The Last Daughter of Uppsala – The show begins Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson) arriving at the healer’s hut, where Yrsa (Alfrun Laufeyjardotti) was mending from her battle injuries. She enters the hut to find Yrsa’s body hanging from the ceiling. After cutting the rope, she eases Yrsa’s body down into her arms. She questions who is responsible for the tragedy. The area is scattered with dead bodies. She rapidly approaches Jarl Kare (Asbjorn Krogh Nissen) with her knife drawn. She stops when she sees the baby in his arms. He identifies her as a girl, with a cross on her back, not a warrior.

As Kare stands, his men on horseback surround Freydis. She demands to know why he killed Yrsa and the others. He reminds her of how she killed his Berserker. She assures him they were only defending themselves during an attack. He refers to himself as “God’s arrow” before ordering his men to bring Freydis’ body to him. She yells no while pulling out her sword. He immediately orders his men to stop to question the sword’s origin. She claims a priest gave it to her Uppsala. He asks if she met The Seer (John Kavanagh) face-to-face. When she refuses to answer, he demands to know what The Seer called her. She says, “The Last.” Shocked, he tells her to identify herself. She tells him her name is Freydis. He issues her an order to take Jarl Estrid Haakon (Caroline Henderson) a message, “Jarl Kare is coming.” Freydis and shocked and relieved when Kare and his men depart.

London – Olaf Haraldsson (Johannes Haukur Johannesson) and other Vikings load their boats. Jarl Nori (Kenneth M. Christensen) wishes them well on their trip home. Olaf assures him he is okay with his decision to remain in London. They discuss King Canute (Bradley Freegrad) who is now the King of England. Nori warns him of what Canute will do once he finds out what he did. Shrugging off his concern, Olaf reminds him nearly half of Canute’s army is departing England. He asks Nori if he would be willing to fight against his homeland as part of England’s army. Nori says doesn’t think so.

Placing a King Aethelred coin in Harald Sigurdsson’s (Leo Suter) hand, Canute says King Aethelred’s (Bosco Hogan) head. Harald reminds him of why he really came to England. Canute says goodbye to Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett). He promises Harald to remember their agreement about him being the King of Norway. Harald asks Canute if he understands the gravity of being the King of England. Canute assures him his face will be on the coins when they meet next. Leif describes London as a “great city” as they pull out of the dock.

Earl Godwin (David Oakes) meets Canute to complain about his quarters. Canute says his request for nothing causes his trust concerns. Godwin suggests he give him an opportunity to earn his trust. Canute orders him to erect a gallows and find a hangman. He questions the purpose of his requests. Canute says there are 11 reasons that he already knows.

Ealdorman of Sussex (Mark Huberman), Ealdorman of Kent (Alan Devine), Ealdorman of Northumbria (Martin Philips), and Ealdorman of Sussex (Mark Huberman) are imprisoned.

Guards order the ealdormen to get up as the cell door opens to allow Godwin to enter. They are given an outfit of clothes from Canute. They ask about Edmund. He assures him Prince Edmund (Louis Davison) is alive. They are not keen on the idea of serving a Viking king. One of the ealdormen accuses him of kissing Canute’s ass like his father did when he was alive. Godwin suggests Leofric, the Ealdorman of Northumbria, be the first to meet Canute. When he tries to refuse the offer, a guard pulls him out of the cell.

Emma of Normandy (Laura Berlin) joins Canute on the castle roof. Thanking him for sparing Edmund’s life, she offers to repay him. He gives Emma her freedom. She asks where she would go. He suggests she go back to her home in Normandy. She informs him of how she arrived in England as a young girl and never wants to leave. He asks her to be his advisor. She asks which subject. He tells her of his plan to build an empire, stretching across the top of Europe. She suggests he need England’s wealth to succeed. He says yes.

Freydis arrives in Kattegat to speak with Haakon. She informs her about the Berserker attack.  Haakon asks how she escaped. She admits to utilizing her bracelet to strangle the Berserker who served Kare. Haakon asks if she saw him. She tells her about his threat. They refuse to be Kare’s forces are powerful to attack Kattegat. Freydis tells them how he slaughtered a village and Yrsa. Altora (Annabelle Mandeng) suggests she become a shieldmaiden for Kattegat. After Freydis departs, Haakon orders patrol to be ramped up. Altora says you don’t believe her story about Kare. She admits to trusting Freydis.

