Bear necessities.
By Matt Fowler
Warning: Full spoilers for the episode below.
All the multiple-threads that seemed to clutter up last week’s chapter managed to gel a lot better this week – particularly Bjorn’s time in the wilderness (PLUS BEAR FIGHT! – which you can read more about here) and the separate visions of Athelstan that both Ragnar and Ecbert had on, what I’m assuming to be, the same night. And if not on the same exact night, then at least there was an implied synchronicity to them.
I really enjoy how much the spirit of Athelstan lingers on the series. So much of this episode, save for Rollo’s awkward time in Paris and Kalf’s plot to send a Berserker after Bjorn (so Bjorn’s not even out of the woods yet as far as hulking danger is concerned), was about him. And the effect he had on everyone. Ragnar’s torture of Floki all stems from Athelstan’s murder, Judith, naturally, still pines for him, and Ecbert – who we know can be cruel and cunning – deeply misses his enlightened friend. In a way very similar to Ragnar’s bond with the man.
And so the two kings saw their prized monk, late at night, delivering different personal messages. Ecbert realized that Athelstan was dead and so he and Judith reacted accordingly. In fact, one of the reasons I think Ecbert is so taken with Judith is because of their mutual love for Athelstan.
Ragnar, on the other hand, was told by Athelstan to free Floki. Indeed, after being informed by Helga that their daughter had perished from a fever, an argument could be made that Floki had suffered enough. Of course, the sheer amount of time spent on Floki’s capture, escape, and re-capture already suggested that he’d live through this. But even though this outcome was mostly a given, the use of an Athelstan vision to bring about his freedom worked really well. Plus, we got to briefly see the return of George Blagden.
We want to hear it.
Bjorn’s battle with the bear, and subsequent hatchet-job triumph, was another great part of “Mercy.” Sure, there was a little added suspense to it all since I wasn’t sure if that dang Berserker was going to also show up, but I’m glad they held that back. The bear was enough. Plus, part of me feels like Bjorn won’t fare very well against that stalking mountainous Norseman so it’s probably good that he gets his smaller victories in now.
But yeah, that bear fight was really cool. Again, Vikings used to be somewhat bloodless as far as violent TV shows go. A ton of sword clanging but not much splatter. This season’s seen a big uptick in splatter. Not sure where the edict came from but the series has become a much bloodier affair.
Alexander Ludwig in Vikings
Alexander Ludwig in Vikings
Alexander Ludwig in Vikings
Alexander Ludwig in Vikings
No, I don’t think Lagertha’s in trouble, necessarily, but I do think Kalf wants her – and their future child – all to himself. With nothing from her past around to mess up his legacy. Which means Bjorn. So Kalf might not be fully on board with Erlendur’s plot to ruin Ragnar’s entire life, but he’ll go for the ride as long as it suits his selfish needs with regards to her.
Meanwhile, down in Paris, Rollo began to take French lessons. It’s weird that these lessons weren’t put into action almost immediately, months back, but perhaps it was because Charles and Odo wanted to keep secrets from him. There’s power in being able to talk in front of someone who can’t understand you. So now that they find Rollo to actually be useful, they’re in for a penny. Though it might help if Rollo stopped heaving his language teachers across the room. To that effect, if his teachers could stop being so contemptuous, they’d be a lot safer.
“Mercy” used the memory and lingering presence/importance of Athelstan to build a much more cohesive episode than last week’s installment. Plus, Bjorn’s time in the snowy, wooded hills – and take down of a massive bear – made for a very rewarding solo adventure.
