‘Vikings’ Season 4, Part 2, Episode 14, Promo: 3 Things You Might Have Missed

The promo for Vikings Season 4, Part 2, Episode 14, might have told fans more than they realized.

Vikings left viewers with two major cliffhangers as it headed into Episode 14. Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) and his son, Ivar (Alex Høgh Andersen) arrived at King Ecbert’s gates, while Lagertha (Kathryn Winnick) ambushed Kattegat, in an attempt at a coup d’état to overthrow Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) as queen.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Vikings Season 4, Part 2, Episode 14.

The official synopsis for Season 4 Part 2, Episode 14 from IMDB reads as follows.

“Lagertha attempts to fulfill a long-held ambition; Ragnar negotiates an unexpected concession from King Ecbert.”

All indications are that the former Mr. and Mrs. Lothbrok are in for a life-changing episode in “In the Uncertain Hour Before the Morning.” Here are three things you might have missed from the promo for Season 4, Part 2, Episode 14 of Vikings. To see them for yourself, you can watch the promo below.

Don’t be afraid. #Vikings pic.twitter.com/n4ofivirxj

— Vikings on HISTORY (@HistoryVikings) December 15, 2016

No. 1 – A real or surreal vision of Ragnar

Ragnar is seen in a surrealistic manner towards the very end of the promo. Bruised and battered, he looks straight into the camera, as he says “don’t be afraid.” Is this a vision, or a dream? If it is a dream, it is most likely Ivar’s, since he is the only one who knows the physical state his father is in. Ivar would also need his father’s reassurance. As none of Ragnar’s other sons are in any imminent danger.

The single camera, shooting directly at Ragnar is telling. It is clearly not an ordinary scene for the show, and given Vikings‘ penchant for hallucinatory sequences, this could be one of them.

No. 2 – Aslaug concedes to Lagertha?

In the middle part of the promo, Lagertha accuses Aslaug of being a witch, possibly insinuating that Aslaug used magic to bewitch Ragnar into being with her. Aslaug retorts that she did not steal Ragnar. He chose to be with her. Lagertha responds that she has been dreaming of taking back her home.

Aslaug then says what sounds like “you shall have back your half in home.” Or is she saying “hearth and home?” It is hard to make out, and closed captions do not function for promos. If it is the former, it sounds like Aslaug is suggesting a compromise in Episode 14. Will the ladies co-rule Kattegat?

Lagertha’s response that she has been dreaming of taking back her home seems completely out of sync with what Aslaug has previously stated. Why would Lagertha respond to Aslaug’s denial that she “stole” Ragnar by stating what her long-held dream is? It does not add up, nor does Aslaug subsequently throwing a sword on the ground. These sequences were likely spliced together.

Will Aslaug fight Lagertha, or will she concede? Does Aslaug even have the power to do that? If Lagertha makes herself the Queen of Kattegat, what would that mean for her and Ragnar? He is still the King of Kattegat.

No. 3 – Ragnar’s “strategy”

When King Ecbert (Linus Roache) asks why it has taken Ragnar so long to return for his revenge, Ragnar responds that it is part of a “larger and bolder strategy.” Ecbert then responds that Ragnar is the “most dangerous man” on earth. He is then shown opening up the door to the cage, that has Ragnar inside. Ragnar pokes his head out, as Ecbert appears to brace himself.

What is Ragnar’s strategy? Is he finally giving insight into another one of his bizarre plans? When it comes to Ragnar Lothbrok, nothing is ever straight forward. He has shown a tendency in past seasons to keep his enemies (and the audience) looking one way, while he does something in another. Given that this appears to be the final chapter in Ragnar’s story, it is hard to imagine that he could have anything else up his sleeve, except how he wants his death to go down.

According to historical legend, Ragnar will meet his end in a snake pit, courtesy of King Aelle (Ivan Kaye). King Ecbert’s son is married to King Aelle’s daughter, Judith (Jennie Jacques). Viewers saw Judith for the first time inVikings Season 4, in Episode 13.

Will Ecbert hand over Ragnar to Aelle, and if so, for what purpose? Ecbert, like Ragnar, never does anything without a long-term strategy. Will Ecbert call in Aelle to deal with Ragnar in Episode 14? We will have to wait and see. Episode 14 of Vikings Season 4 airs Wednesday at 9/8c on the History Channel.

[Featured Image by History Channel]