What can I say about the season finale of this amazing series? Glorious, splendid, powerful! The episode begins with a simple, still great monologue from a character about what bound someone to the land, and how can a person give so much when receive so little! This can define not only for entire series, but also for all stories about countries and their people. Regarding the performance of the actors, the scenarios, the development of the plot, same as always, with BBC and Netflix showing why this is a show that deserves to be considered as one of the best of his kind. Preferences apart, I also consider as one of the best shows ever and I hope to have a third season as soon as possible, even though I know that it will take more than a year to get another great season.
12 Reviews
Easily in my Top 10 historical/fictional drama series of all time
michael_sluka10 June 2017
If you're reading this, you likely already have seen this series start to finish and can write better detailed reviews than I care to.
Rather, if you're old enough to remember the 80's miniseries, the 90s-200's HBO programming, then I will submit The Last Kingdom is right up there with Aspen, Rich Man/Poor Man, Thornbirds, Band of Brothers, The Pacific, early Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Musketeers and Rome.
And even if you like your viewing less cerebral, this is also up there with Statham, Craig, Crowe and Diesel/Walker.
Not only do I crave more renewal seasons, how about 20 episodes per season?
Rather, if you're old enough to remember the 80's miniseries, the 90s-200's HBO programming, then I will submit The Last Kingdom is right up there with Aspen, Rich Man/Poor Man, Thornbirds, Band of Brothers, The Pacific, early Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Musketeers and Rome.
And even if you like your viewing less cerebral, this is also up there with Statham, Craig, Crowe and Diesel/Walker.
Not only do I crave more renewal seasons, how about 20 episodes per season?
Great entertainment!!!
michaelyassir20 May 2018
What a great and awesome series to watch!! Amazing entertainment!
I did really enjoy it!
I really do hope that they keep it on the air and gets more resources and funding, the whole cast deserve it:):)
We want more seasons please:)
A bloody bitter end..
akshatdave5 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers..As the rock music video genre teaches, fire makes everything twice as exciting. At least twice as exciting. That meant The Last Kingdom's blazing denouement, in which the East Anglian fortress of Bumfluff burnt to the ground alongside Aethelflaed and Erik's hope of a happy ending, was almost too thrilling. I had to defrost the freezer afterwards just to calm down. The finale was bookended by a monologue on love. It gives a man strength, preached Father Pyrlig, often at the cost of his mind.Hard cut to Alfred, a man freighted with the painful choice between the safety of his country and that of his daughter. He chose to pay the ransom, a decision ostensibly made to save Wessex the humiliation of having its princess turned into a travelling fairground attraction, but hiding a father's desperate love under the surface. David Dawson is great under the surface. He plays struggle and ambivalence like a concert pianist plays a sonata. Love gave Erik the Northman the strength to stand up to his brother and sacrifice their long-standing plan to rule England. 'Twas Aethelflaed's beauty killed the beast, before Aethelflaed—you beauty—killed the beast, Sigefrid. If I had the witchcraft required to make gifs, I'd watch Aethelred's gawping reaction to his wife walking away from her kill, head down and blade dripping, everyday twice before breakfast. That craven bread pudding boy might think twice before pushing her around in future. Erik died with a sword in his hand, and one in his heart, both courtesy of big bro. Off he goes to Valhalla while his true love goes home to Mercia with a Danish pup in her belly to spice up the line of English succession. I hope it's a boy born with a beard, undercut and tattoos, who spends his entire life beating his 'dad' at sports. What a scene Erik's death made. Flaming embers flew like fireflies around the pair of them as they clashed in combat, fighting, hating and loving each other all at once as only brothers can. It was a roaring conclusion to their long-seeded story, acted with all the guts and gusto you'd expect from a couple of Vikings.Aethelflaed's first love affair may have ended painfully, but it provided her with a great tragic backstory – just the thing for wistfully mulling over while she poses for royal portraits. She suffered, but at least was also able to tick two key items off her The Last Kingdom bingo card – being strung up, Tweety-Pie-like, in a cage, and wetting her sword with the blood of her enemy. Hers was a better first kill than Osferth's. Endearingly lacking the mettle of his companions (good, wasn't it, that the attack on Erik's ship lost Uhtred half his men but not the half whose names we knew), he poked away at an already-dying man with the face of a vegetarian trimming the giblets from a turkey. Osferth's face is a wondrous thing. The storytelling elasticity of Norman Wisdom beneath the hair of Gareth from The Office. I hope he hasn't gone back to the monastery for good. Everyone was at odds with each other this week. As in much of history, the episode was driven by powerful men taking unilateral action (when will they all learn just to listen to Uhtred?). With the common goal of saving Wessex, Alfred, Odda and Uhtred all set about separate plans that each converged on a single location – helpfully, in fact, on a single field. Once there, they united against the real enemy and prospered. Still on the theme of love, there was none lost between Alfred and Uhtred, as proved by that hostile final scene. You'd think the safe return of his daughter would thaw Alfred's frosty behaviour towards his Pagan oathman, but things obviously aren't that simple for a pious king.
