Episode 4 of Vikings: Valhalla commences with Leif jolting awake amidst a grim expanse of lifeless bodies, a stark reminder of the carnage that precedes him. As fleeting images of a colossal battle dance across the canvas of his memory, the narrative rewinds a day, immersing us in a huddle of Vikings strategizing for their impending confrontation.
Harald, his eyes set on precision, advocates targeting Edmund rather than London's sprawling metropolis, leveraging attack towers and a formidable bridge as their tactical cornerstone. Leif, whose cunning mind concocted this very strategy, envisions exploiting the drawbridge's Achilles' heel. The Vikings must anticipate the tide's turn, positioning their warriors with meticulous care, harnessing boats as deadly weapons to undermine the bridge's very foundations.
Leif's bold proposal—to dedicate three of their finest vessels to this daring endeavor—initially meets with Olaf's disdainful sneer and Canute's reluctance to embark on such a perilous path. Yet, as the veil of night descends, Canute finds himself drawn to Leif's side, where a heart-to-heart discussion reveals Leif's unwavering commitment to the welfare of his comrades, transcending personal glory or the Viking legacy. This sincerity resonates deeply within Canute, swaying him to sanction the plan.
Meanwhile, Edmund rides forth, his destination Eadric Streona, where a web of negotiations unfolds. Eadric seeks to shoulder the weight of defending against the Viking horde, but Edmund's aspirations run deeper. He barters Mercia's independence or, at the very least, a doubling of their territorial holdings, as the price for his allegiance. Emma, witnessing this exchange, silently seethes.
As the sun surrenders to the night's embrace, Leif and his band of warriors embark on a clandestine odyssey upstream, their paddle-boards slicing through the water like silent predators. They swiftly neutralize the guardhouse, then transition seamlessly to rowing boats, their ranks concealed beneath tarps. Driven by steely resolve, the soldiers press forward, each stroke of the oars propelling them closer to the bridge, where their cunning plan awaits its moment to unfold.
Simultaneously, Canute and his Viking comrades bide their time meticulously, like predators stalking their prey, preparing for the decisive strike. As the veil of night lifts, revealing the dawn's first light, the Vikings spring into action. Olaf commands the sleek longboats, their crews poised for battle, while Canute rallies the ground forces with a fierce determination.
With a calculated move, Canute advances upon the English lines, waving a white flag of truce, a mere facade to lure the soldiers into a false sense of security. Unbeknownst to the unsuspecting English, Leif and his men stealthily chip away at the very foundations of their stronghold, their efforts hidden from plain sight.
The imminent arrival of Streona hangs heavily in the air, adding urgency to Canute's next gambit. He deliberately provokes Edmund, taunting him with the epithet "King Belyoa," a scathing insult that stirs Edmund's pride and fuels his anger. Emma and Godwin, desperate to avert conflict, plead in vain, but Edmund, blinded by rage, disregards their counsel and charges into battle, heedless of the lack of Mercian reinforcements.
From her vantage point atop the rooftops, Emma witnesses the unfolding drama with a heavy heart. As the Vikings, caught off guard by unexpected resistance, begin to withdraw, Canute orchestrates a tactical retreat, drawing Edmund and his men into a deadly trap. Emma, sensing the true nature of the attack, swiftly marshals the archers, preparing to unleash a barrage upon the Viking longboats.
Yet, it is a race against time, and Leif's cunning plan has already been set in motion. The archers' arrows, though swift and deadly, arrive too late to thwart the inevitable. The stage is set for a climactic confrontation, where cunning, bravery, and the will to survive will be tested to the utmost.
Utilizing archers harnessed with ropes, he cunningly strikes their shields, enabling them to propel away, thereby unraveling the very foundations of the bridge. As the pillars groan and crack, Leif pitches in with his axe, hacking furiously to expedite the collapse. Godwin gallops forth to confront Streona, relaying the news that Edmund has boldly challenged the Vikings in their own territory. Subsequently, he approaches Edmund, outlining their strategy, yet the Viking horde proves far more formidable than anticipated.
From the murky marshes, a horde of men and women emerge, mocking King Edmund as they seize the initiative, forcing the English into a desperate retreat. Ultimately, the bridge's foundations give way, and with a thunderous crash, the entire structure tumbles, stranding Edmund perilously outside the castle walls. The Vikings roar in triumph, Leif emerging as the sole Greenland survivor from beneath the ruins.
Witnessing the shattered bridge and the fragile state of the English, Streona prudently decides to withhold his attack, recognizing a more significant battle looming on the horizon. They opt to retreat to Mercia, while Canute triumphantly claims Edmund as his captive. Emma, secure within her towering fortress, watches as the Vikings hail Leif as their hero, their cheers echoing through the air.
