The Winter King Episode 7: Unveiling a Shocking Dark Twist in King Arthur's Lore

Warning: Major spoilers for The Winter King episode 1-6 below!

Summary

In Episode 6, Guinevere's arrival thrusts Arthur and Ceinwyn into a complex love triangle, reshaping the narrative of the Arthurian myth. Guinevere desires more than just friendship with Ceinwyn – her intentions extend towards reclaiming confiscated territory, perhaps even utilizing an affair with Arthur as a strategic path to attain her aspirations.

The departure from the original novel hints at a possible secret affair between Guinevere and Arthur, which could bring about significant drama in the first season of The Winter King. In episode 7, a teaser featuring Guinevere saying, "Ceinwyn always gets what I want," could potentially introduce a significant alteration to the King Arthur story within the series. While The Winter King is inspired by Bernard Cornwell's trilogy of novels and has drawn comparisons to Game of Thrones, the TV adaptation is notably smaller in scale compared to HBO's fantasy epic. Despite featuring some intense sword fights, the show has yet to showcase a large-scale battle sequence, instead focusing on the political turmoil as a young Arthur (Iain De Caestecker) strives to unite a divided Britain against the invading Saxons.

The Winter King episode 6 showcased another important figure from Arthurian legend: Guinevere, his future Queen portrayed by Jordan Alexandra. The timing could not have been more unfortunate for Arthur, as he had already made arrangements to marry Ceinwyn, the daughter of Gorfydd of Powys, in order to bring their kingdoms together after years of division. At first glance, this seemed like a well-thought-out plan. However, Arthur's heart quickly succumbs to the charms of the ambitious Guinevere, who, having been raised in Powys, is practically a sister to Ceinwyn.

The Winter King Episode 7 Clip Teases Childhood Rivalry Between Ceinwyn & Guinevere

A passing familiarity with the King Arthur legend reveals that it is inevitable for King Arthur and Guinevere to be together. However, episode 6 introduces the possibility of an ongoing love triangle involving Ceinwyn. A sneak peek of episode 7 of Winter King shows Arthur and Guinevere playfully avoiding their growing feelings for each other. Guinevere also confesses her jealousy towards her adoptive sister, stating, "Ceinwyn always gets what I want."

This love triangle is a fresh addition to the traditional Arthurian tale brought by The Winter King. It hints at a lingering sibling rivalry between Guinevere and Ceinwyn, adding depth to the story. While they may appear as close friends on the surface, conversations with both Arthur and Gorfydd reveal Guinevere's ambitions extend beyond being Ceinwyn's dutiful companion. Guinevere aims to reclaim the land that was taken from her people years ago. Alongside her attraction to Arthur, she also contemplates an affair with him as a means to achieve her goal.

What Guinevere Being Envious Of Ceinwyn Means For The Winter King Season 1's Arthur Romance

In the first book, Arthur ends his engagement with Ceinwyn and weds Guinevere, leading to a violent civil war with Powys. While the series has shown a willingness to deviate from the original material, it appears that Guinevere, coerced by Gorfydd, will join the couple in returning to Dumnonia after their planned wedding. This suggests that Guinevere and Arthur might engage in a secret affair behind Ceinwyn's back. Episode 7, with Guinevere's conflicting emotions of love and envy towards Ceinwyn, promises to bring some exciting drama in the remaining episodes of Winter King season 1.