‘Vikings’ Season 4 premiere review: Bjorn is off to the wild to prove he is worthy to be king

“Vikings” Season 4 premiere “A Good Treason” began where the show ended in Season 3, along with some breathtaking cinematography and cool opening credits.

[Spoiler Alert] The premiere starts with a dream. It sets the scene for Ragnar Lothbrok’s (Travis Fimmel) story arc. The dream is about the threat of not entering Valhalla after a lifetime of epic battles. It is kind of a reminder that life is more complicated than any religion. Athelstan (George Blagden) is also remembered.

This is how the first episode of “Vikings” Season 4 kicks off, with Ragnar questioning if he’s fit to enter the grand hall of Asgard. Ragnar, between assaulting his wife (Alyssa Sutherland) and battling against Rollo (Clive Standen), subconsciously fears that Odin will reject him from utopia. Ragnar is also afraid as the seer (John Kavanagh) is almost certain of his death.

The king is sick and in bed. He is plagued with troubled hallucinations. Queen Aslaug has a question about her fate and hence she tracks down the all-knowing oracle. When Aslaug asks if a queen will one day succeed the kingdom of Kattegat, the oracle warns it is unwise to imagine the death of a king, even though he has foreseen the death of Ragnar. However, it will be interesting to know whether Queen Aslaug wil succeed to the kingdom.

Aslaug is also clueless about the whereabouts of Porunn (Gaia Weiss), who has mysteriously vanished and has no answer for Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig). Bjorn’s mood changes when Parisian riches are loaded into their camp by warriors.

The ill king finds it difficult to enjoy the goods brought back from Frankia and fails to take charge. Bjorn takes his position, slipping into the shoes of his father’s leadership role. He delivers an inspiring speech about the invincibility of the Vikings. He then orders the arrest of Floki for his murder of Athelstan.

Helga (Maude Hirst) reveals to her husband that Ragnar has woken from his sleep. They are shackled up in the middle of Kattegat. The king is not happy that his brother has been left behind in Paris. This questions Bjorn’s fate of becoming king one day. Hence, to prove he is worthy, Bjorn takes the bold decision of going off into the wild.

Back at Frankia, Princess Gisla (Morgane Polanski) is disgusted to marry Rollo. The very thought of marrying a pagan monster fills her with disgust. She keeps on crying during their wedding ceremony and during the entire consummation night. However, Rollo can’t stand the sight of his bride crying and orders everybody out their bed chambers.

At Hedeby, Einar (Steve Wall) is displeased to know that Kalf (Ben Robson) and Lagertha will be sharing earldom despite being unmarried. Kalf orders everyone not approving the shared earldom to slice into the wood. Einar does so at the same time encouraging his followers to do the same. An arrow pierces Einar’s throat and Lagertha takes out her knife and dismembers him.

“Vikings” Season 4 “Good Treason” aired on Feb. 18, 2016 at 10/9c on History.