Warning: Spoilers ahead!
We are well past the halfway mark of Vikings season four after “What Might Have Been” aired Wednesday night. The sixth episode of the first ten that will make up part one of the extended season. One scene stood out quite powerfully in that episode, and that was Ragnar’s vision of his past that tugged at everybody’s heartstrings.
But does Ragnar truly rue his current life and long for the simplicities of the past? Or was it the drugs causing unwelcome hallucinations? There was an array of emotions on his face including regret, but mostly shock and annoyance. And Michael Hirst did tell me given the choice, Ragnar would never return to being that farmer in that little hut. After all, that farmer was a nobody. Today, Ragnar is King – and eats, drinks, kills, gives and commands pleasure as he sees fit.
We are also well into raiding territory as in season three, when things started to pick up for the Viking characters when they too set sail for Paris mid-season. But for now, the intrigue and madness, the best and worst, of Vikings season four so far.
Lagertha and Aslaug
As we wonder what a more assertive Queen Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) is up to these days, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) has become more ruthless than ever. While Aslaug schemes, her eyes fixed firmly on Ivar and the throne, Lagertha strikes with her knife, leaving blood stains and death in her wake. Both are worthy to rule solo as per the Seer’s prophecy. Aslaug, prophetic daughter of legends and current wife of the King. Lagertha, an Earl, Ragnar’s ex wife, intelligent and fierce. Both Viking women have endured and prevailed and will not allow men to dictate what they can or can’t do: and it’s enthralling to watch. All Hail Earl Ingstad.
Much Ado About Yidu
Much was made about the character Yidu (Dianne Doan) leading up to this season: a foreigner kidnapped on the Red Sea and brought to Kattegat to be a slave (or not). She quickly caught the eye of the King with some help from Aslaug, who put Yidu squarely in Ragnar’s path, then gave him her blessing to spend time with the new servant.
So far this season, this storyline has been particularly hard to swallow. Doan declared in interviews she would be Ragnar’s romantic interest, yet I see only loathing emanate from Ragnar, both for himself and his so-called mistress. As for the orgasm-in-the-tub scene, I felt like I was watching an old man feel up his much younger maid. Gross.
Ragnar’s recent puppy-eyes for Lagertha and concern for her unborn child also show that Yidu – sans her “medicine” Ragnar is clearly addicted to – would not have been on a longship to Paris. Interestingly however, last week she sang a song in her native tongue, looking quite sorrowful afterwards, even shedding some tears. Perhaps like Ragnar she too finds herself in a situation she does not want to be in. So plenty of intrigue here, however, there’s just no chemistry between Doan and Fimmel and watching their scenes together has become irksome. As for the twist to this relationship that Hirst said we wouldn’t see coming? I hope it’s good, and that it comes soon.
Scandinavian Invasion
King Harald Finehair (Peter Franzén) and Halfdan the Black (Jasper Pääkkönen) have been a welcome addition this season with their colourful garb and unadulterated Viking-ness, complete with facial tattoos. Bringing these historical figures to life are two Finnish actors with big box office cred in their home country, and like Yidu, there’s a mystery surrounding the brothers, who Clive Standen described to us last year as “deadly and tricksy.”
Franzén is a riveting actor. Not unexpected, since he has won a Jussi Award (a Finnish Oscar, if you like). He is ambitious, fearless, and loves his brother. His softly spoken, charismatic sibling Halfdan seems to hide a deadliness that is ready to spring forth. To the delight of outcast Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) the brothers have found a kindred spirit in the “genius” boat builder, and together with the gifted Swede, Franzén and Pääkkönen solidify the Scandinavian, and as such, Viking, presence on the show.
