Vikings (season 4)

Vikings (season 4)

DVD cover art for Volume 1
Country of origin Canada / Ireland
Release
Original network History
Original release Part 1: February 18 (2016-02-18) – April 21, 2016 (2016-04-21)
Part 2: November 30, 2016 (2016-11-30) – present (present)

The fourth season of the Canadian-Irish historical drama television series Vikings premiered on February 18, 2016 on History in Canada and in the United States. The season will consist of a double order of 20 episodes, which are to be split into two parts of 10 episodes;[1][2][3] the second half premiered on November 30, 2016.[4]

Filmed in Ireland, Vikings is inspired by the tales about the Viking Ragnar Lothbrok, one of the best-known mythological Norse heroes and notorious as the scourge of France and England. It portrays Ragnar as a Viking farmer who pioneers the first daring raids into England, and eventually becomes a Scandinavian king, with the support of his family and fellow warriors: his brother Rollo, his son Björn Ironside, and his wives—the shieldmaiden Lagertha and the princess Aslaug.

Series overview

The series is inspired by the tales of the raiding, trading, and exploring Norsemen of early medieval Scandinavia. It follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew and family, as notably laid down in the 13th-century sagas Ragnars saga Loðbrókar and Ragnarssona þáttr, as well as in Saxo Grammaticus' 12th-century work Gesta Danorum. Norse legendary sagas were partially fictional tales based in Norse oral tradition, written down about 200 to 400 years after the events they describe. Further inspiration is taken from historical sources of the period, such as records of the Viking raid on Lindisfarne depicted in the second episode, or Ahmad ibn Fadlan's 10th-century account of the Volga Vikings. The series is set at the beginning of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793.

