Before we start let’s clear something up, it’s been nine months since episode 1, this is kinda obvious to work out as Thorunn has had her child and we found out she was pregnant in episode 1. I have no idea how long it’s been since the last episode however.
This episode harkens back to something I mentioned in a previous review, you can’t predict where the story or characters are going. Cause just like that Torstein was dead, then Siggy was dead, and just like that Athelstan is now dead. Unlike Game of Thrones all these deaths aren’t random or surprising for the sake of it, but they propel the stories and characters around them. By looking back at the events before their deaths it makes complete sense.
With all the religious conflict throughout the season and especially in this episode, I predicted Athelstan may die before the season’s end. But damn I didn’t expect it by the end of the episode. Ragnar loved Athelstan, he even said it himself in the episode and Athelstan represented the rest of the world to him. But Athelstan I think was becoming too much of a distraction to him, his decisions became clouded. Athelstan has been an amazing character since season 1, who could have easily fallen into the trap of being that annoying guy who takes up screen time. Instead he became the character you felt sorry for, he lived in two worlds at a time where it was impossible.
Why did you have to die? We had so much more to talk about. – Ragnar Lothbrok
Yet again, Floki was right. He finally got to tell Ragnar ‘I told you so.’ Understandably you feel all the anger and frustration lurking inside his shell, Ragnar keeps ignoring what is right in front of him and following his curiosity instead. As an audience we feel the relief when Floki finally gets to strike Athelstan down with his axe. This is no small thing too, Ragnar is starting to show weaknesses as King, everyone knew about the settlement being destroyed when Ragnar tried to keep it a secret. Ragnar had a christian as his right hand man and now he carries the cross of Christ around his neck. I fear this could be the beginning of the end for Ragnar, who I think will meet his demise in Season 4. Especially when he is surrounding himself around people like Horik’s son and the ambitious Earl Kalf.
In other news, Bjorn is now a father. Funny that he names his daughter Siggy, now the title of the epsiode has a double meaning. Siggy was also born again in Bjorn’s daughter. I was quite surprised that Bjorn shamed Thorunn by having sex with Torvi. Thorunn had just gave him a child, and it looked like things were getting better between the two. How will Horrik’s son react, when he finds out his wife has been taken by Ragnar’s son?
This episode was very ‘Vikingy’. It reminded me a lot of the ‘Blood Eagle’ episode in Season 2. Where religion and culture became the fore front of the episode, the build up to Athelstan’s death was beautiful and mesmorising too, the music and direction was perfect. Speaking of beautiful, Ragnar’s scene alone burying and saying goodbye to Athelstan was very symbolic while still being funny (Ragnar had many funny moments in this episode). After this we see Ragnar transform. He shaves his head. He wears Athelstan’s cross. Vikings is getting better and better. Next week, we attack Paris. Here’s the promo featuring man buns and crossbows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqYnl-wfGGM
Words by Eddie Michael