Decoding The Winter King Season 1 Finale: Deciphering Arthur's Pledge

This article contains discussions of sexual assault.

Major spoilers for The Winter King season 1 finale below!

Article Overview

In The Winter King season 1 finale, Arthur is forced to make difficult choices as he trades with the Saxons and agrees to a temporary.

In season 2, the show foreshadows upcoming conflicts as Arthur confronts King Gorfydd and Powys, in addition to gearing up for a confrontation against Aelle and the Saxons. The power of Excalibur is showcased when Arthur employs it to demolish the prison wall, rescuing Derfel and Nimue. This event unravels the magical attributes of the sword and its affiliation with the Thirteen Treasures of Britain.

In The Winter King season 1 finale, Arthur prepares for upcoming battles as he takes on the role of leader of Dumnonia after being banished by his father, King Uther. Despite his good intentions, Arthur makes significant mistakes, such as abandoning his planned marriage to Ceinwyn of Powys to marry her best friend, Guinevere. This decision makes him a formidable enemy to King Gorfydd, who has formed an alliance with the Saxons. In the season finale, Arthur negotiates a deal with Saxon King Aelle, trading tin for time. However, this agreement will have long-term consequences as Arthur and his kingdom prioritize defeating Gorfydd and Powys in the upcoming season of The Winter King.

Arthur's Vow To Kick The Saxons Out Of Britain & Aelle Threat Explained

The Winter King's tenth episode concludes with Arthur deep in thought about recent events, realizing that true leadership requires making difficult decisions. The relentless Saxon invasion continues, with Aelle announcing the arrival of more ships. Despite offering tin as a gesture of peace, Arthur is left with no choice but to relinquish control of the town of Ratae. In this dire situation, Guinevere cunningly guides them through Ratae's defenses. In a powerful final moment, Arthur unsheathes his legendary sword Excalibur, vowing to avenge the lives lost at Ratae, vanquish Aelle, and forcefully send every Saxon back to the sea they came from.

The show has been lacking a grand, exhilarating battle and it seemed like the finale would deliver a showdown with Powys. However, that did not happen as planned. Instead, season 2 appears to focus on Arthur's struggle against Goryffd while also preparing to face Aelle and the Saxons. Hopefully, there will be a second season to satisfy all the anticipation that has been built up. It would be a major letdown if the series ended with Arthur making a passionate oath and nothing coming of it.

How Excalibur Was Able To Break Down The Wall To Save Derfel & Nimue

In episode 10, an important subplot involves Derfel (played by Stuart Campbell) saving Nimue (played by Ellie James) from the Isle of the Dead. This terrifying prison was constructed on the grounds of a former mine and serves as a place where Britain's unwanted individuals are sent. Nimue was banished there by Arthur after some local Christians seemingly died from one of her supposed "curses." However, Derfel discovers that they actually died from drinking from a poisoned well. Against Arthur's orders, Derfel goes on a mission to rescue Nimue from the prison.

After facing the dangers of the dark tunnels, Derfel locates Nimue. However, due to her time in the prison, she initially attacks him. Eventually, he convinces her of his true identity by reminding her of the scars they both share. At this realization, Nimue expresses her love for him and they work together to find a way out. Meanwhile, Arthur, with his warrior Sagramor (played by Ken Nwosu), embarks on a journey to the Isle to save both Nimue and Derfel. As the two friends become trapped behind a sealed prison wall and face an attack from the cannibalistic "People of Utter Darkness," Arthur once again wields Excalibur to protect them.

Why Nimue Accepts Arthur's Apology (Are They Allies Again?)

Although the series has maintained a mysterious stance on the existence of magic, it becomes apparent that this sword possesses actual mystical powers. Arthur forcefully thrusts the blade into the wall, causing it to shatter and creating a pathway for Derfel and Nimue to escape. In a previous episode, the magician Merlin asserts that he acquired the sword from a druid in Ireland many years ago, suggesting that Excalibur may be one of the legendary Thirteen Treasures of Britain that Merlin himself is actively pursuing.

