WiC Watches: Vikings season 6

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Episode 6×04: “All The Prisoners”

At this point in Vikings, I’m as conflicted as many of its principal characters. Are the episodes bad because they aren’t moving the series toward a conclusion? Is it fair to judge an episode too harshly because it feels like a retread? I’m not so sure anymore, but I do know that “All The Prisoners” feels again like the show spinning its wheels, even though several big moments do occur. Let’s jump into it.

The bulk of the episode take place in Lagertha’s settlement, where retired shield maidens, grey haired warriors and children prepare to defend themselves against roving bandits. Those bandits are largely made up of ex-supporters of Ivar whom Bjorn exiled. Why Lagertha never sends for help from Ubbe or anyone in Kattegat is never explained, but when the bandits do arrive, Lagertha’s ragtag army does its job quite well.

There are casualties among the adults, but it’s the children in the camp who ultimately bear the brunt of the attack. Lagertha’s decision to use them as scouts in the forest leads to many of their deaths, but the episode’s nominal big moment comes when Hali, Bjorn’s son and Lagertha’s ward, is killed by the escaping bandits. Child actor Ryan Henson does well in the scene, and it’s meant to be a heartbreaker, but it’s hard to really feel anything when the show has a history of shrugging its shoulders whenever a child dies.

Bjorn already lost a daughter back in season 3, when the show drowned Siggy (Bjornsdottir), and Bjorn himself barely skipped a beat.  Hali’s death will likely have consequences for Lagertha and his mother Torvi, but as a viewer, we’ve been here, done that. Like fridging, the death of child is a terrible trope the show uses way too often, and not at all effectively, as the affected characters tend to move on rather quickly.

As for characters who do not move on, Hvitserk continues his spiral downward towards insanity. Initially appearing grateful to be chosen by Ubbe to lead an expedition down the Silk Road,  Hvitserk unfortunately cannot leave his madness behind. Nowadays we recognize the symptoms of PTSD, but Viking warriors are hardly the type to sit down for a counseling session. Instead, Ubbe essentially disowns Hvitserk, which we can only guess will send Hvitserk further down into the darkness.

Elsewhere, Kings Harald, Olaf and Bjorn spend the episode coming to an accord thanks to Olaf’s vision from the gods. Olaf proposes Norway cease its endless petty disputes and unite under Bjorn, setting up a new future for the country. It’s just the right amount of crazy for Olaf, and Harald and Bjorn quickly agree. Harald is likely become a problem down the road given his continued goal of becoming King of Norway himself, but right now he’s Olaf’s prisoner, so he doesn’t have much of a choice in this matter.

Bjorn also questions Kjetill Flatnose once again about what happened in Iceland, and Floki’s ultimate fate. Flatnose does not initially admit to everything that went on, but finally confesses to Bjorn his murder of his rivals. Flatnose calls it revenge, but given that Floki remains missing, Bjorn is not entirely convinced. Why Flatnose is even with Bjorn after initially expressing his desire to return to Iceland is beyond me, but Bjorn better have eyes in the back of his head if he keeps threatening the deranged Viking. We need you back, Floki!

Finally, we spend a good chunk of time with Ivar and the Rus crew. Four episodes in and Ivar is already plotting to overthrow Oleg via Prince Igor. Igor has clearly been sheltered by his older brothers, and is only now learning his true spot in the pecking order through Ivar. For Oleg’s part, he informs Ivar that a great fleet and army are being summoned as they speak to invade Scandinavia, but the duo disagree on Ivar’s role. Oleg would like to see Ivar installed as a ruler subservient to him, an idea that Ivar is naturally none to happy about. Ivar goes off to conspire with Dir, still a caged prisoner.

Again, we’re supposed to feel something about all of this, but with the series staring down its own end, it’s hard to care about the plots of a country and family we were only introduced to three episodes ago. I understand a bit of plot development was needed for Ivar to return at the head of an army to confront his brothers in Kattegat, but honestly I’m ready to get this show on the road. I still maintain that Ivar and Oleg crazily romping their way through Scandinavia thick as thieves would have been far more interesting, but as it is, it seems we’re set to see who will kill the other first.

Episode Grade: C+