S04.E05: Promised

[magdalene]

Personally I would rather watch sex scenes than brutally violent scenes like the blood eagling. I like the exciting fighting and battle scenes - like Aethelwulf rescuing Kwenthrith - but I always close my eyes when it gets too violent.

 

The show feels differently paced this year, this is probably because we are getting 20 instead of 10 episodes. 

 

I don't mind Judith. I like the Wessex story line. 

 

Kalf lasted a lot longer than I thought he would. Lagertha was straight up with him - she told him from the beginning she would kill him eventually. And so she did.  Why would he ever think he could get away with plotting the murder of Lagertha's son?

[whoknowswho]

I like a good battle scene as much as anyone, but every episode can't be filled with them, both for plot and budget reasons. I've admittedly always found political intrigue more interesting anyway. Politics built civilizations; the battles were just what everyone knew about, and the Vikings were far more sophisticated and complex than their reputation for rape and pillage suggests.

 

I like seeing how Judith has grown and changed. She's learned to make the most of what very little power she has, and good on her. Lord knows that Ecbert is manipulative and scheming, but he's also a man who's always had a genuine interest in learning and open to new ideas, and above all else, he's thoroughly pragmatic.

 

Lagertha is a BAMF and the one character I expect to still be standing when it all ends.

 

Not a whole lot going on back in Kattegat, but Fimmel and Ludwig are both so compelling that I don't mind.

 

It's not entirely unbelievable that Yudu was an emperor's daughter, considering he could have literally hundreds of concubines.

 

I will forever be bemused by people complaining about sex scenes while simultaneously demanding more violence.

Why?

Not everyone wants to watch soft core porn. I don't equate violence with sex--they are two different things. 

Early on first season--Lagertha and Ragnar were having sex and asked Athelstan if he wanted to join in. He declined.  At that time it was very early in the show and gave you an idea how Ragnar thinks.  He's not "like us", he's a Viking. He fights and kills and thinks and loves, but I really can't see him going all "9 1/2" weeks with a Chinese Emporer's daughter slave. It didn't work, it makes him look weak, and not like a Viking.

[Ohwell]

Even Floki seemed stunned that Ivar axed that kid in the head though.  

 

Interesting, I didn't know there was a UK version of Vikings.  

[magdalene]

I think there are scenes edited out of the US version.

[Haleth]

Ragnar and his new toy: tedious. Are the writers phasing Ragnar out? I don't like that he is so detached from everyone. He needs someone (Lagertha) to slap him and tell him to snap out of it. At least kick wee little Harold's ass.

The Wessex quadrangle: boring. Can't we move on?

Paris: no emotional connection. Tell us why we should care?

If it weren't for Lagertha and Bjorn I'd probably not bother. Come on, show. You can do better than this.

[AlliMo]

I've never understood why people want more violence but complain about sex scenes, and I particularly don't understand people calling it "soft core porn" when it was quite tame, both by the standards of cable and this show. Sex was equally as important to Viking culture as fighting was.

Edited March 19, 2016 by AlliMo

[AbFabGab]

Welp, ladies and gentleman, that's why you never see the bride in her dress before the ceremony.

 

Also, perhaps a note about death hazards on little Ivar's toy hatchet would have been in order. 

 

For the rest, I suppose I'm one of the few who enjoys the political intrigue - is Ecbert truly backing Kwenthrith or does he have something up his sleeve with King Aella? Does Ragnar see what the visiting King is plotting and how Aslaug seems to be assisting? Will Floki get a nose piercing to complete his teenage Goth look? 

 

Okay, maybe the last one isn't that interesting, but I have a feeling a lot of the things in tonight's episode will make future ones more intriguing. I enjoy the battles as well, but seeing the political maneuvering that leads up to them makes them a lot less predictable and repetitive. 

[The Kings Foot]

 it makes him look weak, and not like a Viking.

 

 

Ragnar and his new toy: tedious. Are the writers phasing Ragnar out? I don't like that he is so detached from everyone. He needs someone (Lagertha) to slap him and tell him to snap out of it. At least kick wee little Harold's ass.

 

 

Do you guys like not remember what Ragnar's MO has been for every season so far ?  Look weaker than he actually is so that his enemy goes with a simpler, more obvious plan, and also moves carelessly leaving them open to Ragnar's counter attack.

