The Last Kingdom: Season 1 (spoilers)
- Thread starter Gramm838
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Just finished the last episode - of what I hope is just the first season. 
Can anyone who's read the Cornwell books advise how much of that series remains untold?
Can anyone who's read the Cornwell books advise how much of that series remains untold?
I agree it's definitely most of Pale Horseman as well as Last Kingdom. I will need to reread Pale Horseman to be sure though. I liked the final episode, although their view of a shield wall is a bit bizarre.
Oh, forgot - the filming for that final battle was amazing. Especially the overhead shot of the two armies parting to show the bloody field between them. As my wife pointed out, there was nothing glorified in the violence at all.
(EDIT: I've also renamed this thread from LK - teaser trailer, to LK - Season 1, as that seems the better description for it.)
The only downer is that with Leofric and Iseult gone, Alfred left behind, Brida and Ragnar currently out, the story has lost its best characters.
(EDIT: I've also renamed this thread from LK - teaser trailer, to LK - Season 1, as that seems the better description for it.)
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Could you add 'spoilers' to the title? I've seen it, so they don't bother me, but others may be behind schedule [this is an increasing problem with the way things are viewed/aired. I'm a season behind on Gotham, The Walking Dead, and Supermodels of SHIELD. And maybe The 100].
I do like a nice death toll. Highlight of the series was probably the chap playing Alfred. No idea how historically accurate that portrayal is, but it's a change from either the very sly or typically warlike, heroic sort of king. Felt like a very balanced, deep sort of character.
I do like a nice death toll. Highlight of the series was probably the chap playing Alfred. No idea how historically accurate that portrayal is, but it's a change from either the very sly or typically warlike, heroic sort of king. Felt like a very balanced, deep sort of character.
Bugg
A Lerxst in Wonderland
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Agree on the spoiler . . .
Uhtred's kind of like Luke Skywalker - he's the least interesting character on show but he served to bring all the others together (ooh, a bit like The Force!!). I do think the guy playing Guthrum is excellent, though.
That said, my absolute favourite character from the books has yet to appear - and I think he first turned up in book 3, so very hopeful for next season!
That said, my absolute favourite character from the books has yet to appear - and I think he first turned up in book 3, so very hopeful for next season!
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I thought the whole build up to the final battle was brilliant and the battle scene itself was nothing short of breathtaking. We cannot know but maybe it was close to how two shield walls clashed in reality.
Beocca is a much more sympathetic character in the show, as is Alfred. If my memory is correct about the books then Beocca and Uthred were not on the best of terms towards the end of the first book.
Beocca is a much more sympathetic character in the show, as is Alfred. If my memory is correct about the books then Beocca and Uthred were not on the best of terms towards the end of the first book.
From what I've read about him this was a fairly accurate portrayal. I like that his belief is genuine and not just a cynical ploy to bind the people
So now I've read the first few of Cornwell's Saxon books I decided to start watching the series and have watched the first three episodes. Whilst it's visually beautiful and the acting is great I struggle to understand why they have almost completely abandoned Cornwell's excellent story. As far as I can tell about the only things that are common between the books and the TV series are the history, which cannot really be changed, and the characters. Almost everything else that happens is completely different to the books.
I watched the TV series first, then read the books. As usual with film/TV, they've simplified things while trying to keep to the core and spirit of the story. I still enjoyed both, but I'll wait to watch Season 2 before continuing with the novels so that I don't feel as though I'm missing out on the extra depth inevitable in the books.
It's not just a question of simplifying it's completely changed. About the only things that were the same was Uhtred's baptism and Ragnar's murder. Uhtred arrives in Alfred's court at a completely different time and a completely different way. Admittedly I've only watched the first three episodes so far but after the murder of Ragnar I can find nothing in the tv series that actually matches the book. Even the historical killing of Edmond was placed in a totally different context. The whole 'rumour' of Uhtred leading a slave rebellion was completely new. I mean I've enjoyed the three episodes I've watched so far; it's just that they bear no resemblance to the books.
