S04.E02: Kill The Queen

[SharonH58]

I started liking Aethelwulf this episode.  Great battle and fight scene.  Since when did the British have female guards?  Queen K had at least 3 she was fighting. 

Aslaug needed at least one more slap.  She knew how Ragnar felt about Aethelstan and how he would react.  I wish she would go.

Sorry they felt the need to kill off Helga's child.  She was a cutie.  But I think that is going to be the plot devise for Ragnar to let Floki go.

And I don't think Ragnar will blame Bjorn.  Life was rough on children back then. 

I agree Frankia Rollo is not good looking.  That haircut was the worst. 

[Crackers]

Actually, Queen Crazypants did do the deed with Ragnar. Right after she peed on his wound. I just watched that episode again. That's not to say it is Ragnar's son. She does get around.

[tennisgurl]

I think I laughed as hard as the Princess did when Rollo strolled out with that ridiculous Frank outfit, and that stupid flowing hair. Wearing WAY to many layers there, Rollo. He looks like a kid dressing up for Halloween. A kid who gets laughed at by the other kids. 

 

Man, Crazypants can fight like hell. Too bad she wasn't born Norse, she would have made a badass shield maiden. 

 

Poor Helga. It feels like the daughter just got sick, but it could turn out to be something else. Ragnars love of kids is still one of his biggest redeeming factors, so it was good to see him so sadded by the death of Helga and Floki`s kid. Floki really is going to think the gods have abandoned him after all this.

 

Has Helga been exiled, or has she exiled herself?

 

Always happy to see the Saxons, although I am curious to see how they are going to tie into the rest of the plots. We have the plots with the Vikings, the Saxons, the Franks, plus multiple side plots within those plots. I trust this show to pull it all together though.   

[BitterApple]

If I'm not mistaken, Floki and Helga always lived off the grid, so I don't think she was exiled.

[Amerilla]

Did I miss something, or does it feel like they retconned or backstepped the Ecbert-Judith storyline a bit?

 

The last we saw of the two, Ecbert told Judith he wanted her to be his mistress, and she tacitly agreed in return for his continued protection of Athelstan's and her son. But they don't really address that when we pick up, so....is there an offscreen moment or missing scene where she rebuffs his "get into bed" line? Is his offer of fulfilling her deepest desire a continuation of the grooming/wooing he was doing late last season, or is it a lover trying to stay in his mistress's good graces?

 

I felt last season like his long game was to shift Aethelwulf off to Crazypants - or just get the poor guy killed - take Judith as his own Queen and make Athelstan's son the inheritor of Wessex. So far, I'm still leaning that way.

[rrr66]

I wonder about what will happen with Helga.  Ragnar was clearly (I thought) comparing her in terms of loyalty with Aslaug (sp).  And found Aslaug lacking.

 

[tennisgurl]

 

If I'm not mistaken, Floki and Helga always lived off the grid, so I don't think she was exiled.

I think your right. Now that Flokis gone, I think Helga should think about coming back to civilization. Things are not going well for her out in the outskirts.  

[millennium]

It's not promising that so much time was spent in Wessex and Paris.  I like opening up the world of Vikings but this episode proves that expanding the Wessex and Paris storylines was a bad idea.

 

This episode had no true focus.   I wouldn't mind so much if it was a 22-episode season, but it's not.   The screen time squandered on Judith's empowerment could have been put to better use explaining the death of Floki's daughter and relating it back to Floki's imprisonment (did she die of exposure, or maybe malnutrition because her father was imprisoned and couldn't provide for her?  maybe Floki's wife killed her, who knows?), which would have reflected poorly on Floki and Ragnar.   I would have liked to see more of a dramatic lead-up to Floki's punishment instead of "and now he's shackled in a cave and being dripped upon."  Also, rather than the prolonged battle in Mercia, I would have preferred an update on Lagertha and Kalf.   

 

The show is called Vikings, after all.