[LittleIggy]

Does Aslaug really think Harold would give a crap about her sons if he could get rid of Ragnar? He would want his own bloodline in the game. I hate her. When Lagertha was betrayed by Ragnar's adultery, she left and seized power herself. She didn't have to scheme and connive.

[TaurusRose]

I don't have much to add to what's already been said. I didn't know what the hell was going on most of episode. I don't get Ragnar and Yidu. I can't stand Aslaug and want her dead. Ditto for Erlendur. The new king and his brother seem off to me. They are doing everything in their power to make Bjorn a bad ass, but he's still not clicking with me. Floki is an annoying mystery. At some point his duplicity is going to catch up to him (I hope). Pretty much bored by Wessex and Paris. I'm tired of Ecbert and can't stand Judith. I'm also RME big time over all this 9th century empowered women BS. I'm looking at you Judith. STFU and go sit down somewhere before I slug you. I hope future episodes pick up the pace and give me something other than sexy times, drugs and craziness. I'll settle for the following people murdered posthaste: everybody in Wessex; the sorry court in Paris; the backstabbing, double dealers in Kattegat (Aslaug, Loki). That's all I got.

Edited to add: I can't believe Aslaug's reaction to Ivar killing that little boy. That was someone's child and her total disregard for that little boy's senseless death makes her even more loathsome. Would Lagertha please come back to Kattegat and clean house?

Edited March 19, 2016 by taurusrose

[whoknowswho]

I've never understood why people want more violence but complain about sex scenes, and I particularly don't understand people calling it "soft core porn" when it was quite tame, both by the standards of cable and this show. Sex was equally as important to Viking culture as fighting was.

My point above, which was missed--is that Ragnar's more of a flip you over and have at you type, than do a silly bathtub handjob  on a Chinese ex-slave. 

Makes no sense--this isn't Outlander--it's Vikings. Yes sex is important, but the bathtub scene with Yidu was both stupid IMO and unnecessary. Almost the entire episode was about sex, who's doing what to whom, and how. We got 2 minutes of Ivar and a completely shocking murder that was just at best--2 minutes. A little more into that, and Lagertha's killing of Kalf--beats fun times in the sexy drug cabin with the Chinese girl. 

I was annoyed, and I'm still annoyed by last night.

[AlliMo]

My point above, which was missed--is that Ragnar's more of a flip you over and have at you type, than do a silly bathtub handjob  on a Chinese ex-slave. 

 

 

It wasn't missed; I just disagree. People are certainly free not to enjoy particular scenes or themes, but saying that it wasn't in character for Ragnar is vastly oversimplifying when everything we've seen shows that he's a much more complex person than just, "randy, brutal Viking pillager."

[pasdetrois]

My appreciation for this show is waning. I no longer feel connected to the characters - there are so many now and they are scattered all over the place. The Princesses in High Dudgeon are especially annoying. And the soft core porn is cheap and boring. Maybe ratings are plummeting and the sex stuff is to lure viewers back in?

 

I know everyone has to age, but Ragnar tottering toward old age is not enjoyable to watch. He and Lagertha were the core of the show for me. Hopefully now that she's earl again, we'll see more of her.

[Haleth]

Do you guys like not remember what Ragnar's MO has been for every season so far ?  Look weaker than he actually is so that his enemy goes with a simpler, more obvious plan, and also moves carelessly leaving them open to Ragnar's counter attack.

I hope you are right because this Ragnar is no fun.  I like the Ragnar with the sly grin (you know he's on top of things) and with his children crawling all over him.

[mwell345]

Ragnar and his new toy: tedious. Are the writers phasing Ragnar out? I don't like that he is so detached from everyone. He needs someone (Lagertha) to slap him and tell him to snap out of it. At least kick wee little Harold's ass.

The Wessex quadrangle: boring. Can't we move on?

Paris: no emotional connection. Tell us why we should care?

If it weren't for Lagertha and Bjorn I'd probably not bother. Come on, show. You can do better than this.

