Megan Applegate recaps episode 5 of Vikings season 2….
Like most family reunions, Lagertha and Bjorn’s return to the fold was a little awkward and a heap sentimental.
The episode doesn’t take long to get into the full swing of things and soon Ragnar and a Bjorn (along with two sacrificial Vikings) set out to Kattegat to destroy the food supply, setting in motion a ploy to get Borg and his men to follow in pursuit of revenge only to find a dead guy stuck to a log, and a nest of revenge-seeking Vikings (led by Ragnar) in front of them.
It isn’t pretty for Borg and in a few short, bloody minutes after Bjorn’s survived a near-miss and Rollo’s mowed down half of the enemy with nothing but a shield and some fantastic jump sequences, the battle is done. Borg has retreated and Kattegat belongs to Ragnar once again.
The group triumphantly walks back into the village, greeted by grateful residents and Aslaug can’t help but notice how much more popular Lagertha is, like some medieval popularity contest Aslaug and Siggy will never win as long as the badass blonde bombshell is around.
Being the rowdy Vikings they are, they celebrate by letting Bjorn behead a prisoner and get all smear happy with the dead man’s blood.
The old drama returns for Ragnar as well as he struggles with feelings for both Lagertha and Aslaug. The princess can feel it, despite Ragnar’s half-hearted attempts to convince her otherwise. The creepy eyeless oracle is no help either and tries to give the jarl advice by way of a story about ancient feet. Even Ragnar was lost on that one and sits through the long-winded story looking fidgety and frustrated.
Lagertha makes the decision for Ragnar.
She leaves Bjorn—“all she has left”—in the hands of the good people of Kattegat and dutifully returns to her jerk of a husband. How many times in one season can this woman break my heart?
Poor Athelstan. He’s been delivered from the cross only to live a prisoner among Ecbert’s people. He’s made an especially nasty enemy out of Ecbert’s son who seems just as determined as Floki was to prove he’s not “one of them.” He’s also suffering from visions and the inability to receive holy communion without spitting it out. Bleeding crosses. Virgin Mary apparitions in the courtyard. Demons scuttling through his room and underfoot. It’s not looking good for Athelstan.
Next week’s preview hinted at the return of King Horik with news of Ecbert’s attack and Athelstan’s capture. It also teased a possible attempt to bring Borg (whose wife is pregnant) into the fold again. How many times can Borg and Ragnar stand across each other on a battlefield and without realize they weren’t meant to be besties?
In series news, History Channel has renewed Vikings for a third, ten-season episode. Filming begins this summer in Ireland and will air next year. Let the celebrating and shield-banging commence, friends. The show goes on!
Megan Applegate – follow me on Twitter