Overall then, at the close of a rip-roaring second series, eight episodes of which have simply flown by, The Last Kingdom delivered a dramatic, high-stakes finale with more action and tension than a Saturday night at the Two Cranes Inn.I just have one question: please sir, can I have some more
Overall then, at the close of a rip-roaring second series, eight episodes of which have simply flown by, The Last Kingdom delivered a dramatic, high-stakes finale with more action and tension than a Saturday night at the Two Cranes Inn.I just have one question: please sir, can I have some more
Great Episode
khtamer2 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I have to say that this final episode of the season is far more better than the final episone of season 1, For me Everythings was perfect. Pretty sad that Erik died and couldn't escape along with the princess.
But a 10/10 from me.
Some history mixed in
songod-9500313 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
While largely fictional, there was indeed a King Alfred who reigned in Wessex from 471-499. His policies and actions did much to unite all the kingdoms of England into one.
However no Uhtred like our character here is in recorded history. However, there was more than one Uhtred associated with Bamburgh.
As far as our tale so far, it is frustrating the Alfred still does not give Uhtred his due nor truly trusts him. Heck, even his wife who wanted Uhtred dead not that long ago wants him on their side!
Alfred's mistrust seems solely based on religion. He fails to see how God works in many ways for the greater good.
However no Uhtred like our character here is in recorded history. However, there was more than one Uhtred associated with Bamburgh.
As far as our tale so far, it is frustrating the Alfred still does not give Uhtred his due nor truly trusts him. Heck, even his wife who wanted Uhtred dead not that long ago wants him on their side!
Alfred's mistrust seems solely based on religion. He fails to see how God works in many ways for the greater good.
1.3 ton of silver and 220 kgs of gold is too much even for a Wessex's Princess!!
elo-equipamentos16 November 2023
A fictional story of raising of British Kingdom, some events really happened, for dramatic purposes a high ransom for kidnapped Princess certainly quite often had on those hard times, in this episode a large amount of 1.3 ton of silver and 220 kgs of gold is enough to create and assemble a powerful war machine of Danes to face on equal terms the Alfred's army, however the unexpected took place, Erik and Aethelflaed end up falling in love mutually, due the ill-treated Princess on her marriage with the bleak and self-obsessed Aethelred in an abusive relationship just in wedding night.
Meanwhile at Wessex Alfred demands a summit meeting to discuss the ransom, keeping aside Uhtred for he has been treated as king of Wessex by the Danes, arising suspicions concerning his loyalty to Alfred, Odda and others rulers are openly against in paying the ransom due such sum will drain all money available in those Kingdoms, worst strengthen the Danes against their own, in the meantime Uhtred receives a letter from Princess Aethelflaed to intervene aiming for help her and Erik to flee of Siegfried's hands.
Great exciting finale at battlefield, curious that time London wasn't the main spot power as supposed to be, this city had a roman legacy at their buildings, nonetheless is lesser important board of power as Winchester had, fantastic ending on second season to understand the creation of British empire.
Thanks for reading
Resume:
First watch: 2023 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.5.
Meanwhile at Wessex Alfred demands a summit meeting to discuss the ransom, keeping aside Uhtred for he has been treated as king of Wessex by the Danes, arising suspicions concerning his loyalty to Alfred, Odda and others rulers are openly against in paying the ransom due such sum will drain all money available in those Kingdoms, worst strengthen the Danes against their own, in the meantime Uhtred receives a letter from Princess Aethelflaed to intervene aiming for help her and Erik to flee of Siegfried's hands.
Great exciting finale at battlefield, curious that time London wasn't the main spot power as supposed to be, this city had a roman legacy at their buildings, nonetheless is lesser important board of power as Winchester had, fantastic ending on second season to understand the creation of British empire.
Thanks for reading
Resume:
First watch: 2023 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.5.
Overall, an excellent season
Abdulxoxo26 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Ep 8
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Season 2 is a excellent season of The Last Kingdom. I almost lost interest in this show following the subpar opening episode, but it picks up from that and delivers on high note with excellent storytelling, world building and character development. It felt as though this season is divided into two. The first half is mainly focused on Udtred's personal journey and quest for revenge against Kiyatan. We see the resolution of those conflicts in Ep 5 in a satisfying although in the most brutal way possible. The second half isn't about the titular character, it rather sees the capture of Alfred's daughter which puts the entire nation in jeopardy. The conflict presented in this segment is a complicated one, as it's not the kind that could be solve with battle. It puts some of the characters like King Alfred in dilemma; who feels obligated to both protect his daughter and his nation and so he succumbs to the Dane's request for ransom but some characters are in opposition of that, like Udder who plays a pivotal role in the story. He believes the ransom should not be paid and resorts to the use of force. And Aethelflaed somewhere in the Dane's captivity fell for Ragnar which complicates things further. I really the juxtaposition of the characters and their motives and how is it resolved. Overall, a fantastic season, the cast performance is really good. Cinematography, onset location, music are also top-notch serving the narrative well. I'm hyped for season 3.