This 1000 times. I thought this week was worse than last week, and last week was awful. Moving way too slowly and it feels disjointed, maybe because we have Wessex and Paris in the mix. Because of Rollo, Paris has a connection, but Wessex could be an entirely different show. ( I do feel sometimes like I'm watching 3 separate shows.)

I thought increasing to 20 episodes was a positive step. Now I think it was just an excuse to add filler. And this Ragnar imposter? Boring.

[SingleMaltBlonde]

Interesting, I didn't know there was a UK version of Vikings.  

 

I think it's Canadian ....the blue ray version is the unedited version...it came up when there was a photo of Ragnar, Lagertha and Aslaug in one bed...apparently there was a threeway that was cut from the American version.

[SharonH58]

I don't like the way Bjorn is treating Torvi. did he only bring her back to warm his bed?  I don't like that Ragnar isn't keeping up what is going on.  He normally would be right there if someone new showed up, especially someone obviously looking to advance himself.  I agree Aslaug is in on something with Harald.  And Floki should be kissing Ragnar's feet not talking about him to the new people and then instructing Irvar behind Ragnar's back.   I hope something happens about killer Ivar.   Why did Lagethar kills Kalf now?

[The Kings Foot]

I hope you are right because this Ragnar is no fun.  I like the Ragnar with the sly grin (you know he's on top of things) and with his children crawling all over him.

 

I bet 10 quatloos that at least  one of the people  Harald  Fairhair thinks is on his side is actually on Ragnar's 

[Babalooie]

Not sure about why Lagertha killed Kalf NOW, but as to WHY, it was because he usurped her power in Season 3 and she promised that one day she would kill him.

[The Kings Foot]

 I don't like that Ragnar isn't keeping up what is going on.  He normally would be right there if someone new showed up, especially someone obviously looking to advance himself.

 

You think Ragnar was up on that roof looking at everyone talking just becuase he was impressing his Asian mail order bride ?

[Ohwell]

You think Ragnar was up on that roof looking at everyone talking just becuase he was impressing his Asian mail order bride ?

The beautiful thing about that is that Asian mail order bride thinks she's got Ragnar in her druggie clutches, judging by the smirk on her face when his back is turned to her.  I can't wait for her face to crack when she finds out he's on to her.  

[Ohwell]

I originally thought Floki was stunned when Ivar axed that poor kid in the head.  Now, however, I'm beginning to think that the look on his face was pride that Ivar was such a badass, given his condition.  

[Granny58]

I love Fimmel, I think that the Chinese chick is hot, and she and Fimmel have good chemistry BUT sex scenes bore me now, and that one went on too long. The last scene was intense and that was very good indeed. I dig Linus Roche so I don't mind seeing him, but I don't get his game with Judith. Rollo reminds me of that antique cartoon from the 50's Prince Valiant, LOL.

we DVR our shows, so I was able to FF through the tub scene (fortunately).

[Granny58]

I think Harald Finehair lacks charisma. He is so small, and his "even worse than me" brother is even smaller. Both of them have tattooed faces, but that's about it. Hopefully they won't get much more airtime.

turns out

Harald Finehair actually DOES become the first king of Norway (as opposed to smaller divisions, each with their own king)

, so I'm pretty sure he'll be sticking around. 

Edited March 20, 2016 by saoirse
Spoiler tag

[tennisgurl]

I agree with a lot of people here, although I do still really like the show (the acting, the cinematography, and the look into Norse culture are all still engaging). There are too many characters, too many locations, and too many subplots. Plus, as much as I enjoy some royal backstabbing on my TV, I can hardly keep track of all the characters, their agendas, why they are conspiring with whoever they are conspiring with, and why I am even watching them. Now, this show has been consistently high quality since day 1, so I it has earned some patience from me. Maybe this all is going somewhere, and will all tie together at some point. But, right now, it seems to be suffering from Spider Man 3 Syndrome*.   

 

*WAY too many extra characters, locations, and subplots, that never really go anywhere, and distract from the main characters we actually care about. 

[magdalene]

I think Ragnar is having a midlife crisis but I also agree with the sentiment that he is playing a whole bunch of people, like his wife, and the Chinese woman, and everybody else who is plotting against him, or who thinks that he has lost it.

[Captanne]

For a moment I thought Yidu had addicted Ragnar to the opium leaves.

