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The Winter King Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
10 Episodes 2023 - 2023
Episode 1
Episode #1.1
Sun, Aug 20, 202358 mins
Uther Pendragon, the high king of Dumonia, does a poor job leading the Post-Roman Celtic resistance against the Saxon advance, failing to unite the tribal kings. When his son and heir Mordred is killed on the battlefield, he blindly blames, beats and almost murders his bastard son Arthur, the military genius who prevented a fatal defeat, Merlin can only obtain his 'sentence' being limited to banishment. After instructing his friend Owain how to counsel the defense, Arthur leaves to Marin(s druid island sanctuary Avalon, and on the way rescues from a Saxon 'death put' the impaled knave who is named Derfel, found not a Celtic soldier but a Saxon-born slave, who grow up the next years as best friend of exceptionally gifted druid Nimue. When the queen bares Uther a baby heir, Merlin warns the boy is evil and his reign would ruin all Britton kingdoms, but his advice to recall Arthur is waved.
Episode 2
Episode #1.2
Sun, Aug 27, 202354 mins
Silurial tribal king Gundleus returns at high court, claiming he defeated his rebellious uncle the Welsh king of Powys to deserve his place as co-regent and the hand of queen-widow Norwenna, but being handed the crown prince murders the baby, claiming it's unfit to rule in such times, later makes her kiss his murderous sword and spikes her head on it. Derfel leads loyal courtiers fleeing, refusing to let lover Nimue give up life or her mission according to Merlin. Non-cripple feet prove the baby was swapped with the real -evil- crown prince, Derfel puts up a valiant enough defense to hold off Gundleus's warriors until the usurper catches up, only to find himself surrounded from a height by the men of Arthur, who finally gave it to Merlin's pleas to stop fighting for the king of Gaul and return to desperate Britain.
Episode 3
Episode #1.3
Sun, Sep 10, 202359 mins
Arthur arrives just in time with experienced warriors from his Gaul exile to save Deffel's party, including the cursed heir to the throne, and take Silurian traitor tribal king Gundleus prisoner, but refuses to execute him, even locks him in the late king Uther's quarters. Nimue curses him for it, vowing to have her revenge. Happily taking command of loyal Owain and is local troops operating from the royal castle and capital Caer Cadam, Arthur learns that Gundleus' uncle Garfydd, the king of Powys, is preparing for war, while the Saxons have advanced to the stronghold he considers key to defend the Celtic lands under Dumnonia's hegemony.
Episode 4
Episode #1.4
Sun, Sep 17, 202357 mins
The Dumnonia court is amazed to see Arthur back, taking charge from Caer Cadam, welcomed by his old friends like Owain, who is put in charge of collecting years-overdue taxes from tribal kings, assisted by Derfel, starting at king Cadwys. Arthur agrees with Merlin that Uther failed to mount a proper, much-needed island defense against the Saxon advance by haughtily treating the tribal kings as underlings, swearing not to repeat that error. Even Gundleus is granted a chance to redeem himself, sent to his uncle, king Gorfydd, to come conclude an alliance with Powys.
Episode 5
Episode #1.5
Sun, Sep 24, 202356 mins
Royal tribute collector Owain has outsmarted king Cadwys, who tried to hid his gold, faking a failed harvest, but agrees to a pay-off, robbing the miners Uther once sent to extract valuable tin, who will then pay Cadwys for protection. The raid, masquerading as Irish 'Blackshield' raiders, isn't bloodless as planned, due to dogs barking alarm, and Derfel hides a girl witness. Uther's court speculates Arthur will fail, seen as weakling as the petty kings won't answer his call for an anti-Saxon true alliance instead of abusively-perceived high king-domineering. Arthur prevents Merlin from disposing of the crippled, evil baby heir. Merlin heals Nimue after she aborted Gundleus's rape fruit.
Episode 6
Episode #1.6
Sun, Oct 8, 202356 mins
Just when the court thinks Arthur's credit as interim high king will fall through, the tribal kings arrive, including still hostile Gorfydd of Powys, who is as appalled as cousin Gundleus that the latter's reward for bringing him is not freedom but just being spared execution for his attempted regicide. Owain assured Derfel the bloodshed among miners was an accident never to be clarified, but the girl Derfel has hidden arrives as witness with an accusing prince, causing another row among at the new round table, with Gorfydd seeing though the Blackshield ruse. Arthur finally fulfills Derfel's dream by dubbing him knight, to accompany him to Powys, where he is to wed Gorfydd's daughter in order to seal the anti-Saxon alliance.
Episode 7
Episode #1.7
Sun, Oct 15, 202354 mins
A line-up of activities are set for the nights before Arthur and Ceinwyn are to be married. Arthur is increasingly drawn to Guinevere; they meet secretly and kiss. Gundleus attacks Derfel but Derfel prevails. Arthur breaks the betrothal with Ceinwyn.
Episode 8
Episode #1.8
Sun, Oct 22, 202355 mins
Arthur, having eloped to wed Guinevere against bishop Bedwin's advice, spent over a week honeymooning in bed till sister Morgan insists he must hear petitions, notably Sansum, who presided his wedding, demanding the promised church, actually at Avalon, infuriating Nimue enough to poison a well used by Christians who get fatally sick. While Aethuir deals with insurgent viceroy Cadwys, who forces him to a fatal duel, Morgan accepts Gorfydd's terms, negotiated by Bedwin, to redeem the broken wedding vow in gold and takes the ransom with Derfel, only to we shown after a banquet the bishop being crucified, stabbed before their eyes, Powys even allied itself with the Saxons.
Episode 9
Episode #1.9
Sun, Oct 29, 202351 mins
Mourning Bedwin, Derfel and Morgan return crucified bishop's corpse to Arthur, who thirsts for revenge. After princess Ceinwyn sneaks out to tell Arthur that Gorfydd concluded a heathen allying with the Saxon king Aelle, Guinevere and Morgan insist the threat to Dumnonia and all Celtic Britain demands priority, with barely 100 loyal warriors left to make a desperate stand. Druid help is bitterly needed and Derfel discovers that the Christian woodcutters died of natural causes, no curse. Arthur reveals he has exiled Nimue -who refused to deny- to the Isle of the Dead, so Derfel sets out to return her, without precedent. Loyal tribal king Tewdric inspires Arthur to rush to Aelle before Gorfyd arrives, to play on the rivalry with old king Cerdic. Arthur hopes to buy time with tin, crucial for weapon forging.
Episode 10
Episode #1.10
Sun, Nov 5, 202350 mins
Derfel makes his assault on the Isle of the Dead and finds Nimue. Arthur meets the Saxon King Aelle and hands over information which will benefit their advance into Britain. In return, the Saxons will not attack Dumnonia for an agreed period of time.