Season 2 is a excellent season of The Last Kingdom. I almost lost interest in this show following the subpar opening episode, but it picks up from that and delivers on high note with excellent storytelling, world building and character development. It felt as though this season is divided into two. The first half is mainly focused on Udtred's personal journey and quest for revenge against Kiyatan. We see the resolution of those conflicts in Ep 5 in a satisfying although in the most brutal way possible. The second half isn't about the titular character, it rather sees the capture of Alfred's daughter which puts the entire nation in jeopardy. The conflict presented in this segment is a complicated one, as it's not the kind that could be solve with battle. It puts some of the characters like King Alfred in dilemma; who feels obligated to both protect his daughter and his nation and so he succumbs to the Dane's request for ransom but some characters are in opposition of that, like Udder who plays a pivotal role in the story. He believes the ransom should not be paid and resorts to the use of force. And Aethelflaed somewhere in the Dane's captivity fell for Ragnar which complicates things further. I really the juxtaposition of the characters and their motives and how is it resolved. Overall, a fantastic season, the cast performance is really good. Cinematography, onset location, music are also top-notch serving the narrative well. I'm hyped for season 3.
To Valhalla brother
Calicodreamin13 November 2021
Season 2 Episode 8 Finale
geriquin5 May 2017
I did enjoy this. It was as good as the other episodes. My comment is related to the title that 2.8 being the "Finale". I do hope this is not true. There is so much of this adventure that has not been told yet. Utred needs to continue his quest for Bebbanburg and return to his rightful position as heir. He needs to get his reward instead of helping everyone else get theirs. I really do look forward to a Season 3.
an unrealistic episode
ivko2 December 2018
This is a good show, but this episode is a bit unrealistic, imo. The premise, without giving anything specific away, is that a monarch has become compromised and is making a decision that is near-universally perceived as catastrophic for his kingdom (and everyone in it).
The heart of this premise is the question "what if a person with absolute authority over a group of people decides to do something that's nakedly self-serving to the detriment of everyone else?"
Some milder examples of this kind of selfish decision making are common, of course. You'd be hard pressed to find a corporate org chart where the upper levels of authority didn't live a much higher standard of living than those in the middle on down. So it's natural to ask, what would it look like if a leader demanded that everyone support a decision that would lead them into destruction, even if that destruction were completely avoidable by choosing instead an outcome the leader didn't want but which was more palatable to everyone else?
But actually we know these days that systems that seem to put absolute power in one person's hands, like the king in a monarchy, actually have a very complex network of hidden power structures. So a monarch doesn't really have absolute power; they are beholden to groups of powerful nobles who have to be kept happy to allow them remain in power. Even North Korea, one of the most extreme dictatorships in the world and one that actually deifies their leader, has these same types of hidden power networks of generals and the like that must be kept appeased to keep the leader in power.
And there are real world examples that match the situation depicted in this episode, in spirit at least. When Nero, a Roman emperor with theoretically unlimited authority and power, made decisions that damaged the wealth of the powerful senators, they simply killed him, his wife, and his children and moved on. So my suspicion is that the situation in this episode would involve a lot less stoicism and talk of inflexible duty and a lot more angry muttering and regicide.
The heart of this premise is the question "what if a person with absolute authority over a group of people decides to do something that's nakedly self-serving to the detriment of everyone else?"
Some milder examples of this kind of selfish decision making are common, of course. You'd be hard pressed to find a corporate org chart where the upper levels of authority didn't live a much higher standard of living than those in the middle on down. So it's natural to ask, what would it look like if a leader demanded that everyone support a decision that would lead them into destruction, even if that destruction were completely avoidable by choosing instead an outcome the leader didn't want but which was more palatable to everyone else?
But actually we know these days that systems that seem to put absolute power in one person's hands, like the king in a monarchy, actually have a very complex network of hidden power structures. So a monarch doesn't really have absolute power; they are beholden to groups of powerful nobles who have to be kept happy to allow them remain in power. Even North Korea, one of the most extreme dictatorships in the world and one that actually deifies their leader, has these same types of hidden power networks of generals and the like that must be kept appeased to keep the leader in power.
And there are real world examples that match the situation depicted in this episode, in spirit at least. When Nero, a Roman emperor with theoretically unlimited authority and power, made decisions that damaged the wealth of the powerful senators, they simply killed him, his wife, and his children and moved on. So my suspicion is that the situation in this episode would involve a lot less stoicism and talk of inflexible duty and a lot more angry muttering and regicide.
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