[whoknowswho]

Do you guys like not remember what Ragnar's MO has been for every season so far ?  Look weaker than he actually is so that his enemy goes with a simpler, more obvious plan, and also moves carelessly leaving them open to Ragnar's counter attack.

I remember, and it's been something that's held him in good stead, all these years.

I just don't understand why he's falling for Aslaug's  whole--"You want my slave, you can have her" thing. He freed her and Aslaug doesn't care where he's dipping his wick?  Does he do this to get back at Aslaug or further some other agenda, other than the obvious sex with the wife's slave benefit? That I'm hoping to find out about, and sooner than later. 

Edited March 20, 2016 by whoknowswho

[basil]

I originally thought Floki was stunned when Ivar axed that poor kid in the head.  Now, however, I'm beginning to think that the look on his face was pride that Ivar was such a badass, given his condition.

 

 

I think it's a little of both.

 

For a moment I thought Yidu had addicted Ragnar to the opium leaves.

 

 

Point of order? I think you're confusing coca leaves with poppy gum or "milk"

[formerlyfreedom]

Just a reminder to please be careful about posting actual facts from history that take place AFTER this episode. As per the pinned note in the main forum, please spoiler tag such fact nuggets, please!

[green]

Even Floki seemed stunned that Ivar axed that kid in the head though.  

 

 

Yeah when you stun Floki like that you are one bada** little sociopath viking.  Aslaug's "it's okay, it's not your fault" was almost more creepy than the actual murder.

 

I've never understood why people want more violence but complain about sex scenes, and I particularly don't understand people calling it "soft core porn" when it was quite tame, both by the standards of cable and this show. Sex was equally as important to Viking culture as fighting was.

 

I hate porn; soft, hard or middling.  I hate all soap opera romance novel stuff.  I love all the battle scenes.  I love all the plotting scenes.  We all have different likes and dislikes.  So for me I vote that bathtub scene the worst scene in the entire history of the show.  It was boring.  It was gross.  And it lasted for hours and hours and hours and made me sleepy. 

 

Thank goodness I managed to stay awake though for the two best scenes:  "Ivar the Little Bloody Sociopath" and "Lagertha Always Keeps Her Promises."   (Too bad her nice dress got all messed up with Kalf-stuff all over it though).  And I definitely didn't see that coming either.  Excellent scene.  Erlunder is so in the deep doo-doo he had better make himself scarce sooner than later.  And he has it so wrong that his now former wife will be spying for him.  Dude is batting below the Mendoza line at this point.

 

Meanwhile I'm really liking how Bjorn (and the actor playing same) is starting to command the screen more and holds focus.  That is most promising for the show as it moves into the future.  Wonder who will be cast to play Ivar the Adult Scary Stone Cold Killer Dude.  (Axes, don't leave home without one).

 

I still love all 4 of the Wessex group.  Athelwulf is more interesting since his fall from his values.  And unlike some of the posters here I really really like Judith.  Still love Ecbert the most.  Smiled at the candle going out with the palm of the hand bit as a shout-out to the well-known scene Robert Bolt wrote early in Lawrence of Arabia.  Liked his interaction with Queen Crazy where she doesn't trust him because the two of them are too much alike.  Yes they are but Ecbert does his plotting far more subtle-like.  Kwen should take notes.  Interesting we saw Alfred and Magnus together playing in King Alle's carriage right before he departed.

 

Frankia continues to bore.  It continues to bring the show down though that horrible, boring, long, never-ending bathtub scene actually made those Frankish scenes come in as second worst this week.

 

The actor playing King Harold hasn't impressed yet.  He needs to step his game up.  But love all the plotting going on in Scandinavia (as well as Wessex).   So is Floki with King Harold for real unlike his playing King Horik?  Will having yourself stretched out for days with ice water dripping on your head cause you to finally flip sides? 

 

I noticed Helga didn't seem comfortable with Floki blabbing away with Harold in that scene where they meet.  She was also horrified at what Ivar did and was the only one to run over to the other child right away.  Helga continues to grow as a character as she grows conflicted.

 

The bathtub scene was making this the worst episode ever but little bloody Ivar and big bloody Lagertha saved the episode in the end.  Love the return of Lagertha as "Earl Ingstad" (sp?) with her loyal female praetorian guard at her side. 

