This article contains discussion of sexual assault.
This article contains major spoilers for The Winter King season 1 episode 3 below!
Summary
- Arthur's controversial choice to spare Gundleus, the man responsible for the Avalon attack, goes against the survivors' wishes and creates division within the Kingdom.
- Arthur reunites with Derfel, whom he saved when he was a child, but warns him of the loneliness and hardships that come with becoming a warrior.
- Owain, Arthur's best friend, becomes the acting King of Dumnonia and has doubts about Arthur's intentions, leading to a potential rivalry between them.
Winter King episode 2 had a Red Wedding of its own too, where the peaceful settlement of Avalon was raided by King Gundleus (Simon Merrells) and his men.
In the span of a few minutes, Gundleus killed a baby, murdered King Uther's widow Queen Norwena (Grace Ackary) and assaulted the priestess Nimue (Ellie James). The episode ended with the previously banished Arthur returning to Britain, and arriving in time to save the Avalon survivors from being killed. The Winter King's third episode involves taking stock after Gundleus' betrayal and planning the next steps, though some of Arthur's choices prove unpopular.
6 Arthur Spares Gundleus (Against Everyone's Wishes)
Not only did Gundleus carry out the horrific massacre of Avalon, he also broke his vow to the late King Uther (Eddie Marsan) when he swore to protect Prince Mordred. He killed a baby believing it to be the future King, only to learn Mordred had been switched with another child. Given the nature of his crimes, it is only natural that the survivors want Gundleus executed with haste. After he's dragged back to Dumnonia alongside his Pagan bride-to-be, Nimue grabs a sword and prepares to "sacrifice" him.
Everyone else in the Kingdom appears to be on board with this plan - aside from Arthur. He prevents Nimue from killing her attacker and has Gundleus locked up in the King's old room. Arthur believes killing Gundleus will only make things worse, and that his uncle King Gorfydd would use this execution as an excuse to wage war. Arthur also believes that powerful men are more useful alive and that Gundleus could actually be an asset to Dumnonia.
5 Arthur Reunites With Derfel
The Winter King episode 1 saw Arthur rescue Derfel from a so-called "death pit" when he was a boy and pulling him off a stake. Arthur brought the wounded child to Avalon to be nursed back to health before he left Britain for Gaul. The grown Derfel (Stuart Campbell) has some serious hero worship of Arthur and has not only longed for his return but plans to become a warrior so he can fight alongside him someday.
That's what makes it impressive that Derfel doesn't immediately introduce himself to Arthur upon his return. Instead, they encounter each other the following day, when Arthur almost immediately recognizes Derfel as the boy he saved eight years prior. While he's happy to see Derfel again, he's less keen on his plan to become a warrior, and Arthur warns him it's a lonely life where the only family he'll have are the men he fights alongside; Derfel isn't dissuaded, however.
4 Owain Is Technically King Of Dumnonia
Winter King episode 3 also sees Uther's champion warrior and Arthur's best friend Owain (Daniel Ings) return from another bloody scrap with the invading Saxons. He's overjoyed at Arthur's return and briefs him on just how dire Britain's situation has become in the years since he was cast out by his father. In short, the Saxons are gaining more ground, while ongoing raids by Gundleus and Gorfydd's rival Kingdoms only make things harder.
It's during this debrief that Arthur highlights that since Owain and Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder) were chosen as Mordred's protectors - alongside Gundleus, who has proven somewhat untrustworthy - that technically makes Owain the acting King of Dumnonia for the time being. This stark realization is unsettling to Owain, and factors into his decision not to slay Gundleus for what happened in Avalon while he decides his next move.
3 Nimue Swears Revenge On Gundleus
After what happened in Avalon, Nimue has more reason than anyone to want Gundleus dead. The price for Nimue's magical abilities is that she must remain celibate, which is a key reason Gundleus committed the assault in the first place. Nimue is furious with Arthur for robbing her of her vengeance and swears he will feel the same pain that she does. She later turns to Derfel for help and performs a scarring ceremony where she cuts his hand and her own, and s their scars together.
Nimue claims that in doing so, she belongs to him and he belongs to her. Since Arthur holds the only key to Gundleus' cell, she turns to Derfel for help. She gives him some seeds to put into Arthur's drink, which will knock him out and allow Derfel to steal the key. However, Arthur sees through the ruse when Derfel brings him some water, and instead voluntarily offers the key to see if Derfel will take it. He doesn't, which is a choice that leaves Nimue even angrier.
2 Owain Has Doubts About Arthur's Intentions
Owain might be Arthur's best friend, but he confides in the Bishop that he's growing suspicious of his intentions. He feels Arthur has completely changed in the years since they last met, and that his "ambitions" may extend to claiming power for himself. These doubts are somewhat dispelled when he sees Arthur and his men helping local farmers bring in the harvest, and they all celebrate with a big feast. While only touched upon in episode 3, future Winter King outings appear to be setting up a rivalry between Owain and Arthur.
1 Arthur Releases Gundleus
Arthur might spare Gundleus' life, but he makes it clear he has no love for the man. Still, Arthur has designs on uniting the fractured Kingdoms and tribes of Britain against their true enemy, the Saxons. In the third episode's final scenes, he goes to Gundleus' cell and after some debate, Arthur claims the "old ways" that have led to division amongst the kingdoms need to change. He wants Gundleus to go to his uncle and invite him to Mordred's naming ceremony so they can all make peace.
In exchange, Dumnonia will start trading with Gundleus' Kingdom Siluria. Arthur then sets his prisoner free without advising Owain or the others, which makes them quite furious when they find out. Ever the tactician, Arthur claims that by setting Gundleus free without anyone's else knowledge, he can take the blame if anything goes wrong. He does hold an ace over Gundleus, however, as the King's fiance is still a prisoner in Dumnonia, and Arthur claims he will kill her if Gundleus fails to return. Viewers will have to wait until The Winter King episode 4 to see if Arthur's gamble pays off, however.