MovieChat Forums > The Last Kingdom (2015) Discussion > Why would Uhtred throw away his marriage...

Why would Uhtred throw away his marriage for Isealt?

posted 8 years ago by xystophoros
11 replies | jump to latest

Maybe I'm just partial to Amy Wren, but Uhtred's actions really didn't make sense.

I mean, the dude singlehandedly destroyed a viking fleet and slayed Ubba in single combat just so he could get back to his wife and child ASAP, and he left immediately for home even though Leofric specifically warned him that some slimy dude like Odda Jr. would claim credit for the victory.

He couldn't wait to get back to his family...then there are all these images of domestic bliss -- Uhtred surprising his wife, telling her she's beautiful, Uhtred and Mildrith with their baby, laughing at his farts and making plans for the future, yadda yadda.

I get why Uhtred was enraged at Alfred, why he loathed Odda, why he felt compelled to go reaving and "earn his wealth."

What I don't get is why he'd throw away his wife and son for a child-queen of some crappy little kingdom who does a Theresa Caputo impersonation. Uhtred was like a puppy dog before she even said a word.

And not only did he choose to abandon his wife, but his son too? Just seems too much of a stretch.

[–] goher-irfan 8 years ago

I think it was because she was a representation of what he hate about their society. She believed in God more than in him of course. The fact that he didn't want the child baptized and she still wanted to do it. He was refusing God through his refusal to acknowledge he child and his wife. I might be reading too much into this but he is mesmerized by Iseult but she is the embodiment of the 'heathen' life and what he grew up with as his way of life. His wife on the other hand is the oppression and the humiliation he feels Alfred and the Church have put him through.

[–] yukonracer 8 years ago

I concur. Nearly every scene after "You are just too beautiful to disturb" was of the two drifting apart due to her devotion to the church. I feel that his decision to return home immediately and show affection to his wife serves to give us some scale or point of reference when she "chooses" the church over her husband. I choose to think that Uhtred is some kind of agnostic. The belief in fate and destiny combined with his hatred of the "unjust" aspects of the church is interesting and reminds me of some feelings I've had personally about religion.

Interesting stuff and some great writing.

[–] xenopharb 8 years ago

Because Iseult (Charlie Murphy) is stunning at their first meeting. She also thinks as he does. They are one in mind and spirit.

[–] Phidippides 8 years ago

I agree - I thought his rejection of Mildrith (and son) was not plausible. I suspect this route was the choice of a creator more used to modern-style "convenience" marriage which can easily be swapped than marriage as a permanent institution.

http://www.westerncivforum.com

[–] davidwile 8 years ago

Hey folks,

To me, Phidippides is viewing things through a different pair of glasses than I. Like the several folks who posted before her, I saw them drifting apart before they actually parted. Mildrith, like so many of her own kind were so caught up in their devotion to God that they neglected to realize the very problems which were befalling them. As was noted by others, Uhtred and Isealt were more kindred spirits with each other than Mildrith could ever be.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] jamieparsons1 8 years ago

Because Uhtred is an idiot, like most characters on the show.

[–] lilgrasshoppah 8 years ago

1. The marriage to Mildreth was a marriage of convenience. And she became decidedly INconvenient... what with her debts, and her disloyalty to him, and her unquestioning christian piety.
2. Uhtred was arrogant, and decisive.... at times, rash. he was also a pragmatist... he has little time for sophistry, and politics...
3. Iseult was free, loyal, and pagan.

[–] Ezrateach 8 years ago

Because he was extremely attracted to her beauty at first sight and then fell in love with her because she intelligient, wise, kind, and brave; she was the one to jump out of hiding to stop the rape. She was Uhtred's soul mate.

Her death at the end was very upsetting.

[–] SadAndSlightlyOverweight 8 years ago

Really? I absolutely cannot stand the airhead. Wanted to punch her when she mindlessly strolled into another woman's house with her husband. Wow, Mildrith has self control because she would've been OFF my land within minutes.

[–] vicky_lc2001 (1907) 6 years ago

That was very insulting I agree. Bringing another woman into your wife's home and introducing her to his wife.

[–] TheFirstStormAndTheLast 8 years ago

Probably because his wife was a retarded bible beater. I mean yeah she was hot but when ever she opened her mouth nothing but stupid came out of it.