Vikings
Season 4 Episode 18: “Revenge”
Directed by Jeff Woolnough
Written and created by Michael Hirst
Starring Clive Standen, Katheryn Winnick, Alexander Ludwig, Gustaf Skarsgard, Maude Hirst, Alex Høgh Andersen, Marco Ilsø, Jordan Patrick Smith, David Lindström, Josefin Asplund, John Kavanagh, Linus Roache.
The History Channel
Air Date: Wednesday, January 18th, 2017, 9:00pm

Spoilers below for the last 2 episodes of Vikings:

Last time on Vikings, Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) and the ships went home, after dropping off Rollo (Clive Standen). Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) wanted Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) to join the great army, but she felt she was needed in Kattegat, fortifying the defenses. He freed Margrethe without permission. Ivar (Alex Høgh Andersen) and Ubbe tried to kill Lagertha, but Bjorn put a stop to it. Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) made Ivar his own war chariot.

Vikings 4.18 “Revenge” review: The Great Army is readying to leave for Aelle’s (Ivan Kaye) kingdom. Ivar wants to lead – he’s sure it’s what Ragnar would have wanted. The brothers think Bjorn should do it, and Bjorn shouts his rightful place as lead.

Bjorn: “For it is in failure my brothers that we learn the most.”

Lagertha knows a sacrifice is in order, and it has to be a person to ensure the great army’s success.

Harald (Peter Franzén) sees his princess, the woman with whom he built his ambition around, but she is already married. He almost kills her, but doesn’t. He’s still in love.

Hvitserk (Marco Ilsø) kisses Margrethe (Ida Nielsen). He understands Ubbe’s first claim, and they get married. Hvitserk gives her away, and there is celebration and a fun bridal race. For the wedding night, Ubbe wants to share her. It seems amenable to all.

Floki is going to battle but he wants Helga (Maude Hirst) to stay and get the girl settled. She wants the family to stay together. He doesn’t know what is wrong with him since coming back from the raid. What he does know is that he has to avenge Ragnar.

The sacrifice begins. Earl Jorgenson is happy to be about to feast with the gods. Lagertha looks like a goddess with an owl perched on her shoulder. He pulls himself onto the sword. It is fascinating to see that level of faith.

Bjorn and Astrid (Josefin Asplund) get it one. There’s a nice (and by nice I mean bloody and sexy) juxtaposition between the gasping sacrifice and the gasping lovers. Torvi and Lagertha know.

The army descends on Aelle’s kingdom. They are fierce and scary and in slow motion. You can see the confidence The battle cuts to Aelle being dragged by a horse. They want them to show him where his father died.

They nail his hands down and skewer him – the Blood Eagle has returned in full gory force. It is as brutal as the last one. I had to look away. They string his corpse up, and he looks almost angel-like with his wings of flesh.

“How the little piggies will grunt when they hear how the old boar suffered.”

Aelle got his just desserts killing my Ragnar with such religious righteousness. Although I watched behind my hands, I felt the vicious triumph of his torture as the viking sons avenged their father’s death. Ecbert and Aethulwulf (Linus Roache, Moe Dunford) should be very afraid. It will be very interesting to see how Floki handles his inner crisis, and how Helga and the little girl help with that.

Only 2 episodes left to the season, and what a season it has been!

Vikings airs Wednesday nights at 9:00pm ET on The History Channel.

Image Gallery

Videos

Vikings: Björn Tells His Brothers He Will Lead Them (Season 4, Episode 18) | History

Björn furiously explains his new position of leadership to his brothers and that he will lead them in seeking revenge for their father.

Vikings: The Great Army Arrives On The Battlefield (Season 4, Episode 18) | History

Björn and his brothers are joined by Floki and the rest of The Great Army to face England on the battlefield.