Page - 111 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 06/01

prepares for the raid on Paris, he and Aslaug distance themselves. King Ecbert or- ders the destruction of the newly developed settlement, an act carried out under the leadership of his son, Prince Aethelwulf (Moe Dunford) (S3:E5). Prince Aethel- wulf’s wife, Judith (Jennie Jacques), gives birth to a son, Alfred, who is in fact Athel- stan’s child. Floki decides Athelstan must die and kills the Christian at prayer (S3:E6). Season 4 opens up with Ragnar being badly wounded and now near death. Floki is arrested by Björn for the murder of Athelstan. Rollo moves into his new role as a Frankish count and marries Princess Gisla (Morgane Polanski). Back in Kattegat, Floki is strung up in a cave as was the god Loki (S4:E2). Of particular note, Athelstan appears to Ragnar in a vision, repeating the word mercy over and over again (S4:E3); as a result, Ragnar sets Floki free. At the same time Athelstan appears on “the other side” to King Ecbert. In the course of this season, viewers see an ongoing amalgamation of cultures and religions, Anglo-Saxon, Frankish and Viking. Princess Kwentrith of Mercia (Amy Bailey) delivers a son, who is evidently Ragnar’s child. Ragnar decides to go back to Paris, where he will confront his brother Rollo. In the meantime Lagertha develops her own kingdom as Earl Ingstadt, ruler of Hedeby. While pregnant, she insists on fighting the Parisians on Ragnar’s side. The Vikings are forced to retreat – Rollo’s preparations for the defense of Paris prove very effective – and Ragnar’s leadership is called into question (S4:E8). We see Ragnar’s sons now as almost grown men: Hvitserk (Marco Ilsø), Ivar (Alex Høgh), Sigurd (David Lindström) and Björn (Alexander Ludwig). Ivar increasingly positions himself as the most traditional Norse son of Ragnar (S4:E10), which will be significant for the remaining episodes of this series. Ragnar wants to return to raiding Wessex and seeks to persuade others to join him. Their voyage is interrupted by a great storm and shipwrecked, Ivar, who has joined Rag- nar on the raid, wakes up on a beach beside his father (S4:E14). King Ecbert is in- formed that Ragnar has returned, and Ragnar and Ivar are taken hostage by Aethel- wulf. Locked in a cage, Ragnar is brought to Ecbert’s dinner table, where intriguing conversations take place. Ragnar repeatedly tells Ecbert that the king must kill him. Athelstan’s son Alfred (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) meets Ragnar, who is moved to tears. Ecbert promises to keep Ivar safe, and in the next episode, called “All His Angels” (S4:E15), Ragnar is handed over to King Ælle, who will show no mercy. Ælle declares that the souls of all the innocent men Ragnar has killed will be released from purga- tory. Ragnar is taken from his cage and as he is beaten by solders, he has repeating flashbacks and visions of Athelstan and his life. During his last moments he recalls Athelstan teaching him the Lord’s Prayer. As King Ælle prays in his chapel, the sol- diers throw Ragnar into a snake pit. In a final moment Ragnar looks up towards an incognito King Ecbert. Ivar swears revenge. Lagertha cannot believe Ragnar is dead and continues her struggle for power. Ivar raises a great army to revenge the death of his father and kill King Ælle. Ecbert dies by his own hand as the Viking army rages. 110 | René Erwich www.jrfm.eu 2020, 6/1, 103–126