Vikings Review 04×04: “Yol”

Women’s liberation and questions of loyalty are the focus of this week’s Vikings. From slaves to Queens, our ladies of the north and beyond all get a much needed taste of freedom in their lives.

In this week’s episode of Vikings we are treated to an array of character shifts, changes in power, and an astounding amount of women portrayed in positions of power and varying freedoms. Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) continues to live in a weakened state surrounded by those that question his fitness to rule, most notably his wife Queen Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland). Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) finally wraps up his sojourn into the woods and comes out victorious not only physically but mentally. Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) upon finding his freedom, learns interesting things about his future to come. Rollo (Clive Standen) successfully woos his wife Gisla (Morgane Polanski) with a few choice words and a talent for intimacy. Judith (Jennie Jacques) asserts herself as an a kept but independent woman and on the other side of the world, Yidu (Dianne Doan) discovers a breadth of freedom as a kept slave placed under the care of the King of Kattegat.

While the ongoing theme of loyalties and exchanges in power continues to underlie the main plot of Vikings, this episode interestingly focused on many of it’s women characters. It highlighted their various positions in life, be it a slave or a queen and showed us just how limited or held back they were and how with a just a few major or minor adjustments they could be free to be who they wanted or just free to take back a little happiness in their lives. So without further ado, let’s discuss what made this episode so interesting.

Welcome home, son.

It was a bit of shock when Bjorn first stated that he wanted to go into the wilderness only to prove that he could survive. As far as life changing journey’s go, it was not the most grandiose, but for Bjorn it seems to have strengthened him and proven to him that he is in fact worthy of the name of Viking. It is interesting to note, that after killing the berserker sent by Erlendur (Edvin Endre), Bjorn travels straight to his village where he visits his mother, Lagertha (Kathryn Winnick) and all but demands that Torvi (Georgia Hirst), Erlendur’s wife, come with him back to Kattegat. It’s a bold move and one that will only spell more trouble for him in the future, considering Erlendur’s over-willingness to exact revenge for his father and be rid of the entire line of Lothbrok to settle the score. As for now, Torvi is no longer treated as a slave and freely goes with Bjorn with the promise by Lagertha to look after her child that was demanded she leave behind.

“If you want to go with my son. Then go with my son. I will look after your child. We have one life, Torvi. So go and live it.” – Lagertha

As far as other freedom’s go, Queen Aslaug is still slyly looking for ways to grasp more power, uphold the eligibility of her sons to leadership and perhaps gain more notoriety for herself. The son, Ivar, who encumbers Aslaug at every turn with his need for constant assistance in his pain is left in the care of unlikely people, Helga (Maude Hirst) and Floki. Aslaug claims that in her doing this she is only looking after her son and allowing him to learn from the best source possible how to be a true viking and hate the Christians as she wishes her husband, Ragnar, would be more faithful in doing. Though her intentions may be in pure in this, we can’t help wondering if this was a bid to grant herself more freedom in not having to care for her son at every turn. Time will tell if this little freedom will afford her the happiness she seeks or if it will only give her more room to go behind Ragnar’s back to ascend in power. Certainly the arrival of King Finehair (Peter Franzen) will be another motivator for her to overthrow Ragnar or at least leave him. There certainly is a past connection there and by the way things are looking, she would not think twice about joining Finehair and asserting herself into the position of Queen of all Norway.

This world is changing.

One of the most meek and seemingly kept characters has to be Judith. When we first saw her seasons ago, she was a woman only notable for being the wife of Prince Aethelwulf (Moe Dunford). She has had her fair share of adventure, including affairs, an illegitimate child, and even the loss of an ear to keep her occupied and somewhat hindered in her gilded cage. Happily, she has found a way to find herself amongst the limitations set for her. While King Ecbert (Linus Roache) is her father-in-law and now sometimes lover, she embraces her freedom in being allowed to paint the holy scriptures and wander as she pleases, even choosing to ignore her husband’s unfaithfulness with Queen Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey). All of this clearly displeases her father, King Aelle (Ivan Kaye) but she does not remain silent and take his verbal abuse disguised as his opinion of her as a woman. Instead, she makes it known that while being a woman and not allowed every freedom in the world, she is finally free and in a word happy. It was a powerful moment and perhaps a kick in the direction of changing how women are viewed and treated in general within the kingdom of Wessex.

“My lord, battered or not, it would make no difference. You don’t own me, father, nor does any man own me. Though encumbered everywhere, I am free.” – Judith

In Paris, Rollo has learned a new language and in doing so is able to please his wife in more ways than one. Upon his success, we are shown an almost hilarious turn around of Gisla being pleased by her husband. Her sudden sexual awakening lightens her character completely and though the dealings of the Parisians are directly against the vikings in the north, it’s a nice break to the serious plotting and war plans all around them. Rollo is still a traitor but at least he has become successful in winning the interest of his wife and in doing so maybe the life and position he has always sought in the shadow of his brother, Ragnar.

