Could Ragnar Lothbrok and his brother, Rollo, be headed for the most epic battle yet seen on History Channel’s Vikings ? According to the actor who plays Ragnar, Travis Fimmel, fans better prepare themselves for all out war between the brothers.
SPOILER ALERT: This article contains information about Season 4 of History Channel’s Vikings . Please proceed with caution if you have not yet viewed all available episodes or wish to avoid spoilers.
Episode 1 of Season 4 of Vikings saw Rollo (played by Clive Standen) draw his line in the sand by outright slaughtering all the vikings left in Paris. While his brother, King Ragnar, has yet to hear of this terrible deed, it seems like it will be only time before all hell breaks loose between these siblings.
Betrayal is something that comes naturally to Rollo. In previous seasons of Vikings , Rollo has betrayed his brother and exploited their loyalties on more than one occasion. However, with Rollo now explaining the best battle plan to help the Parisians defeat the vikings, it is likely there will be a bounty on Rollo’s head once his exploits are revealed.
Season 4 of Vikings will consist of 20 episodes , rather than the typical 10, and these episodes will be split up into two mini-seasons over the course of 2016. As a result, Vikings fans may potentially not see what happens between Ragnar and Rollo until later in the year. But, Travis Fimmel recently told The Sydney Morning Herald that fans need to be prepared for the two brothers to come to loggerheads.
“Rollo [has been left] behind in Paris to keep an eye on things, probably the worst character in the show that you could leave behind in a foreign country. He’s very easily persuaded. So a lot of season 4 revolves around Rollo and Ragnar’s relationship. Ragnar believes that he’s going to betray him again and he’s had enough of his brother and ultimately the two brothers are going to fight, no matter what.”
Once the pair do come face to face, it could very well be a fight to the death of epic Vikings proportions. “The fight with my brother is the biggest fight we’ve ever had on the show and neither of us do very well out of it. We’ll see how this season goes,” Fimmel responded.
Who will survive?
Historically, some accounts say Ragnar dies at the hands of King Aelle. He is thrown into a pit of venomous snakes and this results in Ragnar’s sons forming the Great Heathen Army and so began the fourteen-year invasion of England. So, as far as entertaining television goes, it would be advantageous for Vikings to follow this story line. Plus, fans have already seen King Aelle’s (played by Ivan Kaye in the TV version of Vikings ) penchant for snakes way back in Season 1.
However, considering just how infirm Ragnar still is in Season 4 after his massive fall at the siege of Paris in Season 3 of Vikings , it does seem likely Rollo will defeat his brother. Added to this is the fact that Rollo is based on an actual historical figure. When Rollo marries in Parisian royalty, he is baptized Robert and eventually becomes the first ruler of Normandy. Considering the new character, King Harald Finehair (set to appear in Season 4 of Vikings ) is also closely involved, historically, with Rollo’s story, Rollo could very well defeat his brother in battle.
But, there is one thing that may indicate Ragnar will defeat his brother in Season 4 of Vikings : Clive Standen has just taken on a role in another TV series. According to Entertainment Weekly , Standen has been cast in the lead role of NBC’s series, Taken . Can Clive take on two series at the same time? Or, has he taken on a new role because Ragnar defeated Rollo in Vikings ? Only tuning in to Season 4 will tell.
What do you think, will it be a battle to the death for Ragnar and Rollo in Season 4 of Vikings ? Let us know your thoughts and theories by commenting below!
Season 4 of Vikings is currently airing on the History Channel every Thursday at 10 p.m. ET.
[Image via A&E Network]