Episode 4 of Vikings: Valhalla Season 3 ignites with a somber spectacle: Jomsborg ablaze as its inhabitants bid farewell to their departed, a pyre of loss and sacrifice. Magnus' spy returns with grim tidings—more than half of their enemies have vanished, a beacon of hope igniting Magnus' resolve. With weapons gleaming, he and his men steel themselves for the impending assault.
In Constantinople, a game of cat and mouse unfolds as Harald navigates the labyrinthine corridors, narrowly evading the wrath of General Maniakes, who seeks to provoke a confrontation. Amidst his efforts to replenish the ranks of the Varangians, Zoe's sudden appearance disrupts his plans, her invitation to escort her a veiled seduction. As they retreat to the shadows, Zoe's advances leave Harald wary yet intrigued, their liaison heating up just as Romanos' formidable presence looms. Kaynas's blaring announcement of the Emperor's arrival jolts Harald and Zoe from their embrace, Zoe reveling in the thrill of almost being caught, Harald's nerves frayed. After Romanos's departure, Kaynas's cautionary words fall on deaf ears, Harald dismissing his concerns.
Meanwhile, Leif's journey leads him to Corfu, where a grim tableau unfolds—raiders laying siege to a helpless nun. Leif springs to her aid, only to be halted by her compassion for a youthful assailant. She, Tamar, a woman of unyielding spirit, treats her own wound with stoicism, quenching her thirst with ale, baffling Leif. As she introduces herself and enlists his aid in constructing a sanctuary, Leif finds himself both amused and compelled to lend a hand.
Returning to Jomsborg, Magnus strides into the eerily quiet village, a smug grin playing on his lips at the apparent emptiness. His men soon uncover Freydis, disguised as an ailing villager, her guile leading them to the Valley of the Dead, a supposed final resting place. The group trudges through the forest's depths, unaware of the web of deceit spun around them. A select few remain behind, guarding the boats, oblivious to the impending betrayal.
But this is no ordinary graveyard visit; it's a carefully crafted trap. The villagers, concealed within the funeral pyres, spring into action, neutralizing the guards and seizing control of the vessels. By the time Magnus and his warriors reach the so-called "grave," they're confronted with a mocking skeleton and a Latin tombstone, a scathing epitaph mocking their folly. Realization dawns too late, as Freydis slips through their grasp, leaving Magnus to grapple with the depths of his own deceit.
As Magnus' men futilely chased the fleeing villagers, he relentlessly pursued Freydis, only to be thwarted by a cunning second trap, effectively sealing off his men's path to the boats. Amidst Magnus' distraction, Freydis seized the opportunity, slipping away to reunite with her fellow villagers. Stranded and agitated in Jomsborg, Magnus and his men watched helplessly as the villagers embarked on a quest for a fresh start.
Elsewhere, Leif and Tamar engaged in a soulful exchange, each baring their deepest secrets. Leif recounted how he and his father had miraculously survived a tempestuous storm, only to glimpse a fabled horizon dotted with unfamiliar trees—a vision that vanished before his father's eyes, leaving Leif to ponder the veracity of his memory and yearn for the mapmaker of Corfu who might lead him to that elusive land.
Tamar's tale was no less poignant. She spoke of a life shattered by tragedy; married to a mason, her world crumbled when their village fell victim to a raid. In a desperate attempt to silence her infant's cries, she made a fateful decision that haunted her ever since. Ostracized by both her husband and community, she was forced to flee. Leif's gentle inquiry about divine forgiveness met with Tamar's firm belief that, though her God had helped her find solace within, absolution remained a personal journey. Just then, a youthful raider, unbidden, snatched Leif's horse and vanished into the distance.
In Denmark, the midsummer revelry resumed, with Forkbeard's triumphant return stealing the spotlight. Godwin, with the weight of important news on his shoulders, revealed that the Pope's blessing had averted further Wendish aggression, as they shared a common faith. The conversation then shifted to Harefoot's aspirations, with Forkbeard chastising him for his inability to foresee the Wendish threat, emphasizing that true kingship demanded both strength and wisdom.
Meanwhile, Canute continued to bask in Forkbeard's approval, having forged a treaty with Edward that underscored his diplomatic prowess. He eloquently argued that kingship was not merely an inheritance but a forging of one's own destiny, subtly hinting at Edward's potential ascendancy. Moreover, he graciously absolved Emma of any blame for her actions, recognizing that her decision to send him away had been borne out of love and concern for his safety.
Edward stands perplexed, his mind gradually unraveling the threads of truth embedded in the revelation. As Emma and Canute bid farewell, a warmth unfurls within Edward, a testament to the shifting tides of emotion. Yet, Canute's surprise knows no bounds when William presents him with a meticulous carving of Thor, a gesture that acknowledges his Viking heritage. Before departing, Canute bestows upon him his blade, a symbol of brotherhood and respect.
Meanwhile, in the distant shores of Constantinople, Prince Yaroslav, Harald's uncle, returns with a familiar plea—an army to confront the menacing Pechenegs. General Maniakes' hands are tied, offering a mere 2000 soldiers, but Harald, ever the eager warrior, offers to augment their ranks with 2000 of his Varangian Guard, dreaming of leading them back to his homeland. However, Romanos' decree shatters those aspirations, declaring Harald's indispensable presence in the heart of the empire.
Left to ponder, Yaroslav wonders aloud why Harald lingers in Constantinople, his coffers now overflowing with enough gold to raise armies fivefold. He brings Harald up to speed on Freydis's rise to power, her hand stained with Olaf's blood, her reign over Jomsborg, and the son she bears. Harald, seemingly lost in thought, echoes Zoe's words, seeing himself as the empire's second pillar, oblivious to Yaroslav's warning—lest he forgets his true north (Norway) in pursuit of his desires (Zoe and Constantinople).
In Corfu, Leif's heart heavy, he regrets not ending the life of the young raider who returned with his sister, his intentions pure, a search for familial solace. The siblings' offer to lend a hand in the church's construction underscores Tamar's wisdom in fostering kindness. With ample assistance to complete the sacred space, Leif sets out on a quest, his destination: the mapmaker.
As Vikings: Valhalla Season 3 Episode 4 draws to a close, Harald's gaze, fixed on the vast expanse of the sea, clutches Leif's compass, a symbol of exploration and the uncharted paths yet to be traversed.
