The Last Kingdom
BBC America, Saturdays 10/9 Central
Oct 09, 2015
Web Exclusive
History Channel’s Vikings is one of the best depictions of the Viking era on TV today. It’s only natural, then, that other channels would seek to replicate it to some degree or other. BBC America’s The Last Kingdom takes replication to the extreme, though. Set in 9th Century England, the show depicts an England gradually succumbing to invading Viking armies. Only the Kingdom of Wessex (also prominently featured in Vikings) stands strong as a holdout. During one raid, the Vikings slay young Saxon Uhtred’s (Alexander Dreymon) father and kidnap him, taking him as one of their own. Years later, his loyalties now torn between his Saxon roots and his Viking captors, Uhtred returns to England to get vengeance on those who have wronged him—both Viking and Saxon.
The Last Kingdom‘s greatest impression is as a Vikings wannabe. From Wessex to Vikings crossing into England, down to the appearance of Ragnar (the Vikings protagonist) and his family line, The Last Kingdom‘s crossovers with Vikings are both numerous and impossible to ignore. And that, not even taking into consideration that one of Vikings’ key plot points involves a monk, Athelstan, taken from England by the Vikings during one of their raids.
The Saxon Stories, Bernard Cornwell’s novel series on which the show is based, are undoubtedly compelling reads. But as a television adaptation, The Last Kingdom is too little, too late, and comes across as too unoriginal. It employs some gory and energetic fight choreography thrillingly, but as a whole, it suffers from trying too hard and falling firmly into second place. The comparison to Vikings persists, because that program explores that era so much more compellingly. The Last Kingdom could have been a much more engaging program, were it not so obviously overshadowed by similar shows that have come before. (www.bbcamerica.com/the-last-kingdom)
Author rating: 4/10
Average reader rating: 8/10
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October 9th 2015
9:29pm
FIRST negative review I have seen, It got mostly good reviews.
October 31st 2015
8:14pm
Yes I agree, I don’t understand why they made this. Vikings has become better and better over it’s three seaons - the last season was awesome, with more depth, some amazing actiing performances and of course a bigger budget (due to being more popular and acclaimed that was expected, I think?) which never hurts. I can’t wait for it to return. Having said that I will give The Last Kingdom a chance.
November 17th 2015
11:36am
The Ragnar in this series is not Ragnar Lothbrok from the Vikings series.
The Last Kingdom takes place more than a generation after Vikings. Historical spoiler alert: Ragnar never actually conquered England. He died before the conquest of Northumbria, not after. Ragnar was probably a pretty common name among Scandinavians.
There is room for the two shows to exist alongside each other. They are set during different times. They tell different stories. They both involve vikings, and both have involved while one centres around the kingdom of Wessex, but this isn’t because of copying. The Kingdom of Wessex was the last kingdom of England which the vikings did not conquer. It was also a prominent kingdom during the time of Ragnar Lothbrok. It makes sense that it features prominently in both shows. Yet Wessex is not exactly the central focus in Vikings. While the king of Wessex in Vikings can certainly be seen as Ragnar’s most dangerous adversary, Ragnar also has many other adversaries and it is (historical spoiler alert) the King of Northumbria, Aelle, who ultimately kills Ragnar.
November 27th 2015
9:12am
Please get your facts straight. This shows and books Ragnar have nothing to do with the Vikings Ragnar. This shows Ragnar is Ragnar Ragnarson as his father was also named Ragnar. His father was Ragnar Ravnson has his father was called Ravn. The Vikings Ragnar is Ragnar Lothbrokson. His father being the famous Lothbrok who was also the father of Ubba Lothbrokson, Ivarr Lothbrokson and Halfdan Lothbrokson all famous and historical figures. They also appear to some extent in this show and the books it is based on. Also maybe you should actually do some research and read the books this show is based on and you would realize how shitty this show actually is.
May 20th 2017
12:39pm
You look like a cunt.
May 23rd 2017
1:03pm
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?
Hey, Zach! You’re unoriginal and are acting like a predictably boring critic who’s incapable of seeing things like a normal, reasonable person. Please don’t be a Know-it-all snob type who would nitpick against this series because they make me want to vomit!
This is a fictionalized version of a historical period and it is riveting, well written, well acted and well produced.
Nuff Said!
Save yourself from the enormous responsibility of thinking that you’re smarter than everyone else! Zach! Let me help you…. Everyone else is right! You’re wrong!!!
This show rules!!!
Get a life! Zach H.! I’ll bet you’d find something to nitpick about sunshine! LOL! JK! You’re entitled to your opinion! No matter how ridiculous you sound! At least you’re wonderfully articulate! Have a nice day!