Episode 8 of Vikings: Valhalla Season 3 commences with Leif stealthily infiltrating Magnus' camp, fueled by a fiery determination to avenge Freydis' perceived fate. As he lurks in the shadows, preparing to strike, his path is abruptly blocked by none other than Harald, the prince returned with a vengeance and now firmly entrenched in the hearts of the Jarls, who deem Magnus' youth a liability for Norway's throne.
The two old adversaries find themselves in an unlikely alliance, their shared quest for Freydis' justice uniting them in a plan to eliminate Magnus. Yet, fate had other designs in store, as Freydis, alive and vibrant, reveals herself in the heart of Kattegat, reuniting with Aelfgifu in a heartwarming embrace. The Queen whispers of Leif's impending voyage to the Golden Land, a promise of a new world beyond the seas, and urges Freydis to bide her time in Kattegat, lest she miss the sight of her beloved's return.
Meanwhile, Svein's hunt for Magnus takes a dark turn as he corners the king, vulnerable and alone in the waters. But Magnus' cunning proves his ally, as his men, swayed by promises of loyalty, turn on Svein, ending his pursuit in a swift and treacherous betrayal. Magnus, now emboldened, sets his sights on Kattegat, where he strikes a devastating blow—murdering Aelfgifu, whose dying curse echoes through the halls.
As Magnus' wrath extends to Svein's pregnant wife, she plays a desperate game of survival, offering a cunning bargain. She lures Freydis into a trap, where Magnus and his men close in for the capture, turning the tables on the once-fugitive queen.
In a distant realm, Canute's life ebbs away, his Earls pledging their allegiance to Emma as England's next ruler. On his deathbed, the king reveals a long-held secret: his awareness of Godwin's ambition and the cunning marriage alliance forged to bind him to Gytha, Canute's niece, a chain meant to secure Godwin's loyalty. With his final breath, Canute prophesies that Godwin's offspring may one day reign, but only if they uphold Emma's authority.
Godwin acquiesces, yet whispers to Emma the truth—that her sole rule will face resistance. Together, they devise a strategy, bringing Emma's eldest son, Edward, to the forefront, a unifying figure to rally support. Emma will govern through regency, a delicate balance of power and tradition, as Canute's spirit is honored with both a solemn Christian ceremony and a grand Viking funeral, a testament to his life straddling two worlds.
As Emma anxiously anticipated the arrival of Edward, her heart sank to see that the prince who materialized was none other than Harald Harefoot, the second son of Canute and Aelfgifu, a revelation that stunned her to silence. It transpired that Edward's intended visit had been thwarted by Godwin's ineptitude in relaying the message. Moreover, Emma was taken aback to discover that Godwin had already convened the council and secured their signatures, endorsing Harefoot as the ruler of England. Swiftly, Emma adapted her demeanor, donning a demure facade as she gracefully took Harefoot's hand, leaving Godwin uneasy yet reluctantly acquiescing when Harefoot requested a private audience with Emma.
In Kattegat, where the Jarls convened, Magnus disclosed a solemn oath sworn by Forkbeard, bequeathing him the throne of Norway upon his demise. However, Harald and Leif's entrance disrupted the calm, revealing an earlier pact among the Jarls, predating Forkbeard's oath, which promised Harald the kingship following Olaf's passing. The chamber erupted into a divide, with the devout Christians rallying behind Magnus and the rest aligning with Harald. Eventually, a compromise was struck: Magnus and Harald would reign as co-kings. Yet, as a gesture of trust, Magnus demanded that Harald immolate Freydis, the pagan, as a testament to their agreement. Harald and Leif were astounded not only by her survival but also by Harald's unexpected acquiescence to Magnus's cruel condition.
Determined to save his sister, Leif concocted a daring plan, enlisting the aid of Magnus's priest and Harald. As Freydis was led to the pyre, she invoked the ancient gods, her voice echoing through the air. Leif, seizing the moment, stealthily ignited the square with the gunpowder he had cunningly crafted in Syracuse, fostering an illusion of divine intervention. Amidst the chaos, Leif set the pyre alight while his men spirited Freydis away, leaving the spectators to believe she had vanished in the flames. The locals hailed the intervention of the old gods, while Magnus found himself bewildered by the turn of events.
Erik's wife persists in the icy silence, a silent rebuke for his actions: imprisoning their daughter Freydis and abducting their grandson, Little Harald. Erik, in an attempt to soothe, divulges that the Kalallit hold no ill will towards Little Harald, for he is one of their own, bound by blood. He extends forgiveness for her liberation of Freydis, but she, her voice laced with resentment, rejects it, making it clear that her heart remains unforgiving. Moreover, she is aware of Erik's sinister scheme, dispatching Lang, a treacherous Greenlander, to trail Stigr, who dares to venture into their midst to rescue Little Harald.
Stigr, braving the treacherous path, arrives at the threshold of a Kalallit settlement only to confront Lang in a fierce clash. The Greenlander falls, slain by Stigr's hand, yet the victor emerges scarred. In a twist of fate, Little Harald and the Kalallit come to Stigr's aid, offering solace amidst his wounds.
Freydis' heart aches as Harald and Leif intervene, preventing her from taking Magnus's life. Harald, with a plea for trust, urges her to relent. Amidst this emotional turmoil, the trio realizes that their paths diverge, each destined for a unique journey. Freydis and Leif devise a plan to reclaim the Jomsvikings and Little Harald from the frosty shores of Greenland, their sights set on the Golden Land. Harald, his heart heavy with thoughts of his son, bids Freydis farewell, hoping that one day their paths will cross again. Their embrace, filled with a mixture of sorrow and hope, lingers as Freydis departs with Leif.
Meanwhile, Harald returns to Kattegat, his authority as king unchallenged. With the might of his kingdom and the weight of gold at his disposal, he commands his men to apprehend Magnus. In the closing moments of Vikings: Valhalla Season 3 Episode 8, the Jarls, bowing to Harald's will, proclaim him Harald Hardrada—a name that echoes his stern rule and unwavering strength.