 

Looks like next week the vikings are off to do what vikings do together.  Can't wait.

Edited March 20, 2016 by green

[GreyBunny]

I'm sick of Yidu.  Time to put her boring ass on a slow boat to China.  If Ragnar isn't going to do anything except flop around in a drug-induced haze then he can go with her.  Ugh.

 

It's about time Lagertha gave Kalf what was coming to him; now she needs to stick a knife in the gut of that punk Erlendur.

[BitterApple]

I'd actually be disappointed to see Erlunder go. Like Kalf, he's very pretty to look at.

[millennium]

I've never understood why people want more violence but complain about sex scenes, and I particularly don't understand people calling it "soft core porn" when it was quite tame, both by the standards of cable and this show. Sex was equally as important to Viking culture as fighting was.

 

The battle scenes are bright with spectacle and excitement, they place the characters at the brink of life and death, there are displays of bravery, strength and sheer force of will, and they are frequently the culmination/resolution of longstanding plot conflicts.

 

By comparison, Ragnar fingering Yidu just seems like masturbation.

[Haleth]

You know what the best thing was about the Lagertha/Kalf scene?  The writers gave us enough credit to not have to write any dialog for it.  Kalf didn't ask why. Lagertha didn't have to expound the reason, her promise, blah blah.  They said all that wordlessly.  So much better than the silly Wessex nonsense.

[mwell345]

 

Personally I would rather watch sex scenes than brutally violent scenes like the blood eagling. I like the exciting fighting and battle scenes - like Aethelwulf rescuing Kwenthrith - but I always close my eyes when it gets too violent.

 

I would to.  I had to change channels during the blood eagle and some other scenes.  I don't mind the sex scenes,but I thought this particular one went on so long that it became boring. I hope there is a point to Ragnar/Yiddu, but as someone upthread said, I hope it's revealed sooner rather than later.

[Captanne]

Whatever the leaves may be -- they could be hallucinogenic kale for all I care -- my point was that if the taking of the drugs with Yidu is simply to show Ragnar likes to unwind with a pretty young lady (and has great taste, he knew she was more than a slave girl despite her lies) then I don't have a right to say anything to the folks who complain it's just padding.  Because, as pretty as she is and as neat as Ragnar is, my goodness are those cabin scenes utterly pointless.

 

If, on the other hand, he is becoming addicted to the kale, parsnip leaves, opium, or Upsalla Treat*, then their shenanigans have a plot point.  Addiction would impair Ragnar who is already old, and battle-weary (he told us exactly that) and give Yidu a serious hard edge.

 

That's all I was fishing for.

[jnymph]

The Yidu / Athelstan 2.0 storyline sucks, I hope it's over with soon because I feel it's wrecking my Vikings.

Goodbye Kalf, you were pretty, but an idiot to mess with the awesomeness that is Lagertha.

[SingleMaltBlonde]

When he's not high Ragnar is all about what's next or what's new....I think he's less interested in Paris because "been there, done that" but the other Vikings will take endless bites of the same apple (yes I know I am mixing metaphors)...Bjorn (chip of the old block) is now looking to Rome and Ragnar is pumping Yidu for info on "China"...just like he did with Athelstan...I don't know what the understanding of geography at this point but I doubt people familar with sailing thought the world was flat.

 

The question for the rest of the season is which part of Ragnar wins out the part that wants to see China or that part that wants to avenge his people's masacre in Essex.

 

I think the central conflict of Vikings is those who want to move into the future and embrace change (Ragnar) and those that won't acknowledge that change is going to happen (Floki)...with everyone else at different points on the spectrum in between.

[Cheetosandchoc]

I wish, I wish, with all my heart Ragnar is just biding his time.

Seems like I am the only one who likes the Judith story line. She does not annoy me at all. I like how when her husband was threatening her she shrank back, then you see her gather her courage, and speak her mind. It was a good scene IMO.

[Cheetosandchoc]

Asalaug's reaction does not surprise me since I think she is a sociopath herself. She has shown herself to be a cold heartless woman.

I wonder how long the Princess's supply of drugs will last. Seems like she has a magic bag that never empties! I see potential with her too. I know it would historically off the rails but I would love to see her be a secret ninja and kick sombody, anybodies, ass.