Plot

Ragnar and the Vikings have returned to Kattegat after raiding Paris. While Ragnar recovers from his wounds suffered in Paris, he meets a new slave, Yidu, whom he grows close to. He must also deal with Floki, who has been imprisoned by Bjorn for the murder of Athelstan. Bjorn also reveals to Ragnar that he intends to travel into the wilderness to find himself, but not before Kalf and Erlendur plot against him. Meanwhile, the Viking women have growing ambitions, as Lagertha and Aslaug both attempt to plot themselves back into power. In Paris, Rollo and the Franks prepare for the eventual return of Ragnar and his Viking warriors, and Rollo attempts to build a relationship with his new wife Princess Gisla. In Wessex, relationships are tense as Ecbert grows closer to Judith, while his son Aethelwulf forms a relationship with Queen Kwenthrith. Along with King Aelle, this alliance prepares to restore Kwenthrith to power in Mercia, while also keeping in mind the eventual return of Ragnar and the Vikings, whose settlement was slaughtered by Ecbert. King Harald Finehair arrives in Kattegat with his brother Halfdan, both eager to raid with Ragnar in Paris. However, Harald has desires to become the King of all Norway, but in doing so he must overthrow Ragnar. Older, wounded, and lacking the desire to explore like his early years, Ragnar faces enemies on all sides.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
Part 1
301"A Good Treason"Ciarán DonnellyMichael HirstFebruary 18, 2016 (2016-02-18)
Ragnar, wounded and near-death, has a fever dream of walking towards the welcoming open gates of Valhalla, only to see them close before him. Aslaug asks The Seer if a woman would rule Kattegat should Ragnar die. Bjorn has Floki arrested for killing Athelstan. When Ragnar finally awakens, he chastises Bjorn for publicly imprisoning his friend. Bjorn decides to prove himself to Ragnar and plans to survive deep in the wilderness. Aslaug procures a new slave girl, Yidu, to use as a weapon against Ragnar. In Hedeby, Earl Kalf announces that he and Lagertha will share the Earldom, much to the dislike of Einar. Kalf invites Einar and his men around a central post so they can vote to exile Lagertha, however he turns on them, killing the dissidents and allowing Lagertha to deliver the final insult to injury, castrating Einar. In Paris, Rollo is settling in to his new life of Frankish nobility. He marries Princess Gisla, who weeps through the ceremony and holds a knife to his throat on their wedding night. Rollo rides to the Viking encampment outside Paris, and orders the massacre of every man, woman, and child.
312"Kill the Queen"Ciarán DonnellyMichael HirstFebruary 25, 2016 (2016-02-25)
Bjorn has ventured off alone and must contend with the harsh conditions of the Scandinavian winter. Engaged in a love/hate relationship with her self-centered husband, Helga frees Floki from his bonds. Ragnar confronts Helga, who admits what she has done, and he tells her he understands. Bjorn's younger half-brother Ubbe accompanies the manhunt and discovers Floki hiding in the stream. Ragnar chains Floki in a cave. When Aslaug defends Floki's actions, Ragnar knocks her down. Ragnar finds Helga digging a grave in the frozen ground for her deceased daughter, of whose death she has not yet told Floki. In Wessex, King Ecbert proposes a military buildup and a plan to rescue Princess Kwenthrith of Mercia and her child, who are being held by rebel nobles. The king's son, Aethelwulf engages in brutal hand-to-hand battle and eventually rescues Kwenthrith. Little does Aethelwulf know, his wife Princess Judith is now sleeping with his father. Duke Rollo makes an attempt to fit in by cutting his hair and dressing appropriately, but continues to be mocked by his new wife Gisla. Rollo suggests building forts to prevent the Vikings from sailing up river.
323"Mercy"Ciarán DonnellyMichael HirstMarch 3, 2016 (2016-03-03)
Ragnar and King Ecbert both experience separate visions of Athelstan, who relays the words "Mercy". Rollo attempts to learn the language of his new home, while enduring more of Gisla's mistreatment. Kalf hires a Berserker to assassinate Bjorn on King Horik's son's behalf. Bjorn obsesses over killing a bear that has managed to escape his traps. Floki and Helga struggle to cope with the death of their daughter. Ragnar approaches the cave with an ax, tells Helga that she has suffered enough and frees Floki. Lagertha sleeps with Kalf and he tells her he loves her – however she fails to reciprocate. Aethelwulf has returned with the rescued Queen Kwenthrith and her son Magnus. Judith's obsession with Athelstan continues. Wessex continues preparing its soldiers, Count Odo readies a defense of Paris, and Ragnar cleans fish giving the impression that he is not ready to resume exploring distant lands.
334"Yol"Helen ShaverMichael HirstMarch 10, 2016 (2016-03-10)
