Miracle – The show begins with Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson) in Uppsala Sweden, where she is summoned to approach.  She slowly enters the Pagan Temple to speak with someone who asks her to identify herself. After identifying herself, she says Jarl Estrid Haakon (Caroline Henderson) sent her. The ritual participant assures her she is in the company of the Gods – Freya, Thor, and Odin. She is questioned about the other purpose of her visit. She is in Uppsala to learn her destiny.

The Vikings and soldiers are in a battle. Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter) encourages Olaf Haraldsson (Johannes Haukur Johannesson) to join him in finishing the English army. Refusing his offer, Olaf assures Harald he has earned his right to revenge his people killed by King Aethelred II (Bosco Hogan). With Harald out of sight, Olaf orders Hallbjorn (James Ballanger) to follow him.

Emma of Normandy (Laura Berlin) is surrounded by women who are pleading with the Lord to save them when the Vikings burst through the door. Standing, Emma identifies herself as the Queen of England. She demands to speak with King Canute (Bradley Freegard). Olaf tells Hallbjorn they have two women apiece. She tries to convince him to settle with her.

Canute and his army pass through the castle gate. Prince Edward (Louis Davison) is escorted down a hall when Earl Godwin (David Oakes) welcomes him back. Sitting on a throne, Harald addresses the Nobles of England before identifying himself. He reminds them of his brother, Sten who was King Aethelred’s bodyguard. He asks them how Sten was rewarded for his dedication to the king. Demonstrating, he throws Edmund to the ground. He assures the Englanders they have no intention of taking their money or lands. Only wanting King Aethelred’s head, they agree to take Edmund’s instead.

As Harald raises his sword to chop off Edmund’s head, Canute informs him Edmund is to remain alive. He reminds him of his promise. Canute admits to changing his mind. Harald accuses him of lying to him. The crowd roars when Harald says this is why he crossed the sea with an army. When he refuses to accept his order to keep Edmund alive, Canute’s men point their swords in his direction. Canute promises to chop off his head if he refuses to obey his order. He suggests Harald sacrifice revenge for power. As Harald angrily leaves the room, Goodwin reminds him of saving him on Saint Brice’s Day.

Liv (Lujza Richter) tries to pull a man out of the water when Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett) approaches to see if she is okay. She pulled them out of the water, but no further. A healer (Patrick Ryan) informs Leif of Liv’s condition after being shot by a double-barbed arrow. He tells Leif pulling the arrow through will kill her. If it stays, she will die slowly while her flesh rots. Leif asks what would happen if he pushed the arrow through. He says she will not survive because of her weakness. She tells him to go ahead and do it. He refuses to let her die. She promises to stay alive for him. He gives her something to bite on while he pushes the arrow through.

Edmund is transported into a room, where Canute orders his handcuffs to be removed. Canute congratulates him for being a great fighter and strategist. He questions if he is mocking him. Canute asks how he knew the Vikings with raid from the marshes. It says it was a given. He describes his Dragon’s Teeth technique as brilliant. Edmund thanks him for the compliment. He is sure the Vikings wouldn’t have survived if Eadric Streona (Gavin Drea) and his army attacked from the rear. Edmunds assures him he would have attacked. Approaching him, Canute demands to know who the woman was on top of the castle. Edmund identifies her as Emma of Normandy, King Aethelred’s widow. Canute asks her whereabouts. He doesn’t know.

Olaf visits Emma who is locked in a room alone. He reminds her of the room being his when he advised King Aethelred. She asks what he wants from her. Claiming Aethelred convinced him to take Christianity north, he describes it as a great challenge.  She knows he is after King Aethelred’s treasure, which she assures him is a myth. He claims to have seen the treasure with his own eyes. He describes the gold bars as being too heavy for a single man to lift. She denies knowing anything about the treasure. He explains how she has grown from a girl from Normandy to the Queen of England. He threatens her boys, Edward (Mark Keegan) and Alfred (James Keegan). She assures him if her children are killed, she will no longer cooperate. He suggests she not wait too long, or she will no longer be needed.

Dressed in white, Freydis emerges from the Pagan Temple to take part in a ritual. After taking a sip of liquid, she begins to pant for breath. They lay her body on a platform. She is covered with a thin white material before the seer blows a white powder in her direction. A sword is placed over her body. A participant holds the sword above her head as Freydis is in distress. When it appears the sword is brought down upon Freydis’ body, the scene quickly shifts, so we don’t see what happens.

We a tree and hear a crack of thunder that frightens a bird away. A young girl runs along a river trail while a crow soars above. A woman (Liz Quinn) and others plead with Freydis to help them.

Freydis comes through in the forest. Cawing can be heard nearby. When she stands, the crow takes flight. She walks out of sight.

