WAPO OP ED: Netflix hit The Last Kingdom reveals GOP weakness

[lindysalsagal]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/26/presidency-last-kingdom/?utm_term=.357c52bcb7f7

What a feeble king and a barbarian teach us about Trump

By Hugh Hewitt February 26

Netflix has another hit on its hands: “The Last Kingdom,” based on Bernard Cornwell’s series of novels about late-ninth-century England. Launched in October 2015 by BBC America and BBC Two, it was later picked up by Netflix, which describes the series thus: “As Alfred the Great defends his kingdom from Norse invaders, Uhtred — born a Saxon but raised by Vikings — seeks to claim his ancestral birthright."

“The Last Kingdom” is a PG-13 “Game of Thrones,” except for its anchoring in the real history of England and the real genius of King Alfred, who turned back the Viking invaders and slowly assembled the pieces of what would become modern England. Winston Churchill devotes a good bit of the first volume of his four-volume "A History of the English Speaking Peoples" to Alfred and his son Edward and their wars and temporary truces with the treasure-and-power-minded and ruthless Danes.

Second, what might strike your imagination is that the Alfred of history is very much like today’s Republican Party: enfeebled, back against the wall, out of options and a Supreme Court vacancy away from losing its cherished “rule of law,” slowly yielding ground to an always-growing regulatory state at home and vastly ambitious opponents abroad.

So like Alfred enlisting Uhtred, the GOP of 2016 turned to the half-this-half-that brawler, sometimes Democrat, sometimes Republican from New York City. “He may be a pagan sire, but he’s our pagan” is more or less what Father Beocca (Ian Hart), the king’s long-suffering counselor-confessor, is obliged to repeatedly remind Alfred, who is surrounded at his court by quite a few #NeverUnhtred skeptics. In a providential coincidence, the show’s Rotten Tomatoes rating of 87 percent is not far from Trump’s approval numbers among Republicans. The latter group prefers ultimately, like Alfred, to win political battles rather than lose with prayers properly said. The third season of “The Last Kingdom” got underway in November, just as President Trump’s did. Now the Vikings have got to figure out who to throw at “Uhtred son of Uhtred.” Best not to send someone with a stave to a sword fight.

FYI: I have already watched The Last Kingdom 3 times through, and I'm a total FAN! So, now that WAPO's Hewitt has used his column to bring it up, I get to share it with DU!!!

Go and watch it! You'll be addicted!!! It's awesome!!!

[3Hotdogs]

1. I have also enjoyed the three seasons.

[lindysalsagal]

2. I know, right????

We'll have to stay in touch to discuss season 4!

[The Blue Flower]

3. I got hooked on the books before it was a movie

Great story telling.

[OregonBlue]

4. Me too . Have read them all several times. Such fun. But

Hewitt is totally wrong as usual. Uhtred is a savage but he is a loving and caring and often noble man. There is no tenderness or humanity in Trump. Hewitts comparison debases Uhtred.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Oh, so that's what happened to The Last Kingdom - Netflix stole it

It pisses me off when this happens - the BBC starts something (with my TV licence money) , and then later seasons end up on some subscription network.

They did the same thing with Orphan Black. 1st 2 seasons aired in the BBC fine, at a normal time for a drama (9pm on a Friday or Saturday evening, I think). Then they broadcast the 3rd series, with no publicity on their main channels, literally in the middle of the night (about 3am) on consecutive weeknights (and, thanks to the 'no publicity' policy, I never knew it was on, so didn't record it or use an online catch-up service in the month or so it was available). Then Netflix got exclusive rights to the rest of it.

[lindysalsagal]

6. Rent Netflix one month. S3 is totally worth it.

Pay Netflix 1 month to see all 26 episodes, then quit until season 4 comes out. You won't be sorry. Season 3 was incredible!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

7. I have to check this out.

My favorite part of Game of Thrones is all the political machinations between the various factions.

I honestly couldn't care less about the dragons and white walker stuff.

[lindysalsagal]

8. Grittier, honest, with human themes: integrity, trust, honor,

Reputation, religion, power, loyalty, love, loss. You'll be hooked.

I recommend newbies to watch season 1 twice before moving on. It's so rich: you get much more 2nd time. 🤗

[PatSeg]

9. Thanks for the reminder

I watched Season one, but haven't watched two or three yet. I found the history fascinating.

[lindysalsagal]

10. Oh, honey: call in sick. Lock the door. Turn off the phone.

You're in for some delicious storytelling! Destiny is all!😎

[PatSeg]

11. I started to watch season two

awhile back, but at the time I just wasn't in the mood for it. I love binge watching a good show.

[peggysue2]

12. No!

Hewitt doesn't get to ruin a perfectly fine historical drama by making absurd comparisons between Trumplandia and The Last Kingdom.

The Trumpster = Uhtred son of Uhtred???

LOL.

Donald Trump doesn't have a noble bone in his body, wouldn't know honor if he tripped over it and has the courage of a bully, the sort that fights and wounds for the sheer hell of it and would be the first to leave the field of battle if injury or defeat were imminent. Lord Trump would throw his men to slaughter to save his own skin. Count in it!

The GOP = Alfred's Wessex or Alfred's driven pursuit to create a united England?

No, No, No!

Hewitt is trying to rewrite history, make excuses for the Republicans slavish adherence to a foolish, demented and cruel man who is leading them to ruin while trying to drag the rest of us with them.

Uhtred son of Uhtred was a far, far better man. This is a stupid, hollow comparison.

That being said, The Last Kingdom is a terrific series. If you like historical drama, this is worth your time,

[lindysalsagal]

14. I agree, and love your passion, peggy!

[NewJeffCT]

13. a recommendation from Hugh Hewitt

is not really a point in the show's favor, especially since he is comparing it to the GOP of 2016 turning to Trump like Alfred turning to Uhtred.