"Vikings" Season 4 Episode 13, "Two Journeys," was not only about the voyage that King Ragnar Lothbrok and Bjorn Ironside respectively undertook for more ambitious and grandiose goals. It was also about choosing a path that would make or break trust: A massacre.
The 13th episode was also about the journey of two women: one a shieldmaiden and another, a queen. And about Ivar, the cripple son, who was on his way to conquering his weakness to attain greatness, and about Rollo, who once turned his world against the Vikings, was on his path to reclaiming being one.
Episode 13, Season 4 of "Vikings," saw the shieldmaiden, Lagertha, played by Katheryn Winnick, determined on settings matters right. She waged a war against Queen Aslaug, to reclaim Kattegat. Aslaug, according to her, is unfit to become a ruler. Meanwhile, King Ragnar Lothbrok and Ivar survived the storm.
"Two Journeys" began where it left in episode 9. Ragnar, his son Ivar and some crew survived and were washed ashore. As they stealthily moved in somewhere in Wessex, the knights of King Ecbert were on alert for their presence. It would be too burdensome for Ragnar to continue on their journey with their friends. As the night fell, Ivar and Ragnar slit the throats of their companions and went on.
Meanwhile, as the ships of Bjorn reached Frankia, Bjorn's uncle, Rollo, seemed pleased, although he had Bjorn and some Vikings held captive. Bjorn asked for safe passage from Rollo as they sail across Frankia's coastline. But his uncle, brother of Ragnar, would only do so, if they take him with them.
Despite some protests from his wife Gisla (portrayed by Clive Standen), Rollo has taken back his being a Viking and joined his nephew and some of the Vikings. Not everyone was happy with his company, however, so Bjorn had his feet and hands tied and had him thrown into the sea for a few moments. He survived his ordeal.
In "Two Journeys" episode of "Vikings" Season 4, the bond between King Ragnar and Ivar strengthened as they took the lonely road. Earlier, Ivar was told by his father that he will never be normal.
"But once you realize that, that is when greatness will happen," Ragnar admonished Ivar.
As the sons of King Ragnar sailed away from home, Lagertha, once the King's wife and now an ally, began planning against Queen Aslaug. Her army of shieldmaidens had rigorous training for one mission: Massacre.
But the queen, with her vision, was able to foresee the bloodshed. "Vikings" Season 4 Episode 14, "In The Uncertain Hour Before The Morning" airs on December 21.
