Rating 4/5
‘The Last Kingdom’ season 5 is a British historical drama series that follows Brida, who seeks vengeance on Uhtred, and the conclusion of Uhtred of Bebbanburg’s saga. It is now streaming on Netflix.
Story
Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) is at Runcorn, on the border of Mercia and Northumbria, concerned about Brida’s (Emily Cox) return but otherwise attempting to raise Aethelstan (Harry Gilby) on his own. However, there is a concern looming on the horizon.
For understandable reasons, she’s travelling from Iceland to York with her seemingly miraculous daughter Vibeke (Emili Akhchina) and an army of Danes, and her first port of call is King Sigtryygr’s (Eysteinn Sigurarson) stronghold and Uhtred’s daughter Stiorra (Ruby Hartley).
Meanwhile, Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller) schemes to depose King Edward so that his meek grandson Aelfweard (Ewan Horrocks) might succeed him.
After losing Brida and discovering his family safe from danger, Uhtred was drawn back to Bebbanburg. As the struggle for Bebbanburg became more heated, Uhtred switched his attention back to Wihtgar, and the two fought one-on-ones.
Performances
Uhtred is played admirably by Alexander Dreymon. The actor has brought one of the finest heroes in the modern series to life with his charm and astonishing range.
Emily Cox is fantastic in the part of Brida, whether she’s displaying her fiery anger or messing about with Uhtred.
Timothy Innes’ portrayal of the ambitious king Edward hits the correct notes of deception without ever veering into suffocating nobility or downright villainy.
Eysteinn Sigurarson, as Sigtryygr, who is wary of the erratic man his former responsibility has become, and Adrian Schiller as terrifying and obsessive Aethelhelm, lead the cast. Emili Akhchina, Ruby Hartley, Harry Gilby, and Ewan Horrocks all do an outstanding job in their respective roles.
Positives
The fifth season of ‘The Last Kingdom’ delivers plenty of action, drama, and murder. The show’s politics blend perfectly with the action and drama to create a true sense of mystery and danger. The storyline develops naturally, and the drama unfolds naturally, despite a huge ensemble and a lot of intricate background and motives.
While there’s always a lot going on, nothing ever seems overwhelming or bloated, and the episodes are shockingly well-paced, leading to tense cliffhanger endings that don’t feel cleverly placed to keep you watching.
The plot and pace of this show clearly took a lot of consideration, and it’s to be lauded for how well the writers wrote it, without compromising any of its depth or complexity.
The cinematography improves as well, particularly with an introduction that wonderfully sets the tone for an event that has been building. The costume and set design are as superb as they’ve always been, showcasing how the period could be both brutal and beautiful.
Negatives
With so many close-ups, the cinematography is occasionally unsteady. There are a few unsolved questions along the road, and there are still some unfathomable character conflicts.
Verdict
‘The Last Kingdom season 5 has achieved its goal admirably and should be watched without hesitation. This will impress if historical events and action scenes are your cup of tea.
Also Read: The Last Kingdom season 5 summary and ending explained