[BitterApple]

Asalaug's reaction does not surprise me since I think she is a sociopath herself. She has shown herself to be a cold heartless woman.

I wonder if that would've been a typical reaction back then. I can imagine it took a certain mentality to survive in an Era where death was prevalent, ubiquitous and usually brutal. Kids really didn't have special snowflake status the way they do today, so maybe the lack of outrage from the villagers was the normal way of doing business? Or Royals just got away with more shit, much like they still do today.

[SingleMaltBlonde]

She has shown herself to be a cold heartless woman.

 

She seems to love not just her children but other peoples (one kid with a hatchet in his head not withstanding).  There are few options for an actual Princess (even today) she knows her job is to produce children and she isn't Shieldmaiden tough so the only power she can get at this point is from machinactions.  

[Cheetosandchoc]

I wonder if that would've been a typical reaction back then. I can imagine it took a certain mentality to survive in an Era where death was prevalent, ubiquitous and usually brutal. Kids really didn't have special snowflake status the way they do today, so maybe the lack of outrage from the villagers was the normal way of doing business? Or Royals just got away with more shit, much like they still do today.

I assumed that it happened so fast the villagers hadn't reacted yet. Maybe it will be part of next weeks story line. Maybe Floki will run away with him. I am sure royals got away with stuff too.

She seems to love not just her children but other peoples (one kid with a hatchet in his head not withstanding). There are few options for an actual Princess (even today) she knows her job is to produce children and she isn't Shieldmaiden tough so the only power she can get at this point is from machinactions.

True about her love for the children. I still see her as a villain. This could alienate her from her people. I don't want her gone yet, she makes it interesting. Edited March 21, 2016 by Cheetosandchoc

[jnymph]

Seems like I am the only one who likes the Judith story line.

You're not alone.  I like the actress and storyline.  I'm anxious to see where it all goes with Ecbert and her. 

[BusyOctober]

Good thing Aslaug is having Floki homeschool Ivar.  It's going to be pretty tough to get him admitted to Kattegat Kinder Kare after he showed the village he doesn't play well with others. 

[Captanne]

I have never liked Auslag -- it started shallowly not liking the looks of the actress, I admit -- and then I burned with a tiny jealousy on behalf of Lagertha.

 

Now, like another poster, I realize she is a psychopath.  

 

One thing to her credit and to the writers -- she's been handled much more subtly than Floki who is crazy like a sledgehammer and, therefore, boring, cliche, and a disappointment.

 

I watched particularly closely at the hatchet scene in which the lunatic child Ivar planted a blade deeply and with force into another child's skull.  Auslag ran to protect her son (from his own action, from the horror in front of him, from the other parents?) -- a complicated response -- while Floki simply stood his ground and watched the scene play out.  

Edited March 21, 2016 by Captanne

[jnymph]

 

 

Thank goodness the Vikings are heading back to France. Perhaps there's a chance that plotline could be wrapped up this season. 

Good point RAVEN.

 

I'm going to try to stay positive that things will pick up once we get to "Paris in the Spring." 

Edited March 21, 2016 by jnymph

[The Kings Foot]

I wonder how long the Princess's supply of drugs will last. Seems like she has a magic bag that never empties! I see potential with her too. I know it would historically off the rails but I would love to see her be a secret ninja and kick sombody, anybodies, ass.

 

Ninjas are Japanese. She's Chinese.  :-)

 

 * Tv Trope -Interchangable Asian Cultures*  

Edited March 21, 2016 by The Kings Foot

[whoknowswho]

I wish, I wish, with all my heart Ragnar is just biding his time.

Seems like I am the only one who likes the Judith story line. She does not annoy me at all. I like how when her husband was threatening her she shrank back, then you see her gather her courage, and speak her mind. It was a good scene IMO.

 

Actually, I like Judith--and am fascinated with Eckbert--does he really love her, because it appears he does. It's not a believable story line with her touching scriptures only meant for monks, but hey--it's ok.  I like Wessex a hell of a lot better than Frankia, and I really wish the Chinese girl would go pound sand with her leaves or shrooms or whatever. Be like the birds, Yidu--and flock off!