This week Ragnar, Lagertha, and Athelstan wrapped things up in Mercia/Wessex; and in Kattegat, Siggy’s suspicions of Harbard proved true. Photo stills and recap of Vikings season 3, episode 4, “Scarred,” which first aired Thursday, March 12 at 10:00pm ET|PT on HISTORY.
***SPOILER ALERT***
“Scarred” began in Kattegat with Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) trying to calm a distressed Baby Ivar. She called for Harbard (Kevin Durand), and just like last week, he was able to remove Ivar’s pain until he slept. While Aslaug was thankful, Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig) was still extremely suspicious. Over and over again she asked Harbard to reveal who he truly was…was he a god? But Harbard denied it and walked away.
Later on, Aslaug donned her cloak and was (secretly) going to meet Harbard. Siggy implored Aslaug to stay with her children. Furthermore, Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) left Aslaug in charge of things while he was away—she shouldn’t abandon her responsibilities. Siggy even tried to physically restrain Aslaug, but she left anyway. As Aslaug and Harbard were walking together, he told her a story of being forced to bed a beautiful nymphomaniac named Astrid. He was sure that she bore his son, Olaf, who was now Grand Duke of Kiev and Russia. Aslaug thanked Harbard again for helping Ivar and he said that he would always help someone who was suffering. Furthermore, he saw that Aslaug was suffering because Ragnar didn’t love her anymore. At this point they entered a cabin; Harbard removed him clothes and asked that Aslaug do the same. They then had sex.
Sexy times were also happening in Wessex—Athelstan (George Blagden) and Judith (Jennie Jacques) were finally together and she expressed being glad of it. Athelstan then declared his love for Judith. Ecbert (Linus Roache) and Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) were also sleeping together and perhaps things were getting more serious on his side. He asked her to stay in Wessex with the settlement, even if Ragnar returned to Kattegat. But Lagertha was adamant that she had to go back to Hederby and assume her Earlship. She had fun with Ecbert, but knew that the only person he could really care for was himself.
Speaking of Hederby, Einar (Steve Wall) came to Kalf (Ben Robson) and he was concerned about when Lagertha returned. Wouldn’t she and all the able-bodied warriors she brought restore her as Earl? But Kalf wasn’t worried. In fact, he said someone would be arriving to help them soon.
In Mercia, Ragnar and Aethelwulf (David Murray) were preparing the soldiers to return to Wessex after successfully seizing the Mercia. Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) was attempting to care for Porunn (Gaia Weiss)—though her face was badly scarred she was conscious.
Elsewhere, Aethelwulf tried to make friends with Rollo (Clive Standen) and Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård). He came to them speaking the Viking language as a gesture of that friendship and well-wishes. As for Floki, he was becoming more and more upset. He questioned if Rollo was still loyal to the gods or was he now also a Christian? But like Ragnar, Rollo believed that the best way forward was to make a peaceful alliance.
Ragnar was resting and trying to deal with the pain from the wound he suffered. Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey) came to offer her help to make him feel better…and ended up urinating on Ragnar (ooooooookay). It seemed Ragnar took this as an invitation to offer Kwenthrith some advice about her brother, that in fact Burgred’s (Aaron Monaghan) weakness would be her downfall. Kwenthrith may or may not have agreed with this, but she was definitely weary of Ecbert and being his puppet in Mercia.
Kwethrith and Burgred would be co-regents together. However, as they were talking, Burgred was scared that Ecbert would have him killed for being a traitor. Kwenthrith assured him that Ragnar and the Northmen would protect them. But didn’t this mean they were just prisoners and puppets for Ecbert and Ragnar? According to Kwenthrith, it was better to be prisoners than dead.
As they all sailed back to Wessex, Bjorn assured Floki that he did not blame his father for Porunn getting hurt in battle. Incidentally, Ragnar and Rollo had a conversation about Floki’s anger at the alliance with the Christians. Ragnar emphasized that there was nothing wrong with his ambition and would have no problem facing Odin one day in Valhalla.
