Summary
An outstanding episode with great performances from all involved. The battle is exciting to watch, with all the build-up from the previous episodes coming into full play.
This recap of Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla season 1, episode 4, “The Bridge”, contains spoilers.
Access the archive of recaps, reviews, and features for Vikings: Valhalla.
Vikings: Valhalla season 1, episode 4 recap
In a flashforward, there’s a violent fight on the bridge. As Edmund takes part in the battle, Leif is submerged in water, and there are several bodies around him. The Day Before: Leif, Harald, and Olaf discuss their plan of attack, with Edmund seemingly the key. They state that if they take down Edmund, they can take England. Leif adds that the drawbridge makes their enemies vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Edmund talks through his plan of attack with Streona. In this conversation, Streona realizes that it is Mercia who will be taking many of the risks in the battle. In return, Edmund offers to double Mercia’s land. As the son of a great warrior king, King Canute wants Leif to convince him that his plan to take England will work. What does Leif want to do? He wants to build a Viking ship.
As the battle starts, Emma and Edmund sense that Olaf and his men are waiting for something. They just don’t know what. Unbeknownst to Emma and Edmund, Leif and several others begin to damage the bridge. Upon arrival, Canute challenges Edmund and says he will make Edmund pay for the crimes of the father. When Edmund doesn’t take the bait, Canute taunts him by calling him “Bleyoa” (Coward). It clearly starts to aggravate Edmund. Although Emma advises Edmund to wait until Streona arrives, Edmund falls into Canute’s trap of fighting man-to-man.
The ending
The tides turn, and the gates open: the battle begins! Emma and Godwin watch whilst Olaf and his men pull the bridge. When Leif’s men retreat, and the boats stop, Emma realizes that it’s a trap. But, regardless, it’s too late, and the bridge starts to give way. Godwin rushes on his horse to inform Edmund that it’s a trap. But it’s too late, and Edmund fails to cross the bridge before it collapses. The Greenlanders have won the battle!
Even a late arrival from Streona will not help Edmund, as Streona will not lose men to a failed battle when there is a greater victory to be gained. The fourth episode of Vikings: Valhalla ends with the scene that the episode began with as Leif learns that his plan has worked. “Hail the Greenlander”.
This was the best episode yet with all of the key characters having a role. And it’s exciting to watch all the past build-up come to the center of the battle. Whilst The Greenlanders have won (for now), it’ll be interesting to see what the fallout will be and if everyone will survive in the aftermath. Regardless, Edmund has a lot to worry about as many, including Harald, want him to pay for his father’s past actions.
What did you think of Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla season 1, episode 4? Comment below.
