VIKINGS 3.05 – ‘Usurper’ Seers, God’s & Kings

Ragnar is enamored with the city of love. Paris. Athelstan tells tall glorious tales of it’s beauty, wealth and lovely women. Floki is jealous and says as much to Rollo. The both of them sit there like the two grumpy old men in the opera box on The Muppet Show. Sometimes those guys had a point, the same might be said here as well.

Porunn is looking worse. From what we saw of her last episode, that is saying A LOT. Despite their injuries, the group arrives and scatters bad news rather than joy. For Ragnar himself it is not a happy homecoming. “If it were not for my children. I would not come back.” First Thorstin’s ladies hear of his home going and then Aslaug delivers her own terrible news. Siggy is dead. Rollo takes the news badly and Ragnar smells an untruth. Helga tries to cover for Aslaug, but I don’t think the King bought what she was selling.

Rollo tries to drown his sorrows up until he chooses to commit suicide using his nephew Bjorn’s fists. In the end, neither was successful. Ragnar tries to kiss and play nice with Aslaug and discovers he is not in the mood. Must be the giant lie that got in the way.

Folki revels in all the bad news and feels the calamities are Odin’s way of cursing them all. As soon as he was alone with Helga he asks for the truth. She tells her husband of ‘The Wanderer’ Harbard and she reveals the truth of the matter. He hears her words and blames the ladies. Folk believes Harbard was not a man. He was a god.

This revelation came back on mighty wings to Ragnar who asked Aslaug, “Who is Harbard?” He hears the truth of what happened but was distracted in his jealousy over his desire for Paris. The Seer is consulted and was as unhelpful as ever However, Ragnar seemed to do what most of us do when we ask a question. We hear as we wish and The Viking King is no different.

The hits just keep coming! A messenger brings word that Lagerthas lands have been taken over by Kalf. The former wife wishes for war while Ragnar requires a more diplomatic resolution. He confronts Kalf in private however his reasons were only for himself and Lagertha is left without options.

In Wessex. Judith pricks her finger and shares a Shades of Grey moment with herself. The woman has been completely undone. She is with child and the father is not her husband. OOH! Athelstan! You dog!

The Prince did not have much time to process this betrayal because there is unrest in his kingdom as well. The jilted husband was only too happy to take his aggressions out on the new pagan inhabitants. I don’t think the Prince’s sudden holy professions will ring true. Dude. Never throw stones while hiding behind the cross. It’s not cool.

Ebert is not one to cry over spilled milk and quickly used the treason as an excuse to remove all his political enemies in the guise of his faux anger. Well, well Ragnar has a schemer of equal measure in The King of Wessex. Which team are you on? Team Ecbert or Team Ragnar? Since the title of the show is ‘Vikings.’ Ragnar wins every time.

Observations and Questions:
• Is Rollo the bear the Seer speaks of in his vision?
• Kalf overtook Lagerthas lands for love?
• Ecbert truly has his eye on the long game when he placed Judith and Althestan together knowing what his son would do when he found out. Brilliant.