Hello Vikings fans! I had to take a few weeks off from reviewing due to some medical emergencies but we’re back for the end and for our penultimate episode! Just one more episode after this, and gosh it feels like it’s gone by so fast doesn’t it? As we near the end of the season there is so much happening each episode that it’s pretty likely there will be something for everyone. Such is the case in our second to last episode of the season, as all of the story lines come together in a really satisfying way.
We are seeing a lot of what we’ve seen before in this episode, battles, betrayal, lust, and lots of blood but it all just seems familiar and not overused. This week’s battle was one of the best the shows ever done, and I’m sure many people got deep satisfaction over seeing Ragnar, Lagertha, and Bjorn all fighting together. We all loved Lagertha and Ragnar as a power couple, but I’m glad that since the show had to split them up they found a way to keep Lagertha around and make her even more badass than before.
Rollo’s fate seems uncertain at the end of the battle, and the show has done such a good job with his redemption arc this season that viewers really do care what happens to him in the end. Had he been placed in mortal peril at the beginning of the season I believe that more people would be rooting for him to bite the dust. Instead I found myself genuinely concerned over what would happen to him, but more than a little disappointed at his threats to poor Athelstan.
Athelstan himself is back where most fans believe he belongs as he decided to leave King Ecbert and head back with Ragnar. Not everyone is thrilled to see him back but that seems to be the minority. Athelstan’s story this season has been incredibly compelling to watch partly due to the amazing performance given by George Blagden, who has always played the character with such a subtlety and eagerness that makes Athelstan instantly relatable to fans.
Seeing him back with Ragnar, really reminded me how great the chemistry is between these two. I would love to see their relationship change next season, and see Athelstan take on a more dominant role, as opposed to Ragnar’s passive pet monk. Granted he has grown in leap and bounds this season and I think has become a much stronger character because of it, but we haven’t see how this growth will play now that he’s back with Ragnar and the rest. Especially since it’s clear that Rollo and Floki don’t trust him.
Speaking of Floki, how much does his turn away from Ragnar upset everyone else. As the season has progressed I’ve found myself liking King Horik less and less and now that he’s turned Floki away from Ragnar I think he needs to go. Or at least Floki should see the error of his ways. I think this betrayal is one of the worst the show has offered so far, mostly because Floki has been such a strong supporter of Ragnar since the beginning.
It’s incredible to see that Lagertha is inspiring this whole new generation of shield maidens, and in general I think Lagertha has been such an incredible role model for girls everywhere and I’m glad that’s even carrying over to the show. Katheryn Winnick should be commended for bringing this character to life and giving her such a formidable voice both on and off screen.
As always I hope to see more interaction between Aslaug and Lagertha. All of the women on this show are just fantastic, and while I didn’t get to write about it last week Alyssa Sutherland gave an amazing performance in episode 8, one that really moved me.
I’m excited to see how they end out the season, what will be wrapped up and what new stories will be added. I think they’ve done an incredible job with balance this season, which is difficult, as the cast has grown larger and larger.
What do you hope for in the season finale? Are you glad that Rollo seems to be in the clear (for now?) How do you feel about Athelstan being back with the Vikings? Sound off below and don’t forget to watch next week at 10pm on the History Channel.
