Vikings

Season 1

1. Rites of Passage

Ragnar and his brother, Rollo, return from a battle in the Baltic lands during which Ragnar has visions of the god Odin and his valkyries. Home again, Ragnar takes his son Bjorn to Kattegat, for Bjorn's rite of passage. Left at home, Ragnar's wife Lagertha quickly dispatches two would-be rapists. While in Kattegat, Ragnar convinces Rollo that raids to the West are worthwhile and possible, thanks to new navigational tools, but is rebuked by his ruler, Earl Haraldson, who continues to order raids into the Baltic. Bjorn and Ragnar visit Floki, Ragnar's friend and a gifted shipwright, who has been secretly building a new type of longship, which they successfully test. Meanwhile, back at home, Rollo makes unwelcome advances on Lagertha. Ragnar has yet another vision of Odin, standing on the shoreline. This finally convinces Ragnar to move on with his plan.

2. Wrath of the Northmen

After gathering volunteers, Ragnar, Rollo, and Floki embark on an unauthorised raid to the west. Lagertha violently objects to Ragnar's refusal to take her along. Earl Haraldson has the blacksmith who forged Ragnar's anchor killed. At sea the crew are caught in a storm, which a manic Floki interprets as Thor proving his ship unsinkable. On land, monks see the ominous sign of a cloud shaped like a dragon. After a tense voyage, Ragnar's men land on the coast of England, near the monastery of Lindisfarne, which they proceed to sack. They kill most of the monks and capture the rest to take back as slaves, including the young Athelstan, whom Ragnar protects from death at Rollo's hands.

3. Dispossessed

Ragnar's warband returns in triumph to Kattegat, where the Earl immediately confiscates the plundered riches except for one piece per man. Ragnar picks the distraught Athelstan and returns home. The monk's faith and his vow of chastity perplex Ragnar, but he, nonetheless, gathers useful intelligence about the kingdom of Northumbria. Based on this new insight, Earl Haraldson authorises another raid on England. Now accompanied by Lagertha and the Earl's brother, Knut, Ragnar re-embarks post-haste, leaving Athelstan to mind the farm and the children. As the Vikings set foot on English soil, they are met by the local sheriff and a handful of armsmen, who invite the newly landed "traders" to meet King Aelle. Ragnar agrees, but his other warriors' distrust provokes a battle in which the Northumbrians are slaughtered.

4. Trial

The Vikings raid the Northumbrian village of Hexham with little bloodshed, as the villagers are gathered for Mass. During the raid, Lagertha kills Knut when he tries to rape a Saxon villager, and then her. Back on the beach, the raiders defeat a superior Northumbrian force under Lord Wigea, sent by King Aelle, and return to Kattegat. There, Earl Haraldson has Ragnar, who claims to have killed Knut, arrested and tried at the Thing assembly. The Earl's ploy to bribe Rollo to testify against Ragnar fails, and Ragnar is acquitted. As the raiders celebrate with Athelstan and Ragnar's children, they are assaulted by armed men. Although Ragnar's followers prevail, his companion Erik is killed.

5. Raid

When Earl Haraldson's raiders assault Ragnar's settlement, Ragnar, Lagertha, Athelstan, and the children narrowly escape in a boat. Ragnar is severely wounded, and Athelstan saves him from drowning. The family hides in Floki's house, where the shipwright and his lover Helga slowly nurse Ragnar back to health. Meanwhile, Earl Haraldson marries off his daughter, Thyri, to an elderly earl from Svealand, against his wife, Siggy's, wishes. Aware that the Earl is watching Ragnar's friends, Rollo offers his services to Haraldson. Haraldson has Rollo seized and tortured in an unsuccessful attempt to discover Ragnar's whereabouts. As Torstein, a friend of Ragnar, brings word of this to the still-weak Ragnar, Ragnar sends Floki to deliver a challenge to the Earl — a single combat with Ragnar.

6. Burial of the Dead

The Earl accepts Ragnar's challenge, and the two meet in single combat. Ragnar kills Haraldson and Siggy kills Bjarni. After Ragnar becomes the new Earl, he grants his dead foe a chieftain's burial at sea, and Athelstan is revolted to see a slave agree to follow her master in death. During the following winter, Lagertha becomes pregnant and Siggy wants to leave town. But Rollo tries to convince Siggy to stay, asking her to marry him, as he mentions his desire to become an Earl. Athelstan asks Ragnar about Ragnarök. Unknowingly Athelstan has broken a social taboo, but Ragnar informs him by feeding him a drug and having the village seer tell Athelstan. This causes the monk to have horrific visions of the world's end. As spring beckons, three of Ragnar's ships sail up the River Tyne. After throwing the luckless Wigea into a snake pit, King Aelle prepares to meet the raiders in battle.

7. A King's Ransom

The Vikings set up a fortified camp, assault the Northumbrian besiegers at night, and capture the king's brother, Aethelwulf. In a meeting with the king, Ragnar demands 2,000 pounds of gold and silver as a price for the Vikings' departure. Aelle agrees but demands that one Viking be baptised a Christian, and to Floki's scorn, Rollo agrees. Instead of paying the ransom, Aelle has his men attack Ragnar's camp, but they are bloodily repelled, ending with Rollo finishing off several Saxons single-handedly, in an attempt to prove he's still faithful to his gods. After Ragnar sends Aethelwulf's corpse to Aelle, the king finally pays the ransom but swears vengeance upon Ragnar as he watches the raiders depart. Meanwhile, back in Scandinavia, Lagertha rules in Ragnar's stead, accepts Siggy's offer of service, and suffers a miscarriage.

8. Sacrifice

As Lagertha is unable to conceive another son, Ragnar takes his family and followers to the temple at Uppsala to attend a great rite to the Æsir and Vanir. He pledges fealty to King Horik, who charges Ragnar with an embassy to Jarl Borg, a rival encroaching on Horik's lands. Siggy chides Rollo for not paying attention to his own advancement and sleeping with other women. Priests question Athelstan, now in norse garb, about his faith. Athelstan denies Christ three times. They discern that despite his claims, he has not renounced Christianity, and they declare him unfit to be sacrificed to the gods. Leif, Ragnar's follower, volunteers in Athelstan's place for this single honour and is sacrificed by King Horik at the climax of the rite together with eight other men and numerous animals.

9. All Change

Ragnar's embassy to Jarl Borg in Götaland fails, as King Horik rejects a compromise settlement about the contested land. Driven by ambition and jealousy, Rollo agrees to support Borg against Ragnar. In Kattegat, a disease kills many inhabitants, including Lagertha's daughter, Gyda, and Siggy's daughter, Thyri. Lagertha asks the seer about Ragnar and her future but the seer refuses as he only sees misery. Underway, Ragnar meets and is seduced by the princess Aslaug; eventually, she reveals she carries his child.

Season 2

1. Brother's War

Rollo battles Ragnar when Jarl Borg and King Horik's men clash. Rollo surrenders to Ragnar after admitting he cannot kill him. Ragnar negotiates an unsteady truce between Borg and Horik, then returns to Kattegat. Ragnar's attempts to reconnect with his wife are hampered when Lagertha learns about his affair with Aslaug. Ragnar finally mourns for his dead daughter, Gyda. Ragnar's life becomes more complicated when a ship arrives bearing a visibly pregnant Aslaug. Rollo is placed on trial, but is shocked when freed by the lawkeeper, who has been bribed by Ragnar. Despite Lagertha's enmity towards Aslaug, Ragnar decides to take the princess as his second wife. Humiliated, Lagertha leaves Ragnar and Kattegat. Ragnar tries to stop her and pleads with her to return, but she rebuffs him. Ragnar's sorrow is multiplied when Bjorn rejects him and goes away with his mother.

2. Invasion

Four years later, Ragnar is married to Aslaug and has two sons, with a third child on the way. Ragnar finally announces plans to raid England. Horik and Borg arrive, but Horik persuades Ragnar to break the pact with Borg. Ragnar accepts Rollo back into his family, but forbids him from raiding. Aslaug thinks that Ragnar treats her as an idiot and prophesies to him that their next son would be born with a serpent in his eye. The Seer tells Ragnar that his sons will be more famous than him. Ragnar and Horik's men set sail for England, but a violent storm throws them off course. While exploring, they are ambushed by soldiers and several men are killed including one of Horik's sons. Athelstan saves Ragnar's life during the fight. They learn that they are in Wessex, which is ruled by King Ecbert, a man described as similar to Ragnar.

3. Treachery

Ragnar and his men move deeper into Wessex. He believes the land's greatest wealth is its rich soil, which could support a Viking colony. Ecbert sends envoys to ask Ragnar to leave; Ragnar replies asking what Ecbert would be willing to pay. In Hedeby, Lagertha is now remarried to an abusive husband, Earl Sigvard, and both she and Bjorn are unhappy. Meanwhile, Aslaug gives birth to a son with a serpent in his eye, thereby proving that she is a Völva. Bjorn wants to go out into the world and prove his manhood, but his stepfather won't allow it. Meanwhile, Jarl Borg remarries and decides to seize Ragnar's lands in retaliation for Ragnar breaking their truce. With all the able warriors gone, Rollo rallies the village's women, children and elderly, but Borg massacres them and seizes control of Kattegat. Rollo is forced to flee with Aslaug, her sons and Siggy.

4. Eye for an Eye

Ragnar meets King Ecbert, who questions his reasons for staying in Wessex and offers to grant him some land. Later, back at camp, one of Horik's ships arrives with news of Jarl Borg's sacking of Kattegat. Ragnar and his men set sail for home. Athelstan chooses to remain with Horik, but is later captured by soldiers after his hunting party is ambushed. Rollo hides Aslaug, Siggy and the other survivors at a remote homestead and tries to rally others to help them retake Kattegat. Ragnar returns home and finds his family. His happiness is soured by Rollo's revelation that they do not have enough men to defeat Borg. Ragnar wants to have sex with Aslaug, but she prophesies that they need to wait for three days before having sex. In Wessex, Athelstan is branded an apostate and is crucified, but his life is saved when Ecbert arrives and orders him taken down from the cross. Ragnar is surprised when a large group of fighters arrives led by Lagertha and Bjorn. Ragnar is overjoyed to be reunited with Bjorn.

