Brida Is Back
In the beginning of this season, Uhtred has been waiting many years for his chance to finally meet Brida. He knows that she’ll one day come back to him, and he’s determined to make the most of it.
A blindfolded woman tells a crowd of people that the girl is a seer and that she will choose one among them to go on a safe voyage off the island. That person is sacrificed to the Gods for a safe journey.
Mercia and Northumbria are in the middle of Blood Month, and Uhtred senses that something is wrong. He claims the air smells rotten, and Aethelstan is older now so he wants to slay a beast to show his strength. ..
Uhtred approves it and off he goes, cheering into the woods. Instead of a beast though, Aethelstan finds assassins lying in wait trying to kill him. After besting two of them, the third flees into the woods.
When Aethelstan returns to the alehouse to celebrate his victory, Uhtred sees birds dropping out of the sky in a really ominous sign.
Uhtred has his concerns after an unidentified ship is spotted turning into the riverbed. Some believe it’s Rognvaldr, but he’s up in York with Stiorra and Sigtryggr, drunk and convinced that the Gods have saved him. This leads to speculation about how he’s changed. It seems likely that he’s in lieu with Brida. ..
Suddenly, the ship’s mast snaps. Aethelflaed turns to see a figure on the deck. It’s Father Benedict!
Reports of Danish raids along the coast are circulating. Raiders with white markings have been spotted, and when Uhtred learns of this, he realizes this is a sign of trouble. And it doesn’t take long for that to come to light. Uhtred’s son has been stabbed and when he arrives at Uhtred’s side, he blurts out that Brida is responsible. ..
Wessex is in the middle of a power struggle between Aethelstan’s son, Aelfweard, and his father, Aethelhelm. The assassins trying to kill Aethelstan were actually hired by Aethelhelm, who remains determined to put his easily influenced grandson, Aelfweard, on the throne. For now, the lone assassin is tasked with standing down as Edward continues to rule. His political scheming is still prevalent though.
Rognvaldr invites Brida and her men into York, where they begin slaughtering the peaceful Christians. Stiorra is urged to hide in her chamber by her maid, as Brida remains determined to try and find her.
The Episode Review
Brida is back and she’s looking for revenge on her daughter.
Wessex is still full of political scheming thanks to Aethelhelm’s influence, but the accurate depiction of Aethelstan as a competent and worthy fighter is good to see, given he goes on to become one of the best Anglo-Saxon Kings in history.
The conflict in this story has been decent so far, easing back into an introduction for our characters while introducing new players to this conflict.
War is coming and this promises to be quite the vicious battle given Brida’s blood-lusting and determination to hit back against all those who have wronged her. Is this one battle too many for Uhtred? We’ll have to wait and see!