[brisbydog]

This episode had no true focus.   I wouldn't mind so much if it was a 22-episode season, but it's not. 

 

The show is called Vikings, after all.

 

It's actually 20 episodes this season, so close!

 

I want to state that if a scene is in Paris, I expect ROLLO, not ODO. Is there anybody who does not agree?

[Sakura12]

I didn't mind the slap, mostly because I don't like Aslaug. And That's how Ragnar and Lagertha used to solve their issues. Only difference is Lagertha fought back. 

 

 

I think Floki's daughter died from an illness, like Lagertha and Ragnar's daughter did. It was rough living in that time. I think Ragnar's punishment was to string Floki up like a crucifixion, not to kill his daughter. Even with all of Ragnar's faults he would never harm a child of one his people. 

 

Princess Crazypants is still crazy but she does seem to care about her son.

[Haleth]

Is the electronic music new? I found it distracting. Not a good choice.

The boy who was tracking Floki (was that Ubba?) looks so much like the actor who played young Bjorn is season 1. That was a good choice.

I agree that all the time spent in Wessex and Paris was disappointing. I tune in to see Ragnar and Lagertha and the gang. Love Ecbert but don't care about Judith or Crazypants or Aethelwolf. I don't know what Saxon politics has to do with the Vikings. The Frankish politics may be more relevant if they involved Rollo, but I don't care about Odo, the conspirators (whoever they were), or the whiny King.

[whoknowswho]

I didn't mind the slap, mostly because I don't like Aslaug. And That's how Ragnar and Lagertha used to solve their issues. Only difference is Lagertha fought back. 

 

 

I think Floki's daughter died from an illness, like Lagertha and Ragnar's daughter did. It was rough living in that time. I think Ragnar's punishment was to string Floki up like a crucifixion, not to kill his daughter. Even with all of Ragnar's faults he would never harm a child of one his people. 

 

Princess Crazypants is still crazy but she does seem to care about her son.

On second and third watch--the little girl coughs when Ragnar is there giving them food. I think she had whatever killed so many, and died. As  it was said--life was hard then.

Crazypants slept with everyone--which is brilliant, as everyone has a stake in Magnus's future. 

[ahpny]

Both Floki and Bjorne left Kattegat on foot almost at the same time. Yet shortly thereafter, Floki is in a temperate and verdant place with lots of water warm enough in which to remain totally immersed, but Bjorjn arrives in "Siberia" with nothing to see but snow and ice? That's some pretty rapid foot travel and very varied landscape.

[rtms77]

I started liking Aethelwulf this episode.  Great battle and fight scene.  Since when did the British have female guards?  Queen K had at least 3 she was fighting. 

 

No I think there was only two, it was just edited fast. And I too want to know when Mercia or Wessex employed female soliders. And ones that could fight very well. This wasn't some little cat fight/slap fest, this was a true knock down drag out fight between three women.  Were they shield maidens who stayed around or what.

Edited February 28, 2016 by rtms77

[The Kings Foot]

 

 

So Athelstan 2.0 is some monk called Proteus of Twa  (?) or at least that is how his name sounded to me.

 

I'm guessing its Troyes.  Pronounced Tr'wa roughly.

[The Kings Foot]

If I'm not mistaken, Floki and Helga always lived off the grid, so I don't think she was exiled.

 

I dont know why people keeps thinking shes been exiled. Floki's house was never part of the main settlement.

[Amerilla]

The monk is Prudentius of Troyes. This is a real-life figure, but in Vikings style, highly fictionalized

http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-3407709175/prudentius-troyes-st.html

[millennium]

It's actually 20 episodes this season, so close!

 

I want to state that if a scene is in Paris, I expect ROLLO, not ODO. Is there anybody who does not agree?

 

I didn't realize.   Good news!

 

I expect the seemingly unrelated scenes in Wessex, Mercia and Paris are setting the stage for bigger developments which do involve our Viking friends, but coming so soon in the season when viewers are still starved from the long hiatus does tend to cause some impatience.