Uppsala – In a flashback, Kare’s father (Danny O’Connor) and brother (Finan O’Connor) order young Kare (Donnacha O’Connor) to come quickly. Someone holds out their hand, with a unique tattoo symbol. He joins them as they enter Uppsala.

In the present, Kare holds up his palm to show a man his tattoo symbol on his palm to receive entrance.

In a flashback, young Kare is told to wait before entering the temple.

In the present, Kare stands in what appears to be the same location. He enters the temple, where he informs a priest, he is there to prepare.

London – Emma and Canute discuss the condition of the kingdoms before his army invaded. She says the threat of rebellion was a problem for every ealdorman. He offers to delegate tax collection to men in power. She tells him the problem isn’t tax collection, but the crippling tax. She suggests each household be required to pay a simple levy. He says it is very little. She says it would be enough to build an empire if a simple levy is collected throughout England.

Kattegat – Freydis is defeated while training as a shieldmaiden. Altora warns her it isn’t over until you don’t get up, even when the battle has ended. She asks to go again but Haakon wants to know about her trip to Uppsala. Freydis tells her about meeting The Seer who called her The Last. Haakon admits The Seer said her destiny was related to a wave that was only visible to her. In a flashback, the water moves away from the harbor. The people celebrated like it was a gift from the sea and Gods. No one cared or questioned what happened to the water. The people can be seen running along the harbor, filling their baskets full of what looks like fish. She explains how the water returned in a vengeance. It was out of her control.

Freydis asks if the people in the vision survive. Haakon says only one woman survives. She assumed the woman was her for a long time. Now, she knows the woman is Freydis. She refers to her as “The Last Daughter of Uppsala.”

London – Vikings lead people who are wearing head coverings past Canute, Edmund, and Godwin. The head coverings are removed to show the Ealdorman of Kent, Sussex, Northumbria, and East Anglia. Canute tells him of his plan to become the King of England. He offers to restore their titles and protect their kingdoms from Viking raids. He promises to rebuild the bridge and an empire of the north. The wealth will be shared among all. He informs the people he and Edmund will rule side by side.  He gives each ealdorman the option of pledging their loyalty. Cyneheard, Ealdorman of Kent is the first to pledge his loyalty to Canute. He orders him to return to his shire. Wulfhere, Ealdorman of Sussex pledges his loyalty next, followed by Oswick, Ealdorman of East Anglia.

Uppsala – As Kare stands in front of the people, he has a flashback of smiling while watching his brother from his father’s shoulders. The priests lay his brother on a flat platform.  When the priest places a knife against his brother’s throat, Kare protests until his father sets him on the ground.

Back to the present – Kare places his hand on the platform. He utilizes his knife to cut his palm. He holds his bloody hand in front of him while staring up at the sky.

Kattegat – The fleet returns as Freydis trains to be a shieldmaiden. Harald watches Freydis as she runs toward Leif. She bear hugs Leif and Liv (Lujza Richter). Turning around, she asks about Skarde (Edward Franklin), Ulf (Sam Stafford), and Njall (Gavan O’Connor-Duffy). Liv explains how they didn’t make it. Freydis says they are in Valhalla with Toke (Jake Mullarkey) and Yrsa. Liv reminds her of it just being them.

Harald delivers Haakon a give from himself and the new King of England. He informs her of Canute’s promise to make him King of Norway. She questions what they want in return for the gift. He assures her nothing as she is an example for them all. She asks about Olaf who is not a Canute supporter. He says Olaf is not his problem. She says he is a problem, nonetheless.

Denmark – Olaf meets with Queen Aelfgifu (Pollyanna McIntosh) to ask for supplies, so they can continue their journey home. She welcomes him to her kingdom. She asks about her husband, Canute. He assures her he is well. She isn’t happy when Olaf tells her Canute’s plan to stay in England. Everyone is ordered to leave except for Olaf. She demands to know why Canute opted to stay in England. He informs her of Canute taking the crown of England. When she refers to herself as Queen of England, Olaf tells her about the widow of King Aethelred. He says rumors of Canute and Emma getting married were circling around England before they left.

She questions why he really visited Jelling. He tells her of his plans to be the King of Norway, which Canute will never allow. He pleads with her to deny Canute a fleet to challenge him. She informs her it is out of her control to refuse Canute a fleet. He assures her she is a very powerful woman.