5. Answers in Blood

Concerned that Borg is heavily entrenched, Ragnar plans to lure him away from Kattegat. Ragnar and Bjorn sneak into the town at night and set fire to the winter food stores, forcing Borg to give chase. Ragnar engages Borg's forces in a bloody battle, and Borg's host is routed and forced to flee. Ragnar reenters Kattegat, and Bjorn is asked to sacrifice a prisoner to the gods. Aslaug tells Ragnar she is pregnant again but is afraid how the prophecy will impact their child. Ragnar visits the Seer and confesses that he wants both Lagertha and Aslaug as his wives. In Wessex, Athelstan is kept at Ecbert's court, giving the king insight into pagan beliefs. Athelstan struggles with his former Christian beliefs. Lagertha gives Bjorn permission to remain in Kattegat with Ragnar, but chooses to return to her husband. A messenger arrives and informs Ragnar that Ecbert's forces have slaughtered Horik's men, with Horik and his son, Erlendur, barely escaping.

6. Unforgiven

King Horik returns to Kattegat, defeated by King Ecbert and with few of his forces surviving. Hungry for revenge, Horik tells Ragnar that they need the help of Jarl Borg again, since he has many ships. Aslaug is not pleased and asks Ragnar not to listen to Horik. Rollo is sent as emissary to Götaland to negotiate with Jarl Borg, the latter accepts the offer after consulting with the skull of his first wife. Athelstan becomes a confidant of King Ecbert, entrusted to look after secret Roman scrolls and relics. Bjorn finds himself interested by a slave called Þórunn. Lagertha returns home to a displeased Sigvard who sends men to beat her during the night. He tries to humiliate her further the next day, but she plunges a knife into his eye and his nephew Einar beheads him. Jarl Borg returns to Kattegat to join forces with Ragnar, but during the night his men are burned alive and he is taken captive.

7. Blood Eagle

Horik and Ragnar agree that they need more ships and warriors to return to England. Horik persuades Ragnar to delay killing Jarl Borg, in case his execution scares off potential allies. Helga reveals that she is carrying Floki's child and they agree to wed. When Helga seeks Ragnar's blessing, Floki claims they do not need it. They instead marry with King Horik's blessing. Ragnar visits the Seer who reveals that Athelstan is alive but spiritually torn. In England, King Ecbert proposes an alliance with King Ælla against the expected return of the Vikings. To win over a suspicious Ælla, Ecbert marries his son to Ælla's daughter to seal their alliance. Ragnar's call for an ally is answered by a mysterious Earl, who is revealed to be Lagertha. Aslaug tells Ragnar she is pleased that Lagertha is joining forces with him. Bjorn doesn't manage to make Þorunn take her own romantic decisions, as he is her master. Rollo forces Siggy to admit she is sleeping with Horik. Horik tricks Borg into thinking he will escape his fate, but in the end Borg is led into town to be executed. Ragnar performs the Blood Eagle ceremony on Borg.

8. Boneless

Aslaug's prophecy comes to pass when she gives birth to a son with malformed legs. Despite Ragnar's insistence that he should have no future in Viking society and must die, Aslaug keeps him. Ragnar names him Ivar the Boneless. Lagertha arrives in Kattegat with her ships and warriors. In Wessex, Ecbert receives Princess Kwenthrith of Mercia, who is in civil war with her family after murdering her brother. Kwenthrith takes a sexual interest in the Northmen and Athelstan. Sensing Floki's growing rift with Ragnar, Horik attempts to entice him to his side. Before boarding, Bjorn kisses Porunn, who then admits her feelings for him. After landing in Wessex, Ragnar decides on his own to send Torstein to inform Ecbert of their arrival, annoying Horik and Lagertha. Aethelwulf and a group of soldiers arrive, and he invites Ragnar to speak with his father. As a sign of goodwill, Aethelwulf returns Athelstan's bracelet to confirm that the monk is still alive. Despite Ragnar's promise of safety, Aethelwulf's group is ambushed by Northmen led by Erlendur. The entire group is slaughtered except for Aethelwulf who is allowed to escape.

9. The Choice

While reviewing old Roman texts with Athelstan, Ecbert sees a way to defeat the Vikings. Horik advances towards what he thinks is the Wessex army, but Ecbert catches the Vikings between two troops of cavalry and defeats them. Rollo is badly injured, but is recognised by Athelstan and taken back to Winchester. Ragnar names his son Björn Ironside, as he is unscathed. Ælla wants to destroy the remaining Vikings but instead Ecbert decides to offer them land and to employ them as mercenaries to fight against Mercia. Rollo is returned to the Vikings, and some of them volunteer to fight for Kwenthrith. Athelstan returns to Kattegat with the Vikings, admitting to Ragnar that he holds belief in both the Christian and Norse gods now. Meanwhile, Aslaug makes Þorunn a free woman so that she could be with Bjorn.

10. The Lord's Prayer

Horik's wife and children arrive in Kattegat and the village celebrates. To prove to Horik he is trustworthy, Floki poisons Torstein. Horik reveals his plan to kill Ragnar and his entire family. In return for a promise to marry her, Horik orders Siggy to kill Ragnar's children. Þorunn finally gets into a relationship with Bjorn, as a free woman. Athelstan teaches Ragnar the Lord's Prayer. With reinforcements, Horik attacks Kattegat. Arriving in the main hall, he discovers Torstein alive, and sees that Floki and Siggy did not betray Ragnar. Ragnar kills Horik and takes his sword. He spares Erlendur's life, as it was Horik's last wish. Ragnar is now king, sitting atop the iconic cliff Preikestolen.

Season 3

1. Mercenary

Ragnar tells Björn that he never wanted to be king, but only to explore and farm. Ragnar wants to return to Wessex to claim the land promised by King Ecbert. Floki feels that his new family with Helga is too happy, while Rollo wishes to be away from Siggy. Þórunn desires to be a shield-maiden like Lagertha, much to Björn's displeasure; he believes her to be carrying his child. When Lagertha announces she intends to raid with Ragnar, Kalf, her right-hand man, offers to remain and take care of Hedeby. But he betrays her as soon as she is gone to usurp the earldom with the help of Einar. When Ragnar and Lagertha arrive in Wessex, King Ecbert brings a new condition to give his land. The Vikings must fight for Princess Kwenthrith to appease King Ecbert's nobles. Lagertha is unsure about joining, so King Ecbert offers her the job of leading the Viking settlers in Wessex. The settlers go to the land to farm, while the warriors defeat Kwenthrith's uncle's army.

2. The Wanderer

A celebration is held in honour of the victory. Kwenthrith asks for the head of her uncle, and Ragnar questions her hatred; she admits to having been sexually abused as a child by him and her oldest brother. Concerned about Þórunn's safety, Björn lectures and then proposes to marry her. In Kattegat, Helga, Siggy, and Aslaug share strange dreams about a hooded stranger walking in the mist, one hand bloody and the other holding steaming snow. In Hedeby, Kalf expresses his jealousy towards Ragnar, insinuating a wish to kill him. Prince Aethelwulf searches for the young brother of the princess and his army. He captures a soldier who tells him that they expect reinforcements. Torstein's left arm becomes gangrenous and he asks Floki to amputate it. King Ecbert, woos Lagertha and offers her a necklace. Princess Judith tells Athelstan during confession that she dreamt of sleeping with him, and they kiss. In Kattegat, Helga meets the stranger from her dreams who is wounded in the right hand.

3. Warrior's Fate

Helga, Siggy, and Aslaug help Harbard with his hand. He explains that he is a wanderer, offering to share stories about his travels and the gods in return for lodging. In England, Floki resents Ragnar's fighting for the Christians. The Vikings begin climbing the mountain to fight Kwenthrith's brother and his army. She asks Ragnar to spare her brother. Torstein volunteers to go first and dies valiantly. While Ragnar and his men fight their way up the hill, Aethelwulf's archers surround Kwenthrith's brother, killing many and forcing him to surrender. Þórunn is severely injured. Ragnar finds out that Þórunn is pregnant and chastises his son for allowing her to fight. In England, King Ecbert shows Lagertha his Roman bathhouse and invites his guests to join him in the bath, leading to Ecbert and Lagertha having sex. In Kattegat, a fisherman catches two drowned young boys in his nets. Siggy visits the Seer to discuss Harbard and her dreams.

4. Scarred

Aethelwulf attempts to befriend Rollo and Floki; Floki is unhappy about fighting for Christians. Athelstan sleeps with Judith and they both express their love for each other. Kwenthrith urinates on Ragnar's wounds. King Ecbert and Lagertha have a sexual relationship, but she tells him that "he only cares for himself". In Kattegat, Aslaug sleeps with Harbard. Harbard seems to be able to ease Ivar's pain simply by touching and talking to him. Kalf invites Erlendur to the village to help fight against Lagertha's return. Erlendur accepts and comes with his wife Torvi, who recently gave birth to Jarl Borg's heir. Aslaug's sons run out of their home and Siggy finds them walking across a frozen pond, where they fall through the thin ice. Siggy dives in, and Harbard pulls them out as Siggy drowns. In England, Princess Kwenthrith poisons her brother Burgred. She then proposes a toast to herself as the sole ruler of Mercia to which all in the room acknowledge and then pour out their wine onto the floor. Before Harbard leaves Kattegat, he tells Aslaug that Ivar's pain will now be less.

5. The Usurper

The Vikings return to Kattegat, and the women learn of Torstein's death as the men learn of Siggy's. Ragnar is suspicious about why Aslaug was not watching the children. Floki becomes more outspoken about his hatred for Christians, and Athelstan. Helga tells Floki about Harbard, and he claims that Harbard is a god. Aethelwulf learns that Judith is pregnant with Athelstan's child, and he is sent to the settlement. A messenger arrives to tell Lagertha that her earldom has been usurped by Kalf; she asks Ragnar to help win it back. Ragnar tells the men that they will raid Paris in the spring. Ragnar returns with Lagertha to speak with Kalf, although he decides not to help fight for Lagertha, and instead asks him to join the raid on Paris. Aethelwulf leads his soldiers to the settlement and kills all the settlers. Floki tells Ragnar that Aslaug slept with Harbard and that Harbard is another name for Odin. King Ecbert finds out about the settlers' fate; he chides his nobles, then in private reveals that it was his plan all along.

