In this week’s Vikings recap of “Valhalla Can Wait,” King Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) is still struggling after his mother’s funeral. Now that she is gone, everyone is back to trying to find their place in the harsh winter. Let’s see how they do this week!
Kattegat
Hvitserk (Marco Ilsø) is chained and brought to King Bjorn. He admits to killing Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick). When asked why he tells him that he thought it was Ivar (Alex Høgh Andersen). King Bjorn unleashes his wrath on his brother. Hvitserk knows that what he did is unforgivable and is willing to accept the consequences. King Bjorn declares Hvitserk guilty and has him taken away.
Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) goes to give Hvitserk some water and tells him that he should ask for forgiveness. However, Hvitserk tells him that he did what they all promised they would do for the death of their mother. It was his fate.
King Bjorn sits with the family to discuss what has happened. Amma (Kristy Dawn Dinsmore) pleads with King Bjorn that it wasn’t Hvitserk’s fault. However, King Bjorn is too angry to listen. He not only mourns the loss of his mother, Lagertha, but also his son. Queen Gunnhild (Ragga Ragnars) lets him know that Hali risked his life for the village. This statement doesn’t ease Bjorn’s hurt, and the guilt on Torvi’s (Georgia Hirst) is apparent.
“I have lost three things. My mother, my son, and now the crown of Norway.”
He decides to burn Hvitserk the following day. This decision weighs heavily on him. He thinks back to all the advice he has gotten over the years as he struggles with what to do.
The following morning, men take Hvitserk to the pier, where they tie him to the stake. The entire city of Kattegat watches as the fire burns. Although Hvitsterk is ready to accept his fate, King Bjorn has something else in mind. Just as the sky opens and the sun comes through, Bjorn gives a knowing nod to Ubbe, who takes his ax and throws it towards Hvitserk. It hits the rope that has him tied to the stake, and he falls into the water. Ubbe jumps in after him and brings him onto the dock. King Bjorn grabs Hvitserk to tell him the reason he spared his life.
“Because I know you were happy to die. But I don’t want you to be happy. No. I don’t want you to enter Odin’s hall. I want you to suffer a living death. Expelled from Kattegat and the haunts of men. Destined to die in a ditch in some forest somewhere. Utterly forgotten, wretched, insignificant, unmemorable! Like a flea on a sheep’s back.”
Ubbe sadly states that he won’t survive the winter. King Bjorn’s men take Hvitserk out of the city gates. He then tells the people that King Harald is the King of Norway, and he believes he will attack soon because Kattegat is a valuable conquest. King Bjorn then asks his people that knowing this, do they still want him to rule, or they can join King Harald and save Kattegat from another brutal battle. Since there is only silence after King Bjorn’s speech, Queen Gunnhild steps in and speaks for her husband. She rallies the people of Kattegat to show their support of him, of which they do.
Later Ubbe visits Kjetill (Adam Copeland), who is still healing from his wounds. Ubbe wants Kjetill to go with him to Iceland. He wants him to introduce him to the wanderer and help him find Floki. Without much choice, Kjetill agrees.
While King Bjorn lies with his mistress Ingrid (Lucy Martin), Queen Gunnhild walks through the streets of Kattegat. He states he needs to end this because he doesn’t want to lie to Queen Gunnhild, who deserves better. Unfortunately for him, his mistress steers him from this idea. Just then, Queen Gunnhild walks in and confirms their betrayal. She tells King Bjorn that she is not a jealous person. Queen Gunnhild sees that he is in love with her and so she releases Ingrid from servitude and suggests that she marry King Bjorn. She points out that it is not uncommon for a King to take on multiple wives. Ragnar had even attempted this, although Lagertha did not go along with it.
Queen Gunnhild proposes that Ingrid and King Bjorn marry, and they all live together. This suggestion surprises King Bjorn and Ingrid. Queen Gunnhild doesn’t seem to let this get to her, however as she leaves them, she tells Bjorn that even great men make mistakes. Afterall his mother was killed by the men he banished — a subtle way to let King Bjorn know that he is not above making poor judgments.
Despite being winter, Ubbe, along with Torvi and Kjetill, prepare to leave for Iceland. Bjorn doesn’t want them to go, but Ubbe wants to get a head start before the ice forms. When King Bjorn tells Torvi that she shouldn’t go since she is pregnant, the look on her face tells him this is not a fight he will win. He then says goodbye to his daughter. Torvi and Queen Gunnhild also have a moment together where they both let each other know that they have great admiration and respect for one another.
King Bjorn is sad that they are all separating again, but he hopes that they will all meet one day in Valhalla.
Kiev
Prince Igor (Oran Glynn O’Donovan) and Ivar head to see Prince Oleg (Danila Kozlovsky). They are not sure why he wants to see them. When they arrive in the dinner hall, Price Oleg tells Ivar that before they can invade, he needs to know more about the area. Prince Oleg wants to send small raiding parties to collect intel and prisoners who can provide helpful information. Ivar agrees that this is a smart and strategic move.
Ivar invites Prince Igor to go along with him, however, when Prince Igor consults his puppet, this infuriates Prince Oleg. Prince Igor fires back, telling him that he owns everything, and Prince Oleg corrects him.
“You are not a King. You are my ward. l am responsible for you and without me, you are nothing. Less than nothing.”
He tells Prince Igor that he will cut out his tongue if he ever makes fun of him again.
Ivar watches in disbelief. He knows that Prince Oleg is more dangerous than him. Prince Oleg then brings up his child, which causes Ivar to leave abruptly. He instead goes comfort Prince Igor who is crying in his room.
Vestfold (Norway)
King Harald (Peter Franzén) sends for King Olaf (Steven Berkoff). When he enters the hall, he asks where the warriors are going. King Harald lets him know that they are patrolling the borders. He doesn’t trust the other Kings, despite winning the elections. King Olaf then asks about King Bjorn and what King Harald has in plans for him. King Bjorn holds a special place, and King Harald knows that when he does finally kill him, only then can he be the true King.
He then tells King Olaf that he plans to keep him around. King Harald believes that the old ruler’s ranting might have some sage advice, and he doesn’t want to miss out on that. King Harald orders his men to remove the shackles. This gesture takes King Olaf by surprise.
Meanwhile, Prince Oleg’s men attack a small village near Vestfold. The Viking men do their best to protect the people but are defeated. As King Harald’s warriors arrive onsite, they see an older man weep over the body of a dead girl. When they ask what happened, the man points to a flag that was set down by the raiders.
They return to tell King Harald what happened, and even though he laughs it off, he seeks King Olaf’s advice. King Olaf warns them that they will return with an army.
Iceland
Kjetkill, Ubbe, and Torvi arrive in Iceland. The villagers welcome them. However, Kjetkill doesn’t seem to be entirely happy to be back.
“Lord Odin, why did they have to come here? Allfather, what have you done?”
With Ubbe and Torvi headed to Iceland and Hvitserk banished from Kattegat, will our Viking families ever reunite again? King Bjorn’s speech when they leave seems so final. Will Hvitserk survive? What will Ubbe and Torvi discover on their adventure? Will Floki ever be found? Can King Bjorn fight against King Harald? And finally, what will King Harald do now that Prince Oleg has his sights set on ruling Scandanavia?
Vikings airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST on History.