Harald is eating alone when several men rush in to grab his knife. He elbows one of the men before they escort him to Canute. Harald assures him he is not the right man to be in the same room with him, alone. Canute acknowledges he is angry. He denies being angry, but murderous. Canute says it is a risk he is willing to accept for now because he needs his help. Harald refuses to assist him. He offers him the title, King of Norway, for his help. Harald tells him about an agreement he has with Olaf that will make him King of Norway upon his death. Canute argues the title may be handed down to Olaf’s son.

Canute doubts Harald is as close to Olaf as he wishes to think. He informs Harald of Olaf’s 12-year-old son, Magnus. He calls him a fool for being Olaf will transfer his throne to him instead of Magnus. Harald accuses him of robbing his family of justice and trying to tear them apart. As Harald walks away, He says Olaf has taken that upon himself before offering him his destiny. Turning around, Harald questions what he is trying to locate.

Godwin is aggressively transported to Harald who asks why he chose to save him. He is beginning to question his decision. Harald reminds him of the day he was stopped at the dock by King Aethelred’s soldiers who knew his identity. He questions why Godwin interjected and allows him to flee London. Godwin claims to have saved him because he couldn’t save England. He tells him a rotten house is irreparable. It needs to be replaced with a better house. He assures Harald he is a survivor. Harald informs him of Canute’s plan to locate Emma. He calls her a survivor. Harald suggests the wealthiest woman in Europe is protecting her treasure. Before he walks out the door, Godwin reminds him of saving his life while holding out his cuffed hands. He tells him he has saved his life as well.

While following a crow through the forest, she runs into The Seer who claims to be the past, present, and future. Holding out his hand, he asks her to let him see for himself if is real. She licks the palm of his hand. He says, “Yes, The Last.” She repeats, “The Last.” He offers her a seat because she will be tired soon. He questions what she saw during her journey. She tells him about the burnt ruin left over from a battle. He reminds her of the people pleading with her to help them. She acknowledges the pleas for help. He asks how she responded. She wasn’t for sure what to do. Scolding her, he repeats his question. She tells him she ran from the people. He accuses her of evading him and lying when she denies knowing why she ran. He says you can only go forward from here. He demands she never try to find him again before transitioning into a black crow.

Canute is standing outside the castle when Streona and his men arrive. He greets himself as the Ealdorman of Mercia. Canute thanks him for not attacking his army but wants to know why. He assures him it isn’t always necessary to fight to get rewards. Canute invites him and his men to feast with them, so they can discuss a reward for his decision to not aid Edmund and his army.

Emma is sitting at a table when a Harald enters the room after taking at a man guarding the door. She questions how he knew her location. He identifies him as Olaf’s brother. Tossing her coat, he says they should leave.

Leif places Njall (Gavan O’Connor-Duffy) and Skarde (Edward Franklin) side by side in a boat. Their weapons are laid on their chests. He places reeds in the boat and pours a liquid over the reeds and their bodies. Setting the boat afire, he says goodbye to his friends.

While caring for Liv, he is summoned to visit Canute. When he tells the man to leave, he assures him it isn’t an order. He places a cross in Liv’s hands.

Canute toasts their great victory for avenging their kinfolks’ murders. The crowd roars. He tells them they will be rewarded for helping him. The door opens and men carrying chests of treasures enter the room one by one. Olaf doesn’t look pleased. Canute toasts to Edmund’s bravery for defending King Aethelred’s honor. No one cheers. He introduces Emma as the person who devised a strategy that nearly ended in their defeat. She takes his hand as he leads her to his table. When he announces Leif as the Greenlander who pulled down the bridge, the Vikings cheer loudly.

As Leif stands, he wipes Freyds’ debt away. Canute asks if he would like anything else. He tells him he got what he came for. Canute says his name will never be forgotten about the Norsemen. Harald asks him what glory feels like. Leif describes it as “gold.” Canute gives Harald a debt of gratitude. Streona wants to be the ruler of the lands when Canute and his army return to Scandinavia. Canute assures his men it is always good to listen to a man who speaks what’s on his mind. Olaf receives a chest of treasures.

As Canute speaks a man rolls a tree stump through the door. He hands Canute an ax as he speaks of a traitor in their midst. He says the traitor brings a stench of threat and betrayal. He tells his men he can smell the traitor’s ambition, greed, and disloyalty as Canute’s men grab Streona. He warns them his men will kill them. Canute assures him his army is under siege and his men dead. Streona questions why he is going to kill him. Raising the ax above his head, Canute tells Streona he will be the next King of England. He chops his head off.

Olaf questions Canute’s decision to be the King of England. Acknowledging his decision, he tells Olaf he will rule jointly beside King Edmund. He asks Olaf if he has a problem with his decision. He says, “Yes, you’ve just made raiding England that much harder.” The crowd roars. Olaf toasts Canute’s success.

