Warning: Major spoilers for The Winter King episode 1-6 below!
A teaser for The Winter King episode 7 where Guinevere states “Ceinwyn always gets what I want” could see a big change to King Arthur lore for the series. The Winter King is based on a trilogy of novels by Bernard Cornwell, but despite comparisons to Game of Thrones, the TV adaptation is considerably smaller in scale than HBO’s fantasy epic. While there have been some gruesome sword fights, MGM+’s show has yet to stage a major battle sequence and is instead focused on the political drama involving young Arthur (Iain De Caestecker) trying to unite a fractured Britain against the invading Saxons.
The Winter King episode 6 introduced another key figure from Arthurian lore: his future Queen, Guinevere (Jordan Alexandra). The timing couldn’t be worse for Arthur, as he has planned to marry Gorfydd of Powys’ daughter Ceinwyn (Emily John) as a way to unite their kingdoms after decades of division. It’s a good plan on the surface, though Arthur falls instantly in love with the ambitious Guinevere soon after, who was raised in Powys and is practically a sister to Ceinwyn.
The Winter King Episode 7 Clip Teases Childhood Rivalry Between Ceinwyn & Guinevere
Anyone with a passing knowledge of the King Arthur myth will know it’s inevitable he and Guinevere will be together. However, episode 6 suggests there could be an ongoing love triangle between them and Ceinwyn. A teaser clip for Winter King episode 7 sees Guinevere and Arthur dance around their growing feelings for each other, with the former also admitting jealousy surrounding her adoptive sister, confessing “Ceinwyn always gets what I want.”
This love triangle element is something new The Winter King is bringing to the classic Arthur myth, and in terms of story, hints at some lingering sibling rivalry between Guinevere and Ceinwyn. On the surface, the two appear to be best friends, though in conversations with both Arthur and Gorfydd, it’s clear Guinevere has bigger ambitions than being Ceinwyn’s dutiful pal. She wants to win back the land that was stolen from her people years before, and outside of the attraction she feels for Arthur, she could also see an affair will him as a means to achieve that goal.
What Guinevere Being Envious Of Ceinwyn Means For The Winter King Season 1’s Arthur Romance
In the first book, Arthur breaks off his engagement with Ceinwyn and marries Guinevere, which sparks a bloody civil war with Powys. The series has already shown a willingness to divert from the source material, however, and with Guinevere being forced by Gorfydd to accompany the couple back to Dumnonia after their planned wedding, it seems she and Arthur may carry out an affair behind Ceinwyn’s back. Considering Guinevere has a genuine love for Ceinwyn too – despite her envy – episode 7 promises some spicy drama to come for in the remainder of Winter King season 1.
