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‘Vikings’: Episode “Full Moon” Recap

Last week all the key players were starting to get into place before the big battle. Ivar (Alex Høgh Andersen) had joined King Harald (Peter Franzén), and Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) was on his way back to Kattegat. Let’s see what this week’s episode had in store for our heathens as they prepare for the fight of their lives.

Bjorn Ironside and Queen Lagertha

‘Vikings’: Episode “Full Moon” Recap
Photo by Jonathan Hession

Bjorn returns home to hear of the impending war between his mother, Queen Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) and King Harald and Ivar. He doesn’t understand how the fight between Ubbe and Ivar has gotten so bad. He fears that this battle will ruin their father’s legacy forever. Ubbe responds by saying,

“Our father lives through us, Bjorn. Or he doesn’t live at all.”

Because Halfdan returned along with Bjorn, Queen Lagertha questions where his true loyalties are since this battle would pit him against his brother. He explains that he has pledged himself to Bjorn after everything they went through on their travels. Part of Lagertha still doesn’t quite believe him, but for now, Bjorn’s support for Halfdan seems to be enough.

‘Vikings’: Episode “Full Moon” Recap
Photo by Jonathan Hession

Since Queen Lagertha is in need of people for her army, she invited the Sami people to join her forces. King Svase introduces Bjorn to his daughter, Princess Snaefrid (Dagny Backer Johnsen). There is an immediate attraction between the two. Taking after his father, Bjorn desperately desires this mesmerizing woman, and he doesn’t bother hiding it from anyone. Torvi (Georgia Hirst) sees this and confronts them. Their relationship had been on the rocks, and she knew that when he didn’t return from England, it was over. She only wants him to promise that he will always care for their children. She displays strength in front of Bjorn but goes off to drown her sorrows alone.

Bjorn doesn’t seem to care that he has broken Torvi’s heart. He tells his mother that he desires the King Svase’s daughter Snaefrid, so Queen Lagertha speaks to King Svase to make the match. King Svase agrees as long as his daughter accepts, which she does. It seems that she wanted him just as much as he desired her from their very first encounter.

‘Vikings’: Episode “Full Moon” Recap
Photo by Jonathan Hession

Shortly after the dinner, Ubbe comes upon Torvi who has been crying and attempted to comfort her. He then kisses her, which seems to come as a surprise to not only her but him as well. Meanwhile, Margrethe (Ida Nielsen) lurks nearby and sees the kiss. She confronts Ubbe back in their room, and he denies it. She tells him not to fight and let Ivar overthrow Queen Lagertha, and if they kill Bjorn, then he will be King. Margrethe is playing a dangerous game as she says,

“What an amazing outcome for a slave? End up as a Queen.”

In a tender moment, Queen Lagertha and Bjorn sit by the fire and talk about their past, Ragnar, and living a simple farmer’s life. This time between mother and son is rare. As we have noticed in recent episodes, the manner in which Bjorn comforts his mother reminds us so much of how Ragnar was also able to put a little humor into everything. We like the similarities between these two great warriors!

King Harald and Ivar

Ivar and Bishop Heahmund (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) spend time with each other. They either play chess or talk about each other’s faiths. They are still trying to read each other. Ivar doesn’t wholly trust the Bishop, and something tells us maybe Ivar is right in being suspicious because it sometimes seems that the Bishop may have something up his sleeve.

The time they spend together also turns into a bit of a strategizing session. Ivar wants to work with Bishop Heahmund which makes the Bishop laugh because why should Ivar care what he has to say. He could care less which side wins. Understanding Bishop Heahmund’s nature, Ivar can see that even though he doesn’t care which side prevails, Heahmund wants to win. These two are very similar in that way.

Meanwhile, it appears that Astrid (Josefin Asplund) is paying the price for sacrificing herself to get the message to Lagertha. She is pregnant, but something in her eyes and the manner in which seemed hesitant to tell her husband, King Harald, tells us that she doesn’t know who the father is.  While King Harald is thrilled about being a father, Astrid is terrified.

Floki and the Colony

‘Vikings’: Episode “Full Moon” Recap
Photo by Berard Walsh

Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) leads the colony to his idea of a perfect location for setting down roots. However, the group is unable to see his vision and is not pleased with his decision. The doubt is growing as they look onto a barren land. Where is the fertile ground that Floki promised? As they are about to grab him, the geyser erupts. Reluctantly they decide to do as he instructs and set up camp.

Floki’s goal is to create a new kind of world where everyone is equal and work together to live off the land. They look after those that need help and work together without anyone ruling over each other. Some still aren’t sure if he is leading them astray like the God Loki or if he wants to be King.

Prince Alfred

Meanwhile, Prince Alfred (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) has ventured back to where his father, Athelstan (George Blagden) first encountered Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel). He speaks to a priest, who thinks that the Athelstan gave up his faith and he was evil because he ended up siding with the Northmen. However, Prince Alfred points out that it wouldn’t be right to assume things in this complicated world.

“We are all devils and angels.”

As Prince Alfred prays in his quarters, he hears his father’s voice, and they pray together.

Each side builds their army as they gear up for battle. Before the episode ends, we see the alliance in Kattegat trying to strategize on where to attack, Bjorn notes that Ivar never does what you expect. In deciding where to do battle, they could leave themselves vulnerable, but unfortunately, they need to make a choice.

“It’s time. The end of our world is here.”

Can Bishop Heahmund be trusted or will he turn on Ivar? What will Ubbe do when the fight begins? Does Floki want to be King or is he trying only to help the community thrive?

Vikings airs on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST on History.

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