6. Born Again

Þórunn gives birth to a girl that Bjorn names Siggy. A farmer returns from Wessex and tells Ragnar about Aethelwulf's massacre. Athelstan has a sign from God and tells Ragnar that he has been born again as a Christian. In Wessex, Judith gives birth to a son but is then sentenced to having her ears and nose cut off for adultery. After one ear is removed, she reveals that Athelstan is the father. King Ecbert says the child is sent from God and will be christened Alfred. Earl Kalf leads a fleet to Kattegat to join the raid on Paris, along with Erlendur and Torvi. During a party, Erlendur publicly cheats on his wife, who then decide to sleep with Bjorn. Rollo reveals that Athelstan no longer wears his armband. Floki receives a sign that "blood must be spilled", and kills Athelstan while he is praying. Ragnar, heartbroken by Athelstan's death, carries his body up the side of the mountain for burial and asks Athelstan to forgive his upcoming actions.

7. Paris

Ragnar's Viking fleet, also reinforced by Earl Siegfried, arrives in Francia and prepares for battle. Emperor Charles is asked by count Odo to evacuate Paris, but after privately consulting his daughter Gisla, he refuses. Ragnar shocks them when he decides to leave Floki in charge of the attack. Both Vikings and Franks prepare for the siege as the Christians pray for protection from the pagans. In England, Queen Kwenthrith has killed the Wessex nobles and has broken her ties with King Ecbert. The king sends his son, Aethelwulf, to Mercia to force her back into submission. She informs Aethelwulf that her son, Magnus, was fathered by Ragnar. She eventually submits once Aethelwulf tells her about the massacre of the Viking settlement.

8. To the Gates!

The Vikings attack Paris. Lagertha, Kalf, and Erlendur lead an attack on the city gate; meanwhile, Floki, Ragnar, Bjorn, and Rollo try to breach the walls from boats on the river. Princess Gisla manages to restore faith in the Frank troops by revealing the Oriflamme, the holy banner of their patron, Saint Denis. Eventually, the defense holds, repelling the Vikings with the use of oil, fire, and crossbows. While the Franks celebrate their victory, at the Viking camp the warriors have to deal with their wounded, including a badly wounded Bjorn, and Ragnar who has been thrown down from the walls. Floki is consumed by his guilt, having trusted in the good omens of their gods. Helga, disgusted by his selfishness, leaves him.

9. Breaking Point

With the Vikings still recovering, Ragnar orders another attack. Led by Rollo, Lagertha, and Kalf, they manage to pass the bridge, but they are once again pushed back. Siegfried is captured and executed on Gisla's insistence. Although the Franks have managed to defend the city, a plague has spread in Paris and citizens are dying. Count Odo begs the Emperor to come to terms with their enemy. Ragnar's wounds won't heal, leaving him weak. Trying to restore his leadership, he secretly meets the Franks; although offered gold and silver, Ragnar doesn't accept. Knowing his end is drawing near, he asks to be baptized and to be buried inside the city. Meanwhile, Aslaug rules in Kattegat and deals with the Christian missionary Ansgar. Ansgar tries to carry a hot piece of metal to prove the might of the Christian god. When he fails, Aslaug has him killed. In England, King Ecbert and Judith start up an affair.

10. The Dead

The Franks pay gold and silver to the Vikings, but they show no sign of leaving. Many people are still shocked at Ragnar's christening, and when the badly wounded leader dies, Bjorn is in charge. The warriors place Ragnar into a wooden coffin and escort it to the gates of Paris, where they meet the Bishop. The coffin is brought inside the Cathedral to be blessed, but Ragnar suddenly jumps out of the coffin alive. He takes Princess Gisla as a hostage and forces the guards to open the gates, allowing the Vikings to enter the city. Most of the Vikings then set sail for home, but a small party, led by Rollo, remain camped outside the city to maintain a presence for next year's raid. Emperor Charles is determined to gain his favour, offering Rollo land and titles, and his daughter in marriage in exchange for his pledge to defend Paris against future Viking attacks. While sailing home Ragnar tells Floki that he knows he is Athelstan's killer.

Season 4

1. A Good Treason

Ragnar, wounded and near death, has a dream of walking towards the open gates of Valhalla, only to see them close before him. Aslaug asks the Seer if a woman would rule Kattegat, should Ragnar die. Bjorn has Floki arrested for killing Athelstan. When Ragnar awakens, he chastises Bjorn for imprisoning his friend. Bjorn wants to prove himself by surviving deep in the wilderness. Aslaug procures a new slave girl, Yidu. In Hedeby, Earl Kalf announces that he and Lagertha will share the Earldom, to the dislike of Einar. Kalf invites Einar and his men to vote to exile Lagertha, then turns on them, killing the dissidents and allowing Lagertha to emasculate Einar before he dies. In Paris, Rollo is living as a Frankish noble. He marries Princess Gisla, who weeps through the ceremony and holds a knife to his throat on their wedding night. Rollo rides to the Viking encampment outside Paris and orders their massacre.

2. Kill the Queen

Bjorn has set off alone into the harsh Scandinavian winter. Helga frees Floki from his bonds. Ragnar confronts Helga, who admits what she has done, and he tells her that he understands. Ubbe accompanies the manhunt for Floki and discovers him hiding in a stream. After he is captured, Ragnar chains Floki inside a damp cave. Ragnar finds Helga digging a grave in the frozen ground for her daughter. In Wessex, King Ecbert proposes to rescue Princess Kwenthrith of Mercia and her child, who is being held by rebel nobles. Aethelwulf engages in battle and rescues Kwenthrith. Aethelwulf does not know that his wife Judith is sleeping with his father. In Francia, Duke Rollo tries to assimilate by cutting his hair and dressing appropriately but continues to be mocked by his new wife. He proposes building forts to stop the Vikings from sailing upriver.

3. Mercy

Ragnar and King Ecbert experience separate visions of Athelstan, who relays the words "mercy". Rollo starts to learn the language of Francia. Kalf hires a berserker to assassinate Bjorn, on behalf of Erlendur. Bjorn kills a bear that escaped his trap. Floki and Helga struggle with the death of their daughter. Ragnar approaches the cave and frees Floki. Lagertha sleeps with Kalf and he tells her he loves her. Aethelwulf returns with the rescued Queen Kwenthrith and her son Magnus. Judith's obsession with Athelstan continues. Wessex continues preparing its soldiers. In Francia, Count Odo prepares to defend Paris.

4. Yol

Floki visits the Seer who tells him that he has waited hundreds of years for Floki's arrival and licks Floki's hand instead of the other way around. Aslaug asks him to teach Ivar the way of the gods. Ragnar grows closer to Yidu and lets her live in his private lodge. She gives Ragnar " medicine " from her native China, which leads to a night of hallucination. In the wilderness, Bjorn meets the berserker and kills him. He discovers that the berserker has King Horik's ring. Bjorn arrives back in Hedeby and wants to leave with Erlendur's wife, Torvi. Rollo is served divorce papers but has by now learned the language, which impresses Gisla. He gives her his armring to show allegiance to her. In Wessex, King Aelle confronts Judith over her affair with King Ecbert. Meanwhile, during the Yol celebrations in Kattegat, King Harald Finehair arrives and declares that he wants to become King of all Norway. Ragnar then arrives to see Harald sitting in his hall.

5. Promised

Ragnar and Bjorn discuss whether they trust King Harald. Ragnar is addicted to Yidu's "medicine", and they discuss their secrets. Yidu says that her father is a Chinese Emperor, while Ragnar confesses the loss of his English settlement. King Harald's brother Halfdan arrives in Kattegat and lets Ragnar know he is eager to kill Christians. Meanwhile, Torvi reveals to Bjorn that the ring he is carrying, which he took from the berserker, was Erlendur's. In Wessex, Aethelwulf and Judith argue, and Judith tells him they are married in name only. Aethelwulf agrees with Queen Kwenthrith that they need to fight to restore her power in Mercia. In Paris, Therese and Roland reveal to Charles that Odo plans to overthrow him. In Hedeby, Lagertha reveals to Kalf she is pregnant, and Kalf asks her to marry him. Just before their wedding, Lagertha stabs and kills Kalf, and reclaims her status as Earl.

6. What Might Have Been

Ragnar announces his plan to raid Paris, and gives Ubbe and Hvitserk their arm-rings, so they can travel with him. Before they leave, Ragnar asks the Seer how he will die; he replies that Ragnar will die when "the blind man sees him". In Wessex, Ecbert sends Aethelwulf and Alfred on a pilgrimage to Rome. In Paris, Charles begs Rollo to not return to Ragnar, and Rollo assures him that he will not. Odo reveals to Therese that he will have Charles killed and overthrown. Meanwhile in Kattegat, after the warriors set sail, Harbard returns. A storm throws the Vikings' ships off course. Ragnar, Lagertha, and Harald arrive in France, where they set up camp. Harald and Halfdan take their French prisoners and burn them alive, cheered on by Erlendur. Once the remaining ships arrive, the Vikings sail up the river towards Paris. Ragnar takes more "medicine" and hallucinates. As the ships approach Paris, they see Rollo waiting with his new French allies.

7. The Profit and the Loss

Ragnar suggests attacking from both the river and by land. Rollo notices Lagertha's warriors become stuck in the marsh, and fires upon them and the ships. As the ships approach the forts, Rollo orders the Franks to raise a metal chain between them, which capsizes some ships. Lagertha's attack retreats, and the Franks begin to set the Viking ships on fire. Bjorn rescues Harald and Halfdan, and Ragnar saves Floki. As the Vikings retreat, Ragnar shouts to Rollo that he saved his life when everyone wanted him dead. Meanwhile, in Kattegat, Sigurd watches as Harbard and Aslaug kiss. In Wessex, Ecbert leaves for Mercia; he arrives to meet with Prince Wigstan, who tells him that the Mercians will not accept Kwenthrith as Queen. He tells Ecbert that he will hand Mercia over to him. In Paris, the Vikings return to their camp, which Roland has ambushed; Helga is alive but wounded, while Ragnar's sons and Yidu are hiding unharmed. Ragnar demands more "medicine" from Yidu. Floki has a vision of Harbard having sex with Aslaug. Bjorn demands a new plan from Ragnar. Ragnar replies that they will retreat tomorrow while muttering to a severed head.

