‘Vikings’ Season 4: Recap Of Episode 6, ‘What Might Have Been’

Here’s what went down in episode 6, entitled “What Might Have Been,” of season 4 of Vikings.

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains information about the sixth 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.

Episode 6 of Vikings introduces the same theme we saw back when Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) was a boy and trying to get out from under his mother’s skirts. Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) is wanting to take his two eldest boys to Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) across the seas and into the latest raid on Paris. Aslaug, just like Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) before her, thinks her sons are too young. While introducing Bjorn to the adult world of Vikings was pretty clear cut, for Aslaug’s boys, there is the question as to whether Ragnar just wants his boys away from Aslaug, a dark ages version of the custody battle of today’s ruined marriage. Although, considering how Aslaug reacted to little Ivar’s slaughter of an innocent child in episode 5 of Vikings season 4, the need to remove her children may be necessary before she raises them all as serial killers with her enabling ways.

And it seems to be the beginning of story arcs for young children in general in this episode of Vikings with King Ecbert (Linus Roache) announcing Prince Alfred (born to Judith and Athelstan) is about to take a spiritual journey to Rome. However, this story arc might have a more sinister motive. With Aethelwulf (Moe Dunford), the legal guardian of Prince Alfred away from Kwenthrith for so long, and unable to defend her worth, it is possible this pilgrimage has less to do with Alfred’s growth and more to do with the takeover of Mercia?

The trip to Paris is fraught with more dangers than just keeping Bjorn from Erlendur (Edvin Endre) and Erlendur from his ex-wife, Torvi (Georgia Hirst). Over the course of a night, several boats (Ragnar’s, Lagertha and Erlendur’s, and King Harald’s, of course) have run off-course in episode 6 of Vikings. This leads them to the Frankish shoreline. Finding a group of Frankish knights, the vikings take them hostage, sending one man afloat as a message to the rest of the Frankish army. In the interlude from this fight, Ragnar and Lagertha discuss their past. There is further confirmation that Ragnar was Lagertha’s one true love, as well as the suspicion that Lagertha was not really pregnant and was just luring Kalf into a trap.

There is little time for this small breather between battles as — predictably — a Frankish knight has escaped and risen the alarm. King Harald (Peter Franzen) responds by burning the captured Franks, sending a powerful message to Paris, reminding them just how brutal the vikings can be. This throws the Emperor (Lothaire Bluteau) into a nervous flurry and he begs Rollo (Clive Standen) not to betray Paris in episode 6 of Vikings. A strange thing has happened to Rollo in season 4 of Vikings. Even though he has betrayed the vikings in the past, this betrayal has probably been the worst. However, the audience has been allowed a more personal look this time around and have been given the opportunity to see his side more clearly. This conflicted Rollo, as a result, is a lot more appealing to fans who have disliked the character in the past.

Ragnar is still drug addled in episode 6 of Vikings, having taken Yidu (Diane Doan) along to help “medicate” him while he is away. It is during this betel nut fix that Ragnar has a flashback (the second for season 4 of Vikings) to an earlier time. Perhaps his chat with Lagertha is weighing heavily on him or perhaps his impending battle against his brother is the reason for his memories of a simpler, happier time? And, when the memory clears, it is, in fact, Rollo’s face that he sees. His brother has arrived on the shores of Frankia, ready to face his brother again.

The Duke is waiting. #Vikings pic.twitter.com/DL1YrnZtdd

— Vikings on HISTORY (@HistoryVikings) March 25, 2016

Meanwhile, back in Kattegat, Harbard (Kevin Durand) has returned. And twice over, it appears, Ragnar’s life is about to get even more complicated.

What did you think of episode 5 of Vikings? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.

Vikings returns to History Channel with episode 7, entitled “The Profit and the Loss” on Thursday, March 31, at 10 p.m. ET.

The synopsis for episode 7 of Vikings is as follows.

“In England, King Ecbert’s ambitions are revealed as he schemes to gain the crown of Mercia while outside Paris, the Vikings attack with considerable force but can they breach Rollo’s defenses? Meanwhile, Harbard, the mysterious wanderer, returns and causes a stir amongst the women of Kattegat.”

[Image via A&E Network]