The Winter King Season 1 Episode 2: Unveiling 7 Epic Story Twists

Warning: Major spoilers for The Winter King episode 2 below!

Summary

The Winter King

episode 2 establishes the dire threat facing Britain, as Arthur refuses Merlin's request to return and becomes a tyrant in the future.

King Uther's appointment of three contentious guardians for Prince Mordred instigates a convoluted political climate in Britain following his demise. The distressing assault on Avalon, commanded by Gungleus, culminates in the decimation of the village and potentially renders Nimue powerless. Meanwhile, Morgan resorts to a baby-switching scheme to safeguard Mordred. Fortunately, Arthur arrives at the eleventh hour to rescue the survivors.

This article includes discussions on instances of sexual assault and suicide. In episode 2 of The Winter King, viewers are in for some unexpected surprises and a setting of high stakes for the remaining season. The Winter King draws its inspiration from Bernard Cornwell's trilogy of novels, The Warlord Chronicles, where the King Arthur legend intertwines with historical elements. With its debut in the late '90s, Cornwell's books offered a fresh and realistic approach to the beloved story, and the TV adaptation seems to target a similar audience to that of Game of Thrones or Outlander.

The Winter King episode 1 had the challenging task of establishing the realm and introducing all the key characters. In just this one episode, a span of eight years was covered. We witnessed Arthur (Iain De Caestecker) being exiled from Britain by his father King Uther (Eddie Marsan), the birth of Uther's new heir Mordred, and the looming threat of the Saxons. This initial episode was packed with significant events, but now that the groundwork has been laid, the second episode of Winter King highlights the true gravity of the danger that the country is facing.

7 Arthur Refuses Merlin's Request To Return To Britain

The arrival of a new heir is typically a cause for celebration, yet the somber prophecy known as Merlin's "Death of Britain" vision indicates that this joyful occasion may not be so. As depicted in the first episode of Winter King, the birth of Mordred prompts Merlin to have a disturbing glimpse into the future. In this vision, he witnesses the future ruler, adorned with a golden mask, ruthlessly executing people. Alarmed by what he sees, the sorcerer forewarns Uther that their son will eventually transform into a monstrous figure. Mordred's tyrannical actions will ultimately lead to the demise of the realm. However, when Uther disregards Merlin's cautionary advice and refuses to search for Arthur and bring him back, the magician takes it upon himself to embark on this mission.

6 King Uther Names Prince Mordred's 3 Protectors

Winter King episode 2 commences with the long-awaited reunion of Merlin and Arthur in Gaul (also known as France). Despite Arthur's joyful encounter with his old confidant, he staunchly refuses to journey back to Britain, asserting that his exile has liberated him from any attachments to his homeland. Unsurprisingly, this revelation casts a shadow of foreboding over Merlin, initiating the episode on a disquieting tone.

In episode 2, King Uther of Dumnonia's vitality is noticeably waning. Despite his remaining strength, he devises a plan for Mordred's future. The young boy will be raised in the secure community of Avalon, and Uther designates three guardians to protect Mordred until he is prepared to assume the throne. The initial guardian is Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder), followed by Owain (Daniel Ings), Uther's champion and Arthur's closest companion. Lastly, Gungleus (Simon Merrells), the King of rival kingdom Siluria, is chosen, which sparks controversy due to various reasons.

The Winter King is set in the historical period known as the "Dark Ages" in Britain. This era followed the departure of the Romans and was marked by fierce battles among rival kingdoms and tribes for control of the land. Siluria, in particular, was notorious for its brutal raids on innocent villages. Gungleus, the antagonist, played a part in the death of Derfel's mother during one of these attacks many years ago.

To resolve this conflict, Uther proposes a deal with Gungleus. If Gungleus successfully kills Uther's uncle, King Gorfydd, who has been a long-standing enemy of Dumnonia, then all of Gungleus' previous actions will be pardoned. Additionally, Gungleus will be allowed to marry Uther's wife, Queen Norwena, after Uther's own passing.

5 King Uther's Death & What It Means For Dumnonia

After naming Mordred's protectors, Uther retreats to his quarters. It becomes evident that his days are numbered, and his daughter Morgan (Valene Kane) consoles him during his final moments. Uther's untimely death in the early stages of The Winter King is truly unexpected, especially considering Marsan's prominent role in the cast. While this scene is filled with emotion, it also foreshadows future turmoil. The passing of the High King of Dumnonia leaves a gaping power vacuum, exacerbated by the fact that his heir is still an infant. This complex political situation in Britain is about to become even messier and bloodier.

4 Gungleus Leads A Massacre On Avalon

The Winter King sequence that will have everyone talking after episode 2 airs is the Avalon attack. Several weeks after Uther's passing, Gungleus returns to Avalon, claiming that he has killed his uncle. Queen Norwena and Morgan greet him, and he requests to hold baby Mordred. After holding the baby, Gundleus declares that a child cannot rule the country. He then grabs a dagger and fatally stabs Mordred.

This triggers a massacre in the village, during which Gundleus forcefully impales Queen Norwena through her mouth after making her kneel and swear loyalty. Gundleus also tries to harm Avalon's priestess, Nimue, but Derfel, seeking revenge for his mother's death, nearly strangles the traitor. Unfortunately, Derfel is overpowered and knocked unconscious, only to wake up and witness Gundleus assaulting Nimue. As Gundleus departs from the burning temple, Derfel and Nimue manage to escape Avalon with a few other survivors.

3 Nimue May Have Lost Her Powers

In the first episode of Winter King, Nimue and Derfel's love is hindered by the fact that they cannot be together. Merlin explains that due to Nimue's strong connection with the Gods, she is destined to become a powerful priestess, but she must live a solitary and celibate life in order to maintain this connection. If she deviates from this path, her connection will be severed and she will lose the ability to communicate with the Gods. Gundleus, being aware of this, intentionally attacks Nimue, causing her to contemplate suicide.

Derfel intervenes and prevents Nimue from taking her own life, but she fears that the assault may have stripped her of her divine gifts. The episode does not provide a definitive answer to this question. However, when Derfel is presumed dead in a subsequent attack, Nimue exhibits an instinctive knowledge that he is still alive, suggesting that her abilities remain intact.

2 Why Morgan Switches Babies

Among the many shocking scenes in the Avalon massacre, none is more disturbing than the stabbing of the baby. It is later revealed that Morgan, following her father's orders to protect the baby at all costs, had cunningly switched Mordred with another child when Gundleus arrived. Morgan's strong aversion towards the King of Siluria was evident, and she did not trust him with her own brother.

Regrettably, Morgan's instincts were proven right. Upon examining the lifeless body of the child he had brutally murdered, Gundleus realizes that the babies had been swapped. Determined to eradicate any remaining survivors, he immediately dispatches his men to scour the forests surrounding Avalon and to mercilessly kill them all. Although Derfel manages to fend off a few of Gundleus' men, and earns his first kill in the process, their numbers quickly overpower and surround them.

1 Arthur Finally Returns From Exile

In the final scene of episode 2 of The Winter King, the situation appears grim as Gundleus corners the Avalon survivors and insists they surrender Mordred. Determined to fight until the end, the group's hopes are revived when spears are unexpectedly hurled at Gundleus' soldiers from a cliff nearby. Derfel looks back in astonishment and sees that Arthur and his men have finally arrived, bringing a glimmer of hope to the situation as the episode concludes.