8. Portage

The Vikings retreat and Ragnar's leadership is questioned by Harald. Ragnar tells Bjorn to land near a cliff, and reveals a new plan: they will take the ships overland, behind the Frankish forts. In Paris, Odo tells Charles they should not trust Rollo, and Roland agrees. Gisla reveals that she carries Rollo's child. Odo meets Therese, but she and Roland betray and execute him. Rollo is awarded the Iron Hand of Frankia. In Wessex, Ecbert returns after victory over Mercia but tells Kwenthrith she is no longer Queen. Meanwhile, in Kattegat, Aslaug sees Harbard with other women and is jealous. She confronts him, and he leaves. In France, Ragnar asks Yidu for more drugs, but she denies him. They argue and she threatens him with revealing his Wessex secret. Ragnar drowns her in a fit of rage. In Wessex, Kwenthrith sneaks into Ecbert's bed and threatens to kill him, but is then killed by Judith.

9. Death All 'Round

As the Vikings carry their ships overland, Harald and Halfdan kill a Frankish family. Lagertha has a miscarriage and is comforted by Ragnar. Aethelwulf and Alfred arrive in Rome, and the Pope makes Alfred a consul. In Wessex, Ecbert is crowned King of both Wessex and Mercia. King Aelle is displeased when Ecbert tells him they are no longer equals. In Kattegat, Sigurd discovers Siggy dead; he tells a drunken Aslaug, who shrugs off her death, and jokes with Ivar. In Paris, Charles appoints Roland its protector. The Vikings arrive outside Paris. Erlendur tells Torvi she must kill Bjorn, or he will kill her son; she approaches Bjorn with Erlendur's crossbow, but instead turns and kills Erlendur. Bjorn tells Ragnar that Paris cannot be taken without him. Ragnar replies he does not care about Paris, and that he is here for Rollo. As the Vikings sail for Paris, Ragnar mutters that he must kill Rollo.

10. The Last Ship

A fleet of Frankish ships led by Rollo approaches the Vikings, and Gisla prays for him. The Vikings and Franks battle, and the Vikings defeat the first French wave. Rollo leads his remaining ships into battle. Meanwhile in Paris, Charles has Roland and Therese executed. Gisla continues praying. Back in the battle, Ragnar and Rollo begin to fight. Halfdan, Floki, and Lagertha are wounded. The Franks gain the upper hand, and Ragnar tells Bjorn to take Lagertha and retreat. Ragnar charges Rollo but is grabbed and thrown back into a ship, as they retreat. Rollo is greeted by Charles and Gisla, and acclaimed by Paris. Ten years later, Ragnar has disappeared from Kattegat. Aslaug is now the sole ruler with Bjorn by her side. Thorhall delivers the news to Aslaug and Bjorn that Ragnar supposedly has a son named Magnus in Wessex. He also tells them the Norse settlement in England had been slaughtered. Bjorn and his brothers discuss their father. He plans to sail into the Mediterranean, and Floki and Helga agree to come on the journey. Ragnar unexpectedly returns to Kattegat. At first he challenges his sons to kill him if they want to become the King. When they do not take the challenge, he offers it to the villagers.

11. The Outsider

Ubbe steps forward to challenge Ragnar, but instead they embrace. Ragnar asks his sons to come with him to England, but Bjorn refuses, as he plans to raid the Mediterranean with Floki, Harald, and Hvitserk. Ubbe and Sigurd promise to stay and protect their mother and Kattegat, now an important trade center. Ivar sees his brothers sharing the slave girl Margrethe, and wants her as well. After failing to sleep with her, he threatens to kill her but instead cries as she tells him that being Ragnar's son is more difficult than being a common man. Ragnar visits Floki and tells him that he loves him. In Hedeby, Ragnar apologizes to Lagertha after she refuses to accompany him to England. Ragnar finds a large tree while riding back to Kattegat and tries to hang himself. However, ravens chew through the rope to save him. Back in Kattegat, Ragnar finds Ivar in the throne room and persuades Ivar to come with him to England.

12. The Vision

Ragnar asks warriors to accompany him to England; however they refuse and say the gods have deserted him. Ragnar talks to Bjorn about his plan to sail past France, and Bjorn says he will seek diplomacy with Rollo. Sigurd chides Ivar that their mother and brothers pity him. Harald and Halfdan arrive to sail with Bjorn. Bjorn notes Harald's conquest of Rogaland, but Harald assures him that he cannot overthrow Ragnar. Lagertha arrives and agrees with Aslaug to perform a sacrifice to the gods for their sons. She later tells Aslaug she cannot forgive her for taking Ragnar. Ragnar digs up old treasure, and bribes some older warriors to sail with him to England. Ragnar meets Aslaug and thanks her for letting their sons love him. Aslaug has a vision of Ivar drowning and warns him he will die if he goes to England; however, Ivar goes anyway. Bjorn, Hvisterk, Floki, and Harald set sail for the Mediterranean. Ragnar and Ivar sail for England, but their ships capsize in a violent storm.

13. Two Journeys

Ragnar, Ivar, and a few other survivors are washed up on the beach in England. Some blame Ragnar for their misfortune. Aethelwulf finds Ragnar's black raven banner on the beach and alerts King Ecbert, who reassures him that Ragnar is simply one man. In Francia, Bjorn's fleet arrives and he asks Rollo for safe passage but is imprisoned along with Floki, Harald, and Halfdan. Harald and Halfdan chastise Bjorn for having trusted Rollo. Later, Rollo meets Bjorn and agrees to allow them free passage, if he can sail with them. In Hedeby, Lagertha imprisons Ubbe and Sigurd, and attacks Kattegat, intending to replace Aslaug on the throne. Bjorn's ships set sail, but they stop and submerge Rollo by keelhauling him. Bjorn lets Rollo up, and Rollo laughs as they sail on. In Wessex, Ragnar tells Ivar they must go to the Royal Villa and abandon the others; they kill their fellow Vikings while they are asleep. Ragnar and Ivar arrive at the Royal town and give themselves up.

14. In the Uncertain Hour Before the Morning

In Kattegat, Aslaug renounces herself as Queen, promising Lagertha that her sons will not seek revenge. In exchange, she wants safe passage to leave. Lagertha initially agrees, but then kills Aslaug. Ubbe and Sigurd arrive to find Lagertha in the great hall. Ubbe challenges Lagertha's warriors in an attempt to kill her but fails. Astrid tells Ubbe and Sigurd that they will die if they harm Lagertha. In Wessex, Ragnar and Ivar are seized by Aethelwulf. Ecbert arrives and promises no harm will come to Ivar, then introduces Ragnar to Magnus. Ragnar states he and Kwenthrith never had sex and Magnus is expelled. Ecbert admits to ordering Aethelwulf to kill the Norse settlers, expresses regret, and frees Ragnar from his cage. The two drunkenly discuss the afterlife and the death of Athelstan, which Ragnar says weighs on his conscience. Ragnar asks Ecbert to kill him, but Ecbert refuses. Instead, Ecbert agrees to hand Ragnar over to King Aelle and arrange a safe passage for Ivar to go home. Ragnar promises that his sons will seek vengeance against Northumbria, not Wessex.

15. All His Angels

Ecbert has arranged a ship to take Ivar home. Ragnar speaks with Ivar alone and says goodbye, knowing he will be handed over to Aelle and die. Ragnar tells Ivar to take revenge on Ecbert and to be ruthless. Ragnar gives Athelstan's cross to his son Alfred and tells Ecbert that in the end, Athelstan chose Christ. On the road, Ragnar has visions of his younger days and of a discussion with the Seer, where he denounces his belief in the gods. Ragnar arrives in Northumbria and is tortured by Aelle. Ecbert travels there in disguise to attend Ragnar's execution. Ragnar says that he dies without apology and welcomes death, and will await his sons in Valhalla to hear stories of their triumphs. Ragnar is then dropped into a pit of snakes where he is bitten to death. Ivar returns to Kattegat, to discover that his mother has been killed by Lagertha. Across the fjord, a longship carrying a black-cloaked figure, missing his right eye, approaches.

16. Crossings

Lagertha in Norway and Aethelwulf in Wessex consider the consequences of Ragnar's death, while his sons start to plan their revenge. Lagertha orders defences to be built around Kattegat. Ivar challenges Lagertha to single combat, but is refused, and promises that one day he will kill Lagertha. Meanwhile, Bjorn and Rollo reach Al-Andalus (today Spain and Portugal) and raid Algeciras, as Halfdan and Harald start plotting to overthrow the Lothbroks as part of their conquest of all of Norway. Floki is intrigued by his first contact with Islam and forces the Vikings to spare men praying in a mosque. After Floki refuses to have another child with Helga, she kidnaps an Arabized Berber child, Tanaruz, as her daughter. The man in the black cloak – an incarnation of the god Odin – brings news of Ragnar's death to his sons. The Seer tells Lagertha he foresees that she will be killed by one of Ragnar's sons, while Ivar prepares a new sword and dreams of his revenge.

17. The Great Army

Ubbe, Sigurd, and Ivar decide to gather a large army and return to England to avenge Ragnar. Before returning to Gisla and his children, Rollo offers land in Normandy to any Norsemen willing to settle, but is rejected. Halfdan introduces Harald to Egil, the bastard son of an earl. Judith visits her family in Northumbria and tries to convince King Aelle to ally with Ecbert against the coming attack. However, her father shows no intention of reforging an alliance with Wessex. Ubbe frees Margrethe and tells her that he would like to marry her. In Wessex, Ecbert continues to groom Alfred as future king and warns him not to trust others, but to think for himself. An armada of Swedish Vikings, led by Earl Jorgensen, arrives to join the Lothbroks. Ivar and Ubbe attempt to kill Lagertha, but are stopped by Bjorn, who makes clear that his brothers will have to kill him before Lagertha. Torvi advises Bjorn not to join Ivar, which causes Bjorn to lash out against her. Bjorn leaves her in a fit of rage and has an encounter with Astrid. Floki presents Ivar with a war chariot which will enable him to lead troops in combat.