Back in Kattegat, Aslaug was still gone and and her boys were asking for her. Siggy tried to put things in a positive light by saying their mother went to Harbard for Ivar’s sake. The boys continued whispering to one another and then ran off. For some reason, Siggy was frightened and took off after them. She went looking through the woods and eventually found the boys walking across the frozen lake. Siggy called out to them, begging them to turn around, but the boys kept walking. Unfortunately the ice cracked and the boys went under. Siggy chased after them and dove into the water to try and save them. When she came up for air, she saw her dead daughter smiling at her in encouragement. Siggy dove back into the water and was able to save the boys. When she came back up Harbard was actually there. Siggy slipped back into the water and died…
Ecbert welcomed Aethelwulf and the Northmen back to Wessex. He took it upon himself to reunite his son and Judith by saying his wife had missed him (*sideeyes Athelstan*). Kwenthrith introduced Burgred. When he begged for mercy, Ecbert assured Burgred that he was welcome. As Ragnar arrived he was also welcomed as an equal. Ragnar inquired about the settlement, and Lagertha told him that the first harvest went well and Ecbert had promised them protection. It seemed Ragnar could perceive how well Lagertha and Ecbert were getting on and perhaps was even jealous…
As the celebration feast ensued, Bjorn bowed out to see to Porunn, who was being looked after by physicians. She was awake and joked (maybe) about Bjorn not wanting to marry her anymore. But he quickly contradicted her statement.
Ecbert reached out to Athelstan and Lagertha (again), imploring them to stay in Wessex. Athelstan said that he would have to discuss those plans with Ragnar. The Ragnar/Athelstan bromance was intact, and as they talked with one another, Athelstan confessed to Ragnar about Judith. Later, Athelstan and Judith stole away from the party to talk and she begged him not to leave…unfortunately, Aethelwulf overheard…
Ragnar and Ecbert also chatted—as kings overlooking their domain, they reaffirmed their alliance…
“You and I, we understand each other.” Yes, they understood that they were both good men, but also corrupt men.
Outside, Rollo came upon Floki who was talking to the gods. Floki told Rollo that the gods were angry and soon the day might come where there would have to choose between the gods and Ragnar. Inside, Athelstan told Ecbert that his future lay with Ragnar, but Ecbert expressed how he thought it was a bad decision; Lagertha assured Rollo that she had nothing to worry about in Hederby. She left Kalf in charge and he would do right by her because he wasn’t an ambitious man. But Rollo were doubtful…all men were ambitious.
At this point, we flashed to Hederby because Kalf’s guests had arrived…and it was Horik’s son, Erlendur (Edvin Endre)! He had arrived with Jarl Borg’s widow (who he had now married) and Jarl Borg’s heir. Together they would take down the Lothbroks.
Back in Wessex, Kwethrith had called together Ecbert, Ragnar, Lagertha, and others for a toast. She expressed being free on her anger and that they should all drink to the alliance. Burgred drank first…but his wine was poisoned. As Burgred died, Kewnthrith held his hand, and she seems remorseful. But her ambition was more important…Kwenthrith was now the sole and only ruler of Mercia. The group toasted the queen by dumping their wine on the floor.
Finally, in Kattegat, Aslaug was now weary of Harbard. It didn’t matter because he said it was time to leave. Ivar would not suffer anymore and Siggy was happy in Valhalla. Aslaug asked Harbard one more time who he was, and he responded that he was just a wanderer. He walked away and Helga (Maude Hirst) watched as Harbard disappeared into the mist.
If you missed the episode on Thursday, “Scarred” will be re-airing on HISTORY at the following times:
March 18, 2015, 11:03 – 12:01AM ET
March 19, 2015, 3:04 – 4:02AM ET
March 21, 2015, 11:00 – 11:58AM ET
March 26, 2015, 10:00 – 10:58AM ET
You can also watch online HERE, OnDemand, or on the Vikings app.
Make sure to get ready for next week’s episode “The Usurper” with the preview below: