(This is a spoiler free review)

The Last Kingdom has always been a series that has not received its due share of popularity and recognition. It has often been marked just as an substitute for Game of Thrones with the somewhat similar medieval theme of blood, politics and skullduggery; less the fantastic elements. But the series has always delivered thrilling dramas with solid performances backing them up. One interesting feature of the series is that it has improved its quality step by step from one season to the next both in terms of the script and production values. The season three is no exception in this regard and not only is it the best till date but it sets up some of the finest character moments of the entire series.

The season starts with the introduction of the psychotic Viking woman Skade who finds the Viking chiefs enamoured with her beauty and witchcraft skills. Uhtred gets entangled with her as she traps him with a curse that he must remove. An early mishap makes Uhtred flee from Wessex after he takes Alfred as hostage and goes back to Ragnar and Brida. There he finds Aethelwold, who is marching against Alfred along with the Viking army. Torn between his Viking instincts at one hand and his feelings for Alfred and Wessex on the other, Uhtred seeks out the right course of action with his small group of followers. On the other side, Alfred’s health is deteriorating steadily and his dream for a united England seems to remain unfulfilled. Betrayals mount up and blood flow freely as the each side is drawn towards a final battle.

The strength of season three lies in striking the perfect balance between the thrills and the character arcs. One of the defining moment of the season is the interaction between the Uhtred and Alfred which was portrayed brilliantly. These two personalities have shared a complicated relationship throughout the series. They clashed time and again and while it seemed that Alfred demanded too much from Uhtred at times, there remained a subtle tie that connected them intimately. The tender moments between Uhtred and Brida where they find solace in each other in their moments of grief and then renew their bond of friendship are also noteworthy. The series has notched up the gore and the violence and there are a few shocking deaths that plays a big role in upping the emotional stakes.

The performances in this season are definitely a strong point of the series. Richard Dawson as King Alfred puts up a solid performance by portraying the pain and frustration as a ruler who finds time running for him. Harry McEntire as Aethelwold puts up another stellar performance as a man whose greed and hatred propels him forward. Alexander Doetsch, Ian Hart and Emily Cox put up excellent acts making the ride evenly enjoyable.  Thea Sofie Loch Naess as Skade is perhaps the only exception whose performance sometimes struck an odd note or two.

The Last Kingdom has increased the number of episodes from eight to ten in this season and it seems to have struck the perfect balance with that format. There was a uniform note to this season which the past two seasons lacked at times. These ten episodes were able to sustain a tight pacing while nicely addressing all the character arcs.  The season draws to an effective conclusion placing some characters at a significant point in the story-line while ending some other journeys. The series has hit the full stride with this season and since it has already been renewed for season 4, it is sure to keep up the pace. The plus point is that the novels written by Bernard Cornwell have plenty of stuff left for the series to adopt and make things more exciting.

With all its bold and gore, The Last Kingdom is the story men and women who believe in something and how they act about it.  Behind the wall of swords and shields, the plot essentially moves through the hearts and minds of the players. With this superb season, it is definitely a must watch series in Netflix at present. As Uhtred moves ahead into further adventures, the show is sure to entrap you with its combination of violence and drama. If you are not hooked into it yet, make sure that you do because in the end, destiny is all.

By: Suvajit Banerjee

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