18. Revenge

As the great army assembles, Bjorn and Ivar argue over its leadership. Harald spots Ellisif, the woman he fell in love with years ago, who he had wanted to impress by conquering Norway. But she has since married a Danish earl, of lower status than him. Ubbe and Margrethe are married, but Ubbe agrees to share her with Hvitserk. Helga wants to join the great army with Tanaruz, but Floki is not happy with her decision. Harald and Halfdan have Egil infiltrate Kattegat. Halfdan suggests Harald kill Ellisif to regain his honor, but Harald refuses because she is the only woman he loves. Earl Jorgensen volunteers to be sacrificed to assure victory in the coming war, while Bjorn and Astrid continue their affair. Aethelwulf confronts Ecbert about his affair with Judith and questions Ecbert's love for him and his ability as a king. Ecbert asks him to lead the defence against the Norse invaders. As the great army lands in Northumbria, King Aelle's much smaller army is overrun, Aelle is captured, and killed by the blood eagle.

19. On the Eve

Kattegat is attacked by Egil and his men, but they are repulsed and Egil is captured. Torvi is severely injured. Under torture, Egil confesses to Lagertha that he had been paid by King Harald to attack her. Meanwhile, in Mercia, terrified villagers flee before the advancing heathen army. Harald pretends to forgive Ellisif, then kills her husband Vik. Ellisif later pretends to forgive Harald, seduces him, and is about to kill him but is instead killed by Halfdan. Tanaruz runs away from Helga, but Floki manages to find her and convince her to return. Prince Aethelwulf gathers a large army in Wessex and moves to intercept the advancing Vikings in Repton. Before they meet, Ivar persuades Bjorn to scout a potential battlefield and plan to use the terrain to defeat the Saxons. The Vikings then harass the Saxons on the battlefield with archers hidden in the surrounding woods. Prince Aethelwulf decides to move his forces toward the Vikings' ships, but the Vikings then ambush them in a tight valley. In panic and frustration, Aethelwulf orders a charge.

20. The Reckoning

The Saxons charge into the Norse shield wall and suffer heavy losses. Aethelwulf orders a retreat and flees to Ecbert's capital to ready its evacuation. Ecbert refuses to leave and cedes the crown of Wessex to his son. The bishop Edmund refuses to abandon Ecbert. The Vikings arrive and Hvitserk kills Edmund. Ecbert is captured and Tanaruz stabs Helga and then commits suicide. Ivar demands the blood eagle for Ecbert, but Bjorn reminds his brothers of Ragnar's dream of settlement and agrees to allow Ecbert to choose his own death in exchange for signing over East Anglia. Ecbert then kills himself in his Roman bath. After burying Helga, Floki takes to the sea. Bjorn shares his wish to raid the Mediterranean, while Ivar proposes continued raids in England. In an argument over what action to take next, Sigurd starts to insult Ivar and mock his impotence, Ivar then kills Sigurd with an axe. In Sherborne, Bishop Heahmund oversees a funeral and then has sex with the widow of the deceased.

Season 5

1. The Fisher King

After Sigurd's death, Ubbe, Ivar and Hvitserk rule jointly over their newly acquired land in East Anglia. Bjorn and Halfdan sail back to the Mediterranean Sea; Floki sets sail for the unknown; King Harald heads back to Kattegat. Meanwhile, Bishop Heahmund arrives at King Ecbert's villa, celebrates the late sovereign's funeral, and begins rebuilding the place. Aethelwulf and Judith are in exile with princes Aethelred and Alfred, the latter struck by sickness. Ivar persuades his brothers to go north and conquer the city of York. In Kattegat, Lagertha suggests that Harald was expecting to find Egil in her place, so he could take over the kingdom. Harald confesses and dares her to kill him.

2. The Departed

After days at sea, Floki finally reaches land, which he believes to be Asgard, the land of the Gods. In Kattegat, Harald is held prisoner by Lagertha. He proposes an alliance with her through marriage, but she refuses and rapes him. Harald's men free him and capture Astrid; they leave Kattegat and Harald offers Astrid the same proposition that he had to Lagertha. Prince Alfred has a vision in which Athelstan tells him the Vikings are in York, so King Aethelwulf joins forces with Bishop Heahmund. In York, Ivar shows his brothers that he can now stand and walk on his own feet with the help of new leg braces and a crutch.

3. Homeland

Floki explores the new land he has encountered. In Norway, Astrid tempts Harald with the possibility of her alliance, while resisting his sexual advances. In the Mediterranean, Sindric advises Bjorn to arrive as a trader, with a few ships, and not as a warrior in command of an entire fleet. In England, the Saxons led by King Aethelwulf and Bishop Heahmund attack York, but are led into a trap. Aethelwulf's son Aethelred is wounded and the Saxons are forced to retreat. Ubbe and Hvitserk propose a peace, but Ivar wants to continue the war. Aethelwulf seemingly accepts their offer, but Heahmund arranges to have the brothers humiliated. With Ubbe having lost face, Ivar secures his position as the leader of the Great Army. Ubbe and Hvitserk prepare to leave for Kattegat with their few followers; however, at the last minute, Hvitserk defects to join Ivar.

4. The Plan

Bjorn reaches Sicily, and agrees to act as bodyguard to its commander Euphemius. However, Sindric discovers that Euphemius is merely a client of the Arab Emir Ziyadat Allah, and Bjorn asks to visit him. Euphemius refuses but is persuaded to agree by Kassia, a famous nun, and they set sail for Kairouan in North Africa. Meanwhile, in Kattegat, Ubbe agrees to ally with Lagertha against both Ivar and Harald. In Vestfold, Astrid finally agrees to Harald's proposal, and they are married. Floki asks the gods for permission to bring settlers to his new land and prepares to sail. Outside York, the Saxons are joined by Judith's cousin Mannel and his men from Northumbria. Heahmund persuades Aethelwulf to lay siege, and attack only when the Vikings are starving. Inside York, the Vikings pretend to burn bodies, and Ivar humiliates Hvitserk by not sharing his plan. Aethelwulf and Heahmund see the smoke from the fires and enter the apparently deserted city; Heahmund is concerned that there are rats above ground.

5. The Prisoner

In York, Saxon celebrations are cut short when Vikings appear from the sewers and engage in battle. Heahmund is surrounded, but spared by Ivar, and captured. The Vikings retake and garrison the city, as the Saxons retreat. Ivar and Hvitserk sail for Kattegat, taking Heahmund with them. In North Africa, Bjorn travels by caravan across the desert to meet Emir Ziyadat Allah, who welcomes him and offers to trade. Euphemius disappears and, at a banquet, the Emir explains that he had defected to support the Emperor and has now been captured and executed. The Vikings realise that Euphemius is the meal they are eating and that Kassia is more powerful than she seems. Bjorn, Halfdan and Sindric are arrested and are about to be executed as a sandstorm approaches. Meanwhile, Floki returns to Kattegat with tales of his fabulous new land and recruits settlers to return, despite Lagertha forbidding him to take her warriors away.

6. The Message

Floki and the settlers prepare for their voyage but are betrayed to Lagertha, who is angry but lets them sail. On reaching the new land, the settlers discover that it is not as fertile as Floki had told them. Margrethe is vexed by Lagertha's leadership; the Queen threatens to enslave her again if she continues to plot against her. In England, the Saxons have retreated; Alfred swears at Ecbert's grave to pursue the former King's vision of uniting the country. After collapsing during Mass, Alfred recovers and decides to make a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne. Ivar returns to meet Harald, and makes an alliance with him; they plan to attack Kattegat in two months' time. Ivar threatens and persuades Heahmund to fight with them. Astrid betrays Harald by bribing Hakon, a fisherman, to warn Lagertha. She is blackmailed and raped by the crew, spied by a young boy. Hakon delivers the warning. Meanwhile, in North Africa, Bjorn manages to escape during the sandstorm with Halfdan and Sindric, and the three sail back to Kattegat.

7. Full Moon

Alfred reaches Lindisfarne, in search of the memory of his father, and hears his voice as he prays. Floki and the settlers begin creating a settlement near hot springs in their new land. Floki proposes a co-operative, democratic approach, but Eyvind does not trust him and accuses Floki of wanting to be King. Astrid tells Harald that she is pregnant, while Ivar and Heahmund discuss their plan of attack. Bjorn returns to Kattegat, where Lagertha has allied with King Svase of the Sámi. Bjorn rejects Torvi and proposes to marry Snæfrid, Svase's daughter. Lagertha and her allies discuss how to respond to Ivar's attack, and decide to meet him in battle on land, assuming that he will not attack the town from the sea. Margrethe continues to urge Ubbe to betray Lagertha, so that when she is defeated, he can become King.

8. The Joke

Alfred returns from Lindisfarne, and argues that the Saxons must build a navy as the only way to stop further Viking incursions. In the new land, Floki proposes building a temple to Thor, but is opposed by Eyvind who warns that they all will starve come winter. Meanwhile, the armies of Lagertha, Bjorn, and Ubbe, and of Harald, Ivar, and Hvitserk, meet above Kattegat. Lagertha proposes peace talks, but Harald, then Ivar, reject a settlement. Before battle, Ivar takes Astrid and a third of their army towards shore, to protect their fleet. Hvitserk and his group try to flank, but are ambushed in the forest by the Sámi. Battle begins, and Bjorn and Lagertha gain the upper hand, as Harald's forces are outflanked. Ivar hears the fighting, but says it is too late to help. Heahmund is wounded, and Harald retreats. Lagertha refuses to kill Heahmund and orders that his life be saved.

9. A Simple Story

In the aftermath of the battle, Heahmund recovers, makes advances and pledges loyalty to Lagertha. Hvitserk secures reinforcements from Rollo, on condition that Bjorn's life is spared. Bjorn seeks peace with Ivar and Harald, but is rejected; Ivar moves to have him killed but is stopped by Harald. Ubbe, regretting marrying Margrethe, seeks solace with Torvi and the two have an affair. In Wessex, Aethelwulf dies and Judith persuades Aethelred to reject the throne and instead propose to the Witan that Alfred become king. In Floki's colony, Thor's temple is completed, but set afire and destroyed. Thorgrim, Kjetill's son, accuses Bul, Eyvind's son, of the arson. In the ensuing struggle, Thorgrim stabs Bul to death.

