Category: Recap

The Winter King – Episode 10

After Arthur (Iain De Caestecker) is forced to cut a deal with the Saxon King Aelle (Craig Parkinson) - and at a much higher price he was initially willing to pay – he is determined more than ever to “kick every Saxon back into the sea from where they came.”

Derfel (Stuart Campbell) is trying to rescue Nimue (Ellie James) from the Island of the Dead. He finds her but they are soon trapped behind a sealed prison wall and attacked by the other inmates. Meanwhile Arthur and his warrior Sagramor (Ken Nwosu) are on their way to the Island as well to save Derfel and Nimue.

Morgan (Valene Kane) is still suspicious of new Bishop Sansum (Andrew Gower), especially when she finds him baptising servants at Caer Cadarn. When he later gifts her a book with stories from the Bible, she seems to become more susceptive to his ideas.

Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) finally reaches the cave he has previously seen in his vision and finds the Horn of Bran – one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain. However, as Merlin touches the Horn, it overflows with blood, which forms into the shape of Britain itself.

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The Winter King – Episode 9

Morgan (Valene Kane) and Derfel (Stuart Campbell) return to Dumnonia with Bishop Bedwin’s (Steven Elder) body in tow and a surprising warning from Ceinwyn (Emily John). After Arthur’s betrayel her father King Gorfydd (Aneirin Hughes) has betrothed her to a Saxon king, Dumnonia’s worst enemies.

Sansum (Andrew Gower) leads the solemn funeral service for his predecessor. While Bedwin was a gentle man trying to ease Christian ways onto the pagan population of Britain, it is clear that Sansum is much more ambitious and much less patient. While Morgan, an aspiring Druidess herself, is still mourning the loss of her friend, she eyes Sansum with suspicion.

After his return Derfel looks for Nimue (Ellie James) and learns she was exiled to the Island of the Dead by Arthur as a punishment for her suspected involvement in the death of three Christians. Feeling obliged to her, Derfel investigates further and finds out the true cause of death and sets out to rescue her from a place, where no living soul can escape.

Guinevere (Jordan Alexandra) and Arthur fight when he realizes that she has gently steered him from the sidelines. His father’s abuse and banishment have left him with deep trust issues but as leader of Dumnonia, it’s time to start placing his trust in others. He finally hatches out a plan to buy valuable time in the looming war against Powys and the Saxons.

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The Winter King – Episode 7

Arthur Pendragon (Iain De Caestecker) is caught between duty and his heart: he is betrothed to Ceinwyn (Emily John) but he is smitten with Guinevere (Jordan Alexandra). His marriarge is supposed to bring peace to the warring countries of Dumnonia and Powys. It doesn’t take Ceinwyn long to see what is going on between her best friend and her fiance. Her feelings are hurt but she offers a practical solution.

Being around Gundleus (Simon Merrells) – the man who killed his mother, assaulted Nimue and left himself for dead – is proving increasingly difficult for Derfel (Stuart Campbell). When Gundleus ambushes the young Saxon, Derfel is able to fight him off with Arthur’s help. Ladwys (Tatjana Nardone) warns her lover Gundleus to attack Derfel again or he will upset the Gods.

Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder) tries to talk sense into Arthur but his feelings for Guinevere are stronger than any concerns. He breaks off his engagement with Ceinwyn, who advises them to leave Caer Dolforwyn in the dead of night. When they find themselves near a lake, the Bishop leaves the party to try and mend affairs with Powys, which leaves Sansum, the Priest (Andrew Gower), to fulfil Arthur’s and Guinevere’s wish.

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The Winter King – Episode 6

When Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) and Nimue (Ellie James) arrive in Caer Cadarn during the aftermath of Arthur’s (Iain De Caestecker) and Owain’s (Daniel Ings) fatal duel, Merlin takes the chance to declare Arthur the new ruler of Dumnonia. In a private moment, he later explains the origins of the sword, Arthur had found in his mother’s workshop.

Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder), Sansum (Andrew Gower) and Derfel’s (Stuart Campbell) accompany Arthur on his way to Caer Dolforwyn to woe the “Star of Powys” Ceinwyn (Emily John), King Gorfydd’s (Aneirin Hughes) only daughter. The night before they arrive at court, however, Arthur meets a mysterious beautiful lady by a lake, who he is instantly attracted to.

Merlin has a vision of himself and the Horn of Bran, one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain, which are mythical items said to be infused with magic properties. He sets out on a mission to find the Horn because he believes that if all Treasures are united again, the quarreling tribes of Britain will also re-unite.

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The Winter King – Episode 4

When Arthur’s (Iain De Caestecker) decisions continue to be encountered by incomprehension by many residents of Caer Cadarn, Arthur visits the place where his mother, a swordsmaker and King Uther’s (Eddie Marson) lover, used to lived. While he and his sister Morgan (Valene Kane) reminisce about their cildhood, Arthur comes across an old, rusted sword and decides to bring it back to the castle with him.

Meanwhile, Derfel (Stuart Campbell) joins Owain (Daniel Ings) on a mission to collect the overdue tax from King Cadwys (Billy Postlethwaite). They suspect that Cadwys lies about “bad harvests” in order to avoid paying his taxes, so Owain orders his men to lie in hiding while a messenger announces their immediate arrival. Their plan to uncover the hidden treasures succeeds but when Cadwys offers Owain an alternative deal, things go haywire.

Later, Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) returns to Avalon where he meets a distraught Nimue (Ellie James), who is plagued by nightmares. He encourages her to follow the path the Gods have paved for her even though it means more personal sacrifices for her. Next Merlin visits Arthur and while there is genuine affection and respect between them, it also becomes clear that their vision of the future of Britain and how it is ruled, is vastly at odds.

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The Winter King – Episode 3

The episode sets in right after the devastating events known as the “Avalon massacre” and just after Arthur (Iain De Caestecker) returns to Dumnonia in the nick of time to save the small group of survivors including his half-brother, the Edling King Mordred. He and his men are welcomed back at Caer Cadarn by Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder) and the priest Sansum (Andrew Gower).

Arthur’s decision to hold King Gundleus (Simon Merrells) prisoner – instead of executing him for his crimes – is not met with approval by druidess Nimue (Ellie James) and Arthur’s sister Morgan (Valene Kane). Nimue, who was brutally raped by Gundleus, confides in her friend and almost-lover Derfel (Stuart Campbell) and makes him swear a blood oath to bind them together forever.

Arthur remembers Derfel as the boy he once saved from a death pit, and Derfel expresses his desire to become a warrior. He looks up to Arthur and feels loyal to him which puts him at odds with Nimue, who he still loves. Owain (Daniel Ings) also returns to the castle and his wounded men are treated by the women while the dying are helped to cross over to the afterlife by Nimue and Sansum.

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