New Bernard Cornwell series The Winter King disappoints compared to The Last Kingdom

The Winter King Falls Short of Expectations

MGM+ TV’s adaptation of Bernard Cornwell’s legendary novel, The Winter King, has left many fans disappointed.

In a review by Dan Selcke, he reminisces about his early introduction to Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles and expresses his excitement at the prospect of a television adaptation. However, Selcke’s hopes were dashed after watching the first episode of The Winter King, which he describes as “pretty lame” and a “middling effort.”

Lost Perspective and Main Character Misplacement

The TV show fails to capture the essence of Cornwell’s work, stripping away the aspects that made the books unique and interesting. Instead of focusing on the main character, Derfel, a young pagan boy who grows up to become a warrior in Arthur’s service, The Winter King chooses to foreground Arthur and Merlin. This decision results in a portrayal that resembles any other version of the Arthurian legend, albeit with a darker and grittier tone.

In the books, Derfel serves as a witness to the events of the Arthurian legend, providing readers with a fresh perspective on the familiar story. By introducing Arthur and Merlin early on in the TV show, it loses the opportunity to offer viewers a new and unique interpretation.

Lack of Historical Context and Character Development

One of the shortcomings of The Winter King is its failure to preserve the historical context that plays a significant role in Cornwell’s books. The tension between paganism and Christianity, a central theme in the novels, is downplayed in the TV adaptation. The conflict between Arthur’s pagan father and the Christians attending his wife during labor serves as an example of this tension in the books, but it is not adequately emphasized in the show.

The lack of importance conveyed in the first episode is further exacerbated by the characters’ lack of depth and personality. The dialogue consists of declarative statements that summarize the characters in bullet point form but does little to reveal their motivations or inner workings. Even beloved characters like Merlin come across as bland and lacking the eccentricity that made them captivating in the books.

While there are fleeting moments, such as when Merlin’s priestess Morgan defiantly rips a crucifix from a pregnant woman’s hands, that hint at the characters’ potential, they are overshadowed by the show’s focus on creating an epic atmosphere rather than developing its characters.

An Aversion to Magic

One aspect that greatly appealed to readers in Cornwell’s books was the treatment of magic as something fearful and respected, even if it did not manifest in the form of lightning bolts shooting from fingertips. Sadly, The Winter King fails to capture this mystical element, with magic taking a backseat to the grit and brutality of the Arthurian world portrayed onscreen.

Editorial: The Perils of Adaptations

The disappointment surrounding MGM+’s The Winter King is not unfamiliar ground in the realm of book-to-TV adaptations. Countless beloved stories have suffered the same fate, either through misinterpretation, rushed production, or a desire to conform to conventional narrative structures.

It is important for creators and producers to recognize the qualities that made the source material resonate with audiences in the first place. The strength of Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles lies in its unique perspective on the Arthurian legend, its portrayal of complex characters, and the delicate balance between history and myth. By deviating from these core elements, The Winter King risks alienating its built-in fan base and failing to captivate a wider audience.

Advice for Future Adaptations

For future adaptations of beloved books, taking an approach that preserves the essence of the source material is vital. Embracing the unique perspective that the original work offers and maintaining the complexity and authenticity of the characters will ensure a more successful translation to the screen.

Additionally, staying true to the historical context and themes that underpin the story will enrich the viewing experience, capturing the magic that made the books so beloved by fans. Striking a balance between faithfulness to the source material and creative license is a delicate task, but one that can lead to a satisfying adaptation.

In the case of The Winter King, future episodes may redeem the adaptation, but it remains to be seen whether MGM+ will be able to recapture the spirit of Cornwell’s epic tale.