[jnymph]

I've missed Ecberts hot bath house scenes.

Hope we get to see some skin & intellectual discussions there soon.

Edited February 29, 2016 by jnymph

[SharonH58]

I read that Floki's escape was similar to Loki (which of course I cannot find) where he was captured by children.  But in this episode I didn't understand why people were listening to Ubbe.  It's not like he is suddenly an expert of tracking men at the age of what, 13?  So that made me not like him. 

[magdalene]

Ubbe is the son of the king, and at 13, in that society he is considered almost a man. And as almost a man his society is now expecting him to prove himself. So his tracking Floki was a test of sorts. One he did quite well at. 

 

On a show level it looks like they are starting to focus on Ragnars younger sons. 

All of his sons were famous warriors and important historically.

Edited February 29, 2016 by magdalene

[green]

Actually, Queen Crazypants did do the deed with Ragnar. Right after she peed on his wound. I just watched that episode again. That's not to say it is Ragnar's son. She does get around.

 

Really?  I stand corrected than.  I guess I couldn't imagine a person, not even Ragnar, that wounded (and peed upon) having either the time or the energy to "satisfy" Crazypants.

 

And yeah if Ubbe is 13 then he has already become a man as in Bjourn got his adult wrist torc right after he turned 12 in the very first episode of the series.  Twelve seems to be a pretty traditional age in most cultures then, and in more ancient times, to be considered a man. 

 

You got to remember that 30 was middle-aged and 40 was old and only a minority even reached 40.  The modern era is the exception to the rule of man's history where traditionally armies would not be commanded by gray-haired generals but rather by younger men in their 20's and even late teens.  But for TV and films you can' t really tilt the age shown to be too historically accurate because most viewers aren't much into history and wouldn't believe the age differences between then and now so they would find it a bit too weird and unbelievable.

Edited February 29, 2016 by green

[Tara Ariano]

In case you missed it, here's the Previously.TV post on the episode!

 

Vikings's Ragnar Just Keeps Floki Hangin' On
This is like when Ross and Rachel were 'on a break,' but with murder.

[Ina123]

When Ragnar visited Helga with the food and Floki's daughter was coughing, I knew she was either going to die or be terribly sick. Characters don't cough without a reason in the plot. The daughter also looked terrible. She eventually died of whatever was causing the cough. I thought maybe she would just be very sick and cause Ragnar to free Floki to go to his family. Instead, she died.

[basil]

Aslaug, don't ever dump on Athelstan to Ragnar.  You totally deserved worse than a slap.  (No domestic violence in play here.  Ragnar would have done that to anyone, male or female or robot).  What a treacherous, plotting villain she has become.

 

 

"has become"? From the first time she walked onto the scene she was scheming - and "robot"? They had robots back them? ;)

 

I don't think anyone ever "deseves" physical violence, domestic or otherwise - that said, it was certainly satisfying to see Aslaug get a fictional and historically accurate comeuppance for her calculated and unkind words. Also, I forget why, but in S3 saw Aslaug repeatedly striking Ragnar, and he never struck her back. I don't recall anyone making a big deal about her assaulting him.

 

And no.  Ragnar didn't kill Helga's daughter.  He was trying to keep both alive.

 

 

While I am almost certain you're correct, there is no way for us to know that for sure yet. It's really hard to guess what Ragnar will do (and why) at any given time.

 

Magnus isn't Ragnar's son.  The closest he and Queen Crazypants ever got together was when she peed on his wound after that one battle.  Can't get pregnant from that last I heard.

 

 

As others have said, you must have missed it, even though it was in the very same scene you mention, only a minute or two later. Easy to miss, though, as it was brief and not graphic.

 

I guess I couldn't imagine a person, not even Ragnar, that wounded (and peed upon) having either the time or the energy to "satisfy" Crazypants.

