As the episode opens, Arthur Pendragon (Iain De Caestecker) and Guinevere (Jordan Alexandra) get intimate. Morgan Pendragon (Valene Kane) barges in to alert them of his presence being needed in the Great Hall. She says Dumnonins need their leader before informing him of King Cadwys’ (Billy Postlethwaite) arrival. Guinevere suggests she should join Arthur in greeting Cadwys. Morgan stares at her before being urged to leave.

Arthur tells Guinevere that King Uther Pendragon (Eddie Marsan) permitted Cadwys to be the ruler of Isca. He says since Isca is Dumnonian land, Cadwys is a king without a kingdom. She suggests losing land is losing a part of yourself which is humiliating. She assures him that Cadwys only wants respect. Arthur introduces Cadwys to Guinevere. When she leaves to retrieve him a drink, Cadwys says it is understandable why he rejected Princess Ceinwyn (Emily John). He offers to take Owain’s (Daniel Ings) place as King Mordred’s Protector. Arthur assures him that it is not necessary as he rules Isca for Dumnonia.

Avalon – Culwyn (Gwion Morris Jones) alerts Nimue (Ellie James) of Derfel’s (Stuart Campbell) arrival. Nimue greets Derfel with an embrace. Ralla (Charlie Duncan) asks if Arthur returned to Cadre Dawyn with a different bride. Derfel claims Arthur says men should follow their hearts. Nimue believes it is the Gods’ will but questions why Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder) supported Arthur’s decision. He tells her that Sansum (Andrew Gower) officiated the wedding ceremony, not Bedwin. She warns that Sansum would have all Pagans killed. He denies being afraid of Sansum.

Sansum reminds Arthur of his promise to build a church. Arthur says they will start looking for a suitable site. Sansum hands him a map of the Sacred Thorn Bush in Avalon but not the village. Arthur sends him away. Guinevere suggests Sansum is very ambitious. Arthur says his promise must have some substance. Morgan makes a sigh of disapproval but refuses to speak further. Guinevere asks if she can accompany her to meet Mordred. Morgan claims Arthur said she was intelligent. Guinevere asks if intelligence is a curse or virtue in a woman. Complaining about Mordred biting during feedings, the wet nurse describes him as “an angry little fellow”. Guinevere assures her that Mordred has reason to be. She claims to have married Arthur for love, not to better her life. She says regardless if they are friends or enemies, Arthur will need both of them.

Arthur finds a remote area to be alone with Guinevere. He tells her that they will leave Dumnonia when Mordred turns 15 for a quiet place to raise livestock and their children. She says it is not likely that he will ever be a farmer.

Avalon – Sansum oversees the building of the church when Nimue arrives to confront him. He claims to have authorization to build a church. She spits on the ground before walking away. The Christians pray.

Sagramor (Ken Nwosu) and Arthur speak of their new recruits when a Kernow messenger arrives with news of Cadwys seizing the mine on the moors. Arthur informs Morgan that Isca has been declared an independent state. Sagramor suggests they reclaim the mine. Arthur assures him that Cadwys will be waiting for them, not hiding. Derfel offers to lead the men because he is familiar with the land but Arthur trusts him to protect Caer Cadarn. Morgan asks what they are supposed to do if King Gorfydd (Aneirin Hughes) sends his demands. Arthur orders her to do nothing until he returns.

Nimue approaches Arthur as he prepares to depart to Kernow. She demands to know why he permits a Christian church built in Avalon. He says if Dumnonia is to have peace, the Pagans and Christians must get along. Later, Morgan tells Guinevere that Powys demands gold which is being prepared. Guinevere reminds her of Arthur’s orders to wait for his return. Morgan assures her that Gorfydd doesn’t like to be left waiting. Guinevere warns against trusting him. Holding out Bedwin’s cross, Morgan says it has been confirmed before explaining her plan to deliver the gold to Powys in return for Bedwyn. Guinevere tells her that Gorfydd treats women with cruelty. Derfel offers to lead Morgan’s guard to Powys. Morgan believes his presence would send the wrong signal to Powys. Guinevere urges her to take Derfel. Morgan reluctantly complies.

Nimue calls on the Gods while the ceremony of consecration of Sansum takes place. A man places a ring on his finger. Sansum kisses the ring. Nimue screams for the Gods to give her guidance when it begins to thunder. Wearing Pagan horns, Nimue interrupts the Christian service to issue a warning from the Gods. When she spits on him, he calls her a “heathen witch” who is powerless over the Lord Almighty. He asks her to leave when it starts raining.