After being set free, Floki visits the Seer who tells him that he has waited a long time for his arrival. He is then instructed by Aslaug to teach Ivar the way of the gods. Ragnar grows closer to Yidu and lets her live in his private home in the woods. Ragnar and Yidu discuss how she came to be a slave. She then gives Ragnar some "medicine" from her native lands, which leads to a drugged night of hallucination. In the wilderness Bjorn encounters the Berserker, sent by Kalf and Erlendur, and kills him. He discovers King Horik's ring in the Berserker's possession. Bjorn arrives in Hedeby and intends to leave with Erlendur's wife, Torvi. Rollo is served divorce papers, but has learned the French language, leaving Gisla impressed. He then gives her his Viking band to show his allegiance to her. In Wessex, King Aelle confronts his daughter Judith over her transgressions with King Ecbert. Meanwhile during the Yol celebrations in Kattegat, King Harald Finehair arrives and declares that he intends to become King of all Norway. Ragnar then arrives to see Harald sitting in his great hall.
345"Promised"Helen ShaverMichael HirstMarch 17, 2016 (2016-03-17)
Ragnar and Bjorn discuss whether or not they trust King Harald, parenting, and being husbands, while Ragnar claims he has failed at both. Ragnar appears addicted to Yidu's "medicine", and the two discuss their deepest secrets. Yidu's father is a Chinese Emperor, while Ragnar reveals the slaughter of his England settlement, and that he has lost the desire to explore distant lands. King Harald's brother, Halfdan the Black, arrives in Kattegat and lets Ragnar know he is eager to raid and kill Christians. Meanwhile, Torvi reveals to Bjorn that the ring he is carrying, which he took from the Berserker, is Erlendur's. In Wessex, Aethelwulf and Judith argue over both of their wrong doings, and Judith tells him that they are husband and wife only in name. Aethelwulf agrees with Queen Kwenthrith, and tells his father and King Aelle that they need to fight together and restore Kwenthrith's power in Mercia. In Paris, Therese and Roland reveal to Charles that Odo plans to overthrow him. In Hedeby, Lagertha reveals to Kalf she is pregnant, and Kalf asks her to marry him. Moments before their wedding, Lagertha stabs and kills Kalf, reclaiming her status as Earl Ingstad, ruler of Hedeby.
356"What Might Have Been"Ken GirottiMichael HirstMarch 24, 2016 (2016-03-24)
Ragnar announces the Paris raids, and gives his sons Ubbe and Hvitserk their arm rings, so they can travel with him to Paris. Before they leave, Ragnar asks the Seer how he will die. He replies that Ragnar will die when "the blind man sees him". In Wessex, Ecbert sends his son Aethelwulf and Alfred on a pilgrimage to Rome. In Paris, Charles begs Rollo to not return to Ragnar, and Rollo assures him that he will not betray Paris or his wife. Odo reveals to Therese that he will have Charles killed and overthrown. Meanwhile in Kattegat, after the warriors have set sail, Harbard arrives. While sailing for Paris, a storm throws the Viking ships off course. Ragnar, Lagertha, and Harald arrive first in France, where they set up camp. Harald and Halfdan take their French prisoners and burn them alive while Bjorn watches from a distance. Once the rest of the ships arrive, the Vikings sail up river towards France, and notice there is no sign of Rollo's camp. Ragnar takes more "medicine", and hallucinates of his days as a farmer. As the ships approach closer to Paris, they see Rollo waiting with his new French allies.
367"The Profit and the Loss"Ken GirottiMichael HirstMarch 31, 2016 (2016-03-31)
Ragnar suggests attacks from the river and the land. Rollo notices Lagertha's attack as her warriors become stuck in the marsh, and fires upon them and the Viking ships. As the ships approach the forts, Rollo orders the Franks to raise a large metal chain between the forts, which capsizes Harald's ship. Lagertha's ground attack retreats, and the Franks begin to light the Viking ships on fire. Harald and Halfdan are rescued by Bjorn, and Ragnar saves Floki from drowning. As the Viking ships retreat, Ragnar angrily yells to Rollo that he saved his life when everyone wanted him dead. In Kattegat, Sigurd watches from a distance as Harbard and Aslaug kiss. In Wessex, Ecbert leaves for Mercia. He arrives to meet with Prince Wigstan of Mercia, who informs him that the Mercians will never accept Kwenthrith as their Queen. He tells Ecbert that he will hand over Mercia to him. In Paris, the Vikings arrive back at camp, which the Franks have ambushed. Helga is alive but severely wounded, while Ragnar's sons and Yidu are unharmed. Ragnar demands more "medicine" from Yidu. Floki has a vision of Harbard having sex with Aslaug. Bjorn demands a plan of attack from Ragnar. Ragnar responds they will retreat tomorrow, while mumbling to a severed head.
378"Portage"Ken GirottiMichael HirstApril 7, 2016 (2016-04-07)
As the Vikings retreat, Ragnar's leadership is questioned by Harald. Ragnar tells Bjorn to halt the ships at a cliff face, and reveals a new plan. They will lift the ships over the cliff, walk them around the Frank's forts, and slip them back into the river on the way to Paris. In Paris, Odo tells Charles they cannot trust Rollo, and Roland agrees. Gisla reveals to Charles that she carries Rollo's child. Odo meets with Therese, who along with Roland betray him, and execute him. Rollo is then given the Iron Hand of Frankia. In Wessex, Ecbert returns after victory over the royal council of Mercia. He tells Kwenthrith that she is no longer Queen, as he has been sworn in as King of Mercia. Meanwhile in Kattegat, Aslaug sees Harbard with other women and grows jealous. She confronts Harbard, who then leaves a second time. In France, Ragnar asks Yidu for more drugs, but she denies him again. He tells her she is not free, and she threatens him with his Wessex secret. Ragnar drowns her in a fit of rage. Back in Wessex, Kwenthrith sneaks into Ecberts bed and threatens to kill him, but Kwenthrith is then killed by Judith.
