Television FEATURE - Vikings Season 4 Breakdown, Who wants to be King?

Ragnar: “What kind of father abandons his sons?”
   
​   We’ve seen Vikings hit the fast-forward button before as in season two following the Ragnar/Largetha break up. Historically little is known of Ragnar but traces of his existence are sprinkled throughout a wide range of historical material leading historians to persistently believe he could not have been a fictitious character. A majority of what is covered on the history of the Vikings people swarms around the infamous sons of Ragnar. This show is truly his tale. The tale of Ragnar Lothbrok and his struggles as a man trying to fulfill his destined legacy, even if it brings him to the brinks of madness.  With so many character development happening they all ultimately orbit around our main protagonist, Ragnar Lothbrok. So let us adventure into a recap reviewing a few of the interesting new revelations in some of our beloved characters this season.

• Largetha has lost her unborn child this season. On her wedding day she killed husband to be Kalf who had helped her over throw the rising mutiny lead by Einar, who was publicly castrated by Lord Ingstad. Long live Earl Ingstad!
• Bjorn whist away into the wild in an attempt to prove himself to his father where he battled a bear & later on a Berserker w/ a bounty for Bjorn’s head (Thanks to Erlendur son of King Horik) after which he came back alive and well. In fact, so alive and well he swept in proclaiming Erlendur’s wife Torvi as his own. Erlendur however of course tried to use Torvi against Bjorn threatening harm to their son if she didn’t comply. This would ultimately result in his death by Torvi of all people via the very same crossbow he’d given her to murder Bjorn. Bjorn “Ironic” Side.
• King Ecbert sends son Athelwulf to save Queen Kwienthrith from being overthrown of course only w/ his own interest in mind to eventually overthrow her for the crown. Athelwulf leads a small army to save the Queen and her offspring Magnus whose father is none other than King Ragnar. Ecbert see’s benefits in having the son of Ragnar as leverage against the Viking King pending his return while King Aella contemplates the death of King Ragnar and his sons. Athelwulf and Kwienthrith end up developing a short lived romance during their journey back to Wessex. In the absence of Athelwulf, King Ecbert’s relationship w/ Judith his son’s wife develops as he offers her freedom to do as she pleases. Including taking paint lessons from a priest a controversial hobby of a woman for that era. Kwienthrith attempts to gain revenge against Ecbert while he is asleep, but it is Judith who comes to his safety stabbing Kwienthrith from behind killing her and the unborn child of Athelwulf.
• Rollo, once again turns on his brother and people with only his own fate in mind. He dedicates himself to the safety of Paris, finally wins over princess Gisla and the trust of her father. The battle between brothers sends the invaders back home with their tales in between their legs.
• Floki, who was prosecuted early on in the season for his betrayal to Ragnar for killing Athelstan was somewhat forgiven by Ragnar, and set free only to learn from Helga of the death of his young daughter. Another very interesting revelation for Floki this season was what seemed to be the implementation by the Seer that he’s obtained some sort mystic power, indicating he himself may indeed be a seer.
• Aslaug, struggled with raising the sons of Ragnar and ruling in his absence but more importantly she struggled with her longing for the wanderer Harbard in the absence of Ragnar of which contributed greatly to the marital issues between Ragnar and the Queen. This resulted in the introduction of the short lived character Yidu, a Chinese trade slave taken from Paris who was bought by Aslaug as a gift to Ragnar.
• Yidu, after a short lived romance, and a few intimate trips sessions on some traditional Chinese medicine w/ the king of Scandinavia, she was drowned by Ragnar after denying him more of the addicting Chinese herb he had become dependent on to function. She had also threatened to expose his secret of the slaughtered families in Wessex he’d tried so hard to keep unknown. The scene definitely provoked a well-deserved shocked response especially being that he’d committed the murder right before the eyes of his young sons watching.
• Harald and Halfdan the last honorable mentions to be introduced this season. The dynamic duo are two bloodthirsty brothers who’ve come to raid alongside Ragnar and allies but have voiced alternative motives for their own ambitions for the thrown of Scandinavia. 

   Following the suspenseful battle of Paris, we were left midway through the fourth season where the fallen King Ragnar returns to the immensely diversified mecca that is now Kattegat. It looks more like the Mediterranean with market places full of diversity, trades and exports undoubtedly the result of the Viking raids throughout the different lands pillaged and traveled over time.
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   We find ourselves with a new generation of Vikings as the Seer prophesized. Sons of Ragnar that we’ve heard so much about in prior seasons are finally all grown and standing face to face with their long lost father. Ragnar’s eyes are heavily worn like the years of distress from the burdens of being king and having the sole responsibility to guard and protect the well-being of those within his kingdom have taken its toll. Wanting to lead future generations to a better life. Feeling the weight of every life lost without a win. Ragnar is back and having to face the shame of deserting his Kingdom, his people and his family for those years he spent wandering following the defeat in Paris.

   Ragnar has seen betrayal yet again this season: from brother Rollo, his wife Aslaug, his best friend Floki and Yidu the last person he had confided in. Is it any wonder the man was pushed to the acts of addiction, disassociating his perception of reality? Even with his sudden outbursts and hallucinations he still seems to have the broken fragments of the once great Viking King he aspired to be when we first began this journey.   
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We saw Ragnar face great lengths of defeat this season, will the second half of season 4 bring forth any wins for Ragnar Lothbrok and his Viking Kingdom?