The battle for Kattegat begins and, as the two armies line up to fight, the Great Heathen Army must decide between a final plea for peace or all-out war. Floki faces discord among the settlers.
44 minS1:E1
Rites of Passage
Farmer, family man and rebel Ragnar Lothbrok is determined to sail west to discover new lands and riches despite an intimidating warning from his village's tyrannical leader, Lord Haraldson, who makes it clear in no uncertain terms that doing so could result in severe consequences.
The journey west begins as Ragnar gathers a crew willing to risk their lives to travel into the unknown. Earl Haraldson's paranoia reaches new heights as his fear of Ragnar's success grows.
Ragnar and his crew return from their trip with treasure, and Earl Haraldson has no choice but to sanction another raid. The west is open for the taking, and the Vikings' world will never be the same.
Ragnar, weak and still hurt, must meet the Earl head-on after it comes to light that Rollo has been tortured on Haraldson’s orders. The two men will come together face to face with a single outcome possible: Only one man will leave this fight alive.
Three Viking ships sail toward the Royal Villa of King Aelle in eastern England. Ragnar wants ransom in exchange for peace, but the king has a very different plan in mind.
The traditional pilgrimage to Uppsala to thank the gods brings a torrent of emotions for Ragnar, Lagertha, and Athelstan. Ragnar, pulling farther away from his wife goes to make peace with the death of his unborn son. Lagertha, still reeling from her miscarriage, wants to find out from the gods if more sons are in her future. As the Vikings come together to sacrifice and give thanks to their gods, Athelstan discovers just how strong his Christian faith still is.
Ragnar travels to Götaland to help King Horik resolve a land dispute with the area's leader, Jarl Borg. Meanwhile, sickness infects the village of Kattegat, and the people look to Lagertha to help them appease the gods.
The time has come for an unlikely alliance to band together for a new raid on England; a storm pushes the Viking fleet to a new destination; Ragnar and his men may have met their match.
King Ecbert finds himself facing an entirely new kind of foe; Ragnar races to dominate in the west; Jarl Borg has his own plans in store for the future of Kattegat.
Lagertha and Ragnar unite to try to win Kattegat back from Jarl Borg; Aslaug must face the truth of her prophecies; Athelstan struggles to define his faith; Bjorn must once again make a choice.
King Horik returns to Kattegat with a surprising proposition for Ragnar; Lagertha runs into a less than enthusiastic homecoming from her new husband; Athelstan becomes confidant to King Ecbert.
Princess Aslaug's latest prophecy comes to fruition as she readies to give birth once more. Ragnar, Horik and their new ally Lagertha set sail for Wessex - Ragnar and Horik have very different ideas about the true purpose of this trip.
Ragnar and Lagertha's fleets depart Kattegat once more for Wessex and this time they bring a group to colonize there. King Ecbert hosts the Norsemen and proposes a deal. Despite the misgivings of some of the other leaders, Ragnar leads his forces into battle once more, but this time as allies of Wessex.
With one last chance to take Paris, Ragnar, and his Vikings troops take a daring chance. Ragnar asks Bjorn for a favor that could change the course of Viking history.
A dangerously ill Ragnar returns to Kattegat, where his suspected death kicks off a scramble to succeed him. Meanwhile, Lagertha engages in a power struggle with her calculating, former second in command, Kalf. Rollo betrays his heritage and remains in Frankia. Floki pays the price for his brutality against the Christian priest.
As Ragnar and Floki remain at odds, Rollo makes great efforts in Paris to win over his new bride, Princess Gisla. Meanwhile, King Ecbert sets the task for his son Aethelwulf to rescue Queen Kwenthrith.
Floki learns of the heavy price he has paid for his actions. Rollo finds an unlikely ally in Count Odo. Bjorn has to fight a fierce opponent in the wilderness.
There's an air of betrayal as those whom Odo trusts plot against him. Ecbert agrees to support Kwenthrith in Mercia. Pregnancy brings happiness to Lagertha and Kalf and a marriage is arranged.
Ragnar declares another raid on Paris at the Thing in Kattegat. Ecbert also has a journey in mind as he dispatches Aethelwulf and Alfred on a pilgrimage to Rome.
In England, King Ecbert's true ambitions are revealed as he plots to gain the crown of Mercia while outside Paris. The Vikings attack Paris with considerable force, but will Rollo's defenses be too much for them to overcome? Meanwhile, Harbard, the mysterious wanderer, returns and causes a stir amongst the women of Kattegat.
Defeat for the Vikings calls Ragnar's leadership into question as they evacuate their camp and move back down river. Ragnar remains inscrutable until he orders the fleet to beach at a cliff face and unveils an ingenious plan. Rollo and Gisla have news that strengthens Rollo's position at the French Court.
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 built. 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.
A ferocious battle between the Vikings and the French eventually comes down to Ragnar against Rollo. The outcome will seal the fate of the two brothers.
Ragnar returns to Kattegat and formulates a plan to head back to Wessex, where he intends to right past wrongs.. Meanwhile, Lagertha plans a power play in Kattegat and Bjorn prepares to fulfill his long-held dream to explore the Mediterranean in a sleek new boat built for him by Floki.
The Kattegat locals chide Ragnar that the gods have deserted him as he struggles to crew his voyage to Wessex. It's Bjorn who has charisma now as he prepares to fulfill his long-held dream to explore the Mediterranean in a sleek new boat built for him by Floki. By contrast, Ragnar must accept weathered boats and a crew he has bribed but when Aslaug foresees that the fleet will be lost in a vicious storm her warnings go un-heeded by Ragnar and her precious son, Ivar.
