Viking

Freydis tells Leif that she has always known he would die in battle. She knows that Valhalla is the place where the bravest and most powerful warriors go to die. She also knows that Leif will be remembered there for his heroism.

The pair are eventually brought before the enraged Vikings, who are frothing at the mouth and with an enraged Olaf desperate for justice to be done.

Freydis suggests a trial by combat to settle matters. Olaf scoffs at this notion, pointing out that Gunnar was a valuable asset to their war and with him gone, they’re a man short.

Harald has sensed an opportunity and decides to make a case for Leif and force him to fight for the life of Freydis. He’ll have to join their cause now, putting his boating and fighting skills to good use. Freydis is taken back into her cell while Leif prepares for battle.

On Leif’s boat, there are tensions between the Pagans and Christians. Leif senses this could cause trouble and demands they all hand over their weapons. Jalf Gorn is the only one reluctant to do this, but eventually he succumbs and hands over his axes. Unfortunately, he also has another, smaller axe tucked in his cloak he doesn’t turn over. ..

Aethelred must decide whether to fight or flee. He has no choice but to face the Viking horde head on, but he knows that he will lose. If he runs, his men may die in the process. On the other hand, if he fights and loses, his people may be slaughtered as well. He decides that it is better to fight and lose than run and forfeit his people’s safety.

Aethelred’s cough worsens, so he sets to work plans to try and pay off the Vikings with gold. That doesn’t work though, and instead, Queen Emma enacts alternate plans set into motion to fight them back.

Emma’s plan involves sending young Edmund over to Mercia, in a bid to enlist Eadric Streona and Mercia’s aid. She knows this is a risky play, with the throne at stake. There’s a chance that Eadric could propose alternate terms but Emma urges Edmund to stand firm and not be drawn into negotiations. As he rides off, the Queen’s face paints a look of concern.

Streona agrees to send 5000 men and 1000 horses to help with the cause, but he believes that the Vikings will attack from the North and that means they’ll have to go through Mercia first.

Edmund is quick to point out that Emma is of a different opinion, convinced the King will attack from the south - something Streona sees through Edmund’s words and believes. Unfortunately, Edmund’s words don’t convince Emma and she remains convinced that the King is of ill health. ..

Edmund challenges Streona to a game of chess to see who will obey the future King more. Streona agrees, but with a sly smile. ..

Edmund implores the men to listen as they all drop to their knees, bowing to the new King as it signals that his father has passed away.

Jarl Gorn is out at sea, and despite Leif quelling his doubts, a laugh from one of the Christians onboard sees him turn and slice the man’s neck with his axe. Gorn believes they’re lost, and despite this, he’s not afraid to take risks in order to find them.

Leif keeps the men in line, killing Jarl Gorn outright. Of course, this causes a fair few concerned looks when Harald and the other Viking ships catch up with them, as they manage to make it to the shores of Kent. Harald heads aboard Leif’s ship and whispers in his ear, “Viking”.

Meanwhile, Freydis is hand-delivered to Uppsala by Jarl Haakon. He talks to her about her past and she decides to send her on to seek out her destiny.

The Episode Review

Freydis is on a mission of her own, and most of the drama here stems from the Vikings heading across the open water to England.

As the group begins their journey to find a new home, they are quickly divided by their differences. Some want to stay in the city, while others want to move away from the violence and chaos. The journey is fraught with danger and potential loss, but as each member of the group comes together, they realize that they have more in common than they thought.

The ending of Jarl Gorn is a significant one, as Harald accepts Leif as a Viking.

When Leif finally reunites with Freydis, there is likely to be a conflict. The two characters will likely be very different when they finally join together again. ..

Edmund, the new King of Wessex, is about to be thrust into a war with his neighboring kingdom. Will he be ready for this onslaught? ..