10. Moments of Vision

In Floki's colony, Floki urges Eyvind to not seek revenge for Bul's death, offering to make him lawgiver, in exchange for not starting a blood feud. When Thorgrim is found dead, Floki proposes that he himself be sacrificed to the gods. In Kattegat, Margrethe meets the Seer and reveals her ambitions to become queen. The Seer calls her mad and predicts that she will never be queen of Kattegat. The army of Lagertha faces those of Ivar and Harald. As they do battle, Hvitserk remembers Ivar accusing him of regret for his defection. Hvitserk faces Ubbe on the battlefield, but Ubbe is unable to hurt his brother. Hvitserk kills Guthrum, while Svase and Snæfrid are killed by Harald's warriors. Astrid finds Lagertha and asks her to kill her, fearing her pregnancy. Lagertha reluctantly complies. Harald kills his brother Halfdan. As Ivar orders the Frankish reserves onto the field, Lagertha and Bjorn retreat. As Bjorn prepares to leave Kattegat, he finds Lagertha broken with her hair turned white. Across the fjord, Rollo arrives.

11. The Revelation

Ivar enters Kattegat and declares himself its new king. Ivar and Hvitserk celebrate their victory; Harald is mourning Astrid and is haunted by his murder of Halfdan. Rollo arrives and Ivar tells him that Lagertha, Bjorn, and Ubbe have vanished. Rollo guesses that they are hiding in the same hut he had sought shelter in decades earlier. Rollo urges Lagertha and Bjorn to return with him to Frankia, revealing himself to be Bjorn's biological father. Bjorn rejects both Rollo's offer and Rollo as his father. Ivar finds the hut, but Lagertha and her followers have already left, leaving a crazed Margrethe behind. They steal a boat and sail for England. Meanwhile, in Iceland the settlers vote on whether to sacrifice Floki; Eyvind's son Helgi gives the deciding vote against. In Wessex, King Alfred proposes having church services in English instead of Latin, alienating the clergy. Judith suggests that Alfred must marry and produce an heir to secure his position. Lagertha arrives in Wessex and is soon captured by Aethelred.

12. Murder Most Foul

At Heahmund's suggestion, Lagertha, Bjorn, and Ubbe are to be allowed to settle in East Anglia in return for fighting against other Viking incursions. Heahmund is informed that his bishopric has been given to Cuthred, due to Heahmund being assumed dead. In Kattegat, Ivar is engaged to Freydis. When his impotence prevents him from having sex with her, Freydis consumes Ivar's blood, claiming this will make her conceive, but she then secretly has sex with Ivar's slave. In the colony, Frodi blames Eyvind's son Asbjorn for Thorgrim's death, while Floki tells Aud of his fear that his visions were due to insanity. In Wessex, Alfred implores Ubbe to convert to Christianity. Meanwhile, Alfred ignores his intended bride Ealhswith, who starts an affair with Bjorn. Ivar has a disturbing dream involving Margrethe, and then has her killed. Cuthred's spies discover Lagertha and Heahmund's affair. When Cuthred confronts him and threatens to tell Alfred, Heahmund murders Cuthred.

13. A New God

Ubbe and Torvi agree to Alfred's demand for their conversion, but this alienates Bjorn. Bjorn is approached by and bonds with Magnus, who seeks vengeance against Alfred. Alfred and Aethelred clash over whether to punish Heahmund for Cuthred's murder. Alfred chooses to leave judgement of Heahmund to God, to the dismay of his nobles. Heahmund spreads the story that Aethelred might be leader of a conspiracy against Alfred. Harald leaves Kattegat for York to prepare a raid on Wessex. He manipulates Ivar's governor Olavsonn into supporting him in his future plan to invade Kattegat. In Iceland, Floki manages to unite the feuding families over the expected child of Helgi and Thorunn, a daughter of Kjetill. However, soon afterwards Thorunn vanishes. In Kattegat, Hvitserk is furious about Margrethe's murder. Ivar, fuelled by Freydis's promises and flattery, declares himself a god and tells Hvitserk that he intends to perform a great sacrifice.

14. The Lost Moment

Ivar has a shield-maiden he claims to be Lagertha sacrificed, as Hvitserk becomes increasingly conflicted. As Ivar executes rebels, Hvitserk consults the Seer who offers fearful visions of the future. In Iceland, Floki is visited by a vision of Thorunn who reveals her murder by Helgi's brother, Asbjorn. Floki exiles Eyvind and his family from the colony. In England, Ubbe trains Alfred in preparation for Harald's raid. Magnus suggests to Bjorn, Ubbe, and Lagertha that they should join Harald. Ubbe and Lagertha do not believe Magnus's claim about being Ragnar's son. As Harald's army approaches Wessex, Harald becomes attracted to Olavsonn's wife Gunnhild. Aethelred is instructed by the conspiring nobles to assassinate Alfred, but when the moment comes, finds himself unable to perform the deed. Ivar eventually visits the Seer, asking him to confirm his divinity. When the Seer does not comply, Ivar murders him.

15. Hell

Ivar has his men covertly cremate the Seer's body, while publicly promising to bring the people responsible to justice. In England, Heahmund has a vision of Hell that drives him to renounce Lagertha, who accuses Heahmund of never having loved her. Alfred has Lord Cyneheard arrested for treason and Judith tortures him for information about the conspiracy. Harald's army arrives in Wessex. Ubbe goes to speak with Harald, offering a large sum of money for him to leave. Later Magnus arrives to join Harald, inadvertently alerting him that Ubbe and Alfred have set a trap. Harald's army, cut off by a fire started by Ubbe, charges the English. The English take the upper hand, killing Jarl Olavsonn. The Vikings are driven back, but not before Gunnhild kills a wounded Heahmund and injures Bjorn, before being taken captive. In the chaos, Lagertha vanishes. As Alfred celebrates his victory, Judith informs him that Aethelred is leader of the conspiracy.

16. The Buddha

Alfred tells Judith that he has forgiven Aethelred. She confronts Aethelred, who says that loyalty to Alfred prevented him from leading the conspiracy. News reaches Ivar of Harald's defeat, and Ivar plans his own invasion of Wessex. Meanwhile, Alfred grants the Norsemen East Anglia; Bjorn is unhappy about Ubbe and Torvi's conversion to Christianity. With Gunnhild, he travels north to make a deal with Harald, after Gunnhild reveals his plan to attack Kattegat. Hvitserk meets a merchant and becomes interested in Buddhism. Helgi returns to the settlement with frostbite and news that Eyvind is sick and remorseful. Kjetill decides to lead a rescue expedition. In York, Bjorn is welcomed by Harald and Magnus; but when Harald realises Bjorn and Gunnhild are in a relationship, he is unhappy. Alfred becomes sick and bedridden. Judith's paranoia about Aethelred escalates, and she poisons him to death.

17. The Most Terrible Thing

Aethelred is buried as Alfred regains his health. Judith reveals that she had poisoned him to death; Alfred is furious but Judith maintains that doing terrible things is necessary to stay in power. Hearing that a large fleet of Danes is approaching Wessex, Ubbe convinces the king to make him leader of his army. In York, Harald makes the same deal with Bjorn that he had with Ivar: when Bjorn dies, Kattegat will be Harald's. Harald approaches Gunnhild in private and admits his feelings; Gunnhild implies she will marry Harald when he is king of Norway. In Kattegat, Ivar grows anxious about Hvitserk, and forces him to go on a diplomatic mission to his ally Olaf the Stout. In Iceland, the rescue party finds Eyvind and his family in a terrible state. While Floki is held at knifepoint, Kjetill and Frodi massacre them. Floki begs for Helgi's life, but Kjetill decapitates the latter and places his head on a spike. When the group returns home, Floki recounts the bloodbath, and Aud throws herself into Gullfoss.

18. Baldur

King Olaf asks Hvitserk about Ivar's rule; Hvitserk declares his brother a tyrant and asks Olaf to help overthrow him. An amused Olaf instead has Hvitserk tortured. Nevertheless, Hvitserk refuses to change his mind about Ivar. Impressed, Olaf decides to support him. In Kattegat, Ivar orders Thora's arrest and accuses her of fomenting hatred toward him; she contends that in Ragnar's time, all were free. Ivar lets her leave, but she is soon taken by his soldiers and burned alive, along with other rebels. Freydis gives birth to Ivar's "son" Baldur. The child is deformed and Ivar puts him out in the wood, not wanting him to have a life like his. In England, Judith seeks treatment from a witch for a tumor. In the witch's hut, Judith finds a feral Lagertha, whom she takes back to the royal villa. Ubbe talks with the leaders of " the black danes ", kings Hemming, Angantyr, and Frodo, offering them settlement in East Anglia. When Frodo refuses, Ubbe challenges him to single combat. In Iceland, Floki buries Aud and leaves the colony to confront the gods in the wilderness. He eventually finds a cave that he believes is the Helgrind, and enters it.

19. What Happens in the Cave

In England, King Alfred's mother, Judith, dies from cancer. Ubbe fights King Frodo and wins, but is badly injured. As he is about to die, Ubbe calls Odin for help. Because of Ubbe, the war is prevented and Kings Hemming and Angantyr settle in East Anglia with their people. Meanwhile, Lagertha is recalling what happened to her after the battle. She remembers that the witch cut her hair and told her she would then be a new person. Ubbe and Lagertha leave England for Kattegat. In Kattegat, Freydis confronts Ivar about her missing son and he strikes her. Bjorn, King Harald, and their army sail through a storm to reach Norway. Harald is frustrated by Bjorn's behaviour and a deadly confrontation is only prevented by Gunnhild. While marching toward Kattegat with King Olaf and his army, Hvitserk is reunited with Bjorn. Ivar changes his plans and decides to stay in Kattegat to confront his brothers. In the cave, Floki finally finds a cross planted in the ground. He begins to laugh as the volcano erupts and injures him.

20. Ragnarok

The combined armies attack the walls of Kattegat from two directions. However, the defenses are too strong and they are forced back. Magnus is killed by Ivar's captain White Hair. Bjorn appeals to the citizens and says that Ivar is their enemy. At night while Ivar celebrates his victory, Freydis sneaks out to the attackers' camp. She exposes Ivar's murder of Baldur and Thora and a hidden door. A second assault begins and most of the defenders give no resistance, leaving Ivar's housecarls outnumbered and defeated. Harald is seriously wounded while saving Bjorn's life. Freydis reveals her betrayal to Ivar, who strangles her. When Bjorn and Hvitserk enter the hall, Ivar has vanished. Bjorn is declared king by Olaf and a returning Lagertha. Bjorn has a vision of the Seer, who tells him that the war is not over. In the hills, Ivar and his remaining followers travel east.