Arthur and his men reach their destination where Cadwys is waiting. Lanval (Matt Mella) smirks as they ride to meet Cadwys who announces they have reached the independent Kingdom of Isca. Arthur reminds him of King Uther’s treaty. Cadwys says with Uther dead, the benefits of their agreement are no longer apparent. Arthur tells him that he is to be arrested for breaching his obligations of the treaty. He asks Cadwys if it is about his refusal to name him as a Protector of the Edling King. Cadwys claims to have seen Uther deny him the same. A duel begins. Arthur defeats Cadwys, ordering him to return to Caer Cadarn to pay for his crime. Cadwys draws his dagger. Arthur stabs his sword through Cadwys’ body.

Derfel accompanies Morgan and her guard to Powys. In Avalon, Brother John (Rhodri Miles) informs Sansum that several Christians are ill. He suggests it is the Druidess’ spell but Sansum disagrees. Elsewhere, Morgan tells Derfel that Arthur’s choices make his life difficult. He asks if Arthur has been right. She stresses the importance of supporting his decision to marry Guinevere.

Avalon – Brother John says they have been cursed by the witch. Sansum vows to make Nimue pay for murdering his men. Nimue flees into the Tower. Culwyn orders Sansum to leave. Sansum tells him that Nimue poisoned three of his men. He demands she go to Caer Cadarn to confess and be punished. Culwyn leaves to fetch Arthur. Nimue approaches with snakes wrapped around her arms. She tosses the snakes in their direction. Two men stomp the snakes. Sansum’s robe catches on fire. A man helps put it out.

Powys – Morgan and Derfel enter the kingdom to meet Bedwin. Gorfydd boasts of Bedwin’s bravery to stay behind to clean up Arthur’s mess. Bedwin leaves to count the gold. Gorfydd announces a feast in Morgan’s honor.

Arthur and his men return to Caer Cadarn. He informs Guinevere of killing Cadwys. She assures him that he did what was necessary. He admits to wanting the issue solved peacefully. She tells him that Morgan went to deliver gold to Gorfydd to meet their obligations. Sagramor alerts Arthur of the trouble of Avalon. Later, Arthur arrives in Avalon. Sansum tells him that Nimue killed his men. Arthur asks if there is evidence to link Nimue to the deaths. Sansum claims Nimue poisoned his men before giving Arthur the choice of peace with Christianity or chaos with Paganism. Arthur tells Nimue that Sansum claims she murdered his men. He vows to deal with it if she tells him the truth. She asks if it will be in the same manner as he dealt with King Gundleus (Simon Merrells). She confesses to cursing the Christians. He finds a dish of opium lettuce. She says it was the will of the Gods.

Ceinwyn tells Derfel that she misses Guinevere terribly. She says after her mother died, Guinevere cared for her. He assures her that Guinevere and Arthur are happy together. Gorfydd suggests Arthur trusts Morgan. Gundleus says Arthur may be a coward for not coming himself. Morgan tells him that Arthur had a matter that needed his attention in the West. Gorfydd says Arthur should have suspected Cadwys was up to something. She stresses the need for unity to defeat the Saxons. He calls his ally, Arthur a coward and liar. He orders Derfel detained and Ceinwyn escorted to her quarters. He escorts Morgan outside to reveal Bedwin hanging on a cross. She wails as Bedwin apologizes. She pleads with Gorfydd to release Bedwin. Ladwys (Tatjana Nardone) says Morgan loves Bedwin. Bedwin tells her that he has always been hers. He denies fear when a man stabs a sword through his heart. Gorfydd orders Derfel to deliver the message to Arthur as the episode ends.

The Winter King Review

King Cadwys offers to take Owain’s place as Mordred’s Protector but Arthur refuses. Uther made a pact with Cadwys to permit him to rule Isca under Dumnonian rule. Cadwys declares Isca independent of Dumnonia. While Arthur rides west to deal with Cadwys, Morgan receives word from Bedwin that Gorfydd has agreed to accept gold. Guinevere discourages Morgan from delivering the gold to Powys but she refuses to listen.

Arthur charges Cadwys with breach of Uther’s treaty. Refusing to go to Caer Cadarn, Cadwys challenges Arthur to duel. Arthur defeats Cadwys but he refuses to give up. Arthur is forced to kill him.

Sansum starts building a church in Avalon. Nimue prays to the Gods to give her guidance. She casts a spell that leads to three of his men dying. Brother John warns Sansum that she cast a spell on them. Sansum convinces him to believe Nimue poisoned his men. Arthur asks Nimue if she killed Sansum’s men. She says it was the will of the Gods. He finds opium lettuce, fatal when ingested in large doses, in the Tower.

Gorfydd tortures Bedwin and hangs him on a cross. Morgan begs for his life. Bedwin professes his love for her before Gorfydd orders him killed.

One of the best episodes of the season. It deserves a 6.8. Get more The Winter King recaps here. Help Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to contact our team. Join our forum to discuss the latest TV, movie, and celebrity news.