I finished the final episode of The Last Kingdom last night. It was immensely satisfying, but now I have no more episodes of The Last Kingdom to watch. Destiny is all gone, I guess.
I found my way to the series via a podcast, The Rest is History, in which Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discussed the history of the Viking invasions of Olde England, and Sandbrook admitted that most of his knowledge of the period came from watching The Last Kingdom. I love that podcast, and Sandbrook’s takes are invariably amusing, so I plated it up.
Gold Star to Mr Sandbrook! Adapted from Bernard Cornwell’s novels, the TV show positioned itself to ride in the slipstream of Game of Thrones, at least in its early iterations. But by the time you get two or three seasons in, it’s found its own feet and is happily slicing, dicing, kicking and punching its way to a grand old adventure.
Ostensibly the story of Utrecht, son of Utrecht, a Saxon boy orphaned and then raised by Viking berserkers, the long arc follows his hero’s journey to reclaim his birthright, the northern stronghold of Bebbanberg.
It’s got biff. It’s got raunch. It’s got pleasingly evil villains and epic battle scenes. By the time we reach the final series, it has settled into a very comfortable Saturday afternoon matinee feel. I was sorry to let it go. If you have Netflix and haven’t given this one a spin yet, you’d better get on. Word has come from the vicar that Viking longboats have been spotted off the coast of Linden Farm.
I've watched Vikings but got a bit waylaid and didn't finnish it. Ha. Couldn't resist the pun (feel free to unpost this one!). Have always seen The Kingdom sitting there but got a bit vikinged out (i also started listening to some of those scandi/germanic folk bands like Wardruna, Forndom and Heilung because it mellowed me out, especially around the firepit with a big beer on a dark night (there is an excellent vid on youtube of Einar Selvik from Wardruna performing with the Polish choir and an orchestra that is worth checking out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqhhlmz6gik). But i just noticed on SBS ondemand that they are playing all three seasons of Atlanta (Donald Glover's foray into television). Excellent series if you havent watched it and pretty much removed from a bunch of beardy whiteys pillaging the lands of old europe. Should be a good palate cleanser.
Isn't the name Uhtred son of Uhtred? I read all the books after watching the first series. I liked the tv series more than the books. The books are a bit too much Deux et Machina for my taste. Alexander Dreymon acting makes a very convincing character. Very memorable.
Thx Jay. Killswitch will drop as an ebook when Audible’s exclusive period ends which is in about 6-7 months I think. You’ll get an email from me for sure.
We started watching it in an all out Viking binge because we were already watching "Vikings"! Had to give up because it all became too confusing. It is on the list to restart.
I too enjoyed this series, a bit pissed as I started to watch it when the last season ended thinking it was finished and had to wait for this final season. Well worth the wait, satisfying end the series. A better resolution than the Vikings series, which I also enjoyed.
I watched both Vikings and The Last Kingdom as the seasons were coming out. The first few seasons from Vikings, while not as gripping as TLK, I think represent a more realistic take on the life in that era. The last few seasons of the Vikings became more "professional" - more story turns, better props and fight scenes, but the story becomes too much in awe with their own characters - which I found a bit ridiculous. I still watched it to see what happens with the characters.
I've watched Vikings but got a bit waylaid and didn't finnish it. Ha. Couldn't resist the pun (feel free to unpost this one!). Have always seen The Kingdom sitting there but got a bit vikinged out (i also started listening to some of those scandi/germanic folk bands like Wardruna, Forndom and Heilung because it mellowed me out, especially around the firepit with a big beer on a dark night (there is an excellent vid on youtube of Einar Selvik from Wardruna performing with the Polish choir and an orchestra that is worth checking out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqhhlmz6gik). But i just noticed on SBS ondemand that they are playing all three seasons of Atlanta (Donald Glover's foray into television). Excellent series if you havent watched it and pretty much removed from a bunch of beardy whiteys pillaging the lands of old europe. Should be a good palate cleanser.
I condemn you for that pun even as I plan to steal it.
Your thievery is scandy-lous.
Ooh, this is in my endlessly growing watchlist on Netflix, but I shall get onto it ASAP. Merci to you and Mr Sandbrook!
You’ve still got the Last Kingdom movie “Seven Kings Must Die” due out next year to look forward to (I think they wrapped filming a month or so ago);
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/2053806-the-last-kingdom-film-seven-kings-must-die-recent-updates-everything-we-know-so-far
Fantastic! I had no idea.
Isn't the name Uhtred son of Uhtred? I read all the books after watching the first series. I liked the tv series more than the books. The books are a bit too much Deux et Machina for my taste. Alexander Dreymon acting makes a very convincing character. Very memorable.
Loved Last Kingdom, love your books too. Burned through Zero and Fail State like malware but where oh where can I get an ebook of American Killswitch?
Thx Jay. Killswitch will drop as an ebook when Audible’s exclusive period ends which is in about 6-7 months I think. You’ll get an email from me for sure.
I haven’t watched the series, but I’ve read the Bernard Cornwell novels. They are very good.
We started watching it in an all out Viking binge because we were already watching "Vikings"! Had to give up because it all became too confusing. It is on the list to restart.
I too enjoyed this series, a bit pissed as I started to watch it when the last season ended thinking it was finished and had to wait for this final season. Well worth the wait, satisfying end the series. A better resolution than the Vikings series, which I also enjoyed.
Check out Tom Holland’s brothers podcast, We Have Ways Of Making You Talk. Very informative.
Have you watched Vikings? Interested to hear how it compares.
It’s on my list but no, not yet. I find I prefer to switch genres when I finish something I really like, specifically to avoid comparisons.
I watched both Vikings and The Last Kingdom as the seasons were coming out. The first few seasons from Vikings, while not as gripping as TLK, I think represent a more realistic take on the life in that era. The last few seasons of the Vikings became more "professional" - more story turns, better props and fight scenes, but the story becomes too much in awe with their own characters - which I found a bit ridiculous. I still watched it to see what happens with the characters.