WiC reviews the final 10 episodes of Vikings
By Corey Smith
Image: Vikings/History/Amazon Prime Video
Season 6, Episode 14: “Lost Souls”
Much like last episode, “Lost Souls” is mainly here to ratchet up the tension as the show heads into its endgame. It can feel a bit like treading water, but the episode does fill out our picture of the final act.
In “The Signal,” it appeared as if Ivar and Hvitserk succeeded in smuggling Igor out of Kiev, but the two brothers must first undergo Oleg’s bizarre religious ceremony, complete with Oleg being whipped as Christ was whipped before his crucifixion.
Once Ivar, Hvitserk, Igor and Katia make it to Novgorod and Prince Dir’s forces, the mood lightens, although the celebration feels a bit premature considering Oleg will surely seek revenge, and quickly. Still, we get a strong scene between Ivar and Igor, as the young prince confesses his gratitude and love for Ivar. As Høgh Andersen told us, these two have genuine affection for each other. It’s a touching moment.
Elsewhere, Ubbe and friends make landfall in an unknown land they dub Greenland, despite it appearing to be even worse of a place to live than Iceland. A “golden land” this is not. Still, our explorers begin to make camp, dividing the land into parcels. Between the lack of food and a storm washing a whale (yes, a whale) onto Kjetill’s parcel, tempers are fraught, and a violent confrontation seems on the horizon.
Back in Kattegat, King Harald continues to make his play to succeed Bjorn, in both kingship and marriage. Harald being Harald, he can’t just settle for being king, he wants to marry Bjorn’s wives as well. Harald isn’t without allies, even if those allies soon attempt to kill him. Luckily, everyone’s favorite schemer Erik the Red is there to save Harald, securing a place for himself at Harald’s side.
I could see Harald getting killed by either of his two future wives, or even by Erik. Gunnhild long ago chose Bjorn over Harald, and Harald raped Ingrid last season, something we doubt she’s forgotten. Regardless of who ends up killing him, Gunnhild and Ingrid’s scenes are some of the episodes strongest, as the two women face the reality of their situations.
“Lost Souls” is light on action, but it doesn’t drag either. This storyline might have been better if Harald had died on the beach back in the first half of the season, but he does through Kattegat’s succession into disarray in ways I can appreciate (and Peter Franzen is great).
All that said, considering that we still have a trip to England in the cards, it’s time for Vikings to pick up the pace a bit. We have a lot of story left to tell, and not much time left to tell it.