“My Name is Duke Rollo”
This season, Rollo’s (Clive Standen) transformation from crazy bear to French Duke has been striking, and now appears complete. Free from his brother’s shadow, Rollo showed a thirst for knowledge and willingness to change to be somebody. So much, that he slaughtered his own people. Rollo surprised us with the restraint he showed towards the outright mockery he was initially subjected to by his bride, as well as his comedic skills. Most surprising though, Rollo advised Count Odo (Owen Roe) on battle and defense strategies to keep the Vikings out of Paris in their next attack.
There are signs in the upcoming episode on SBS this week however that suggest Rollo’s heart may not lie where wife Gisla and Emperor Charles believe, and we will discover whether or not his idea on how to keep the Viking longships from entering Paris this time was successful or not. I still can’t forget slain Viking warrior Erik’s voice though, which still rings loud from episode one: “Death is easy for us, but not for you, traitor.”
The Scenes in England are better this Season. Really.
Last season I resented the precious screen time given to England and France, and while I’m still annoyed by the necessary but boring French cast, over in England, I’ve developed quite a liking to Queen Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey) and Aethelwulf (Moe Dunford). Perhaps even Judith (Jennie Jacques) is starting to grow on me, who went all Jane Eyre at one point, with her wishes for freedom from her gilded cage. At least she wants more to life, and actually does something about it.
Kwenthrith has transformed from crazy Queen to proud mother and is fiercely protective of her son, Magnus. After being rescued from her tower Rapunzel style by Aethelwulf, the two have formed quite a bond and I like their scenes together. But hovering over these characters like a dark shadow of doom is the merciless King Ecbert (Linus Roache) who seems to hold their lives in his hands. Cruel Ecbert hides his true ambitions well beneath a composed, sophisticated exterior, but we know he will stop at nothing to become King of Kings. And let’s not forget the other English King and imminent threat when it comes to the Vikings: King Aelle (Ivan Kaye), who once again this season vowed to end the life of his nemesis and “Wrath of the Gods”, Ragnar Lothbrok.
The Mad King
Since begrudgingly rising from his deathbed Ragnar has fallen down the idiot tree, hitting every branch on his way down: his rage, misery and drug-addled behaviour suffocating the once fun to watch character. Initially, despite his physical pain, Ragnar retained his sarcastic wit and humour, but these days he mopes around, letting Yidu call the shots, while she stuffs his mouth with mind altering greens that magically appear in her hand/pocket and seem to be in unlimited supply. After he consumes the leaves, Ragnar becomes jittery, annoyed, acts disorderly and outright crazy. No wonder Halfdan the Black was so perplexed, and a little bummed, when he finally set eyes on the “notorious” Ragnar Lothbrok, King of the Vikings.
Before the drugs started to impede his thinking, there were also the violent acts Ragnar committed this season; subjecting Floki to sadistic torture and physically attacking Aslaug, and he still bitches about her infidelity with Harbard, contastly finding ways to remind her of it: also annoying.
Despite the disappointment I feel with Ragnar’s current storyline, Travis Fimmel plays this dazed descent into madness (more of which we will see in the coming episode) extremely well. Known for expressing enormous emotion with little dialogue – something he has fine-tuned after many years under the tutelage of iconic Hollywood acting coach Ivana Chubbuck – Fimmel excels as mad Ragnar, haunted by thoughts of his death and deeds he fears will keep him out of Valhalla.
I had hoped that in season four Fimmel would show Hollywood what he was really made of, and perhaps, Hirst has given him the opportunity to do so. Ridiculous air-rowing and snake gobbling aside, now is where three previous, strong seasons portraying Lothbrok should culminate in a performance so outstanding that Fimmel will receive the critical recognition he deserves, before his time as Ragnar comes to an end sometime in season five.
With another 14 episodes to come in season four, let us hope when the current crimson-mouthed King regains his self-control (and self-respect) it will blow up our television screens in memorable, dramatic fashion. In the meantime, you can check out a clip from this week’s episode, entitled “The Profit and the Loss” airing on SBS Wednesday at 9.30pm.
Lead Image: Travis Fimmel in Vikings. Photo: History/MGM
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