Ep 4. Episode 4

In The Last Kingdom season 1, episode 4, tensions run high as Uhtred's loyalty is called into question. After disobeying Alfred's orders and leading a surprise attack on the Danes, Uhtred finds himself on the outs with the king. Despite his successful raid, Alfred accuses Uhtred of acting on his own interests rather than serving the crown. Feeling betrayed, Uhtred decides to leave Wessex and search for his ancestral home in the north.

Meanwhile, the Danes are plotting their next move. Guthrum, the leader of the Danish army, sends a message to Alfred threatening to burn down the royal hall if he does not surrender. Alfred refuses to back down and instead sends his army to meet the Danes on the battlefield. Uhtred, however, remains absent from the conflict.

As the battle ensues, Alfred's forces struggle against the Danish army's superior numbers and training. It becomes apparent that they will not be able to hold on much longer. However, just as it seems that all is lost, Uhtred appears on the battlefield with a small group of warriors. With his knowledge of Danish battle strategies and unorthodox tactics, Uhtred is able to turn the tide of the battle in Alfred's favor.

After the battle, Alfred and Uhtred have a heart to heart conversation about their respective goals and motivations. Alfred confesses that he has always been envious of Uhtred's connection to the land and the people. Uhtred, in turn, admits that he has been searching for a sense of belonging since the Saxon invasion that killed his family and left him orphaned.

As the episode draws to a close, it is clear that Uhtred's relationship with Alfred has become more complicated than ever before. While they may not always see eye to eye, it is clear that they share a mutual respect and admiration for one another. As Uhtred sets out to find his ancestral home, he does so with the knowledge that his loyalty to Alfred will always be a complex, ever-changing thing.