Season 6

1. New Beginnings

Ivar and his bodyguard Vigrid travel the Silk Road. As they enter Kievan Rus', they are captured by men loyal to Prince Oleg the Prophet. After torturing and dismembering Vigrid, Oleg finds out Ivar's full story and takes an interest in the exiled king. The pair form an uneasy friendship after Oleg reveals how he murdered his wife. Oleg discloses to Ivar that he plans to reclaim the Rus' people 's ancestral lands in Scandinavia and invites Ivar to join him. In Kattegat, Bjorn outlaws White Hair and Ivar's remaining retainers. Lagertha announces her plan to retire and rebuild her old farm, and live out the rest of her life in obscurity. Messengers arrive and inform Bjorn that King Olaf has occupied King Harald's kingdom and holds him captive. Having saved Bjorn's life twice, Harald asks for his aid in reclaiming his freedom and lands.

2. The Prophet

Against Lagertha's advice, Bjorn decides to go to Harald's aid. Kjetill returns to Kattegat in search of new settlers to help build Iceland. Ubbe is interested in following him as Kjetill claims that one of the settlers is the fabled Othere, who has sighted a new land west of Iceland. Torvi reveals that she is pregnant. Kjetill says Floki has vanished, raising the suspicion of Bjorn. Bjorn browbeats Kjetill into joining his war party. In Kievan Rus' Oleg and Ivar travel to Novgorod to meet Oleg's brother Askold and retrieve Oleg's nephew Igor, the heir to the kingdom. Oleg has Askold poisoned, while Ivar forms a connection with Igor. Oleg's other brother Dir soon arrives to arrest Oleg, but when Oleg shows apparent prophetic power by producing Dir's secret wife Anna, Dir is forced to let them go.

3. Ghosts, Gods and Running Dogs

After returning to Kiev with Igor and Ivar, Oleg has Dir attacked and imprisoned. While Ivar teaches Igor Old Norse, they discover Dir mutilated and bound like a dog. The sight amuses Igor but troubles Ivar. In Kattegat, Bjorn is seduced by Gunnhild's servant Ingrid. As he leaves to rescue Harald he places Ubbe in command while leaving his children Hali and Asa with Lagertha. Ubbe announces plans to send Hvitserk on a trade expedition along the Silk Road. Hvitserk is tormented by visions of his murdered lover Thora and Aslaug's murder. Gunnhild reveals to Hvitserk that she is pregnant. Lagertha's neighbors are attacked and raped by White Hair and the other bandits, so they seek Lagertha's help. In Vestfold, Harald has befriended Olaf's steward Canute and attempts to convince him to release him. Canute says that Bjorn has arrived to liberate him. Bjorn and his warriors attempt to swim into the harbor of the Tamdrup, the capital, but Olaf has put oil in the water to set the bay ablaze. Bjorn is forced to retreat.

4. All the Prisoners

Bjorn's army is surrounded by Olaf's. Kjetill confesses to Bjorn that he murdered Eyvind and his family but had nothing to do with Floki's disappearance, but Bjorn is unconvinced. In Kiev, Ivar secretly undermines Oleg: he reminds Igor that everything in Rus' is his, and promises Dir that he will help him escape in return for his support against Oleg. Oleg informs Ivar that he is gathering an army to invade Scandinavia, and Ivar accuses him of using him as a puppet king. White Hair's band attacks Lagertha's village; the farmers fight off the bandits, but many are killed, including Hali. In Kattegat, Gunnhild has a vision of the attack and leaves the city to return to Lagertha. Ubbe names Hvitserk as leader of a trading party to the Silk Road, but Hvitserk misses the boat, causing Ubbe to disown him. Olaf summons Bjorn and Harald and informs them he wants to gather the kings and earls of Norway to vote for a single king to rule; Olaf intends this to be Bjorn.

5. The Key

Jarl Thorkell arrives in Vestfold and is welcomed by Olaf. Gunnhild finds Lagertha and learns of Hali's death; she decides to stay and defend the village with her shield-maidens. Hvitserk has another vision of Thora; he swears on his arm ring that he will avenge her death by killing Ivar. Thorkell proposes that any of the leaders be allowed to contest the election; everyone agrees. Bjorn is introduced to Jarl Hrolf and King Hakon. Ivar and Igor free Dir; they are then introduced to Oleg's intended, Princess Katia. Ivar is shocked at her resemblance to Freydis. Hvitserk gives up his arm ring to pay for hallucinogenic mushrooms and beer; while high, he has a cryptic vision of the seer. King Olaf presents Thorkell, Hakon, Bjorn, and Harald as the four election candidates; he then publicly votes for Bjorn. Torvi tells Ingrid that there is no point in waiting for Bjorn's return. Harald votes for Bjorn. An envoy from the trading party to the Silk Road returns and informs Ubbe that Ivar is in Kiev. Ubbe asks Amma to tell Hvitserk, who has a monstrous vision of Ivar.

6. Death and the Serpent

White Hair and his bandits attack the village again. The villagers win after a hard battle, which culminates with Lagertha killing White Hair in single combat. Seriously wounded, Lagertha rides back to Kattegat to meet Bjorn. In Kiev, Oleg and Katia are married; later, they torment Ivar by having sex in front of him. In Vestfold, Harald wins the election and is crowned King of All Norway; Harald and Kjetill campaigned for Harald's victory with promises to the various kings and earls, Kjetill being promised kingship of Iceland. Kjetill realizes Harald, distrustful, will have Bjorn killed, so he tells Bjorn. Bjorn and Kjetill are cornered by Harald's men but are saved by the outlaw Erik, who takes them to his ship. Lagertha arrives in Kattegat; while dragging herself toward the great hall, she has a vision of the Seer. Hvitserk, in a state of delirium, hallucinates Ivar as a serpent and attacks it. As he comes to his senses, he realizes he has actually stabbed Lagertha to death.

7. The Ice Maiden

In Kattegat, Lagertha's body is found and Hvitserk is missing. Worried about her children, Torvi travels to Lagertha's farmstead and Asa tells her of Hali's death. In Vestfold, King Hakon pledges allegiance to Harald; when Olaf refuses to do the same, Harald has him imprisoned. Amma locates Hvitserk in the forest and brings him back to Kattegat; Ubbe asks him if he knew of Lagertha's death, but Hvitserk refuses to answer. In Kiev, Ivar is told by a messenger that Dir is in hiding and will help Ivar overthrow Oleg when the time comes. Torvi and Gunnhild arrange Lagertha's funeral; a girl named Gyda is sacrificed to follow her to Valhalla. At the pyre, Ubbe, Gunnhild, and Torvi say goodbye; Bjorn returns, says goodbye to his mother, and swears to seek vengeance for her murder.

8. Valhalla Can Wait

Bjorn puts Hvitserk on trial for the murder of Lagertha; Hvitserk confesses and Bjorn sentences him to be burned alive. Ubbe attempts to convince Hvitserk to ask for mercy, but Hvitserk believes he was guided by the gods to avenge Aslaug. When Hvitserk is about to be burned, Ubbe saves his life; then, Bjorn banishes Hvitserk. Later, Gunnhild discovers Bjorn having sex with Ingrid; she suggests that Bjorn take Ingrid as a second wife. Ubbe, Torvi, and Asa travel to Iceland with Kjetill. In Kiev, Oleg sends raiding parties to Scandinavia in preparation for a larger invasion. Igor openly challenges Oleg, who threatens to have him killed if he should try again. Igor runs away crying and is comforted by Ivar. One of the Rus's raiding parties sacks Istrehågan and the survivors report to Harald. Olaf warns Harald that an invasion is coming.

9. Resurrection

In Iceland, Ubbe is introduced to Othere, a wanderer who glimpsed the coasts of a golden land to the west. Torvi has difficult labor and almost dies, but survives and gives birth to a boy whom she and Ubbe call Ragnar. Othere is revealed to be a former Christian monk named Athelstan, who has adopted the identity of a dying wanderer. Ubbe wants to sacrifice Othere to the gods, but he is reminded by Torvi that he himself was once baptized. Othere gives Ubbe Floki's wedding ring, saying that he met him before he disappeared; Ubbe is skeptical. In Kattegat, Bjorn takes Ingrid as his second wife, with Gunnhild's blessing. He asks Erik to patrol his borders; Erik's party is attacked by Ganbaatar and his Rus' soldiers. Bjorn sends Erik to Vestfold to ask Harald to join forces against the Rus', but Harald instead arrests Erik for being an outlaw. After Olaf's plea, Harald listens to Erik and agrees to join with Bjorn. Hvitserk is found by the Rus' and Ivar takes him to Kiev; Hvitserk tells Ivar he killed Lagertha, and is received by Oleg and Katia. An informer tells Ivar that Dir expects him to help overthrow Oleg after the invasion. Oleg parades his army outside the city walls, declaring this to be the end of paganism.

10. The Best Laid Plans

In Vestfold, Bjorn and Harald prepare for the incoming Rus' attack by fortifying Tamdrump's fjord, the river to the north, and the beach in between; during the preparations, Gunnhild loses her unborn child. Frustrated with Bjorn having taken a second wife, Harald rapes Ingrid. Of the many kings and earls of Norway, only Thorkell and his men have joined Harald's army. In Kiev, Katia offers herself to Ivar, but he refuses; she later tells him that she is not satisfied with her marriage to Oleg. Ivar helps Oleg plan the invasion and suggests the Rus' attack both the beach and the river, despite the mountain between the river and the capital. The majority of the Rus' fleet attacks the beach and Harald, Bjorn and Erik lead the defense. Ivar, Hvitserk, Oleg, and their men manage to breach the block at the river mouth, defended by Gunnhild. The Rus' climb the mountain and surround the Viking army at the beach. Thorkell is killed and Harald is seriously wounded; when Erik tries to help him, Harald orders him to retreat. Bjorn continues to fight as his army is overwhelmed; suddenly, Ivar appears and stabs Bjorn with a sword. The Rus' celebrate the victory.

