Summary
The introduction of Emma of Normandy is a clear highlight. It will be exciting to watch where the series will take her character. It has a strong beginning before dipping in the middle while concluding with a strong ending like the previous episode.
This recap of Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla season 1, episode 2, “Viking”, contains spoilers.
Access the archive of recaps, reviews, and features for Vikings: Valhalla.
Vikings: Valhalla season 1, episode 2 recap
Whilst he and Freydis await the trial, Leif believes that it will be Haakan’s best (yet unfortunate) interest to have him and Freydis killed. The trial begins! Haakan says that revenge itself is not accepted and that the people will want proof. Whilst Freydis suggests combat with Olaf, that suggestion gets shut down. Instead, Harald has Leif pledge his service to his cause.
Aethelred the Unready and Godwin (David Oakes) discuss the Viking’s plans for an invasion. Freydis bids farewell to Leif before he goes on his journey with Harald. “Protect each other,” she tells Leif and their friends. Emma of Normandy (Laura Berlin) visits her husband, aethelred the Unready, who is now dying. He warns her that “they” are coming. She says she will not surrender, instead, she will fight. Due to the situation, she sends his son, Prince Edmund (Louis Davison), to enlist aid from Eadric Streona and hopefully bring his army.
During the travel along the sea, tensions grow between Leif and Jarl Gorm (Julian Seager). Leif claims that Gorm’s son is a lair. Meanwhile, Haakan reveals to Freydis that her husband, who was a trader, had been stopped by the Christians. When they ordered him to convert, he refused, and they killed him and his men. On their way to Streona, Prince Edmund discusses the deaths of his brothers to Godwin, and how he isn’t King material as doubts prove inadequacy. Godwin convinces him otherwise. He claims that a search of one’s soul is a sign of strength and that eventually, Prince Edmund will succeed.
Before long, Prince Edmund and Godwin reach Streona. Prince Edmund makes his demand, four thousand men and one thousand horses. Although Streona initially refuses, Prince Edmund reminds him that there will be a day when he will be King, and he will remember his refusal of an order. So, Streona gives Prince Edmund what he wants! Tensions continue to grow between Leif and Gorm, and Gorm strongly questions Leif’s skills to lead them to England and Gorm decides to take over the boat. And despite believing that Leif will not kill him, Leif stabs him. Just as they arrive in England.
The ending
Bells toll. And that means one thing, Aethelred the Unready is dead. All hail Kind Edmund. “God bless the King, God bless England”. Haakan informs Freydis that she is going to send her to Uppsala, aka the most sacred site in the Viking world, so that she can seek her destiny. As the other boats reach England, Harald witnesses the carnage on Leif’s boat. Regardless, he goes over to Leif and says “Viking”.
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