Vikings Season 4 Episode 11
“Who wants to be king?” Viewers are now asked to cope with the aftermath of a seven year time jump, and it’s obvious that some sort of course correction has taken place. Of course, the big question revolves around what has happened in the interim, and while we’ve known for some time that Ragnar’s struggle to maintain his leadership persona may have broken him, he again throws us for a loop with his impassioned speech in the village square. We now have to ask ourselves whether or not he wants to reclaim his throne or simply return to the simple life of a farmer and perhaps revisit his relationship with Lagertha. The opening scene’s power resonates on a number of levels and is given the opportunity to develop as Ragnar challenges his four youngest sons, all now adults. Hvitserk claimed earlier that he would kill his father should he ever return, but now faced with the reality of carrying out that threat, he forces his seething anger to remain in check. Eldest Ubbe steps forward, seemingly prepared to kill his father and become king, but Ragnar defuses the tense situation and embraces his son, undoubtedly relieved he doesn’t have to commit patricide. However, two details vie for our attention in a scene that Michael Hirst allows room to breathe — Ragnar’s subtle touch of Ivar’s hair as his father walks past and the noticeable absence of Bjorn in light of the king’s challenge. Despite all of the conniving, back stabbing, and generally duplicitous behavior, “The Outsider” is about love. Aside from his relationship with Lagertha, Ragnar’s love affair with Floki has been one of the series’ high points, and their reconnection after this lengthy absence does not disappoint. The two aging companions reestablish their friendship, but the spirit of Athelstan continues to haunt both as Ragnar endures a crisis of faith and doubts the veracity of Valhalla. Helga tells Ragnar that Floki kept silent about the destruction of the Wessex settlement because he loves him, and Ragnar is finally able reciprocate in what could turn out to be the last time the two see each other. This stark reality is not lost on either. “The Outsider” follows two storylines broken down into three sections. Hirst establishes tension after we realize that choices will have to be made not only among the villagers but among Ragnar’s sons and inner circle. Who will go with Ragnar to avenge the Viking deaths at the Wessex settlement, and who will accompany Bjorn on a voyage of discovery and adventure to the Mediterranean? The introduction of Margrethe (Ida Marie Nielsen) to the mix sets the stage for a cross-class relationship that has already paid a hefty dividend. Nielsen is wonderful as the slave girl working as a servant in the Lothbrok home and sexually satisfies each of the brothers in turn leading viewers to question her motives. When Ivar finally has his turn and is unable to satisfy the young girl, he threatens to kill her to keep her from revealing his inadequacies as a lover. Fortunately, she invokes the gods and gives an impassioned speech that seems to be from the heart about greatness coming from within that provokes an emotional response from Ivar. Is this a turning point in his quest for power and perhaps in their relationship? It’s not surprising that Ragnar first meets with his sons after the incident in the village square, and it’s likewise not unexpected that their reception is icy at best. Much has happened in his absence, and his desire to finally exact revenge on the English and King Ecbert (Linus Roache) is met with an indignation that even Ragnar finds surprising. That none agree to accompany their father, coupled with Ivar’s absence, lead viewers to begin putting two and two together. As the four brothers sit at dinner w/ their mother, the irony is not lost that Ivar sits at the head of the table and implies that his brothers know to fear him despite his handicap. Having already made his peace, such as it is, with his sons and Floki, it’s certainly telling that Ragnar visits Lagertha at Hedeby before making time for Aslaug. Several themes emerge from this heartfelt, yet complicated scene, not the least of which is Ragnar’s recognition that his ex-wife is in a relationship with a woman. It doesn’t seem to bother him and when Lagertha asks Astrid (Josefin Asplund) to leave them, it sets the stage for a scene we’ve anticipated for three seasons. Much of “The Outsider” examines Ragnar coming to terms with the fact that many, including himself, view his life and rule as failures, so when he’s able to finally open up to Lagertha in an honest dialogue, we feel some of the pressure relieve itself. Or at least we think that’s what we see. “We all approved of your ideas, but they didn’t work,” Lagertha tells him. Despite that, he asks her to accompany him to Wessex, but in the same breath admits “I wish I’d never left the farm.” Rather than weakness, what comes out of this exchange is the realization that this is a man who was ill prepared to be king, gave it everything he had, and now in his later years, seeks nothing more than to atone for his self-perceived sins. The confusion these two lovers, and make no mistake, they love each other, must feel is underscored when Lagertha explains to Ragnar how she views their life together and apart. “No regrets and yet every regret,” she tells him. “I’m never totally sure about my feelings for Ragnar,” Lagertha later tells Astrid as he rides away and clearly has second thoughts about not going with him. As soon as we experience the camera shot from high in the tree, we’re painfully aware of what’s about to transpire. But why does Ragnar suddenly feel the need to end his life? Each interaction has gone as smoothly as he could have hoped. Bjorn is now his own man, his sons have taken on responsibilities, and Lagertha as plainly as she could, lets him know that she still cares for him. Does his malaise come back to his crisis of faith or does his simply see himself as a failure? A man ill prepared for greatness can no longer pretend to be something he’s not, so then why does he insist on returning to England? Or does the suicide attempt indicate he really isn’t serious about exacting revenge himself. Does he hope Bjorn will take up his cause? Is he really despondent, or is he testing the gods? And then there’s Rollo. And finally, though it doesn’t occupy that much screen time, Bjorn’s meeting with the Seer lays out a fitting future. He claims Ragnar’s return brings with it great calamity, tragedy and death; the gods are not pleased. Will knowing this alter Bjorn’s path, or will he continue to divorce himself from his father’s past and the path that many assumed he would follow? After the long hiatus, Vikings’ return does not disappoint. Now that we’re here, splitting the twenty episode season appears to be a brilliant strategic move with plenty of time to revisit a number of storylines, not the least of which is the status of Parisian exile Rollo, and with nine hours remaining, there’s no need to hurry.