389"Death All 'Round"Jeff WoolnoughMichael HirstApril 14, 2016 (2016-04-14)
As the Vikings move the ships across land, Harald and Halfdan slaughter a Frankish family. Lagertha has a miscarriage, and is comforted by Ragnar. In Rome, Aethelwulf and Alfred arrive, and the Pope makes Alfred a consul of Rome. In Wessex, Ecbert is crowned King of Wessex and Mercia. King Aelle voices displeasure, and Ecbert tells him they are no longer equals. In Kattegat, Sigurd discovers Siggy dead in the river. He tells Aslaug, who shrugs off her death, and makes jokes with Ivar. In Paris, Charles makes Roland the protector of Paris, and they share each other's bed. The Vikings arrive in sight of Paris, and slip the ships into the river. Erlendur tells Torvi she must kill Bjorn or else he'll kill her son. Torvi approaches Bjorn with Erlendur's crossbow, but instead turns and kills Erlendur. Bjorn tells Ragnar, who is in withdrawal without his "medicine", that Paris cannot be taken without him. Ragnar replies he does not care about Paris, and that he is here for Rollo. As the Vikings sail for Paris, Ragnar mutters to himself that he must kill Rollo.
3910"The Last Ship"Jeff WoolnoughMichael HirstApril 21, 2016 (2016-04-21)
On the river, a fleet of Frankish ships approaches the Vikings, with Rollo leading the way. In Paris, Charles has Roland and Therese executed, while Gisla says prayers for Rollo. The Vikings and Franks battle on the river, with the Vikings defeating the first fleet of French ships. Rollo then leads his remaining ships into a bloody battle. Halfdan, Floki, and Lagertha are all wounded. Ragnar and Rollo begin to battle and come to a stalemate. The Franks win the battle, and Ragnar tells Bjorn to take Lagertha and retreat to the ships. Ragnar charges Rollo, but is grabbed and thrown into their ships, as they sail away in defeat. Rollo is greeted by Charles and Gisla, and crowned to the applause of Paris. In Kattegat, many years pass. Ragnar has disappeared. A messenger delivers news to Aslaug and Bjorn that the Viking settlement was slaughtered, and that Ragnar has a son named Magnus in Wessex. Bjorn tells his brothers, who now resent Ragnar. Bjorn prepares to sail into the Mediterranean. Ragnar returns to Kattegat a hated man, and challenges his sons to kill him if they want to be King.
Part 2
4011"The Outsider"Daniel GrouMichael HirstNovember 30, 2016 (2016-11-30)
Ubbe steps forward to challenge Ragnar as king, but instead the two embrace. Later, when Ragnar asks his sons to go with him to England, Bjorn refuses, as he has plans to raid in the Mediterranean with Floki, Harald, and Hvitserk. Ubbe and Sigurd have promised to stay home and protect their mother, as well as Kattegat, which has become a major trade center in the region. Ivar sees his brothers share Aslaug's slave girl Margrethe, and tells them he wants to have her as well. After failing to sleep with her, he threatens to kill her but instead cries as she tells him that being a son of Ragnar is more difficult than being a common family man. Ragnar visits Floki and tells him that he loves him. In Hedeby, Ragnar apologizes to Lagertha for his failings after she refuses to accompany him to England. They share a kiss before Ragnar departs. Ragnar finds a massive tree while riding back to Kattegat and hangs himself, though ravens chew through the rope to stop his attempt. Back in Kattegat, Ragnar finds Ivar in the throne room and asks him to accompany him to England, to which Ivar agrees.
4112"The Vision"[8]TBATBADecember 7, 2016 (2016-12-07)
4213"Two Journeys"[8]TBATBADecember 14, 2016 (2016-12-14)
4314"In the Uncertain Hour Before the Morning"[8]TBATBADecember 21, 2016 (2016-12-21)
4415"All His Angels"[8]TBATBADecember 28, 2016 (2016-12-28)
4516"Crossings"[8]TBATBAJanuary 4, 2017 (2017-01-04)
4617"The Great Army"[8]TBATBAJanuary 11, 2017 (2017-01-11)
4718"Revenge"[8]TBATBAJanuary 18, 2017 (2017-01-18)
4819"On the Eve"[8]TBATBAJanuary 25, 2017 (2017-01-25)
4920"The Reckoning"[8]TBATBAFebruary 1, 2017 (2017-02-01)

Production

An Irish-Canadian co-production, Vikings was developed and produced by Octagon Films and Take 5 Productions.[9] Morgan O'Sullivan, Sheila Hockin, Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, James Flynn, John Weber, and Michael Hirst are credited as executive producers.[9] This season was produced by Keith Thompson (episodes 1-8) and Sanne Wohlenberg (episodes 9-11). Bill Goddard and Séamus McInerney act as co-producers.

The production team for this season includes casting directors Frank and Nuala Moiselle, costume designer Joan Bergin, visual effects supervisor Dominic Remane, stunt action designers Franklin Henson and Richard Ryan, composer Trevor Morris, production designer Mark Geraghty, editors Aaron Marshall (episodes 1, 4, 7), Christopher Donaldson (episodes 2, 5, 8), Tad Seaborn (episodes 3, 6, 9, 11), and Don Cassidy (episode 10), and cinematographers Pj Dillon (episodes 1-8) and Owen McPolin (episodes 9-11).

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating, with an average rating of 8/10 based on five reviews.[10]

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.