" How the little pigs will grunt
When they hear how the old boar suffered."
Ragnar Lothbrok
It did not take long. The death of King Ragnar enlarged his image...from a mere man to larger than life itself. He quickly became a Viking legend and his lore was branded into the hearts of all Viking warriors. After all, was he not a true son of Odin?
Ivar, the crippled yet most powerful son of Ragnar, might have said it best: "In the name of Ragnar, our father, the greatest hero of our country, we declare war...on the whole world."
I personally would consider this episode as one of The Vikings best! I knew it might get interesting when Lagertha spoke of a need for sacrifice to the Nordic gods. It turned out to be not what to sacrifice, rather, whom to sacrifice.
Enter King Harold Finehair. He has been a true Viking, supported Ragnar and faithful to his sons. Harold's brother, Halfdan the Black, has always been at Harold's side. Suddenly, a Princess enters. In Harold Finehair's mind, she is his one and only soul mate. She confirms what Ivar had spoke of earlier in reference to creating The Great Army. She speaks to King Harold, "... the whole world has come to Kattegat." Yet, King Finehair,(Norway originally, ) now finds her desired princess married to an Earl from Denmark. Although King Harold is a king of a clan from Norway, he thought he was close to becoming King of all Norway. He could not rationalize how "his princess" could settle to marry an Earl from Denmark.
I always enjoy Floki entering the scene. His wife Helga asks Floki if he is alright, suggesting a change of behavior since the death of Ragnar. Floki responds "He left me!" Helga asks if Floki is going with the Great Army. Floki then says "Of course." Helga informs Floki that her and their new adopted daughter are going too...because now they are a family. Helga brought to Floki's attention his change in behavior seems to have started at the mosque. Floki rationalizes how he is confused and does not want to be imprecise. Helga suggests this inner turmoil Floki is facing is "...not a riddle."
And then there is Margrethe, the former slave girl now wife of Ubbe. She has been sexually used by the sons of Queen Aslaug, yet their friendships seem decent. Although she is now married to Ubbe, it appears her true love seems to be Ubbe's brother Hvtserk. So, Ubbe, on his wedding night decides it would be proper to share her love...like in a 3-some. Margerthe asks them how could they not be jealous of such an arrangement. Ubbe answers " Because we are Vikings." Margerthe then says " Let's see if its true," and kisses each brother in front of the other. Hmmm? I wonder where this might lead?
Bjorn, son of Ragnar and Lagertha, then declares he will lead the Great Army, although Ivar the Boneless has aspirations of doing so. Bjorn commands that all of Ragnar's sons will obey him, culminating with an interesting and direct question to Ivar " How many battles have you... lost ?
There was a comet with a large tail of meteorites going through the blackened skies that evening, giving an impression the gods were with them. Meanwhile, Bjorn kept his eyes on...Ivar.
King Ecbert continues to have a struggle with his son Aethelwulf, whom is in charge of the entire army of Wessex, granted to him by his father. In one scene, King Ecbert and Aethelwulf are sitting at a table. News had been received the "Great Heathen Army" has arrived in Northumbria ( a kingdom in England ruled by King (A)Ella. Aethelwulf says to his father " They're here." He goes on to blame his father King Ecbert for their arrival. Aethelwulf expresses how his father had manipulated, humiliated, and used him. He even took his wife and forced him to adopt a bastard son ( son of Athelstan.) He also mentioned how King Ecbert loved Ragnar more than him ( Aethelwulf.). He mentions how the people of Wessex now view King Ecbert as distracted, withdrawn. and confused. Aethelwulf asks his father " What kind of father are you?" Then the big question came: " Do you even love me, do you love me as your son? I really need to know."
King Ecbert remained...silent.
My favorite part of this episode came when King Ella was about to receive communion. A messenger bursts in and King Ella, visibly upset yells out: "I was about to receive the body and blood of Christ our Savior!" The messenger replies " You are about to receive the Great Heathen Army! They have landed on the coast!" Love it!
