‘Vikings’ season 4 episode 18: Bjorn is rising to fame

Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) Vikings season 4 — A picture of Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) from History's "Vikings" season 4. Facebook/Vikings

“Vikings” season 4 episode 18 will show that the battle to avenge Ragnar’s (Travis Fimmel) death has begun. The great army has been formed and Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) wants to lead the battle plan. Showrunner Michael Hirst revealed earlier that Bjorn and Ivar (Alex Hogh Andersen) became more famous than Ragnar. It seems that the phase of Bjorn’s rise to power has begun.

The new teaser shows that Bjorn wants to claim all the power. He announces to all his brothers that he will lead the battle plan. “I will establish the battle plan and I will give the orders. I am the leader of this great army,” he says. It clearly shows that Bjorn is emerging as a leader.

Last month, Hirst said in an interview that Bjorn and Ivar will become more famous than their father. Perhaps, the lead that they have on the great army (as shown in the teaser of “Vikings” season 4 episode 18) is one of the things contributing to it. Bjorn, who was so far struggling under the shadow of his parents, will now emerge as a leader.

“Bjorn is struggling with the impact and consequences of his father’s death. He’s been trying for quite a long time to be his own man. Ragnar used to tease him, and he was quite cruel,” Hirst told Entertainment Weekly about Bjorn. So far, he was just the son of a popular Viking. However, now he would find his own identity.

This is certainly visible in terms of how easily he stopped his brothers from killing Lagertha. He has his plans and he knows what to do. Furthermore, in the next episode, he will claim the power. He will not ask but declare that he will give the orders and others shall follow. He is emerging as a warrior, a great one. Besides, Ludwig had told Toronto Sun in the past that his character, Bjorn, reflects that of Rollo (Clive Standen) to some extent, and their uncle was great warrior too.

“Vikings” season 4 episode 18 will air on Jan.11 at 9PM ET in the US. The show also airs in Australia on SBS One at 8:30PM.