Edmund asks about their arrangement. Canute reminds him of how the nobles support him. His job will be to manage the nobles. He assures Edmund he is going to be okay.

Olaf tells Harald he is furious with him. Harald questions his fury. He assures him he knows why he is angry. Harald reminds him of his son, the future King of Norway. Olaf guarantees him their agreement has not changed. Harald accuses him of lying to him.

Canute tells Emma she is a brilliant woman. She calls him ruthless. He questions if she fears him. She says her concerns are of her children who have been taken from her. He orders her to tell him about her children. She assures him if she does, their captor will murder them. He promises to find her children.

Harald orders Godwin to get up because they need to locate Emma’s children. He knows Olaf is responsible. When Godwin doesn’t respond, he offers him a position in the new kingdom. He refuses the offer. Canute enters the room to offer him something in return for Emma’s children.

Godwin in a cloak approaches a building in the marshes where two men are guarding Emma’s children. Claiming to be a priest, he tells the guards Olaf sent him to provide the children communion. He orders the children to close their eyes and pray. He approaches the men to ask if they have had communion today. When the men say no, he tells them to kneel and receive God’s blessing. He orders the children to pray louder while he kills the men. He rushes the children out of the building.

When Leif visits Liv, a man tells him she is outside. He claims they moved her outside to make room for another patient. He is relieved to see her sitting up and drinking. A female helper (Martha Breen) who is taking care of Emma recognizes Leif as the one who pulled down the London Bridge. The lady promises they will write songs about him, Canute will shower him with gold. Liv asks if Canute about the gold. He informs her of Canute’s gift to pay Freydis’ debt. She is relieved because they can return to Greenland. He tells her of his plan to not return to Greenland. He asks her to stay with him. When she agrees, they kiss. Liv asks if he is looking for the cross.

Freydis kneels in front of an idol and prays.

Emma hears a knock at the door. She orders them to enter. Canute apologizes for the interruption but thought she may want the news. Her children run into her arms. Before he leaves, she thanks him. Canute speaks with Godwin to see if he has a request for saving the children. He assures him he doesn’t have a request but believes his service would be helpful for him in England.

Leif joins Harald for a drink. Harald says he doesn’t trust Olaf. Leif assures him time will tell who got the better end of the deal, him, or the devil. Calling him a hero, Harald asks what troubles him. Leif doesn’t believe it was luck that kept the arrows from hitting him. When he shows him the cross, Harald questions its origin. He tells him about the young girl in the marshes. She put it in his hands before Harald found him. He says Liv improved after he put it in her hands. Harald tells him it was a miracle. Leif questions what if he doesn’t believe in the Christian God. He says God must believe in him.

Freydis is at the Pagan Temple when it begins to thunder and lightning. The Laeknir (Jane McGrath) gives Yrsa (Alfrun Laufeyjardottir) a drink. Yrsa suggests she leave soon to find Freydis. The Laeknir doesn’t believe she is ready. She assures her Freydis is fine when a strange look appears on her face. Yrsa asks what is going on. She tells her to be quiet. When The Laeknir looks in the other room, she sees Jarl Kare (Asbjorn Krogh Nissen) holding the baby. Jarl is holding her baby. He assures her the baby will be fine. He is looking for information on the person who killed his berserker. Freydis continues to pray. Jarl questions if The Laeknir is Pagan. She admits to being a Pagan.

Jarl tells her Christian babies are baptized to save them from hell if they die young. She describes Freydis after telling him she went to Uppsala three days ago. He makes a cross from his own blood on her forehead. He asks if Freydis was traveling alone. She shakes her no. He enters the room, where Yrsa is staying. The Laeknir takes her baby and flees but is surrounded by men on horses. As Freydis prays, she senses something is wrong. She wakes up the woman from the temple to request a horse. As she saddles the horse, she is given a sword. A black crow watches as she rides out of Uppsala when the episode comes to an end.

 

Vikings: Valhalla Review

A  plot twist shows King Canute in a different light. He has betrayed Harald and his other men who wanted to avenge the deaths of their families at the hands of King Aethelred. He will be taking all the glory while the others share the leftovers.

The show is uncompelling at best. What king would agree to partner with a fallen king and queen to run the same kingdom? This would put the king in a position, where he is sure to be overtaken at some point.

Freydis’s vision was interesting at least. Unfortunately, she will probably be too late to save Yrsa.

Some of the scenes seemed a bit too easy. One example is when Godwin located the Queen’s children. Another example is when Harald located the Queen. If you were going to take the Queen hostage, you most likely wouldn’t hide her away inside the castle. Even worse, Olfa chose his old room as the hiding place.

The show deserves a 6.5. Get more Vikings: Valhalla recaps here. Support ReelMockery by clicking the link to learn more.