WiC Watches: Vikings season 6

Episode 6×10 “The Best Laid Plans”

Well folks, last night’s mid-season finale of Vikings felt like a proverbial sword through the stomach. For one character, it was more literal than that. Before the Rus even lands in Norway, “The Best Laid Plans” does a wonderful job of ripping our hearts out before eventually leaving us lifeless on the beach heading into the long break before the show’s final 10 episodes. I wouldn’t call much of the off-battlefield drama fun to watch, but it certainly was powerful.

First up, Bjorn and Harald begin their preparations for the invasion, an invasion Bjorn correctly guesses will begin at Harald’s capital. Why Oleg and Ivar later would choose to land their forces in the teeth of Norway’s defenses is never adequately explained — landing downfield and marching up the coast seems like a better idea to me, but then again, I’m not a Viking. Either way, the preparations underscore Harald’s lack of leadership both in terms of planning and in loyalty, as only a few of his vassals answer his call to defend Norway.

On the flip side, Bjorn is at his best, planning the battle and inspiring confidence in those around him. Harald’s actions while Bjorn prepares their defenses further highlight who really should have been chosen as the King of Norway. Rather than concern himself with, you know, annihilation, Harald continues to be obsessed with avenging himself on Bjorn. Harald first attempts to seduce Ingrid, and when he’s refused, rapes her in one of the show’s most brutal scenes.

Harald’s inferiority complex has long been a theme for his character; remember his ambition to become king of Norway was largely based on being rejected by a woman who thought him unworthy of her hand, but we haven’t been reminded of it in such a dark way in quite a while. No doubt Harald’s actions are fueled by Gunnhild’s choosing Bjorn over him last season as well, but either way, I could have done without the rape scene to illustrate all of this.

Speaking of Gunnhild ,Ingrid isn’t the only one of Bjorn’s wives put through the fire in this episode, as Gunnhild loses her unborn child after overworking herself preparing the defenses. I actually thought this scene would appear in last week’s episode, but it’s no less painful here. From Gunnhild saying that perhaps she and Bjorn are not fated to have children together to her burying her son alone, it’s heartbreaking stuff. The show and its characters might not have much time left, but the series appears determined to put them through hell before it is all said and done.

Ultimately, when you clear everything away, this episode, and perhaps the series, boils down to the conflict between Ivar and Bjorn. Thanks to some creative editing, the two engage in “conversation” throughout the episode, one that bears directly on the battle we see unfold.

Speaking of the battle, Bjorn’s best laid strategies (including some flaming boulders straight out of Troy) are thwarted by Ivar, who scales a mountain and encircles Bjorn’s forces. But it’s the symbolic conversation between Ragnar’s eldest and youngest children that most drives the outcome home. As the two talk, we see Bjorn surrounded by the bodies of dead soldiers, and his confidence begin to waver. Ivar is quietly confident, and perhaps even a little sad to see his brother’s forces vanquished so thoroughly. Gone is the all-consuming rage that drove Ivar in seasons past. In its place is a sort of resignation, and I’ll admit that it has me intrigued by the character once again.

But Ivar’s reemergence as the show’s most interesting character comes at a cost. As Bjorn’s confidence begins to wane and ultimately fail as he chats with his brother, we flash to the battle itself, where Ivar impales Bjorn on the beach. This is just a symbolic killing, as Ivar could never impale Bjorn while on crutches. The actual honor most likely belongs to an anonymous soldier, but the point is clear: Ivar is victorious over Bjorn.

Now, Bjorn could possibly pull a Jon Snow and come back — previews for the final episodes seem to imply that may happen — but for now, the show clearly wants us to think Bjorn is dead. For my part, I always thought Bjorn would survive the series, but I have my doubts now. With Harald killed in the battle as well (good riddance), it’s hard to imagine who would lead our heroes going forward, and I will certainly be pulling for Bjorn’s return. If this is the end of Bjorn’s run, it was wonderfully done. I’d prefer the show drop the idiotic Freydis/Katia plot, but for now, I’m all in on this new version of Ivar.

This was a dour, gloomy episode of Vikings, but it’s also among the series’ very best. The symbolic conversation between Bjorn and Ivar was initially confusing, but pays off. As I said, I don’t think Bjorn is actually dead, but it will be interesting to see how that all plays out. If Bjorn is really dead, it would open things up a bit before the series comes to a close. For example, Ivar could somehow switch sides to protect his native land from foreign invaders before the curtain falls.

Episode Grade: A+

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels