WiC reviews the final 10 episodes of Vikings
By Corey Smith
Image: Vikings/History
Season 6, Episode 12: “All Change”
After last episode’s game-changing events, “All Change” is a bit slower and focuses on the changes Bjorn’s death and Oleg’s defeat have on the characters still left standing. The title isn’t exaggerating: every corner of the show’s world has changed.
With the Rus retreated back to Kiev, Oleg is naturally looking for someone to blame. From executing a group of officers to smashing up Prince Igor’s room, Oleg is placing the blame on everyone but himself, often with deadly results.
Word of Bjorn’s death also reaches Ubbe in Iceland, although it has little affect on Ubbe’s desire to sail west in search of glory and new lands. Although Kjetill encourages Ubbe to sail home to Kattegat, Ubbe remains fixed, citing his father Ragnar’s hatred of being king as a reason to reject the open kingship. But while this is a nice character moment for Ubbe, he remains oblivious to the danger around him. Luckily, Torvi’s isn’t so easily fooled.
But nowhere is Bjorn’s death felt more than in Kattegat, where everyone is looking forward to an uncertain future. That includes Erik the Red, a one time outcast who now finds himself at the center of several plots. Gunnhild and Ingrid are trying to handle Bjorn’s succession, with Erik playing both sides. Eric Johnson does a great job in the role, and I’m intrigued to see which way Erik might lean.
Meanwhile in Kiev, Oleg attempts to drive a wedge between Ivar and Hvitserk, which isn’t hard considering how much enmity has grown between them over the years. Prince Dir is nearly ready to challenge Oleg, but we’ve heard that song before. The difference is that, this time, it seems destined to force a final confrontation between Ivar and Oleg. For his part, Hvitserk relapses into drug abuse under Oleg’s taunts.
It was always going to be hard to follow “King of Kings,” but while that episode felt more like the climax of the first half of season 6, “All Change” feels more like a proper premiere episode. Nothing of major importance happens, but it does set the table well for the big finish. Plots are set in motion, power is at stake, and people are being positioned on the chess board.