The Winter King Episode 3 Recap and Ending Explained

"The Winter King" reimagines the Arthurian legend in a post-Roman Dark Age Britain. Follow the epic tale of Arthur's banishment, Merlin's disappearance, and the Saxons' invasion in this gripping series.

by Mathelene

Updated Sep 11, 2023

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The Winter King Episode 3 Recap and Ending Explained
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The Winter King Episode 3 Recap

In episode 3 of The Winter King, a lot happens after a terrible event called the Avalon massacre. Arthur, who's back after being away, makes some choices that not everyone agrees with. First, Arthur decides not to punish Gungleus, the person responsible for the massacre, even though most people want him to be executed. Arthur thinks killing Gungleus would only make things worse and might start a war.

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Second, Arthur reunites with Derfel, a guy he saved as a kid. Derfel looks up to Arthur and wants to become a warrior to fight alongside him, even though Arthur warns him it's a lonely and tough life. Next, Owain, who's Arthur's best friend, becomes the acting King of Dumnonia. But he starts doubting Arthur's intentions and thinks Arthur might want more power.

Nimue, who suffered a lot during the Avalon attack, is really angry that Arthur doesn't let her take revenge on Gungleus. She tries to use Derfel to steal the key to Gungleus' cell. Owain tells Bishop Bedwin that he's suspicious of Arthur and thinks Arthur has changed a lot. He worries Arthur might want power for himself.

Lastly, Arthur does something unexpected. He lets Gungleus go free to try to unite all the different kingdoms against the Saxons, their common enemy. This upsets Owain and the others because Arthur didn't ask them first. The episode ends with uncertainty about whether Arthur's plan will bring peace or more trouble. 

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The Winter King Episode 3 Ending Explained

In Episode 3 of "The Winter King," the ending revolves around Arthur's unexpected decision regarding King Gundleus, who had committed terrible atrocities during the Avalon massacre. Instead of allowing immediate punishment for Gundleus, Arthur chooses to keep him captive in the king's chamber, along with his lover, Ladwys, much to the shock of those seeking vengeance for the massacre.

Arthur's decision stems from his strategic thinking. He believes that a greater threat looms in the form of the invading Saxons, which requires the various kingdoms of England to unite. To achieve this unity, Arthur plans to use Gundleus as a means to establish a connection with Gundleus's uncle, Gorfydd of Powys, who is a known enemy of Dumnonia. Arthur intends to invite Gorfydd to Prince Mordred's naming ceremony, hoping to forge alliances and create a united front against the Saxons.

Despite the confusion and anger his decision provokes, Arthur is determined to shoulder the blame if the plan fails. Even though he's ready to leave England again, he's committed to doing something for his homeland and protecting it from the looming Saxon threat.

In Episode 4, we can anticipate how Gundleus responds to Arthur's plan and whether he remains loyal or changes his course. Additionally, Arthur's decision leads to growing doubts and distrust among his allies, especially his close friend Owain. Furthermore, interactions between Nimue and Ladwys might provide insights into Gundleus's character and potentially lead to further complications in the story. The ending sets the stage for intriguing developments and challenges in the episodes to come as Arthur attempts to unite England against a common enemy.

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The Winter King Episode 3 Release Date

Episode 3 of The Winter King was released on MGM+ on Sunday, September 10th. Viewers had the opportunity to watch it at 9 p.m. (Eastern Time) or midnight (Pacific Time). Fans of the show were eagerly anticipating this episode to see how the story unfolded.

In Episode 3 of The Winter King, we witnessed King Arthur's surprising decision to spare King Gundleus, who had committed grave crimes during the Avalon massacre. This choice created tension among the people who sought justice for the massacre. Arthur's strategic thinking led him to keep Gundleus captive, hoping to use him as a means to forge alliances with other kingdoms against the looming Saxon threat.

The episode also explored the reactions of key characters like Owain, who had doubts about Arthur's decisions, and Nimue, who sought revenge against Gundleus. These developments left viewers eager to see how the story would progress in Episode 4.

