The season 2 finale of "Vikings" has come WAY too soon. While I wish there were more episodes, one of the main reasons the show is so good is precisely because it doesnt waste time on stupid plots that go nowhere.
This episode (entitled "The Lord's Prayer") has everyone celebrating the successful raid on England. Horik's wife (Brunhild who is a famous shieldmaiden) and his gazillion children arrive in Kattegat. Horik gives a speech about his partnership with Ragnar. On the surface everything seems great...but it is not.
Floki and King Horik are up to something. We dont know what that is until later in the episode. Floki separated himself from Ragnar some time ago. Over what I'm still not sure. He didnt invite Ragnar to his wedding with Helga. He rode in Horik's boat the last time they invaded England. Now Horik wants Floki to prove his allegiance by killing someone. Floki visits Rollo (who is still badly injured). Is Rollo his first victim? Nope. Floki poisons Torstein instead. Test passed.
Horik then reveals that he wants Floki to kill Ragnar. He also tells Siggy that if she kills Ragnar's sons. Horik will make her his second wife. We also see Floki stalking Bjorn and Porunn. Horik's men secretly arrive. Things are definitely NOT looking good for TeamRagnar.
I spent several minutes wondering if they were actually going to kill off a number of the major characters. The History channel had taunted this as the "most shocking event on television" so I wasnt sure. If they kill Lagertha or Ragnar, I'm outta here. Feel free to take Rollo or Aslaug.
But the trick's on Horik. Ragnar, Floki, Bjorn and Lagertha fight off the solders. Lagertha kills Horik's wife. They all gather in the main hall where Floki reveals his betrayal to Horik. Tornstein is not dead. It was all a ruse. Each person stabs Horik before Ragnar takes the knife that Horik gave Siggy to kill the boys. He stabs Horik over and over again. Don't people know by now NOT to mess with Ragnar?
Odds and Ends:
Athelstan teaches Ragar the Lord's Prayer (hence the title of the episode).
Will Rollo every fully recover?
Ragnar must have been taking lessons from his baby goats. That was an effective headbutt on Horik.
Although Ragnar didnt say anything in this episode (that I remember) he speaks volumes with just his facial expressions.
What will become of Horik's son? And yes I did think Lagertha would put a stop to the children being killed by she did not. Letting them live meant they could seek vengeance later. Only the two servant girls survived (I think).
Can Helga and baby Angrbooa come back to Kattegat now that Horik is dead? And what kind of name is that? In Norse mythology Arngrbooa was apparently a giant and the God Loki's second wife. She gave birth to Hel (goddess of death), Jormungand (the serpent) and Fenrir (the wolf). So not exactly a warm and fuzzy name for a baby.
Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). Sheer perfection. I assume in season 3 we'll see King Ragnar with is his new sword (Sword of Kings). What new lands is he going to conquer next? I'm thinking France.
TV: Heavy On Sci Fi, Horror & Adventure; Light On Reality
No comments: