“Your path is strewn with garbage and filth.” Who will stand up to this mad king? The Seer’s earlier admission to Hvitserk that “everything is becoming darker” clearly refers to Ivar’s accelerated reign of terror, and while his brutal murder of the oracle comes as no surprise, it will not come without consequence. “Hatred must never take the place of love.” Again, what continues to fascinate with Ivar’s character is whether he actually believes the words coming out of his mouth. Ragnar’s people loved him Ivar’s fear and perhaps even hate him despite his delusional proclamation to the man who refuses to apologize and spits in the king’s face.

What becomes increasingly clear though is how different Ivar is from his father. So what does the oracle’s message mean? Live peaceably with the English as Ragnar eventually hoped to do? “You’ll accomplish what others before you have failed to accomplish, but the cost will be too high.” It certainly makes sense that Hvitserk questions his decision to back Ivar during the earlier family split, but even then, he had to sense the kind of man and king Ivar would become. Nevertheless, Hvitserk seeks guidance from The Seer, who appropriately offers a vague and cryptic message. One of the more compelling sub-plots remains the growing rift between Ivar and Hvitserk, and even though Hvitserk shows no signs that he desires the throne, his refusal to acknowledge his brother’s divinity can only be tolerated by the king for so long. “All hail Lagertha” chants the crowd prompting Ivar to initiate the spectacle that leaves a young blonde girl hanging by her feet, throat cut, and body set ablaze. Relying on the cult of personality may work for a time, but Ivar’s people stand against him and for their deposed queen. Of course, we know that’s not Lagertha, and while it’s not clear whether Ivar seriously believes he’ll get away with this charade, the scene marks a turning point in the early stage of his rule. The crowd and viewer react much the same.

The cold open immediately throws us back into the disturbing arena in which Ivar prepares to offer a special sacrifice, but the anticipation that built surrounding the implied threat to his brother Hvitserk quickly disappears when the king parades a woman he claims to be Lagertha before the assembly. Can the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok save the day? Don’t ask The Seer. Vikings offers no lack of intrigue, and the exceptional acting and production values remain, but the boldness of earlier seasons seems to have vanished, leaving viewers with a solid, but somewhat uninspiring cadre of characters.

Ivar’s further descent into darkness fails to gain much traction, the Wessex coup seemingly falls by the wayside, and though Floki finally stands up and takes charge, it’s too little, too late. Vikings Season 5 Episode 14įor an episode so fraught with promise, “The Lost Moment” never manages to make it out of second gear.

Download vikings season 5