The good news is there’s a new episode of Vikings on April 14, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT followed by another new episode next week. The bad news is the series will then take a break and won’t return for the second half of season four until later this year. History extended the season four episode order but split the season into two 10 episode halves, meaning fans of the series might have to be patient and wait for the outcome of the battle between King Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) and his traitor brother, Rollo (Clive Standen). That is, unless Vikings wraps up that storyline in the final two episodes of the first half of season four, which doesn’t seem likely.
Episode eight killed off three interesting albeit at times irritating characters: Count Odo (Owen Roe), Yidu (Dianne Doan), and Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey). None of the deaths were expected, and Yidu and Kwenthrith’s murders were particularly disturbing. Ragnar really seemed to have a connection with Yidu who was filling a void in his life left by Athelstan, and Kwenthrith was such an intriguing character it’s a shame the writers killed her off. It’ll be interesting to see if the killing off of supporting characters continues with the final two episodes of season four’s first half.
The Death All ‘Round Plot: The labors of the Vikings eventually bear fruit as, within sight of Paris, they re-launch their boats but this time along with some interesting structures that Floki has made. Aethelwulf and Alfred eventually arrive in Rome and honors are conferred by Pope Leo but relations are not so cordial in Wessex between King Ecbert and the disgruntled King Aelle.