Ragnar's fleet is shipwrecked and washes up on the Wessex coast, but without enough survivors to form a credible force, Ragnar and Ivar have a difficult decision to make. Rollo meets his Viking comrades again and can't resist the urge to join Bjorn's voyage, risking his marriage and his new Frankish identity. Ragnar too is taking a risk as he carries Ivar towards the Royal Villa in Wessex – throwing himself and his son upon the mercy of King Ecbert.
Tensions mount between the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok as the Vikings continue to threaten the very heart of England. As the Great Army moves to take York, with King Aethelwulf and his family still in hiding, Heahmund—the warrior bishop—must rally the Saxons to defend the Realm.
Tensions mount between the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok as the Vikings continue to threaten the very heart of England. As the Great Army moves to take York, with King Aethelwulf and his family still in hiding, Heahmund—the warrior bishop—must rally the Saxons to defend the Realm.
Celebrations are cut short in the aftermath of the battle at York. Ragnar Lothbrok's sons are pitted against each other as tensions reach an all-time high, and each is forced to choose a side.
Guided by Heahmund's visions, the Saxons devise a battle plan. Ivar the Boneless strategises as the Vikings undergo increasing pressure. Bjorn Ironside finds himself in a new territory and must convince the local commander he is a trader.
Lagertha is betrayed, and Bjorn must find a way to support the distraught queen. Floki and his settlers arrive in a new land, but it is far from what they expected.
Bjorn returns to Kattegat to learn that an attack will take place during the next full moon. Ivar must decide if he can place his trust in a former enemy on the battlefield.
The battle for Kattegat begins and, as the two armies line up to fight, the Great Heathen Army must decide between a final plea for peace or all-out war. Floki faces discord among the settlers.
The army leaders consider their options in the aftermath of the battle. In Floki's camp, all hopes of binding the community together are dashed as tragedy unfolds.
Bjorn, Lagertha and Ubbe face an uncertain fate as Heahmund's loyalty is tested. Floki fights to understand the will of the gods. Ivar may have met his match.
Heahmund must try to convince King Alfred that his actions are in defense of the Crown. Ubbe and Torvi strengthen the position of the Vikings but not all in the Viking camp support their strategy. Another settler disappears in Iceland.
As the celebrations for Ivar continue in Kattegat, grief hits Iceland and Floki must now make a fated decision. Harald's army approaches Wessex. A conspiracy grows against King Alfred.
Bishop Heahmund is wracked with guilt as he fights to renounce his passions. Viking will clash with Saxon on the battlefield leaving a key figure lost in the balance.
Bjorn achieves one of Ragnar's dreams. Ivar hatches a new plan while preparing for a divine arrival. In Iceland, a settler returns in a terrible state. King Alfred faces his greatest threat yet.
An unexpected turn amongst the settlers leaves Floki powerless. King Alfred confronts Judith. In York, Bjorn must strike a deal with Harald. Wessex is once again threatened by a Viking force, but who will lead the Saxon army to defend the Realm?
Hvitserk is severely tested. Floki makes an amazing discovery. Freydis gives Ivar a surprise. Ubbe negotiates with the three Danish Kings that have massed their armies in Reading, but the negotiations may have a perilous outcome.
It’s six months after the battle of Kattegat and Bjorn is now King. As he struggles with the responsibilities of kingship, he finds he can’t rely on his mother. Ivar falls into the hands of the Kievan Rus, and in their ruthless and unpredictable ruler, Prince Oleg, he may finally have met his match.
Messengers arrive in Kattegat with news that presents Bjorn with a dilemma. Prince Oleg of Kiev seems untroubled by his conscience. Lagertha has settled into her new, peaceful life, but danger lurks nearby.
Lagertha is forced to take action. In Kiev, although Oleg continues to be friendly, Ivar is aware of the threat which Oleg poses to the vulnerable young heir to the throne. Bjorn has answered the call and come to the aid of an old enemy.
Lagertha leads her village's response to the recent attacks, but despite her best efforts, the consequences are tragic. Olaf has a bold new plan for the future of Norway. Ivar discusses Oleg's ambitions for Scandinavia.
As Norway’s Kings and Jarls arrive at Harald’s territory for the election of the King of all Norway, Olaf is certain of the result, however, it may not go as smoothly as he believes. Lagertha’s village is anxious in anticipation of another attack and she is relieved when Gunnhild arrives with re-enforcements. In Kiev, Igor and Ivar engage in subterfuge and Ivar is stunned when he encounters a ghost from his past.
Bjorn is forced to act quickly in the aftermath of the election for the king of all Norway. The Bandits attack Lagertha’s village again confident of an easy victory. However, when the defense boils down to single combat with Lagertha, victory seems less likely. In Kattegat, haunted and paranoid, Hvitserk continues to unravel.
Bjorn faces a difficult decision. Ubbe and Torvi leave Kattegat in search of new lands and perhaps old friends. Oleg's plans for the invasion of Scandinavia take shape. King Harald is baffled by the origin of a mysterious raiding party.
In Iceland, Ubbe and Torvi finally meet a mysterious wanderer. Bjorn is forced to re-think who his enemies are when Erik returns from a scouting mission with worrying information. Bjorn will need allies, but he may not be able to convince his old foe, King Harald, to join forces in the face of the new threat. Ivar is reunited with someone close to him.
Ivar and Igor may be plotting against Oleg, but they're still part of the force that departs Kiev to invade Scandinavia. King Harald and King Bjorn begin furious preparations for the invasion.
In Iceland, Ubbe learns the truth about Kjetill and has a difficult decision to make. Back in Norway, the battle against the Rus has had grave consequences. But re-enforcements have arrived, and Bjorn has an idea that may yet save the day.