 

 

He didn't do much other than get an erection (maybe he's into golden showers). He says something provocative that implies he is turned on and she pretty clearly mounts him and rides him to what appears to be mutual satisfaction. 

Edited March 2, 2016 by basil

[Scaeva]

You got to remember that 30 was middle-aged and 40 was old and only a minority even reached 40.  The modern era is the exception to the rule of man's history where traditionally armies would not be commanded by gray-haired generals but rather by younger men in their 20's and even late teens.  But for TV and films you can' t really tilt the age shown to be too historically accurate because most viewers aren't much into history and wouldn't believe the age differences between then and now so they would find it a bit too weird and unbelievable.

 

That few people reached old age before the modern era is somewhat of a myth actually. The life expectancy was so low mainly because infant mortality rates were so high. If you made it to adulthood however, you stood a fairly decent chance of reaching your 60s or 70s. Elderly people were never rare.

[gwhh]

The crossbows and crossbow arrow makers are doing a lot of business this season!!!

 

 

Since when did the British have female guards?

 

During this time period and the rest of the middle ages.  Female hostages.  Was guarded by woman, for a simple fact.  If a woman was pregnant.  She could not be killed while pregnant.  Because it was a major sin that could not be forgiven in confession to a priest.   So no men were allowed around her, in case they needed to kill her fast.  Sooner or later one of the male guards would bang her and knock her up.  So female only! 

Edited March 4, 2016 by gwhh

[rozen]

If Aslaug wants to freaking rule solo, a lot worse is going to happen to her than a few slaps to the face when she goes Ur Asshole on someone. She might as well consider them practice licks and move on. The actress was really awesome in that scene, because you could see the exact moment she decided to go pompous windbag, and her whole face transformed into some sort of giant serpentress. It was terrifying. It kind of made her tales of supernatural ancestry believable, because she legitimately did not look human right up until Ragnar smacked her. I don't think Aslaug is ever going to get it. She keeps fixating on Ragnar's jealousy as the cause of his standoffishness when it's really the fact she endangered every one of the sons Ragnar upended his whole life to obtain. I imagine admitting to herself she happily consigned her children to death just to get laid would break Aslaug, so she'll never deal with the truth. She'll just keep slithering along, raging about how unjust the whole world is to her.

 

I mean, it makes sense that Queen Kwenthrith has some moves, because no one survives as long as she has by just slipping poison in wine bottles. But cotdamn, she went all Bourne Identity on those guards. There is no way she's going to get the awesome ending she deserves, but I'll enjoy watching her try to claw her way towards it. 

 

Aethelwulf is going to straight up murder every one of those council members once Ecbert's dead. I find it unbelievable that none of the nobles have any inkling that Aethelwulf is 1) a legitimate warrior and 2) a little insane. At least a few of them would be in the know and trying to ingratiate themselves with him. Poor Judith. She's going to learn just enough of the game to get herself killed, and Ecbert will be giggling inside the entire time.

[Jordan61]

I am surprised to hear so many people say that Ragnar smacking Aslaug was true to the era, mainly because I read this article a few days ago that said such things were rare.

http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/society/text/women.htm

"It was considered shameful in the extreme to harm a woman, and examples in the sagas of such violence are rare. In chapter 48 of Brennu-Njáls saga, Gunnar, in a fit of rage, slapped his wife Hallgerður in the face. He did this when he discovered his wife had stolen food from a nearby farm during a famine. (Theft was abhorrent in Norse society.) Hallgerður said she would remember that slap and pay him back.

Some years later, in chapter 77, Gunnar was attacked in his home by vengeance seekers. He kept the attack party at bay with a shower of arrows from his bow. When his bow string was cut by one of the attackers, he asked Hallgerðr for two locks of her hair in order to make a new one.

"Does anything depend on it?" she asked.

"My life," replied Gunnar.

"Then I remind you of the slap you once gave me," and she refused to give him the hair.

"Each has his own way of earning fame," said Gunnar.

Gunnar was eventually overcome by the attackers and killed."0