Vikings Season 4 Episode 9 Review: Death All 'Round
Henry A. Otero
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Considering the title was "Death All 'Round" we lost more folks last week, no?
Don't get me wrong, there were casualties on Vikings Season 4 Episode 9, but no major characters perished. Besides, Erlendur had it coming. That's okay though, because the death toll has been high enough this season.
So the penultimate episode (of this half of the season) once again drops us at a battle between Ragnar and Rollo. Are you ready for it and can the mid-season finale possibly deliver the goods?
You've got to hand it to Ragnar, the guy was nothing if not determined. I love that we got a chance to watch the Vikings struggle to lift those boats and drop them at the other end. It would not have been nearly as effective if one moment they're at the cliffs and the next they're re-launching near Paris. What a feat of engineering, man. That Floki is a bonafide genius!
Still, doesn't it seem like this little endeavor has taken ages? Rollo could have packed up all of Paris and moved to England before Ragnar arrived. Ha!
Were you shocked at the pleasure the brothers took in killing that poor family? King Harald and Halfdan the Black are monsters. Ragnar is many things but his motivations were always clear, even when he pillaged early on. He's made questionable decisions, but he was without a doubt the hero of our story. These new guys, not so much. It's painfully obvious they are villains and we are not ever meant to root for them.
Elsewhere, little prince Alfred arrived at his destination. Is it me or didn't it seem like the long walk to Rome took far less time than Rangar dragging his boats through the forest? I read somewhere that if/when there's a time jump, George Blagden might possibly return as the adult Alfred. How do you feel about that? Would it be off-putting?
Sadly Lagertha lost another child, but it was her words that were chilling.
I lost another child. I knew that I could never have the child, no matter what I did. The seer told me a long time ago. But I was hoping that I could cheat the fates.
Lagertha
Ragnar has always loved Lagertha, and that touching scene reminded me how great the two were together in the first season. Katheryn Winnick is so damn good, isn't she? What a powerful performance, and yes she moved me to tears.
The king's better half back in Kattegat, on the other hand, has never managed to win me over. Ivar is wicked, sure, but what Aslaug said to the boy was plain evil. Can you believe she let little Siggy die? Another Harbard casualty? Anyone figure out Harbard and Floki's connection yet?
In Paris, the emperor publicly announced he had a grandchild on the way. Isn't it still odd to see Rollo in his fancy clothes and coiffed hair? I miss the savage (simple) Rollo, don't you?
Oh and Roland was made Count, which can't be a good thing as Princess Gisla's face informed us. She definitely knows how to play the Game of Thrones. Of course, the move was really all about bedding the guy's sister... and the guy himself? Ah sly ol' fox, that Emperor Charles. Just when he's becoming interesting, I get the feeling he won't be around much longer.
Back in England King Ecbert became king of both Wessex and Mercia, while in Rome Prince Alfred went through a ceremony of his own. Consul of Rome eh? Not too shabby. King Aelle was most displeased by these turn of events, and it was written all over his face. Clever ruse indeed. Can you blame him?
Yes we had an alliance, as equals, but as you can plainly see we are no longer equals. Everything has changed, for both of us. You must get used to it.
King Ecbert
Anyone else wonder, about a half hour in, if the Vikings would ever reach the other side? Paris was finally within sight, but Ragnar and his big bro will not come face to face until the finale. Yes, it seems like things have dragged a bit, but remember there are still 10 more episodes coming in the fall.
I was impressed that Torvi put herself in danger to protect Bjorn, yet it seemed she might actually take a shot at him later on. I will say, someone should have taken out her punk husband by now. Glad he's gone for good.
Erlendur had always been a threat, yet Ragnar's son simply toyed with the guy. How do you think Bjorn will take the news of his daughter's death? Will Bjorn kill Queen Aslaug? You've got to admit, there would be some poetic justice in that.
Ragnar's withdrawls were nasty to watch (and spiders eeek), but it was great to hear him say, "I don't care about Paris. I came for Rollo." Can the midseason battle possibly deliver? I mean, we've been waiting for 10 hours to watch the brothers fight it out, but neither of their stories ends here. How do you think things will play out?
Well, what did you think of "Death All 'Round"? Were there enough death's considering the episode title? Are you glad Erlendur was finally dealt with? Ready for the big mid-season battle? You're up guys, sound off in the comments below. There's tons to talk about.
Remember, you can watch Vikings online via TV Fanatic to prepare for the mid-season finale.
NOTE: Vikings Season 4 Episode 10 is titled "The Last Ship" and airs on April 21.
