Despite Aelle’s preparations against the impending attack from the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok, he didn’t take into account the sheer volume of warriors that would be willing to join the mission of revenge. Aelle likely assumed that the boys would only be able to rouse a small army given their collective lack of battle experience and that he’d be able to crush them without batting an eye. However, the misjudgment as to Ragnar’s impact on the lives of those he touched, and the extreme reach that his enormous reputation wound up having, cost Aelle his life as well as his kingdom; not only does the victory give Ubbe, Sigurd, Ivar, and Hvitsirk their first wins on the battlefield, it allowed them to become more at peace with their death of their father. The man who put their loved one to death has now paid for his crimes, but the job of exacting revenge on the Saxons is now only halfway complete.
On the next episode of Vikings, Ragnar’s sons head to Wessex to finish their revenge mission by killing King Ecbert. As with Aelle, Ecbert isn’t expecting the type of wave that’s about to hit his shores, but unlike his former colleague/rival, Ecbert doesn’t really have the will to fight anymore. He’s gotten older and lost the ambition necessary to keep fighting all those who seek to trespass against him; additionally, the loss of Ragnar resonated deeply with him and showed him that it’s never too late to live honestly, that it’s okay for a leader to become tired of the responsibilities laid at their feet. Rather than concerning himself with battle strategy and the best way to drive back the Northmen, Ecbert has withdrawn into himself and focused mostly on preparing Alfred to lead. Granted, he’s at least delegated responsibility for this conflict to Aethelwulf, but even with someone experienced at the helm and more resources at their disposal than Aelle had, Wessex is in deep trouble. They don’t know the extent of the carnage that’s coming their way and they’re set to face an army that’s not only confident after a decisive win, but motivated by the loss of a leader they miss dearly.
Elsewhere on Vikings, Kattegat comes under attack thanks to the incomplete security system and the lack of bodies able to defend its walls, while tension between Bjorn and Ivar over the rightful heir to Ragnar’s throne reaches a fever pitch on the battlefield.
Vikings airs Wednesdays at 9:00 on History.
Will Ragnar’s sons be able to stop squabbling long enough to take care of Ecbert? How will the conflicts on the battlefield impact the dynamic between the boys once the battle is over? Could Lagertha lose control of Kattegat after going to so much trouble to become queen in the first place?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRO9ybMq_SU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvb2U9v6rpI
