‘Vikings’ Season 4: Recap Of Episode 4, “Yol”

Here’s what went down in episode 4, entitled “Yol” of season 4 of Vikings.

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains information about the fourth episode of season 4 of History Channel’s Vikings. Please proceed with caution if you have not yet viewed this episode and wish to avoid spoilers.

For all the kingdoms in season 4 of Vikings this week, it is time to celebrate winter festivities and this is where the title of this episode “Yol” comes from. In Kattegat, this is what they are celebrating and Westerners who are familiar with Christmas celebrations might identify the yule log being burned and the hanging of the mistletoe. As the festivities are planned, the lives of our favorite Vikings characters are explored.

Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard), now freed from his torture, appears on the outer in Kattegat. But, to the Seer (John Kavanagh), only potential is seen. Vikings fans are left wondering just how long it will be before Floki takes over from the Seer, especially when Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) brings her son, Ivar the boneless, to him for instruction in the viking ways.

We then enter the midlife crisis section of Vikings this week with Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) getting a hall pass from his wife, Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland). All that is left now is to discuss the meaning of life and death, the lack of differences between being a king versus being a slave, and to get stoned with Yidu (Diane Doan). It is also a very good time to bring up Yidu’s backstory and justify how she ended up in viking territory. On a side note though, just what language are Ragnar and Yidu actually speaking?

It turns out Ragnar has his very own secluded shack in the woods that he has never shown to anyone before in Vikings. He must be pretty lonely if he is offering this sanctuary to the worst slave in the village, but, then again, that is what Ragnar does; feel compassion for those who are different. It was shown when he freed Athelstan in season 1 of Vikings. It was also shown in this episode when he argued with Aslaug about their son, Ivar the boneless.

For Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig), he is returning to his family a new man, having killed a bear in episode 3 of Vikings. But, before he can get there, he is confronted by the beserker Kalf (Ben Robson) organized for Erlendur (Edvin Endre). Bjorn appears to have learned a lot with his involvement with the bear and in a game of cat and mouse, Bjorn emerges victorious.

When he arrives at Hedeby, Kalf and Erlendur are obviously surprised and cautious as Bjorn announces his intentions. But, alas, he is not there to call them on their betrayal, but to collect Erlendur’s wife, Torvi (Georgia Hirst), and take her back to Kattegat. Erlendur is not at all impressed, but Torvi decides to go with Bjorn once Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) agrees to look after Torvi’s child.

In France, they are celebrating the epiphany. Rollo (Clive Standen) is issued with divorce papers but has managed to learn the language since last week’s episode of Vikings. Gisla (Morgane Polanski) is impressed — to a degree. She sends everyone from the room and confronts Rollo over just what he considers more important, his marriage, his standing, or vikings. Rollo hands over his viking band insisting Gisla can do as she pleases with it to show his allegiance to her and their marriage. It is finally enough for Gisla to soften and decide divorce is no longer on the cards. And so begins the “Rollo gets lucky” portion of season 4 of Vikings.

England is celebrating advent. Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey) is happy she is safe. King Ecbert (Linus Roache) is happy because he is getting some action from his son’s wife. Judith (Jennie Jacques) is happy she is a “free” woman, and Aethelwulf (Moe Dunford) is happy because of Queen Kwenthrith.

King Aelle (Ivan Kaye), however, is not happy with the fact Kwenthrith has bore a viking son that she now considers the heir to the Mercian throne. He is also not happy at just how close his daughter, Judith, appears to her father-in-law. When he confronts Judith about this, she stands up to her father and already I can see the beginnings of the reason why King Aelle might fixate on Ragnar and blame him and his pagan ways for everything that is wrong in his world now in Vikings.

We finish episode 4 of Vikings with the Yol celebrations well under way in Kattegat. Ragnar is still missing — presumably snuggled up with Yidu. This is not great news as King Harald Finehair (Peter Franzén) and his brother, Halfdan the Black (Jasper Pääkkönen) have decided now is the time to turn up in Kattegat and announce their intention to rule over all of Norway. (You can find out more about this particular viking saga here.)

Ragnar finally turns up just as fans realize in order for Harald Finehair to rule over all of Norway, Ragnar must be usurped at some point in season 4 of Vikings.

What did you think of episode 4 of Vikings? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.

Vikings returns to History Channel with episode 5, entitled “Promised” on Thursday, March 17, at 10 p.m. ET.

[Image via A&E Network]