King Ella met a gruesome end. The Great "Heathen" Army got their revenge and defeated the English Army of Northumbria. King Ella was dragged behind the chariot of Ivar, only to meet his death at the sacred site of Ragnar's death. He met his death through Bjorn, executing him...with the infamous Blood Eagle style of death while King Ella's hands were nailed to a large tree which had fallen to the ground.
Floki spoke to King Ella just prior to nailing large spikes into King Ella's hands: "I heard your God was a carpenter. Guess what? So am I!"
Only 2 more episodes left in Season 4......
When they hear how the old boar suffered."
Ragnar Lothbrok
It did not take long. The death of King Ragnar enlarged his image...from a mere man to larger than life itself. He quickly became a Viking legend and his lore was branded into the hearts of all Viking warriors. After all, was he not a true son of Odin?Ivar, the crippled yet most powerful son of Ragnar, might have said it best: "In the name of Ragnar, our father, the greatest hero of our country, we declare war...on the whole world."
I personally would consider this episode as one of The Vikings best! I knew it might get interesting when Lagertha spoke of a need for sacrifice to the Nordic gods. It turned out to be not what to sacrifice, rather, whom to sacrifice.
Enter King Harold Finehair. He has been a true Viking, supported Ragnar and faithful to his sons. Harold's brother, Halfdan the Black, has always been at Harold's side. Suddenly, a Princess enters. In Harold Finehair's mind, she is his one and only soul mate. She confirms what Ivar had spoke of earlier in reference to creating The Great Army. She speaks to King Harold, "... the whole world has come to Kattegat." Yet, King Finehair,(Norway originally, ) now finds her desired princess married to an Earl from Denmark. Although King Harold is a king of a clan from Norway, he thought he was close to becoming King of all Norway. He could not rationalize how "his princess" could settle to marry an Earl from Denmark.
And then there is Margrethe, the former slave girl now wife of Ubbe. She has been sexually used by the sons of Queen Aslaug, yet their friendships seem decent. Although she is now married to Ubbe, it appears her true love seems to be Ubbe's brother Hvtserk. So, Ubbe, on his wedding night decides it would be proper to share her love...like in a 3-some. Margerthe asks them how could they not be jealous of such an arrangement. Ubbe answers " Because we are Vikings." Margerthe then says " Let's see if its true," and kisses each brother in front of the other. Hmmm? I wonder where this might lead?
Bjorn, son of Ragnar and Lagertha, then declares he will lead the Great Army, although Ivar the Boneless has aspirations of doing so. Bjorn commands that all of Ragnar's sons will obey him, culminating with an interesting and direct question to Ivar " How many battles have you... lost ?
There was a comet with a large tail of meteorites going through the blackened skies that evening, giving an impression the gods were with them. Meanwhile, Bjorn kept his eyes on...Ivar.
King Ecbert continues to have a struggle with his son Aethelwulf, whom is in charge of the entire army of Wessex, granted to him by his father. In one scene, King Ecbert and Aethelwulf are sitting at a table. News had been received the "Great Heathen Army" has arrived in Northumbria ( a kingdom in England ruled by King (A)Ella. Aethelwulf says to his father " They're here." He goes on to blame his father King Ecbert for their arrival. Aethelwulf expresses how his father had manipulated, humiliated, and used him. He even took his wife and forced him to adopt a bastard son ( son of Athelstan.) He also mentioned how King Ecbert loved Ragnar more than him ( Aethelwulf.). He mentions how the people of Wessex now view King Ecbert as distracted, withdrawn. and confused. Aethelwulf asks his father " What kind of father are you?" Then the big question came: " Do you even love me, do you love me as your son? I really need to know."
King Ecbert remained...silent.
King Ella met a gruesome end. The Great "Heathen" Army got their revenge and defeated the English Army of Northumbria. King Ella was dragged behind the chariot of Ivar, only to meet his death at the sacred site of Ragnar's death. He met his death through Bjorn, executing him...with the infamous Blood Eagle style of death while King Ella's hands were nailed to a large tree which had fallen to the ground.
Floki spoke to King Ella just prior to nailing large spikes into King Ella's hands: "I heard your God was a carpenter. Guess what? So am I!"
Only 2 more episodes left in Season 4......
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