Throughout the first season of The Winter King, Nimue has endured various traumas. One significant event was when she was assaulted by Gundleus (Simon Merrells) in the second episode. Despite Gundleus' actions, Arthur decided to free him in an attempt to establish peace with Powys. This decision was deeply unforgivable for Nimue. Additionally, she was infuriated by Arthur's choice to allow Christians to construct a church at Avalon. Arthur's impulsive decision to banish her to the Isle of the Dead should have completely destroyed whatever was left of their friendship.

All episodes of Season 1 of The Winter King are currently available for streaming on MGM+.

Despite assisting in the destruction of the prison wall, Nimue has no intentions of reconciling with Arthur and is not interested in going back to Dumnonia. Recognizing his past wrongdoings towards her and the importance of her presence as the kingdom's druidess, Arthur humbly kneels before Nimue and implores her to come back to Dumnonia. He empathizes with her desire for solitude after experiencing betrayal, as he too went through a similar ordeal during his exile. Arthur now believes that he is stronger with the support of his friends and recognizes the divine calling of Nimue as the "chosen one." He expresses his need for her. While Nimue agrees to return, the extent of her trust in Arthur may still require mending.

The Real Meaning Of Arthur Releasing The Isle Of The Dead's Prisoners

Arthur was shocked to find the Isle of the Dead to be even more desolate and infernal than he had ever imagined. The sight of drunken and apathetic guards further dismayed him, as did the knowledge that his own father had callously ordered the remaining passageways to be sealed, leaving the prisoners trapped with no chance of escape. After breaking through the wall, Arthur encountered the remaining prisoners, extending his apologies for his father's cruel actions and granting them all full pardons. This act served as a powerful testament to the fact that Arthur's reign would indeed be markedly different from that of Uther.

What Merlin Finding The Horn Of Bran Means (& Why It Fills With Blood)

During the final episodes, Merlin had been noticeably absent as he embarked on a quest to search for the Thirteen Treasures of Britain. This decision was driven by a vision he had where he saw the Horn of Bran, a mythical object known to grant its drinker an unlimited supply of their desires, like wine for example. With the belief that discovering these treasures would bestow Dumnonia with the necessary power, Merlin aimed to secure their aid in saving the country from the Saxons. However, as Merlin laid his hand upon the Horn of Bran, it unexpectedly overflowed with blood, taking the shape of Britain itself.

The ending of Merlin's story is foreboding, hinting at the intense battles ahead and the heavy toll they will take. A significant aspect in The Winter King is the gradual rise of Christianity in 5th Century Britain, as belief in Pagan Gods diminishes. The horn, symbolizing the shedding of blood, could signify the Gods' thirst for sacrifice or Merlin's own increasing desire for violence as he fights to protect the nation.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of The Winter King, I have mixed feelings about the season 1 finale. On one hand, I appreciate the show's commitment to character development and its exploration of complex themes such as leadership, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions. On the other hand, I feel that the finale left several important plotlines unresolved and failed to deliver on the epic battle that had been building up throughout the season.

One of the strongest aspects of the finale was the exploration of Arthur's character. Throughout the season, Arthur has been struggling with the responsibilities of leadership and the burden of his destiny. In the finale, he is forced to make difficult choices, such as trading with the Saxons and abandoning his planned marriage to Ceinwyn of Powys. These choices have far-reaching consequences and force Arthur to confront his own flaws and weaknesses.

Overall, I found the season 1 finale of The Winter King to be a bit of a letdown. While it had some strong moments, such as the exploration of Arthur's character and the rescue of Nimue from the Isle of the Dead, it also left several important plotlines unresolved and failed to deliver on the epic battle that had been building up throughout the season. I hope that season 2 will address these issues and provide a more satisfying conclusion to the story.