The episode opens in Gaul, the land of King Ban. Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) informs Arthur Pendragon (Iain de Caestecker) of King Uther’s (Eddie Marsan) impending death. He asks if he is aware of his new brother, Prince Mordred Pendragon, and his defect. Arthur assures him that it is no sin to have a club foot. Merlin warns that Dumnonia is facing darkness as Uther grows weaker. He says Gundleus of Siluria (Simon Merrells) is at Caer Cadarn. He pleads with Arthur to return to Dumnonia to save it. Arthur contributes his freedom to Uther’s banishment. He thanks Merlin for everything he did for him but will not return to Dumnonia.
Caer Cadern, Capital of Dumnonia – Nimue (Ellie James) greets Derfel (Stuart Campbell) with a hug. Morgan Pendragon (Valene Kane) tries to convince Uther to send Arthur to the border, instead of Gundleus. He threatens to give her the same treatment as Arthur if she speaks of him again. Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder) alerts of the Tribe Kings’ arrival. Derfel admits to wanting Gundleus to suffer as he has for killing his mother. Nimue pleads with him to not do anything. Uther tells the Tribal Kings that Prince Mordred will rule Dumnonia after his death. He names Bedwin, Owain (Daniel Ings), and Gundleus to assume Mordred’s kingship. King Cadwys (Billy Postlethwaite) and King Tewdric (Sugar Arya) protest his decision. Uther orders Queen Norwenna (Grace Ackary) and Gundleus to wed after his death but only if breaks his alliance with Gorfydd of Powys.
Tewdric warns that Dumnonia’s greatest enemy is Gorfydd who has Gundleus to do his bidding. Gundleus vows to no longer be loyal to Gorfydd. Tewdric questions how they can validate Gundleus’s broken allegiance. Gundleus says he will stop Gorfydd’s men from taking Dumnonia’s harvest. Cadwys asks if he is willing to wage war with Gorfydd. Gundleus swears to do it in Mordred’s honor.
As Derfel approaches Gundleus, Big Man stops him. Gundleus orders him to allow Derfel to pass. Nimue watches as Gundleus questions why Merlin singled him out. Derfel claims to have survived the death pit. When he prepares to show his scars, Nimue intervenes. She warns Gundleus that the Gods see him as a “fork-tongued snake.” She orders him to return to Gorfydd before spitting on him. Owain introduces Nimue as Dumnonia’s druidess. Holding his cross, he assures her that the Gods are no longer when a tremor shakes the ground. As Gundleus and his men ride away, she says, The Gods are everywhere.” Once alone, Drefel scolds Nimue for spoiling his only opportunity to avenge his mother’s killing. She assures him that Gundleus’ men would have killed him. He says it is his choice. She claims the Gods have plans for him. He pleads with her to let him make his own decision like she did. She admits to sometimes dreaming of being a mother. He urges her to do it. She reminds him of what Merlin said about her being a great druidess.
Uther gives Owain authorization to “outwit” Gundleus if he does not stop Gorfydd from taking their harvest. He orders him to fight Calleva to keep Dumnonia from falling under Saxon control. He accuses Merlin of favoring Arthur over him. Morgan assures him that Merlin loves him. He tells her to die to protect Mordred. She vows to do it. He requests to be cremated at Avalon before hoping the Gods forgive him for betraying them to save Dumnonia. Seconds later, he dies. The people of Dumnonia gather to watch Uther’s body cremated.
Three Weeks Later – While sharpening his uncle’s sword, Ligessac (Enoch Frost) explains how King Uther became “The Great Red Dragon.” Bedwin tells Morgan that Norwenna is happy in Avalon. Morgan says Norwenna feels safe with all the other mothers. He suggests Gundleus would die if he fought against Gorfydd’s war party. She tells him that it would be in Norwenna’s best interest if he was dead. Nimue has a vision of a great fire.
Lunete (Olumide Olorunfemi) asks Derfel if it would feel strange to fight the Saxons. Derfel admits to feeling like one of them, even though he is a Saxon. Hywel (Sifiso Mazibuko) says Derfel will always be one of them.
After a vision, Nimue gathers supplies as Gundleus and his men approach. Gundleus requests to see Mordred. Bedwin asks if he has proof of his rerouting Gorfydd’s war party. Displaying a dagger, Gundleus points out that it bears Powys’ motto, “Be so that you are.” He places the dagger at Norwenna’s feet. As Morgan steps forward with Mordred, Norwenna asks him to tell her how he defeated Gorfydd’s war party. He requests permission to hold Mordred. Norwenna grants his requests. Holding Mordred, he says Britain cannot be ruled by an infant before stabbing him Chaos erupts while Bedwin escorts Norwenna away from the village. Gundleus and Ladwys (Tatjana Nardone) enter Merlin’s Hall where Nimue is waiting. Surrounding herself in a fire circle, she orders them to leave. Ladwys warns against breaching the ghost fence. Ignoring the warning, Gundleus steps through the fire and removes Nimue’s mask. He restrains her when Derfel grabs him from behind. Derfel strangles him until a man intervenes.
Derfel wakes to see Gundleus molesting Nimue. Removing Nimue’s torc, he orders his men to collect valuables. When Derfel spits at him, Gundleus kicks him in the face. Derfel saves Nimue from the burning building. He looks back as Hywel is killed before fleeing to a dinghy. Gundleus tells Norwenna that she is nobody now. She pleads with him to let her go. He orders her to kneel and kiss his sword before killing her. He sends Bedwin to warn the Tribal Kings and his betrothed is Pagan Ladwys who warns that he will be known as a monster. She reluctantly allows him to place Nimue’s torc around her neck. He identifies her as “Queen of Dumnonia.
As Derfel paddles the dinghy, Nimue informs him of Gundleus taking her torc. When he tries to help her, she pulls back. He says Morgan’s boat is in front of them when she falls into the water. He jumps in to rescue her. She pleads with him to let her die but he refuses. In a flashback, Merlin pulls young Nimue (Lily Williams) from the water. She tells him that Nehallenia saved her from drowning. Back to the present, Nimue questions if she can still see the Gods. Lunete, Morgan, and some of the others approach. Derfel informs her of Hywel’s death. Morgan says they need to go to Caer Dadarn. Ralla (Charlie Duncan) shows Mordred’s club foot.
At Avalon, a warrior shows Ladwys and Gundleus the dead infant’s foot believed to be Mordred.
Culwyn (Gwion Morris Jones) tells Derfel and Nimue that Gundleus killed his and Ralla’s baby. He claims they vowed to protect Mordred. She denies making the oath.
Gundleus sends his men in search of Mordred.
Spotting a turtle dove, Nimue warns it is an omen. Derfel watches as Silurian warriors (Kevin Metcalfe, Ankur Sengupta) approach on horses. Derfel and Culwyn lead the warriors away from the Prince. They wait until the warriors are close to kill them. They alert the others that it is safe to approach. Removing a sword from the warrior’s lifeless body, Ligessac hands it to Derfel. They run toward Caer Dadarn when Gundleus approaches. He orders them to give him King Morderd but they refuse. Derfel calls him a “traitor” and “coward.” Gundleus orders him killed when spears kill the warriors. Derfel looks up to see Arthur when the episode ends.
The Winter King Review
Ignoring all the flaws, it is possible to enjoy the show. The cinematography compromises the viewer’s ability to enjoy every aspect of what is going on. The fighting scenes are the worst. As I have the novel on my “to-read” list, I hope soon to make a comparison.
The episode deserves a 5.8. Get more The Winter King recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more.
