WiC reviews the final 10 episodes of Vikings
By Corey Smith
Season 6, Episode 13: “The Signal”
After two solid episodes, “The Signal” begins to lag a bit, although it’s not without its moments. Tensions are escalating everywhere, and nowhere more than in Kiev. Elsewhere, yet another child is sacrificed in the name of building drama, and Kattegat holds its election for its next ruler. This being Vikings, nothing goes according to plan.
But first up, Hvitserk kicks the ever living snot out of Ivar after being goaded by Prince Oleg. Given the two brother’s past — Ivar did burn Hvitserk’s girlfriend alive, among other things — it doesn’t take much to set Hvitserk off, but it all appears to simply be to part of Oleg’s to keep himself entertained. Nevertheless, the two brothers once again shrug off their differences to work against Oleg later in the episode, as the pair smuggles Igor out of Kiev.
Meanwhile, Ubbe has finally set sail for parts unknown. The tension is ratcheted up to 11 thanks to both a lack of wind and eventually, a storm. That storm gives us the wondrous shot of the Midgard Serpent from the season’s trailer, which we learn is simply a part of a child’s imagination. That child, Torvi’s daughter Asa, is lost overboard moment’s later, thus fulfilling Vikings grim history of killing any child who is not a son of Ragnar.
In Kattegat, Ingrid is taking no chances on Election Day and performs some sort of ritual over Bjorn’s statue to ensure her victory. But neither her witchcraft nor Erik’s schemes amount to much, as King Harald arrives to take power for himself. Harald, despite seizing control, confesses his defeat at the hands of the Rus. Bjorn’s death has left him humbled. Whether Harald will maintain his power remains to be seen, but it doesn’t appear likely that Harald, Gunnhild Erik and Ingrid will all live through this.
All in all, “The Signal” isn’t the most remarkable episode, but it does advance the overall plot in several areas. Still, with so many storylines yet to conclude, it feels like more could have been done to move things along. It’s neither a great episode nor a bad one. Hopefully things pick back up soon…