Back in Kattegat, Yidu, the slave now owned by Aslaug is given a hint of freedom by way of Ragnar. Aslaug notices Ragnar’s fascination with the woman and gives him leave to take her for himself. Without hesitation he does, showing her his secret place or cabin that he goes to be alone and be himself. It’s an enlightening moment that he would take Yidu here, not having known her for long and having only observed her from afar for previous days or only glimpses as she aids in chores around him. What is fascinating to note is that he is more interested in granting her certain freedoms rather than possessing her as a slave in any form or fashion. When she understands this, she then blesses Ragnar with her knowledge of healing and what looks to be drugs from the east. Both of them experience a kind of freedom together in this secret place. They free their minds and spirits and perhaps share an intimate moment before returning to the fold of Kattegat. I for one, think Yidu will be good for Ragnar, not only for the peace of mind she gives him through her presence and out of this world herbal knowledge, but for the healing powers she seems to possess. Perhaps she will be the key to his complete recovery and health and allow him to join a raid back to Paris in the spring or at least have the strength to uphold the strength of his own kingdom from intruders within.

Visions of the future.

Though not shown extensively though this episode, an exciting clue was given regarding the fate and role of Floki within Kattegat. Staying mainly back in the shadows, Floki sneaks into the house of the Seer (John Kavanagh). This small interaction though strange revealed an interesting turn of events should it come to pass. It seems as if the current Seer is failing in health and has been waiting for his replacement to arrive. The arrival of Floki at that certain moment triggered a cryptic dialogue and interaction that was almost a foreshadowing and a straight up reveal that Floki will be taking the role of the Seer within the community in the not so distant future. This was surprising but also fitting as Floki has always seemed to have gifts with seeing visions though not always the most pleasant or helpful. This changing of power and new role of Floki’s may well give him the freedom and the importance that he has sought his entire life.

“You know exactly what I mean. Don’t play games. I’ve waited and I understand. Show me that you understand. Show me who you are.” – The Seer

Following changing of roles, the arrival of King Finehair into Kattegat under the guise to meet Ragnar based on his tales of glory and success is anything if not fishy. The story he weaves with Queen Aslaug felt like an admission of previous connections with the woman and a thinly veiled intention to try and overthrow Ragnar as king. It’s almost as his arrival was meant to size up his competition and take back the woman that he considered his own. Queen Aslaug does nothing to dissuade him and seems a willing accomplice and whatever this man may begin to stir up amongst the citizens of Kattegat. Hopefully, Ragnar will regain his strength soon and will be able to address this threat in his midst and rise above as he usually seems to do.

Conclusion: There will be new roles for everyone to play.

Queens will fall and queens will rise. The dabbling of men and their need to conquer and gain power only highlights the many women who are behind them, around them, and who it is that they live for in the end. Michael Hirst once again offers up a unique perspective of history and the inner working of a viking community by weaving together a script and a variety of plots that explore not only the power struggle of men but the struggle of women and their place in society and the roles they must lead. The variety of characters, most notably women in Vikings has always been one of my favorite parts of the show. The evolution of many of them is astounding but also made to be believable and enjoyable for the time period they are portrayed in.

The one thing that sticks in my mind after watching this episode was the prophetic words from the Seer to Aslaug, that one day a woman will rule in Kattegat and rise above. It remains to be seen what woman he was speaking of either literally or figuratively. This show always keeps you guessing but also leaves you satisfied by fulfilling your expectations mostly in ways you were not expecting. It’s a good trend and one I hope to see continue for the remainder of the season.

Questions, Comments & Concerns

• What is the next step for Bjorn? He knows there are those that oppose him but now has found his voice and is not afraid to demand what it is that he wants.
• What will be the consequence of Torvi’s decision to go with Bjorn?
• Is Lagertha happy? This episode it felt as if she were a captive in her own land.
• Is Ragnar getting better? Will Yidu be the cause of that or only cause him to sink further into madness?
• Will Rollo make good on his promise to defend Paris and love his wife Gisla? Or will he do as before and switch sides and beg for forgiveness when or if that promise falls through?
• Judith has slowly risen to a place of power and self awareness. I’d like to see more of this trend in the future.
• Will Floki actually become the new Seer? If so, will he be blinded or will he go on as he is?
• Queen Aslaug continues to show her disapproval of Ragnar as time goes by. The arrival of King Finehair only emphasizes her need to be in a position of more power and to be ultimately desired.