The worst episodes of Vikings
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
Ivar is crowned the new king of Kattegat just in time to welcome Rollo home. Bjorn, Lagertha, and Ubbe must rely on unsteady alliances to survive.
- 02
King Olaf feels confident about the result of the election of the King of all Norway as the kings and jarls visit Harald's territory; Lagertha's village is abuzz due to bandit attacks; Ivar is forced to confront an unfortunate element of his past.
- 03
Bjorn achieves one of Ragnar's dreams. Back in Kattegat, 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.
- 04
Bjorn, Lagertha, and Ubbe face an uncertain fate as Heahmund's loyalty is tested. In Iceland, Floki fights to understand the will of the gods. In Kattegat, Ivar may have met his match.
- 05
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.
- 06
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?
- 07
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.
- 08
Messengers arrive in Kattegat with news that presents Bjorn with a dilemma. As Bjorn attempts to do the right thing as ruler of Kattegat, Prince Oleg of Kiev seems untroubled by his conscience. Even Ivar is shocked by Oleg's vicious character as he wrestles for control over the young heir to the throne of the Rus Empire. Lagertha has settled into her new, peaceful life, but danger lurks nearby.
- 09
Lagertha leads her village's response to the recent attacks but despite her best efforts, when the inevitable attack comes, the consequences are tragic. Olaf has a bold new plan for the future of Norway. In Kiev, although Ivar discusses Oleg's ambitions for Scandinavia, he's actually more interested in the plight of Igor, the young heir who Oleg controls.
- 10
Ragnar has returned to Kattegat and there are secrets to be revealed. He makes plans to return to Wessex to right past wrongs but finds that those who were once his closest allies now have plans of their own. Even the Lothbrok sons refuse to join their father's mission – except one.
- 11
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.
- 12
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 in Court.
- 13
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 can he convince his old foe, King Harald, to join forces in the face of the new threat? Ivar is reunited with someone close to him.
- 14
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. But can enough be done to resist the Rus force?
- 15
Prince Igor receives a hero's welcome in Novgorod but back in Kiev the mood is darker: Prince Oleg will not be giving up the fight. Meanwhile, Ubbe's settlers are overjoyed to find land, but it's not the Golden Land they expected.
- 16
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.
- 17
Bjorn returns to Kattegat to learn that an attack is to take place during the next full moon. Ivar must decide if he can place his trust in a former enemy on the battlefield.
- 18
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.
- 19
Lagertha is visited by women from the nearby villages and they feast together happily but the community is shattered by shocking events that follows and Lagertha is forced to take action. In Kiev, although Oleg continues to be friendly, Ivar is aware of the threat which Oleg poses, not only to himself, but to the vulnerable young heir to the throne. Bjorn has answered the call and come to the aid of an old enemy, but all is not as it seems and disaster looms for Bjorn's forces.
- 20
Bjorn is confronted by a difficult choice to make; Ubbe and Torvi embark on a search for old friends and new lands after they leave Kattegat; Oleg's preparations for invading Scandinavia go as planned while King Harald investigates the raiding party.
- 21
It's Election Day in Kattegat and all eyes are on the voting. But strangers arriving at the harbor may force an unexpected outcome. Meanwhile, Ivar receives the signal from Prince Dir that his forces are ready to challenge Oleg.
- 22
Out in the open sea, Ubbe and the settlers are at the mercy of the elements. Tension mounts between Ubbe and Othere and when baby Ragnar begins to weaken, it's the final straw for Ubbe. Meanwhile, Ivar and Hvitserk return to Kattegat.
- 23
When King Alfred of Wessex hears about the arrival of the sons of Ragnar, with an army, he knows he must take drastic action. So as the Viking army makes camp and lies in wait, Alfred and his army abandon the Royal Villa and march to meet them.
- 24
Lagertha and Athelstan help to establish the Viking settlement in Wessex. Harbard, a mysterious wanderer, arrives in Kattegat, realizing the forewarned dreams of Aslaug, Siggy and Helga.
- 25
The appearance of the Viking fleet causes panic among the population of Paris. The Emperor Charles, urged by his daughter Gisla, announces in Court he will remain in the city. The defense of Paris is in the hands of its Commander, Count Odo, who hopes that a heroic victory against the Vikings will gain him Gisla's hand in marriage. The Vikings establish camp downriver from the city and plan their attack.
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