F bomb and a new Queen as Britannia wraps its first series (Recap Series 1 Episode 9)

Image from Britannia, streamed via iFlix

(I wrote this almost three weeks ago, sorry, I neglected to post it.)

When I think of an overall theme of Britannia, the best that I could come up with was a profanity laden declaration by Queen Antedia after the Romans turned on her and her army. Yes, there are gods and prophecies and many trippy scenes but I am afraid, after nine episodes, I am going to have to throw in the towel and wait for someone smarter than me to parse all that out. Romans came to Britannia, Romans are terrible in general, and though Romans came up on top on this first series (season, for my American readers) finale, they have not won.

Kerra no longer cared that Lindon betrayed her and her people. It turned out that Lindon came to the citadel not to forge closer bonds between the tribes, but as a spy at the direction of the Druids. Phelan had been right not to trust him; he has been a spy from the moment he arrived at the Cantii stronghold. Kerra appeared to have found some measure of inner peace before she surrendered to General Aulus. She parted civilly with Lindon and calmly rode to meet certain death.

Image from Britannia, streamed via iFlix

In exchange for the surrender of the Cantii, Kerra wanted General Aulus’ assurance that none of her people would be harmed. She was willing to give herself over to Queen Antedia and whatever tortures her former husband’s mother had in store for her. That proved unnecessary, for General Aulus, whose 20,000 soldiers recently arrived to join Queen Antedia’s army, gave the order to hurl massive balls of fire, followed by fire tipped arrows, into Queen Antedia’s camp. Queen Antedia survived (I cheered at this, for I do so wish to see Zoe Wanamaker again should there be a second series), but her only son and heir did not.

‘If you want her more than these lands, more than this fortress, that means that she’s powerful, she’s a threat, and as long as she is out there, you haven’t won. You haven’t won.’

Kerra had brought a knife with her, but General Aulus easily disarmed her and demanded that she tell him where Cait was. When Kerra refused to cooperate, General Aulus cut open her chest and ripped out her heart. General Aulus had no idea that the girl he searched for was with erstwhile guide to the Underworld Veran and the Druids.

Image from Britannia, streamed via iFlix

Cait’s suicide attempt was interrupted by the assassin Hella, who later sold her to Veran. Divis survived his encounter with Hella and followed Cait to the Druid camp. Whatever Veran saw in Cait, it was enough for him to let her live and tell Divis what happened next in the prophecy of the small girl with a blind father. Has a second series been commissioned? I am writing this whilst on holiday and without Internet connection, so I am unable to check. (UPDATE: A second series for Britannia has been commissioned.)

I reacted rather negatively when I saw the first episode of Britannia for the first time. I watched it a second time, and ended up liking it a bit more. Britannia is one of those shows that remind me not to write off a series just because you did not like the first episode. Though I have no idea what Britannia's end game is, I hope we will get a chance to find out.

Strays

Image from Britannia, streamed via iFlix

■ Veran declared that Ania was not Brenna. Ania was furious at first, but she later decided to remain with the Druids to learn. Phelan opted to leave.

■ Veran told Phelan to find new light, protect it, and help it grow. Does this mean Phelan will have a more important role to play next series?

■ General Aulus crowned Amena the new Queen of the Cantii. Amena declared the Age of the Druids over.

■ ‘F****** Roman b******.’

■ ‘I hear the Cantii are eating straw and rat shit. Cheers a girl up no end.’