The ninth episode of The Last Kingdom’s final season opens in York with Uhtred, played by Alexander Dreymon (American Horror Story: Coven) and others getting ready to leave by sunrise. With Edward’s men still manning the gates, Eadgifu, played by Sonya Cassidy (The Man Who Fell to Earth, Lodge 49), and Aelswith, played by Eliza Butterworth (Say Your Prayers, The North Water), confront Edward, played by Timothy Innes (The Favourite, The Sense of an Ending), and urge him to follow Uhtred. Aelswith realizes that he’s afraid of attempting to live up to Alfred’s memory, but she urges her son to push through that struggle.
Aethelhelm, played by Adrian Schiller (Beauty and the Beast, Suffragette), is held up in Bebbanburg, waiting for the inevitable arrival of Constantin’s army. The Kind shows up via the sea with his convoy while Constantin’s army marches to meet them. Constantin, played by Rod Hallett (Ant-Man, The Hitman’s Bodyguard), doesn’t want to wait to attack, telling Aelfweard, played by Ewan Horrocks (Domina), not to trust any advisor.
Constantin eventually realizes that his betrothed isn’t exactly excited to see him or be with him; little does she know, Constantin isn’t too thrilled about it either. The two agreed to be married but without love, essentially creating the pact of an open marriage.
The news of Constantin’s arrival reaches Edward and his army, who end up being rather stressed out about the ambush – they thought they had more time. Edward wishes to act on impulse, but Uhtred stops him, deciding on an alternate plan that doesn’t involve attacking the enemy head-on. After convincing Edward to stay put for now, Uhtred requests the help of Haesten, played by Jeppe Beck Laursen (Dead Snow, The Last King), asking that he distract the household guard. This task will be difficult, but Haesten agrees. Despite this exchange, Edward is still restless and won’t necessarily wait for an “ok” from Uhtred to begin a fight.
Uhtred and his men climb some rocks, sneaking in from the back, while Haesten begins his part of the plan. He distracts the guards by claiming that his precious belongings have washed up. Constantin permits his men to help, but warns them of a potential plot against them.
Much to his dismay, Haesten is brought into the throne room to warm up, where he finds himself face to face with Aethelhelm. Unfortunately, Aethelhelm remembers him from when he was locked in Alfred’s tomb; this precarious position leads to Haesten’s death.
Kept inside and with nowhere to go, Uhtred and his men sneak in through a weakened area in the walls and immediately don outfits to blend in. Uhtred notices Wihtgar nearby and tries to ambush him but it all goes awry. Finan is captured while Uhtred barely manages to avoid suspicion.
With all hope lost for now, Aelswith appears and tries to gain Stiorra’s favor to help. Unluckily, Uhtred’s plan fails when Edward goes outside with his army and surrounds the fortress, ready for intense attack.
The second-to-last episode of The Last Kingdom leaves everything wide open for where the finale may turn. This fifth season has been packed with tons of action, drama, and blood. The ending hints that a major battle is going to round out the season.
Rating: 8.0/10.0