11. King of Kings

After the defeat of Harald's and Bjorn's forces, the Rus have occupied Tamdrup and prepare to attack Kattegat. Harald is revealed to still be alive and captured by the Rus as well as King Olaf. At Oleg's behest, Igor burns King Olaf alive. Meanwhile Harald, intent on not being a pawn for Oleg, escapes. In Kattegat King Hakon and Jarl Hrolf have arrived with their armies. Bjorn is revealed to still be alive, but slowly dying from his wound. In Iceland, Ubbe prepares for their expedition. Othere reveals how Kjetill and Frodi murdered Eyvind's family. Bjorn realizes that Ingrid is pregnant and believes the child to be his. Hakon travels to the Rus camp providing news of Bjorn's passing and surrenders to him, only to be killed by Oleg's captain Ganbaatar. As the Rus hold mass, Bjorn suddenly appears, confusing and scaring them. Ganbaatar shoots Bjorn with arrows, but Bjorn manages to order an attack before passing, giving the impression of being immortal. The Norwegian coalition attacks the panicking Rus from multiple directions. Ganbaatar kills Amma with his bow but is decapitated by Gunnhild. Defeated, the Rus flee Norway while Bjorn is buried in a mound.

12. All Change

Oleg's army returns in defeat to Kiev. Oleg has Igor and Ivar separated and destroys Igor's chamber, claiming to want to make a man out of him. In Kattegat, Gunnhild mourns the death of Bjorn. Erik approaches her, suggesting she summon an Althing to elect her as queen of Kattegat. Secretly, he makes a similar offer to Ingrid. They accept since Gunnhild wants to uphold Bjorn's legacy and Ingrid believes she is carrying Bjorn's child. Oleg forces the officers of his army to dig their own grave and then has them killed, forcing Igor to kill one of them. Soon afterward Ivar and Igor are approached by Dir who informs them that many of Oleg's soldiers have switched sides to him, enabling him to challenge Oleg. Dir asks Ivar to spirit away Igor when given a signal. Oleg attempts to recruit Hvitserk as his bodyguard. In Iceland, Kjetill expresses regret over the murder of Eyvind's family to his wife Ingvild and feels joining Ubbe's expedition will give him redemption. After discussing Freydis with Katia, Ivar is seduced by her. Afterward, Katia asks if Ivar knows of Dir's whereabouts, causing Ivar to disclose the plan.

13. The Signal

In Kattegat, Ingrid and Gunnhild are running to be the Queen of Kattegat but King Harald returns, invoking his right to the kingship as Norway's elected king. After seeing Ingrid performing a ritual in Bjorn's mound, Erik thinks that she is a witch. On the Atlantic Ocean Ubbe's expedition is hit by a storm. Torvi's daughter Asa is washed overboard after seeing Jörmungandr and is lost. In Kiev, Ivar is prevented from seeing Igor by Oleg's guards, including Hvitserk. Hvitserk claims Oleg treats him well and is the future ruler of the world. The brothers end up in a fight with Ivar on the receiving end of Hvitserk’s beating. Oleg later offers Ivar to have Hvitserk killed. Katia and Ivar meet secretly: she gives him a blade and tells him that Prince Dir is ready. Ivar then approaches his brother Hvitserk and tells him Oleg offered to kill him; he wants him to join Prince Dir’s plan. As Oleg is busy with the Good Friday ceremonies, Katia sneaks Igor out of the palace. Ivar, Katia, Hvitserk, and Igor attempt to leave the gates in a horse and carriage. Suddenly, Prince Oleg realizes that Igor is not present at the ceremony.

14. Lost Souls

Ivar's and Igor's cart passes through a passion play where Oleg is playing the role of Jesus. Bishop Leon stops the cart but then allows the cart to pass after seemingly recognizing Igor. Ivar successfully delivers Igor to Novgorod and Dir who has gathered substantial support against Oleg. In Kattegat, Harald is crowned as king by Erik who in turn is made the head of his bodyguard. Harald proposes to marry both Gunnhild and Ingrid, convinced that the child the latter is carrying is his and not Bjorn's. Ingrid later admits to Gunnhild that she is not sure who the father of her child is. Gunnhild is conflicted and confides in Bjorn's mound that the golden age of the Vikings might be over. Ubbe's expedition eventually finds land, but it's far from the "golden land" Othere described. As a joke, Kjetill names the new land " Greenland ". The land is divided up between the settlers but tension rises as there is no food. In the morning, Frodi discovers that a whale has been beached on his and Kjetill's land.

15. All At Sea

Dir's forces march on Kiev, with the garrison surrendering peacefully to him. Oleg, who is losing his grip on reality, appears on a balcony and pleads for forgiveness by Igor. Encouraged by Ivar, Igor shoots him to death with an arrow. During the celebrations, Katia tells Ivar that she is carrying his child, but Ivar states he has other ambitions. As Ivar prepares to leave Kiev he is confronted by Igor who does not want him to leave. After telling Igor that he has to stand on his own legs to be king, Ivar and Hvitserk leave. Despite Ivar's refusal, Hvitserk maintains that Ivar has changed. In Kattegat, Ingrid reveals to Erik that she was sold into slavery by him. Harald later marries Ingrid, but Gunnhild drowns herself to join Bjorn in Valhalla. In Greenland, tensions reach a fever pitch as Kjetill refuses to share the whale with the rest of the settlers. A fight breaks out over the whale, and Ubbe is forced to kill Frodi in self-defense when he tries to break it up. Othere drags Ubbe out of the fight and they flee to their ship with Torvi and the more levelheaded settlers. An insane Kjetill is left standing atop the whale declaring himself King of Greenland.

16. The Final Straw

Ubbe's expedition is lost at sea with their meager supply of food and water quickly dwindling; a boy drinks seawater and later dies. Torvi is unable to produce milk to feed baby Ragnar. Ivar and Hvitserk return to Kattegat, but are seen as traitors by the public. At a feast, Harald makes a charismatic speech to the people convincing them to forgive Ivar and Hvitserk for fighting with the Rus. Hvitserk mourns at Bjorn's mound where he is visited by Iðunn who spends the night with him. Ivar confides in Hvitserk in feeling lost. Remembering a game of chess with King Alfred, Ivar decides to raid Wessex. Harald, disillusioned with ruling, decides to join Ivar.

17. The Raft of Medusa

Harald assembles a fleet. Harald appoints Erik the acting king in his place, with Erik having the last say over Ingrid. As the fleet leaves, Erik makes it clear that he wants to take Harald's place as King for life and claim Ingrid as his. Ingrid starts an affair with Erik but secretly curses him using her witchcraft which makes Erik eventually blind. In England, Ivar suggests the Norwegian fleet take position at Eddington. The Norwegians then start to ravage the countryside to lure Alfred to them. A raiding party led by Ivar is attacked by English forces, but they are saved by Hvitserk. The raids eventually force Alfred to evacuate the capital while gathering his forces. On the Atlantic, the dwindling expedition led by Ubbe finally spots land.

18. It's Only Magic

The new land found by Ubbe's expedition is found to be rich in berries and wildlife, saving them from starvation. As they build and explore, Othere discovers signs of previous Norse settlement. Ubbe leaves gifts close to some carvings and later finds the gifts taken and replaced by new gifts. In England, Ivar plans to ambush the English in a nearby forest. Ivar states his wish to Hvitserk to be the most famous Viking who ever lived and his child by Katia will make sure his bloodline lives on. Hvitserk is alarmed by the white of Ivar's eyes being unusually blue which they take as a sign of Ivar being at risk of breaking a bone. Meanwhile, Alfred has gathered his army. In Kattegat, Erik has become dependent on Ingrid's authority as the wife of Harald in order to rule. Ingrid orders the assassination of a Danish king that has converted to christianity. Erik blames Ingrid for his blindness and orders the slave Orlyg to murder Ingrid in exchange for his freedom. Ubbe and the settlers continue to explore the new land and come across another settlement. They are quickly surrounded by native warriors.

19. The Lord Giveth…

In the new land, the native warriors make peace gestures. The tribe, introducing themself as the Miꞌkmaq, invite the settlers to eat with them. Orlyg confides to his fellow slave Nissa about Erik's request for him to kill Ingrid. Othere, and later Ubbe, recognizes that the sagamaw of the tribe, Pekitaulet, knows some Old Norse. Ubbe is told of another Nordic explorer who appeared in their land before their arrival. The settler Naad has discovered gold among the gifts the natives left for the settlers and tries to inquire about its origin. Erik is seduced by Nissa in a hut and is killed by her while Ingrid's men kill Orlyg when he attempts to assassinate her. In England, Alfred's forces march through the woods and are decimated by traps set by the Vikings. The Norwegians ambush them and the English are forced to retreat. In the chaos, Alfred sees a vision of Jesus and is convinced the English will eventually triumph. Harald is separated from his forces in the mist and is fatally stabbed by bishop Aldulf. An apparition of Harald's brother Halfdan appears to him, claiming to have been sent to retrieve Harald to Valhalla. Before passing, Harald stabs Aldulf to death. The natives lead Ubbe to the man they learned Norse from: Floki.

20. The Last Act

Floki tells Ubbe and Torvi of how he traveled to the new land from Iceland after being disillusioned with the Icelandic settlement. In England, Ivar and Alfred negotiate but Alfred refuses to agree to Ivar's conditions. Naad goes looking for gold in a hut and kills Pekitaulet's son We'jitu when he tries to stop him. The natives capture Naad and Ubbe promises to punish him. After initially preparing to carve a blood eagle, Ubbe opts at the last minute to quickly slit Naad's throat instead. The Norwegian army, now under Ivar's control, attack the English in a ferocious battle. Ivar's condition is increasingly worsened. When Hvitserk is wounded, Ivar orders him to stand down, proclaiming his whole life has led to this moment. Ivar – accepting that he now belongs in Valhalla – willingly lets an English soldier stab him to death and the battle stops. The Norwegians go home as Hvitserk mourns and buries Ivar. Alfred offers Hvitserk to come with him to the royal villa; he is subsequently baptized with Alfred as his godfather and assumes the Christian name Athelstan. In Kattegat, after hearing of the deaths of Ivar and Harald, Ingrid assumes full power over Norway as Queen. The series ends with Ubbe and Floki conversing on a beach, with Floki advising Ubbe to let go of the past. After Floki says he will die soon, Ubbe asks: "Is that the end?", with both of them remaining silent as they watch the sunset.