‘The Last Kingdom’ season 5 is a British historical drama-based series that follows Brida, who is out for vengeance on Uhtred, and how Uhtred of Bebbanburg’s story comes to an end. It is now streaming on Netflix.
Warning: This article contains heavy spoilers
Plot summary
A period of challenging peace between the Danes and the Saxons, yet Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) is uneasy, and he can’t shake the impression that something terrible is approaching his region, making him fear for the safety of his people, especially his children.
Uhtred is in Runcorn, on the border of Mercia and Northumbria, worried about Brida’s (Emily Cox) possible return but otherwise attempting to raise Aethelstan (Harry Gilby) alone. But there’s a problem on the horizon.
Brida has turned her attention on Eoferwic, modern-day York, where Stiorra (Ruby Hartley) and Sigtryggr (Eysteinn Sigurðarson) are, while Uhtred prepares his forces for an expected invasion.
She is sailing from Iceland to York, accompanied by her apparently miraculous daughter Vibeke (Emili Akhchina) and an army of Danes, and her first port of call is King Sigtryygr’s keep and Uhtred’s daughter Stiorra, for obvious reasons.
The dark side of Sigtryggr emerges, tensions between Danes and Saxons threaten to escalate, and Uhtred finds himself urgently trying to avoid a full-fledged war.
However, the Saxon Kingdoms are still divided, and King Edward’s (Timothy Innes) quest to unite them confronts significant obstacles, thanks to a new Danish invasion and Saxon rebellion.
Uhtred discovers that the struggle to reconcile England may be inextricably related to his own personal destiny as King Edward walks a narrow line in attempting to restore peace. He has been tasked with guarding Edward’s illegitimate son, Aethelstan (Harry Gilby), the future King of England.
Uhtred was pulled back to Bebbanburg after losing Brida and finding his family secure from threats.
Meanwhile, Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller) plots against King Edward in order to ensure that his meek grandson Aelfweard (Ewan Horrocks) succeeds him.
The villainous Aethelhelm was confronted by Aethelstan over his attempt to conquer control. He forced Aethelhelm to reveal all the misery and death he had inflicted on his grandson Aelfweard.
As the fighting for Bebbanburg grew more intense, Uhtred returned his focus to Wihtgar, and the two engaged in a one-on-one battle.
If you have any doubts about the ending, here’s a full breakdown.
The Last Kingdom season 5 ending explained in detail:
Bebbanburg
Uhtred’s epic quest comes to a close in Bebbanburg, his ancestral home, which was taken from him by his evil uncle Aelfric decades ago and then inherited by his cold-hearted cousin Wihtgar.
Uhtred has crept into the castle of Bebbanburg to assist in the rescue of his beloved Aethelflaed’s abducted daughter, Aelfwynn, from the cunning Aethelhelm and his current ally, King Constantin of Scotland.
Wihtgar, Uhtred’s enemy, tries to kill Aelfwynn atop the battlements. Uhtred, who is hiding there, fights Wihtgar to save Aelfwynn. Uhtred is reunited with his friends while Aelfywnn flees, but Wihtgar notifies his foes. Edward leads his men, including Aethelstan against Bebbanburg, while Wihtgar hunts Uhtred inside.
Hild proposes sneaking Aelfwynn through the fence. Uhtred and his companions resolve to fight their adversaries in order for the women to flee. However, Constantin designs a ruse to make it look like they’ve escaped Bebbanburg to draw Edward to his fate.
Uhtred and his companions return to the ramparts, where Constantin’s trap can be seen. When Edward’s army is surrounded, Constantin strikes, forcing Edward’s army into the water.
Fire
Even though it appears that all is lost, Uhtred and his companions make it to the outskirts of Bebbanburg. He tracks down Stiorra and asks his daughter to join the Saxon cause with her Danish soldiers.
Uhtred draws on his mixed heritage to declare that if they win, Northumbria will be a country where Danes and Saxons can live in peace. Stiorra and her people agree, and the Scots are attacked from behind. Constantin panics and orders his soldiers to set fire to Bebbanburg.
A worthy ruler
Uhtred rushes into Bebbanburg in order to confront Wihtgar. He must first defeat his lackeys. Aethelstan finds Aethelhelm after following his mentor into the stronghold.
Aelfweard, his half-brother, enters and threatens Aethelstan, who then discloses that the nasty older dude’s plot was responsible for the death of Aelfweard’s mother. When Aethelstan chooses to leave him alive, Aelfweard abandons his grandfather, who commits suicide.
In the dark, Uhtred and Wihtgar fight, and Uhtred effortlessly dispatches his evil cousin by tossing him off a balcony. Uhtred and Aethelstan reconnect in Bebbanburg’s blazing courtyard. Aethelstan wants him to leave, but Uhtred insists that Bebbanburg is his fate.
The skies open up as rain pours down, putting out the fires. Uhtred ultimately obtains his birthright and strikes a deal with Constantin, who then departs. Uhtred explains to Constantin that he promised him that Northumbria would serve as a buffer between England and Scotland until a monarch worthy of uniting England appeared.
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