A sequel to the History Channel’s popular ‘Vikings’ series, ‘Vikings: Valhalla’ is a historical drama action-adventure series set in a pivotal period of Scandinavian and British history. One hundred years after the days of Ragnar Lothbrok, Lagertha and Bjorn Ironside, the ancient pagan faith is gradually dying and being replaced by Christianity.
The show follows the adventures of Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett), Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson), Harald Hardrada (Leo Suter) and others in the twilight of the Viking Age. Historically, many characters on the show never really meet, and the timing of some things seems distinctly off, but that’s the fictional aspect of the show. Here’s everything you need to know about the ‘Vikings: Valhalla’ Season 1 ending. SPOILERS TO FOLLOW.
Vikings: Valhalla Season 1 Recap
In the 11th century, many people from northern Europe left their native land and settled in other parts of the continent. A number of colonies sprung up in England, including one named Danelaw, not far from London. The existence of these settlements made the local Saxon population uneasy, and King Aethelred II of England was convinced by his nobles to take care of the “Viking problem”. The Saxons massacre the inhabitants of Danelaw on the day of Saint Brice. Harald, who has visited his brother, barely manages to escape with his life. He returns and helps King Canute of Denmark gather a massive army for an invasion of England.
Meanwhile, Leif, his sister Freydis and their friends brave a storm to reach Kattegat from Greenland. Like the army that gathers around them, they too are there in search of revenge, but of a different kind. Some time ago a Christian raped Freydis and left a cross on her back. Initially, the show implies that the man responsible is Olaf Haraldsson (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson), Harald’s half-brother. As Olaf helped Aethelred build London’s defenses, he’s set to play an important role in Canute’s invasion. In the end, a close associate of Olaf, Gunnar Magnusson, is revealed to be the rapist.
Freydis kills Gunnar in the main hall of Jarl Haakon (Caroline Henderson), a great Viking warrior of African descent. Harald, who is developing romantic feelings for Freydis, convinces Jarl Haakon and Canute to have Leif fight for the Viking cause so his sister can live, thus saving Freydis from certain execution. Harald knows that Leif has successfully piloted his ship through a tumultuous storm and is an exceptional fighter. His arrival in the Viking army can only be a good thing. And he’s right.
By the time the Vikings arrive on English shores, Aethelred is on his deathbed and is expected to be replaced by his inexperienced young son, Edmund. Aethelred’s queen, Emma of Normandy (Laura Berlin), supports the English defences. Godwin, a trusted and ambitious adviser to Aethelred, helps him. Leif nearly died in a skirmish. He has a vision of a young girl putting a cross in her hands as he is about to die. Harald arrives and saves her life. But after this incident, a transition begins to occur in Leif’s faith.
Shortly after Aethelred’s death, London fell to the Vikings. Leif plays a pivotal role in his people’s victory and is hailed as a hero. It is then that Canute reveals his real plans. He proclaims himself King of England. He tells his people that he will rule alongside Edmund and begins an affair with Emma.
Meanwhile, Olaf returns to the North and tells Ælfgifu (Pollyanna McIntosh), Canute’s first wife, about what’s going on. This prompts Canute to marry Emma and return to Denmark. In his absence, his father, Sweyn Forkbeard, took over England. While his brother is busy fighting in England, Freydis visits the famous Uppsala temple. There she meets a mysterious seer, who tells her that she will be “the last”, possibly implying that she will be the last of the Vikings.
In the Season 1 finale, titled “The End of the Beginning”, Leif and Freydis, once again reunited, face an attack on Kattegat by Olaf and his forces. In England, Ælfgifu gets the better of Forkbeard and Emma, seemingly forcing the latter back to Normandy.
Vikings: Valhalla Season 1 Ending: Does Harald Betray Freydis and Kattegat?
Olaf wants to be king of all Norway, but the existence of a powerful Kattegat under Jarl Haakon proves to be an obstacle. He joins forces with the fanatic Jarl Kåre, who destroys the Uppsala temple and leads a vendetta against Freydis and attacks Kattegat. Harald also wants to be King of Norway. Back from England, he resumes his relationship with Freydis and agrees to fight for Kattegat.
However, in the penultimate episode of the season, he leaves Kattegat and reunites with Olaf. As revealed in the season finale, this was all a ruse. He never intended to betray Leif and Freydis. During a parliament, he transmits the plans of his half-brother to the defenders of Kattegat. However, Olaf saw through his act and gave him false information.
Does Kattegat fall?
Yes, Kattegat falls. Olaf tells Harald, Kåre and the others that he will attack Kattegat from the sea during the Wolf Moon when the high tides carry the ships over the city defenses. Meanwhile, Kåre will attack from land. Together they will crush the Kattegat between two great forces. However, during the battle, Harald finds out that was not the real plan. Olaf understood that Harald was not switching sides and would find a way to pass on what he had learned to Leif and Freydis. Moreover, he had to get rid of Kåre, who was completely mad.
The Kattegat divides its forces to wage war on both fronts. Kåre and his soldiers attack the walls of Kattegat. The fanatical warlord is eventually killed by Freydis. Olaf moves in after him and takes over the important city, fulfilling his dream and becoming King of Norway. However, it wasn’t supposed to last long. In England, Emma and Forkbeard work together and wrest control of the Danish navy from Ælfgifu.
Forkbeard then takes the fleet and goes to Kattegat to punish the traitors. He arrives just after Olaf and his soldiers have taken over the city. Realizing what is happening, Olaf’s soldiers abandon him. Soon, he has no choice but to leave too. His attack on Kattegat ends up making things worse for him. With Canute and his family now in control of Kattegat, their aspiration to establish a North Sea empire has become a reality, and Olaf likely has to go into hiding.
Is Liv dead? Will Leif kill Canute’s son, Svein?
Yes, Liv is dead. The relationship between Liv and Leif parallels that between Harald and Freydis. She is the only Greenlander who returns from England alive apart from Leif. She is aware of her recent interest in Christianity and doesn’t seem to know how to respond to it. Liv is mortally wounded defending Kattegat. She asks Leif to promise her that he will join her in Valhalla, hoping that he will not abandon his gods. However, she dies before he can respond.
Liv’s death and ensuing onslaught of grief turn Leif into a berserker. He kills several enemy soldiers who were trying to rape two women. Forkbeard brought two of his grandchildren with him. One of them, Svein, sees a woman coming out of a shed and goes to inspect, meeting Leif. At the end of the episode, it looks like Leif will kill Canute’s son.
Leif has never met Svein, so he has no idea who he is. However, that doesn’t mean he’ll kill an unfortunate young boy. Cliffhangers usually serve as a hook to keep audiences interested in the next episode or season. The first season of “Vikings: Valhalla” is no exception. In Season 2, Svein will likely survive the encounter, and Leif may go in search of his sister, who left Kattegat with Harald.
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