"Treachery" and "An Eye For An Eye" were two excellent episodes. The Vikings have invaded England again. This time it's a religious shrine in Wessex.
We sometimes forgot how barbaric the Vikings really were but it on full display here. Athelstan shows them that the church's treasures are hidden under the altar. The Vikings murder everyone (including a priest they play target practice with) except for a few. Ragnar saves one young child by putting a sack over his head. They also rape all the nuns. Athelstan kills a monk who tries to defend the Bible. Ragnar asks questions about Christianity which Athelstan tries to explain. What are miracles, why do you venerate the dead, etc. Loki is suspicious of Athelstan and continues to mock him at every turn.
King Ecbert is already somewhat familiar with the Northmen (as he calls them) from his time with Charlemagne. He later meets with Ragnar in the bath. That was a bizarre meeting as is evident from Ragnar's reaction. Why does Ecbert like to bathe so much? He also doesnt seem particularly intent on wiping out the Vikings (since it wouldnt get that hard). Ecbert has lots more men. I get the feeling that they are just toying with each other. Ragnar tells Ecbert "“I don’t care
about treasure. I’m a very curious man. I want to see your lands and I want to see how you farm them. I am really a farmer.”
Back in Scandinavia, Aslaug keeps churning out sons. Her prophecy comes true as she gives birth to Sigurd "Snake in the Eye". Jarl Borg is upset because he could not go on the English raid. His men destroy the village of Kattegat. Only Rollo, Siggy, Aslaug and the children escape into the mountains. Aslaug continues to be a princess when she says "everything is so dirty here". Siggy replies with "Life is not a walk through an open field." You tell her Siggy!
Ragar hears of the attack and leave immediately. Horik and Athlestan stay behind in England. While hunting, a number of the Vikings are killed and Athlestan is captured. A priest has a severly beaten Athlestan nailed to a cross. "An apostate is the lowest form of life in the eyes of god." I thought Athlestan was a goner for sure. That was rough to watch. King Echbert happens by and tells them to cut Athlestan down.
Meanwhile in a neighboring village Lagertha has remarried (to Earl Sigvard). He is not exactly warm and fuzzy. He tells Lagertha “He (Ragnar) used to own your body. Now I own it." A grown up Bjorn pulls his knife to defend Lagertha but she holds her own. Lagertha and Bjorn are reunited with Ragnar when Lagertha takes all of Sigvard's men to try to help in Ragnar's fight against Jarl Borg. Ragnar and Bjorn are reunited in a touching scene. “Seems your mother and I have produced a son both strong and wise." says Ragnar.
We sometimes forgot how barbaric the Vikings really were but it on full display here. Athelstan shows them that the church's treasures are hidden under the altar. The Vikings murder everyone (including a priest they play target practice with) except for a few. Ragnar saves one young child by putting a sack over his head. They also rape all the nuns. Athelstan kills a monk who tries to defend the Bible. Ragnar asks questions about Christianity which Athelstan tries to explain. What are miracles, why do you venerate the dead, etc. Loki is suspicious of Athelstan and continues to mock him at every turn.
King Ecbert is already somewhat familiar with the Northmen (as he calls them) from his time with Charlemagne. He later meets with Ragnar in the bath. That was a bizarre meeting as is evident from Ragnar's reaction. Why does Ecbert like to bathe so much? He also doesnt seem particularly intent on wiping out the Vikings (since it wouldnt get that hard). Ecbert has lots more men. I get the feeling that they are just toying with each other. Ragnar tells Ecbert "“I don’t care
about treasure. I’m a very curious man. I want to see your lands and I want to see how you farm them. I am really a farmer.”
Back in Scandinavia, Aslaug keeps churning out sons. Her prophecy comes true as she gives birth to Sigurd "Snake in the Eye". Jarl Borg is upset because he could not go on the English raid. His men destroy the village of Kattegat. Only Rollo, Siggy, Aslaug and the children escape into the mountains. Aslaug continues to be a princess when she says "everything is so dirty here". Siggy replies with "Life is not a walk through an open field." You tell her Siggy!
Ragar hears of the attack and leave immediately. Horik and Athlestan stay behind in England. While hunting, a number of the Vikings are killed and Athlestan is captured. A priest has a severly beaten Athlestan nailed to a cross. "An apostate is the lowest form of life in the eyes of god." I thought Athlestan was a goner for sure. That was rough to watch. King Echbert happens by and tells them to cut Athlestan down.
Meanwhile in a neighboring village Lagertha has remarried (to Earl Sigvard). He is not exactly warm and fuzzy. He tells Lagertha “He (Ragnar) used to own your body. Now I own it." A grown up Bjorn pulls his knife to defend Lagertha but she holds her own. Lagertha and Bjorn are reunited with Ragnar when Lagertha takes all of Sigvard's men to try to help in Ragnar's fight against Jarl Borg. Ragnar and Bjorn are reunited in a touching scene. “Seems your mother and I have produced a son both strong and wise." says Ragnar.
From Wikipedia:
Episode 3: Treachery
Ragnar and his men move deeper into Wessex. Ragnar believes the land's greatest wealth is its rich soil which could support a strong viking colony. Ecbert sends envoys to ask Ragnar to leave and Ragnar returns a message asking what Ecbert would pay to make that happen. Meanwhile, Jarl Borg decides to seize Ragnar's lands in retaliation for Ragnar breaking their truce and leaving him out of the raids. With all able warriors gone, Borg massacres many of Kattegat's women, children and elderly. Rollo sends Aslaug and Ragnar's sons away and tries to rally the village. However, at the last minute he is forced to flee and protect Ragnar's sons allowing Borg to seize control of Kattegat. In Hedeby, Scandinavia, Lagertha is now remarried to an abusive husband and both she and Bjorn are unhappy. Bjorn is anxious to go out into the world and prove his manhood, but his stepfather won't allow it.
Episode 4: Eye For An Eye
Ragnar meets with King Ecbert, who questions Ragnar's reasons for staying in Wessex and offers a proposal that would grant him land. Later, back at camp, one of Horik's ships appears and brings word of Jarl Borg's sacking of Kattegat. Ragnar and him men immediately sail for home. Athelstan chooses to remain with Horik, but is later captured by soldiers after his hunting party is ambushed. Rollo hides Aslaug, Siggy and the other survivors at a remote homestead and tries to rally other farms and villages to help them retake Kattegat. Ragnar returns home and is able to locate his family. His happiness is soured by Rollo's revelation that they do not have enough men to face Borg's forces. In Wessex, Athelstan is branded an apostate and crucified, but his life is saved when Ecbert arrives and orders him taken off the cross. Ragnar is surprised when a large group of fighters arrives led by Lagertha and Bjorn. Ragnar is overjoyed to be reunited with his son.
Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). Great episodes. I was worried that since the invasion, Ragnar and crew would be stuck in England the rest of the season. But he's back in Scandinavia and Borg is going to pay big time.
TV: Heavy On Sci Fi, Horror & Adventure; Light On Reality
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