The Winter King's Season 2: A Legendary Solution for King Arthur's Predicament

Summary

The Winter King struggles to make Arthur a compelling character, lacking a clear motivation or character arc compared to the more developed supporting players.

The show missed a chance to delve into Arthur's formative years in Gaul, where he honed his skills and underwent personal growth. This period could have shed light on his aspirations and ambitions.

Despite its current limitations, The Winter King has the capacity to revitalize Arthur's narrative and make it more captivating. By introducing obstacles like the dilemma of killing a close friend and assuming the role of a ruler with new responsibilities, his character could be further developed.

Warning: Major spoilers for episodes 1-5 of The Winter King below! In season 2, The Winter King must address a problem with King Arthur's storyline. The story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is so well-known that it's difficult to find new perspectives on it. Previous adaptations like Guy Ritchie's Legend of the Sword or Camelot have attempted this with mixed results. The Winter King, however, takes a different approach by toning down the magic and fantasy elements to present a more grounded interpretation of the legend.

Based on Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles book trilogy, this TV adaptation follows the young Arthur (Iain De Caestecker) as he returns to Britain after being banished for years. In the first half of season 1, viewers witness Arthur's journey from an unofficial king to his attempts to restore order in the country and unite the divided kingdoms against the Saxons. While there is plenty of political intrigue, there is a significant issue with the portrayal of Arthur's character.

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Arthur Is The Winter King's Least Compelling Character

An issue currently faced by The Winter King is that, among all the key players, Arthur's story lacks intrigue. There are numerous monologues in dimly lit chambers, but Arthur's personal motivations remain elusive. In episode 2 of Winter King, he initially rejects Merlin's (Nathaniel Martello-White) plea for him to return to Britain, claiming that his homeland holds no influence over him. However, by the end of the episode, he has returned regardless. At present, viewers are left wondering whether it is his love for his country, a desire to prove his late father King Uther (Eddie Marsan) wrong, or his own personal ambition that drives him.

The lack of an arc is an issue, but it is also worth noting that the supporting characters have stronger material to work with. The character of Nimue, portrayed by Ellie James as a druid priestess, is the most well-developed. She not only deals with a terrible trauma but also struggles between her allegiance to the "Old Gods" and her desire for a normal life. Similarly, Derfel, played by Stuart Campbell, learns the hard way that fantasizing about being a warrior and actually facing the consequences of taking a life with honor are two different things.

Just like Game of Thrones, where Jon Snow was the definitive hero but perhaps not the most captivating character, Winter King faces a similar challenge with Arthur's storyline. This is not a criticism of the actor Kit Harington, but rather a comparison to characters such as Tyrion played by Peter Dinklage, Arya played by Maisie Williams, or even Bronn portrayed by Jerome Flynn, who have more charisma and compelling storylines.

The Winter King Shouldn't Have Skipped Over His Time In Gaul

The issues with Arthur arise from the way Winter King established its narrative. Although Arthur is initially the main character in the first act of the first episode, he virtually disappears for the next two episodes after his banishment that lasted for years. This allowed the opportunity to delve into characters like Nimue or Merlin and position them as the primary focus. Consequently, when Arthur and his men unexpectedly save the day towards the end of episode 2, it comes as a surprise, but by then, Arthur is predominantly an enigma to the audience.

His growth during his time fighting in Gaul and the formation of his own loyal band of warriors exemplify his development. Instead of glossing over this significant period, it may have been beneficial for the show to explore his experiences in Gaul, depicting how he encountered his men and honed his combat skills and strategic thinking. This would have also provided insight into his goals and aspirations, which Season 1 has struggled to effectively communicate.

Arthur's Winter King Story & Season 2 Setup Will Make Him Way More Interesting

Signs are already emerging that the show will address its issues with Arthur. In Episode 5 of The Winter King, Arthur is forced to duel and kill his old friend Owain, who led a raid resulting in the deaths of innocent miners. Despite Owain's attempts to evade responsibility, Arthur had no choice but to confront him directly. The complication arises from the fact that Owain was one of the protectors of Prince Mordred, the heir to Dumnonia, effectively making Owain the unofficial king. With Owain's demise, this responsibility will now fall upon Arthur.

Suspicions regarding Arthur's motives were already present within the kingdom, and these concerns are likely to deepen further. Alongside adding intrigue to Arthur's narrative, he is also on the brink of negotiating peace with King Gorfyddyd and will soon encounter Guinevere. If Arthur wishes to be taken seriously as a ruler, he will have to compromise some of his moral principles. In the hypothetical second season of The Winter King, a less idealistic and more tormented portrayal of the character can be presented.