The Winter King Episode 3 Where to Watch?

You can watch "The Winter King - Season 1" right now through different options. You have the choice to stream it on MGM Plus Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Spectrum On Demand, and FuboTV. If you have a Roku device, you can also watch it through MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel.

If you're okay with watching ads, you can even watch it for free on The Roku Channel. So, you've got plenty of ways to enjoy the show, whether you prefer a streaming service, a channel on your TV, or don't mind a few ads during your viewing.

The Winter King Episode 3 Review

Episode 3 of "The Winter King" puts Arthur at the center of the story. He's not King Arthur yet, but the focus has shifted from Derfel, who's the main character in the books. Arthur is in a tricky situation; he's captured Gundleus, the person who killed Queen Norwenna and harmed Nimue in the previous episode. Many want Gundleus dead, but Arthur decides to keep him imprisoned. His plan was to use Gundleus as a political tool to unite the British kingdoms against the Saxons.

This decision doesn't sit well with Owain, who's technically in charge of Dumnonia. He suspects Arthur wants his position. Arthur's character is portrayed as a different kind of leader for his time. He's a warrior but dislikes war, and he leads with compassion and strategy rather than violence. This ambiguity adds depth to his character.

Nimue strongly disagrees with Arthur and seeks vengeance. She tries to trick Arthur with Derfel's help, but Arthur sees through it. This strengthens Derfel's admiration for Arthur. The episode ends with a cliffhanger as Arthur releases Gundleus, hoping to bring other British rulers together for a ceremony in Dumnonia to fight the Saxons. The review notes some good performances but finds the episode less self-contained compared to the previous ones.

The Winter King

"The Winter King" is a TV show from the United Kingdom that tells a historical fiction story. It's based on a book called "The Warlord Chronicles" by Bernard Cornwell. The show stars Iain De Caestecker, and he plays the character King Arthur. The show first came out on August 20, 2023, in the United States on a channel called MGM+. In the United Kingdom, it was released on a channel called ITVX, but they didn't say exactly when it started there.

The story is about King Arthur, but it's not like the usual stories you might know about him. It's a bit different and based on the books by Bernard Cornwell. So, if you like stories about King Arthur and you're interested in historical fiction, this show might be something you want to watch. It's available on MGM+ in the U.S. and ITVX in the UK. 

The Winter King Plot

The story is a new version of the Arthurian legend, which is a famous tale about King Arthur and his knights. This time, it's set in a time after the Romans have left Britain, and it's a dark and challenging period. Arthur, the great leader, has been banished, and Merlin, the wise magician, is nowhere to be found. The Saxons, who are enemies, are invading the land, and there's a young boy who's the king, but he's not safe.

In this story, we meet characters like Lancelot, who is a bit full of himself and not very liked. Guinevere is ambitious and has her own plans. Merlin is more of a Druid than a magician, and Mordred is Uther's grandson and the rightful king. The story is being told by an old monk named Derfel Cadarn to a young queen named Igraine. It's like a story within a story, and it happens a long time after Arthur has passed away. So, it's a different take on the well-known Arthurian legend, with new twists and characters.

The Winter King Trailer



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The Winter King Episode 3 Recap - FAQs

1. What is "The Winter King"?

"The Winter King" is a British TV series that retells the Arthurian legend. It's set in Post-Roman Dark Age Britain and features characters like Arthur, Merlin, Guinevere, Lancelot, and Mordred.

2.  How can I watch "The Winter King"?

You can watch it on MGM Plus Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Spectrum On Demand, fuboTV, and MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel. It's also available for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

3. When did "The Winter King" premiere?

The series premiered on MGM+ in the United States on August 20, 2023. It also aired on ITVX in the United Kingdom.

4. Who plays King Arthur in the series?

King Arthur is played by Iain De Caestecker.

5. Who tells the story in "The Winter King"?

The story is narrated by an elderly Saxon-born monk named Derfel Cadarn. He tells it to a young queen named Igraine long after Arthur's time.

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