for Northumbria at dawn, even if they must break down the gates.
Episode 9
Episode #5.9
Wed, Mar 9, 202255 mins
As the Mercians are ready to leave Eoferwic by force, king Edward is persuaded to avoid bloodshed by stands down the men on the walls. Uhtred and Aldhelm lead the men out, facing the army of Wessex as Edward decided to lead the combined armies to Bebbanburg. On the road north, they encounter Cynlaef, who warns them that Scottish King Constantin has boarded a ship, but the thought of him braving the sea to Bebbanburg is dismissed. In fact Constantin surprise-reached the fortress by boat with his household guard while his army still marches. Outwitted, Uhtred realizes they cannot safely besiege Bebbanburg while Aelfwynn is a hostage, so Uhtred proposes that he and three men will infiltrate the fortress via the cliff path to rescue Aelfwynn. First he bribes-threatens Haesten to pose as shipwrecked trader in order to lure Wihtgar down onto the beach and signal Edward to attack. In the fortress, Constantin meets Aelfweard and promises bride Aelfwynn, having a forbidden lover too, they would merely engage in a dynastic union of convenience without offspring to divide Mercia. Uhtred, Finan and Sihtric climb by cliff into Bebbanburg, where Finan and Sihtric are captured and imprisoned, mistaken for Danish raiders. Haesten and Hild pass as beached-up traders, but are unwillingly taken to the castle where Haesten is linked to the captives Finan and Sihtric, denies knowing them and is killed without revealing the plan. With the Scots army sighted heading for Bebbanburg, Edward orders the attack before Uhtred is ready. Meanwhile, Aelswith leads Eadith into the forests where she begs Stiorra and her disaffected Danes for help.
Episode 10
Episode #5.10
Wed, Mar 9, 202256 mins
After thirty days of failing siege of Winchester and great losses, Edward is beside himself, while Uhtred believes Sigtryggr is ready to negotiate. Sigtryggr offers Edward to release one of his sons if he retreats. Edward is desperately incapable of making such choice. Both ruler agree when Uhtred offers himself in exchange for both children. Sigtryggr prevents Brida to torture Uhtred to death and discuses with Uhtred about a truce and possible peace. Aethelflaed's Mercian army arrives, having taken Eoferwic. Edward's army uses smoke to conceal an attack, which finally breaches the fortress grates but Uhtred stops the battle. Edward and Aethelflaed agree to give Sigtryggr Eoferwic and let him choose a hostage: Stiorra, who convinces Uhtred to let her become Sigtryggr's companion. Brida fails to kill Uhtred but vows to be his undoing. Aelswith unwittingly seals her own fate by telling Aethelhelm about the poisonous plant in the courtyard, planted by Afred for emergencies. Edward assigns Aethelstan into reluctant Uhtred's care.
