Last week, the Lothbrok sons all went their separate ways, each following their paths. We can only hope that the Gods somehow bring them together again. Let’s get started with our Vikings recap of episode “Resurrection!”
Iceland
The settlers celebrate the arrival of Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) and Torvi (Georgia Hirst). As they eat and drink, the man they call ‘The Wanderer’ or Othere arrives. Kjetill (Adam Copeland) introduces him to Ubbe, who is interested in the new land that he discovered to the west of Iceland.
Othere reluctantly tells the story of how he came upon the land. He discovered it by accident as a result of a storm that blew him off course. He describes a fantastic sight of nature and earth. The tides were too strong that he couldn’t get to the land, and he ended up back in Iceland. Ubbe asks that Othere come with them to rediscover that land, and he agrees. Ubbe’s thoughts then turn back to Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård). He still wants to find him. After Ubbe and Torvi retire to rest, Kjetill tells everyone at the table that Ubbe does not need to know everything.
Torvi meanwhile goes into labor, and it turns out to be difficult, which worries Ubbe. Othere comes to pray for them. As Torvi realizes they may have to cut the baby out of her, she sees Hali, who summons her. She tells him that it is not time. Thankfully, she delivers the child naturally, and they name the baby, Ragnar. Ubbe realizes that the prayers that Othere uttered were Christian. He knows this from his time in England.
When Ubbe confronts Othere, he tells him that his original name was Athelstan and that he was once a missionary. This revelation surprises Ubbe. He took the name of a Danish man named Othere. Ubbe feels he is an enemy of their Gods and should die. However, Torvi talks some sense into him. She reminds Ubbe that he was once baptized and also prayed to the Christian God.
Later, Othere gives Ubbe Floki’s wedding ring, and Ubbe interrogates him on how he got it. Othere says he left cause he had no hope left for humanity, and before going gave him his most precious possession.
Kattegat
After getting banished from Kattegat, Hvitserk (Marco Ilsø) is barely holding on as he roams the forest. Back in the city, King Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) weds Ingrid (Lucy Martin) in a big ceremony. Although it was Queen Gunnhild’s (Ragga Ragnars) idea that they should marry, she is still not happy about it. Queen Gunnhild tells Ingrid the story of Freya and lets her subtly know that it is she who is really in charge.
Later in the night, King Bjorn admits that he didn’t want to hurt Queen Gunnhild. She tells him that he must live with his decisions, and since it is his wedding night, he is free to go to his new bride. With her permission, he heads out. As he leaves, Queen Gunnhild cries to herself.
Later, King Bjorn ask Erik (Eric Johnson) to prepare the men to be ready for King Harald (Peter Franzén). As Erik leads a troop of men, they come across the Rus soldiers. They quietly sneak up on the men but are ambushed. Erik and the rest of his party have to fight their way out. He finds another one of their flags and takes it back to King Bjorn.
They realize these men are the same ones that his traders ran into, and that Ivar is staying with their Prince. King Bjorn knows that they are scouting and probably looking to invade. Erik is worried that they will not be able to defend themselves. They have until spring to decide what to do. Queen Gunnhild points out that King Bjorn will need to reach out to King Harald for assistance. It is the only way that they will be able to survive. When King Bjorn finds out that the Rus are also Christians, it enrages him even more.
“Then we are not only fighting for ourselves but for our Gods!”
Vestfold (Norway)
Erik arrives in King Harald’s kingdom. He tells him that King Bjorn wants to join forces. King Harald remembers Erik as the outlaw, and he has no interest in working with a man who is technically one of his subjects. He has his men capture Erik and sentences him to death for his past crimes. King Olaf (Steven Berkoff), meanwhile, watches all this with some concern.
Afterward, King Olaf goes to King Harald and implores him to listen to Erik. He is telling the truth about the coming dangers of the Rus invasion. King Harald reluctantly agrees. When he talks to Erik again, Erik tells him that there is no way out of what is going to happen.
“The Rus are coming.”
King Harald will only agree if King Bjorn brings his men to King Harald’s kingdom.
Kiev
Meanwhile, Ivar’s (Alex Høgh Andersen) men had encountered his brother, Hvitserk. After they got reacquainted, Ivar ended up taking Hvitserk back with him as he sees that he is not doing well. He was also happy to see a familiar face.
Back in Kiev, Ivar and Prince Igor (Oran Glynn O’Donovan) help Hvitserk get well. Hvitserk reveals to Ivar that he is the one who finally killed Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick.) This news pleasantly surprises Ivar. As Hvitserk basks in the glory of what he has done, Ivar smiles and walks away.
Later, Ivar introduces Hvitserk to Prince Oleg (Danila Kozlovsky) and Princess Katya (Alicia Agneson). Prince Oleg points out that he is reclaiming his homeland and asks if Hvitserk will be joining them. He says that he will.
After the introduction, Ivar asks Hvitserk if Princess Katya reminds him of anyone. He then tells his brother that she is Freydis. Ivar is sure that it is her, but Hvitserk does not believe him. The brothers are later visited by Prince Dir’s (Lenn Kudrjawizki) messenger with a message. Prince Dir wants them to join him in overthrowing Prince Oleg once they have finished invading Scandinavia. With a subtle nod, Ivar agrees.
At the end of the episode, Prince Oleg gathered all of his people to behold a parade. As his impressive fleet of soldiers, walks by, he tells the group that this is the end of their Christian enemies.
“Who can resist such an army? Nobody. Not King Harald. Not Bjorn Ironside. They are like children – they and their Gods will be destroyed. This my good friends is the end of Paganism. The end of the Pagan Gods.”
This last statement worries Ivar, and in a rare moment, it shows through. Ivar loves his Gods.
Another impending battle is sure to come! Now is the time for all the players to set their plans. Will Ivar allow Prince Oleg to take over Scandinavia and wipe out his people and their beliefs? Does Ivar completely trust Hvitserk? Can King Bjorn and King Harald put their differences aside to join forces once again and defeat the Rus invasion? And lastly, is Queen Gunnhild truly ok with her husband being with Ingrid?
Vikings airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST on History.