Vikings
Season 4 Episode 3: “Mercy”
Directed by Ciaran Donnelly
Written and created by Michael Hirst
Starring Travis Fimmel, Clive Standen, Katheryn Winnick, Alexander Ludwig, Gustaf Skarsgard, Ben Robson, Maude Hirst, Morgane Polanski, Lothaire Bluteau, Linus Roache, Jennie Jacques, Moe Dunford, Alyssa Sutherland, Amy Bailey
The History Channel
Air Date: Thursday, March 3rd, 2016, 10:00pm

Last week on Vikings, Aethelwulf (Moe Dunford) led a mission to stamp down the Mercia rebellion and rescue Queen Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey). King Ecbert (Linus Roache) really didn’t care about her. He just wanted her boy, Magnus (Lothbrok?), saved. While husband’s away, the cat Judith (Jennie Jacques) will play… artist by defying gender bias (with Ecbert’s help), and study art with Athelstan’s doppelganger. Ecbert made her so happy. Rollo mimed war strategy with Count Odo (Owen Roe). Count Odo is secretly plotting against the Emperor and Princess (Lothaire Bluteau and Morgane Polanski). His confidante mistress is secretly plotting with someone else against Count Odo. Rollo (Clive Standen) is so out of his league. He tries a makeover to please Princess Gisla who laughs at him. Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) escapes and the kids find him. He is strung up with water torture. Bjorn tries to survive in the snowy wilderness. Ragnar pities Helga (Travis Fimmel and Maude Hirst), and helps her bury her child.

Many spoilers below!!!

Vikings 4.3 “Mercy” review: I guess the Chinese were not the only ones who used water torture, as Floki knows quite well. Helga is a good wife.

Man! I love Kalf (Ben Robson). He loves Lagertha (Kathryn Winnick). Can’t blame him, but Lagertha is torn. Is he still plotting though? What does he really need the Berserker for? They growl with axes. The clip below shows you.

Rollo is so confused with Christian rituals. Gisla humiliates him once again in public. The Emperor wants Odo to get him back. Rollo wants a teacher and Odo will get him one. The French lessons are adorable, but he loses his temper, as expected.

Bjorn is setting traps but something is eating the kills. He follows the bloody tracks and sees a bear. He also has quite the wild night – you’ll see. We already know he has a “Revenant” moment. Ragnar has the freakiest vision. I was as unnerved as he.

Judith is learning her art, and asking about Ragnar and Athelstan. the young monk tells her of the siege of Paris, which she relays to Ecbert. They become lovers again.

The trip back to Wessex is dangerous for all. Aethelwulf is tender towards Kwenthrith. They will probably pick up where they left off.

One more spoiler warning! You should stop reading right now! Here is a pic to separate the spoiler!

Ragnar and Ecbert have magical Aethulstan (George Blagden) visions. Ragnar’s says “Mercy” thrice. We know who the “mercy” is intended for. Will Ragnar listen? Ecbert sees him make the sign of the cross. Both are distraught when Aethelstan disappears. Ecbert thinks it means he is dead.

The last 60 seconds of the episode are bananas.

This episode was packed with five different storyline threads (Rollo and the French, Wessex, Bjorn, Lagertha and Kalf, and Ragnar in Kattegat), and it never felt like too much. It left me wanting more. That is clever writing and wonderful acting. I really feel like I’m witnessing art with this show (fun, compelling, bloody art).

Vikings airs Thursday nights at 10pm ET on The History Channel.

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Vikings: Exclusive Season 4 Episode 3 Preview | History

Watch this exclusive preview for Season 4 Episode 3 and be sure to tune in Thursdays 10/9c to watch Season 4 #Vikings