Episode 3 of Vikings: Valhalla Season 3 dawns with the triumphant return of the Byzantine army to Constantinople, igniting a citywide celebration. Yet, amidst the revelry, the spotlight shines brightest on the Varangians, their achievements earning accolades far and wide. Leif, however, remains aloof, his heart heavy with the memories of the Syracuse massacre, as he steals away to Mariam's chambers, where his womanly comfort fails to ease his troubled mind.
At the heart of the festivities, General Maniakes and Harald are awarded the pinnacle of honor by Empress Zoe—none other than the transformed Eleana. As the Dnieper crew reunites over the feast, whispers swirl about Leif's absence, while Harald's every conversation with Zoe draws Romanos' distrustful gaze. Zoe's relentless attempts to distract Harald from his Norse roots only fuel the simmering tension.
The narrative shifts to Normandy, a land ruled with an iron fist by the cunning and avaricious Walter, who serves merely as regent. The true sovereign, the 14-year-old Duke William, heir to Rollo's legacy and Emma's great-nephew, bides his time alongside Emma and the sons of Aethelred—Edward and Alfred. Their watchful guardian, Richard, Emma's own brother, stands steadfast.
Emma and Canute's arrival unveils a complex tapestry of alliances and resentments. Emma and Richard share an unbreakable bond, while Alfred clings to Emma's affection. Conversely, Edward harbors hatred for her perceived abandonment and Canute's seizure of his throne. Canute seeks to forge trade ties with Normandy, but Walter's obstinacy meets William's unwavering acquiescence. Emma chides William's deference, yet Richard perceives it as a calculated move, believing the young duke bides his time until he assumes full power the following year.
As the sun reached its zenith, Godwin arrived in Denmark amidst a festive frenzy celebrating the midsummer solstice. The carefree revelry and unabashed nudity took him by surprise, a stark contrast to his recent travails. Reunited with his beloved Gytha and their two sons, his joy was tempered by the absence of Forkbeard. Instead, he found Prince Harald Harefoot, Canute's son, looming large with ambitions of his own – to ascend the throne of England.
Godwin couldn't help but chuckle as he enumerated the long line of claimants preceding Harald: Edward, Alfred, Harefoot's own elder brother Svein, Canute himself, and even Harthacanute, Emma's eldest son. Yet, Harefoot's determination remained unshaken.
Fr etchedustration on his face, Godwin vented about Emma's machinations, essentially banishing him to deal with this power-hungry prince. Gytha, ever the diplomat, deftly steered the conversation away, but their moment of intimacy was shattered by the sudden attack of Wends upon their clearing.
In an instant, Gytha was seized, and Godwin's blood boiled as he fought his way through the chaos, his every blow fueled by a fierce determination to protect her. Together, they vanquished the invaders, emerging victorious and earning Harefoot's reluctant respect, acknowledging Godwin as an equal among men.
Meanwhile, in the labyrinthine depths of Constantinople, Harald was ushered through dimly lit tunnels and creaking doors, until he found himself face to face with Romanos' vast treasury. The Emperor granted him carte blanche, allowing him to take whatever he desired within an hour. Zoe, with a subtle wink, pressed a key into his hand, whispering that he could have it all if he so desired.
Emboldened by his newfound freedom, Harald indulged in an orgy of greed, hoarding treasures beyond measure, entrusting them to Kaysan for safekeeping. Kaysan, amused, teased that he had feared Romanos might imprison Harald for his secretive encounters with Zoe.
Their laughter soon gave way to a more sober conversation, as Harald sought out Leif, only to find him engaged in a heartbreaking ritual – burning all his books. Leif's confession revealed a soul lost in the quest for knowledge, haunted by a massacre he deemed his own doing. Seeking solace in the one place where he once knew himself, Leif bid a melancholic farewell to Harald, clutching an enigmatic map as he set sail into the unknown.
As the narrative unfolds, we witness a frail Freydis receiving a prophetic vision from the Seer, who declares her as the final daughter of Uppsala and whispers of a fresh haven for her people. Her strength slowly returns, only to be met with the ominous news that Magnus lurks perilously close to their shores, fueling whispers among the villagers that he is the very hand behind their poisoning. Freydis interprets her vision with clarity, recognizing that it's time to relinquish Jomgsburg and evade a futile conflict.
Meanwhile, Emma's heart heavy with longing, confides in Canute, lamenting the distance she's imposed between herself and her beloved children. She had sent them to Normandy, a sanctuary forged from love and concern, yet upon Canute's return, the thought of reuniting them never crossed her mind. She further divulges the reason for Edward's bitter resentment: her marriage to Canute was a choice rooted in affection, devoid of political expediency or the desperate grasp for survival.
Elsewhere, the tension between Edward and William simmers, with Edward relentlessly taunting his rival for bowing to Walter's might. However, the Duke's revelation to Richard that he is merely biding his time, serves as a testament to his cunning, validating Richard's assessment. Edward, emboldened by this insight, formulates a plan to mirror William's strategy, patiently waiting to seize the throne from Canute's grasp. The two young men forge a blood bond, sealing their pact to bide their time and reclaim what is rightfully theirs, with Alfred swearing his allegiance to their cause.
The final moments of Vikings: Valhalla Season 3 Episode 3 find Harald guided to a secluded cove, guarded by an enigmatic door. The key, slyly slipped to him by Zoe, unlocks the gateway, revealing her in a state of vulnerability and beauty. As she whispers that destinies, once etched in stone, can be rewritten, Harald responds with a tender smile, sealing her words with a kiss, acknowledging that perhaps his fate, once bound to Norway, may indeed take a new course.
