'The Last Kingdom' series 2 episode 4 recap and review: Sweet taste of revenge [spoilers]

“The Last Kingdom” series 2 episode 4 was an action packed ride, with Uhtred and Ragnar finally coming face to face with their enemy Kjartan. It was a long road to get to that fight, however, as the two brothers are still under Alfred’s control. The following article contains spoilers.

Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) was sent by Alfred (David Dawson) to help King Guthred (Thure Lindhardt) defeat the Viking brothers Eric and Sigefrid and secure his kingdom. This is in line with the vision for England that will emerge eventually.

Ragnar (Tobias Santelmann) and Uhtred first raid the camp of the Viking brothers. Although they could not kill the brothers, Uhtred managed to slice of the sword hand of one of them.

Next came the confrontation between Uhtred and Guthred. Although the young warrior would have liked to chop the head off the king’s shoulders, he is under instructions from Alfred not to do so. The two eventually bury the hatchet, and Guthred promises to aid in the Dane’s efforts.

In a lot of ways, “The Last Kingdom” series 2 episode 4 marks the end of a long journey, one that started the rollercoaster ride for Uhtred. The two heroes, along with Brida (Emily Cox), Beocca (Ian Hart), Aethelwold (Harry McEntire) and Alfred’s man Steapa begin the siege of Kjartan (Alexandre Willaume) fortress in Dunholm.

Uhtred exploits a weakness in the fort, and his forces breach the wall. In the middle of all the chaos, Ragnar’s sister Thyra (Julia Bache-Wiig) sets her dogs on Sven (Ole Christoffer Ertvaag). This is one of the most savage deaths on the show so far.

At this point, Kjartan realises that it is all over. Ragnar challenges him to a duel, and the two fight a fierce battle. Uhtred takes a back seat, as his brother unleashes his rage on his enemy. In the end it is not enough to just kill Kjartan, so the Dane feels the need to repeatedly cut through the dead body and vent his anger.

After the battle, Thyra expresses her anger with her brothers for abandoning her, and is ready to set her dogs on them too. But, Beocca intervenes and stops her.

The fortress of Kjartan now belongs to Ragnar, and Uhtred makes plans to return to Wessex in “The Last Kingdom” series 2 episode 4. The warrior is able to guess that Alfred sent Steapa to watch him, and kill him if he strays from what he has been ordered to do.