Vikings, season 4, episode 11: 8 things that changed after the time jump

"Vikings" is finally back with new episodes, so Thursday for the next few weeks will be all about the Vikings. In the second half of Season 4, we see more of the changes that the time warp has brought to the show. From the new love in Lagertha's life to the full-grown offspring in the Lothbrok family. Nothing is as it was and nothing stays as it is.

Amazon Prime is releasing new episodes of the second half of «Vikings» Season 4 weekly, continuing the story of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel). In the midseason finale, in the 10th episode, he returned to his homeland after a time jump of several years. Suddenly she is no longer as peacefully disposed towards him as she once was. Even his now adult sons are critical of their father. This can also be seen in the 11th episode "The Outsider". We've recapitulated the key points that have changed over the years since Ragnar's absence.

Floki and Ragnar bury their differences

The friendship between Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) and Ragnar has been put to a tough test over the last few seasons. But the 11th episode proves that all the suffering that both have caused each other in the past has never shaken the core of their relationship. Ragnar's return seems to have once again shown Floki how much he loves Ragnar. Helga (Maude Hirst) also confirms this to her king: Everything Floki has ever done he did only to win Ragnar's love. Both seem to be forgiving. It is a touching reunion that is also a farewell. Floki does not want to join Ragnar to sail to England. He confides in his friend that he will not let go of the feeling that they will not see each other again if they part ways. Ragnar already seems to foresee his approaching death.

A storm in a glass of water

Ragnar's grown sons agreed on one point: the hatred of their father, who not only failed them, but also fathered a child with an Englishwoman. Hvitserk (Marco Islø) even threatened to kill Ragnar himself if he ever came back to Kattegat. The reality then looks different. When Ragnar gives his sons the chance to finish him off and make himself king, the four young men hesitate. Only Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) steps forward and shows courage. But there is no fight. Instead, father and son share a heartfelt hug. So Ragnar's sons don't have as much guts as they'd like. But that has to change soon if they want to follow in their father's footsteps.

Björn has his own family

The romance between Björn (Alexander Ludwig) and Porunn (Gaia Weiss) ended tragically. There is still no trace of her, their child died in Björn's absence. He couldn't really love the little daughter after his first partner disappeared. Björn was shockingly indifferent and unaffected when he learned of his daughter's death. Hopefully he will prove better father qualities in the new episodes, because Björn has become a father again. In the 11th episode we see Torvi (Georgia Hirst) with her baby in her arms. In the background we see two other, older children.

New plans for the Vikings

Ragnar wants to sail to England one more time, but the Vikings - led by Björn - have other plans. The new destination should be Rome. Björn had a strong fleet made by Floki for this purpose, with which they want to explore new countries in order to be able to plunder successfully again. Björn is supported by King Harald Fairhair (Peter Franzén) and his brother. However, Ragnar's sons remain in Kattegat to protect Queen Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland). Only Ivar (Alex Høgh Andersen) has other plans and wants to join his father in order to win his love.

Lagertha is freshly in love - with a woman!

Since the start of the series "Vikings" she has been the woman who is adored by both male and female viewers: Lagertha (Katerhyn Winnick)! We learn in the 11th episode that she is in a relationship again. After a few failed relationships with men (including with Ragnar), Lagertha now seems to want to gain new experiences. A woman named Astrid (Josefin Asplund), whom we see for the first time in the new episode, won her heart. We don't really learn much about her partner. Only that Lagertha personally trains her as a warrior and Astrid also has her eye on Ragnar, although she insists and also shows that she loves Lagertha more. Ragnar's visit to Lagertha seems to have awakened old feelings in her. Despite her new liaison with Astrid, Lagertha's eyes are filled with tears when Ragnar leaves the village and sets off. She confesses to Astrid that she was never really sure about her feelings for Ragnar. She would not regret that they went their separate ways and still regret everything. Lagertha is clearly torn. It will be interesting to see how this develops in the coming episodes.

Ivar is the outsider

The title of the 11th episode is "The Outsider". Gradually, it also becomes clear who is meant by this: Ivar, who cannot keep up with his strong, healthy brothers due to his disability. For him, this is mainly reflected in the fact that all his brothers are having affairs with the same slave girl, while Ivar is still a virgin. His brothers want to change that for him. But when Ivar is asked, his manhood fails. This offends him so much that he is willing to kill the slave girl Margrethe (Ida Marie Nielsen) so that his brothers never find out about it and he is once again in their shadow. Ultimately, the slave is able to save herself with beautiful words that reveal Ivar's vulnerability. He is the outsider who knows that his disability means he will never follow in his father's footsteps. Nevertheless, one should not underestimate him for a second. His brothers obviously know that too. At the dining table it is Ivar who, like the head of the family, sits at the end of the table.

Ragnar tests the gods

It may have been the moment in episode 11 when everyone caught their breath for a brief moment. After visiting Lagertha, Ragnar hangs himself from a tree. The rope finally breaks after a few seconds with the help of a raven who has taken its place on the shoulder of the wriggling Ragnar. Ragnar looks unimpressed. It almost feels like it's not the first time he's tried to kill himself. Obviously he is testing the gods, who could show him that they have other plans for him. Should Ragnar feel immortal at the moment, it could have fatal consequences on his trip to England. Because anyone who knows the story of the real Ragnar knows that the Viking is very much mortal ...