The fifth episode of Vikings: Valhalla's sophomore season commences with Freydis poised on the cusp of motherhood, her determination etched on her face as she ventures out of the Temple's sanctity, politely yet firmly declining the assistance proffered by the concerned women and vigilant guards. She chooses solitude, embracing the presence of the divine as she embarks on this sacred journey alone. Amidst the serene embrace of the Gods, Freydis triumphantly brings forth life, naming her newborn son Harald with a profound sense of purpose.
Meanwhile, aboard their vessel bound for Constantinople, Mariam's gentle guidance illuminates Leif's path towards literacy, their shared pursuit temporarily interrupting the relentless march of the sea. Yet, fate intervenes with a broken rudder, necessitating a metal band to mend their course. This unforeseen detour leads them to Kodak, a once bustling market now reduced to a desolate shell, its tools scattered amidst the ruins offering a glimmer of hope for Leif and Harald. As they toil to restore the boat, Leif's revelation of Freydis's long-concealed pregnancy sows discord within Harald's heart, who resents the deception.
While they labor in obscurity, an uninvited guest arrives, casting an ominous shadow over their endeavors. Baggi, a man with more than meets the eye, queries their destination before dropping a bombshell: Kurya's true identity as the Khan's elusive brother, his head adorned with a hefty bounty. This revelation ignites Gestr's greed, the slave master's eyes glinting with the promise of untold riches, a temptation that threatens to unravel their fragile alliance.
In a far-flung corner of the realm, London stands silent witness to Emma's anguished prayers, beseeching the Gods for absolution for the life she took—Aelfwynn's screams echoing relentlessly within her tormented soul. The weight of guilt bears heavily upon her, and Godwin too grieves, his sorrow mirrored in the stillness of the air. Amidst this melancholy, Princess Gytha arrives, a bouquet of flowers in hand, offering solace to the Earl in his time of sorrow, her words of comfort a balm to the wounded heart.
Returning to the foreboding halls of Jomsborg, Harekr makes a brazen entrance, forcibly breaching the sanctity of the temple. With ruthless efficiency, he seizes Freydis' cherished knife and seizes her by the throat, usurping the innocent babe into his grasp. Freydis, feeble from exhaustion, struggles futilely against his grip, her strength no match for his resolve. Harekr declares the child his own, a "scion of the Chosen One," destined to forge a legacy in Jomsborg.
Jorundr's heart sinks at this turn of events, particularly when his father, in a rousing address to the assembled throng, divulges Freydis' dire condition, casting doubt on her survival. It feels as if he's been marginalized within the hierarchy's intricate web.
Eventually, compelled by duty, Jorundr confronts his father once more, who tasks him with a grim mission: to eliminate Freydis, a testament to his worth. Harekr views her as a looming threat, her power and sway over the displaced populace a threat to Jomsborg's stability. With Freydis gone, they would be rudderless, whereas Jomsborg could flourish anew with the babe as its beacon.
Jorundr, obeying the order, poisons Freydis' meal, then ventures to the temple, only to find himself ambushed by the resilient Freydis. Yet, in a moment of clarity, he warns her against consuming the tainted food, pledging to restore her son to her.
Back by the shore, the group devises a ruse, luring Baggi and his men back with promises of celebration, feigning the slave trader's demise. But their carefully woven plan unravels as reinforcements arrive, revealing Gestr's helpless form bound within the ship's hold. Baggi and his crew gain the upper hand, yet Elena's swift intervention with a necklace, a talisman granting safe passage to Constantinople, shifts the balance of power.
As tensions escalate, the tide turns dramatically with the triumphant return of Harald and Leif, armed with the rudder and a cache of weapons. The stage is set for a climactic confrontation, the fate of Jomsborg's future hanging in the balance.
With Baggi's demise, the slaves unleashed their fury upon Gestr, brutally stabbing him repeatedly in the neck, each taking their turn to claim their prize as they seized the boat for themselves. Meanwhile, Jorundr, cunningly concealing Freydis's life, wrapped her tightly in a vast shroud, feigning her death. He hoisted her onto a horse-drawn cart and fled, his heart racing with deceit.
But fate had other plans. As Jorundr's escape was underway, a foreboding sound echoed from the forest's depths, and to his dismay, it was Harekr, accompanied by his army of men, closing in like a pack of wolves. Harekr's eyes burned with knowledge of Jorundr's betrayal, and he was hellbent on eradicating both Jorundr and Freydis from existence.
Without hesitation, Harekr's fist collided with Jorundr's neck, sending him reeling in pain. As for Freydis, she found herself sequestered amidst the woods, her heart pounding as she crouched in hiding, little Harald safely ensconced in the cart, unaware of the looming danger.