Kattegat – Feydis tells Liv and Leif about her trip to Uppsala, which is under the threat of Christians. Leif asks if this is part of her new mission. She admits the trip changed her and will remain in Kattegat. When she asks Leif and Liv to remain with her, they look at each other and smirk. They agree to stay. When Harald approaches, they utilize the excuse to check the boats to leave them alone. He calls her a warrior. She informs him of Yrsa and Toke’s death at the hands of Kare. He says Kare must be punished for killing innocent people. She promises to punish him. He explains how some Christians aren’t bad. She describes all Christians as “flawed.” He tells her about how his grandfather converted to Christianity to avoid bloodshed when passing the crown through his family. She says what about all the other people.

The   Skalde of Kattegat (Amy Conroy) speaks in rhymes, hailing Leif and Harald for ripping the crown from Aethelred’s head. Harald calls her out for making an incorrect statement, she suggests he tell the story. Climbing up on the table, he says his story is about the Greenlanders. He boasts of their ability to take down the bridge.

Freydis thanks Harald for his speech about the Greenlanders. He contributes his luck to the necklace she gave him before the fleet departed Kattegat.  Placing it in her hand, he says hopefully it will help you in your test tomorrow.

Arne Gormsson (Paaru Oja) approaches Leif to say they are not wanted there. He accuses Leif of murdering his father to save a Christian. Leif asks if he told the people how his father killed a member of his crewmember. He suggests Arne tell them before they try to do something he is afraid to do alone. When Arne swings an ax at Leif, it hits a shieldmaiden’s shield. He tells the people Leif might be a Christian. The Shieldmaiden (Lucy Johnson) orders him to leave.

London – Godwin tries to speak with Canute, but the guard at his door denies him access. The Guard (Eoghan Collins) informs Canute is with Emma. Godwin asks if they are alone. Canute and Emma are having sex.

Edmund approaches Godwin to ask if he is contemplating an exit. He denies his allegations. Edmund doesn’t believe he has a purpose in the kingdom. Godwin disagrees, reminding him of how he inherited the crown of England. They discuss how Canute has no army. It will be up to Edmund to ensure the army’s loyalty to him.

The shieldmaidens enter a circle, surrounded by a jeering crowd. Freydis is left alone without a sword. She is attacked from behind. A fight ensues, with her against several other shieldmaidens. Upon being injured, Freydis falls to the ground. She loses her sword. Haakon orders her to get up. She finds the necklace Harald returned to her last night. She grips it in her hand and gradually stands. She can barely stand when she removes her armor. She is face to face with Altora. They fight until Freydis takes her sword. With the sword at Altora’s throat, she looks at Haakon who says yes. They grip their hands together and Freydis pulls her up from the ground. Freydis kneels when Haakon approaches.

Haakon asks Freydis what she promises. She promises to protect Kattegat to the death. Haakon removes blood from Freydis’ face with her hand. She wipes the blood on Freydis’ sword, “The body and earth are one, as you protect me, so I you.” When she receives her sword and a shield, she screams, “Yeah.” The crowd roars.

She approaches Harald to thank him for returning her necklace. He is confused when she returns the necklace to him. She says if you invite me back to your bed, you may need it for luck. He suggests she have a bath first. They have sex.

Uppsala – Kare has a vision of himself as a child running through the forest. He falls to the ground. As he climbs to his knees, The Seer asks what he runs from. Young Kare says his dead brother. As The Seer pats him on the head, Kare kneels in front of him. He says, “The same frightened boy.” Kare denies being frightened, just empowered by the one true God. The Seer says you want to know which sword holds the cross. Kare licks his palm. He asks if he truly wants to know the answer. Kare can be seen leaving the Pagan temple. As he prays, he slays a man.

London – Canute is alerted of a boat arriving in London from Denmark. He hands him a letter, which he quickly scans over. He orders a ship to be readied and a priest summoned. She asks what is happened. He warns her to answer his question carefully as the episode comes to an end.

Vikings: Valhalla Review

The pace has slightly slowed, making for a boring episode. The scenes were drawn-out a bit too long. Even some of the content seems repetitive. I know you may get tired of hearing this, but a shorter season make for a better TV series.

The Greenlanders have decided their fate lies in Kattegat. Canute is falling hard for Emma, which may end up being his downfall. I think he is forgetting the events that transpired to England being overthrown. As the old saying goes, “Blood is thicker than water.” Edmund is never going to be content while serving beside a Viking king.

I question why Kare seeks wisdom through Pagan rituals. After all, he proclaims to be a Christian. Is he confused or is this an error in the writing?

Is the letter Canute received linked to Olaf’s meeting with Queen Aelfgifu? Nonetheless, it is intriguing enough to keep me guessing until the next episode.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more Vikings: Valhalla recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link to learn more.