The Last Kingdom

Pleasantly surprised by the first episode Spoilers

As a fan of Cornwell's Warrior Chronicles/Saxon Stories I've been looking forward to this series for quite some time. Mentally prepared for a major disappointment I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.

If you haven't read the novels the story of Uhtred unfolds fast, perhaps too fast. This first episode covers more than half of the first novel. Although a lot has been omitted, many of the aspects that make the novel such a pleasure to read are there, but (very) subtle. If you have read the novel you have to accept that many events concerning Uhtred of Bebbanburg and his character traits are only touched upon or skipped: his loathing for his father, his fascination for the religion of his forefathers, his contempt (or rather boredom) for Christianity, the stories the blacksmith tells him, Beocca's attempts to teach him to read, his first encounter with an adulterous Alfred (the not so Great yet), his admiration for the Romans, his growing love for Ragnar and Ragnar's family, his arrogance and big mouth, his humor and much more. I would have loved to have been able to watch at least four episodes in which of all of the above is featured but that is not going to happen.

Then why did I like it so much? I have to admit I'm a sucker for guys with long hair and pretty faces, but besides that, the episode had enough to offer: Uhtred's Christian/Saxon upbringing and his pagan beliefs are represented by his two necklaces: the amber stone and Thor's hammer. I hope Uhtred's internal struggle will be featured more prominently in the episodes to come. A baptism scene in which Beocca could easily have drowned Uhtred making an end to the series after only half an episode. Young Uhtred is a smart-mouthed little brat (like when he is trying to get his way with Beocca). Young as he is, he is the ealdorman of Bebbanburg and is willing to die for it. He is doesn't think first but acts, and so we see a child going to...

This is a great medieval TV show. It got great soundtracks. Great acting, great characters and great story. If you're fan of medieval TV shows especially TV shows like Vikings, you should definitely give this TV show a chance. It's worth it. Just one thing that I see issue about this TV show is the last season where years passed, but characters still look same. Characters that must be at least 50 years old looks like 25 years old. I don't know how or why they made such a mistake, but it's very visible sadly, however in any other aspect this TV show is very good.

If you're wondering if this is like Vikings... It is, but it's better! I'd say there are two minor points against The Last Kingdom: in the 1st season, the camerawork and lighting are at times somewhat amateurish and, from what I recall, compared to Vikings, the fight/battle scenes aren't as well choreographed/edited/filmed. Apart from those points I'd rate The Last Kingdom over Vikings in every way. Even the guest star at the start of season 1 of The Last Kingdom is better than the one at the beginning of Vikings. I mean... Rutger Hauer's just perfect! Gabriel Byrne on the otherhand... why? Just why?

10.0 out of 10.

If you've watch other similar Shows on the history of great Countries, Empires and people in history like Rome, Vikings, Britannia, and others you must watch this one. I absolutely love this show, it has a great story, excellent actors, overall slightly better than Vikings, but Rome is still my Favorite.

They do kill off some top Characters but as far as History goes, some have to go, but 2 or 3 others I thought they should have kept that they were excellent and should have kept them.

For me it just gets better, definitely check it out.

Every season is worse than the previous one. Perhaps the death of Alfred and his reconciliation with Uhtred in season 3 was the only memorable moment from the whole series, the rest was just yet another dumb TV series for the millennial audience ordered by a streaming service. Cheap, dull, shallow and just absurdly stupid with its pathetic attempts to catch extra points for gender and ethnic equality.

Great, but could be better and decreases in quality in season 4.

I am writing this review after having watched season 4. I have binge watched this TV show and loved it overall, but I was disappointed of how the show decreased in quality in season 4.

One reason for that decline might be that the former showrunner and head writer Stephen Butchard quit as the head writer after season 3. Another one might be that a central character of the seasons 1-3 died at the end of season 3 - resulting in a major shift for all the other characters and especially for the main protagonist of the show.

Another reason for the decrease in quality seems to be that it becomes more unrealistic, inconsistent and carricaturistic in season 4 than it already was to some extent in the seasons before.

To give some examples: I simply hate it when stupid stuff is presented, like kings (or even queens) unnecessarily throwing themselves into the frontlines of battles and thus stupidly (and out of character) putting the whole kindgom under unnecessary risk (as it is very destabilizing for a kindom when a king unexpectedly dies and finding a good successor who is capable of keeping peace and order is difficult and takes time). It may be important if the king is present at the battlefield, but it's ridiculous when they are fighting in the frontlines, they are too valuable to do such things and when they do, it should mean something and not just happen on a regular basis. Especially, since it is established in the show that sudden death in the battlefield frontlines is a likely thing to happen even for the most capable fighters.

Or, I hate it when characters do stupid stunts which would get them killed in no time in real life (like running through a shield wall alone and then finding themselves fighting alone surrounded by enemies). I don't mind in general when characters do stunts like that, but it should be consistent in terms of world-building and it should be explained how the cha...

The story was originally a series of books by Bernard Cowell, based upon the historical writings "The Saxon Chronicles" Written by multiple eye witness Monks across Britain. I previously watched the Vikings TV show created by History Canada. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but the historical content is slightly shaky due it being based on the "Viking Sagas" written by one person, so hard to determine accuracy. I see many people reviewing this show saying "They should have kept this character alive" The reason they were not kept alive, is because Utred was a fictional character used by Bernard Cowell to bind the fascinating storyline in British history together and create added Drama. These people who died at the time in the Last Kingdom, actually died in real life. e.g. Athelfled (Lady of the Mercians) the Daughter of Alfred, ruled Mercia 911 until her death in 918 where she died of Cancer. Everything actually happened, the battles, the politics, the drama. Next time you watch this show, research the real life characters in history and you will find you are watching a dramatised history lesson. Top acting, directing and sound engineering, turn this historical drama, into an Absolute Masterpiece. 11/10