‘Vikings’ season 4 episode 20 recap: Ecbert commits suicide, Ivar attacks Sigurd and more

“Vikings” season 4 episode 20 titled “The Reckoning” showed that the battle which began in the last chapter continued in the finale episode. The Lothbrok brothers came in with their maddening power while King Ecbert (Linus Roache) feared for his life and land.

Recap for 'Vikings' season 4 episode 20 follows. Spoilers are included.

Aethelwulf (Moe Dunford) retreats

Amid the battle, which has not yet reached to its full intensity, Aethelwulf (Moe Dunford) plays smart. He didn’t take much time to recognise the power of the Great Heathen Army. He realises that the Saxons cannot win over the Lothbroks, and hence, decides to retreat. Making a wise decision, he returns home and sets everyone to move as he knows the army is not far behind.

Aethelwulf becomes the new king

In “Vikings” season 4 episode 20, Aethelwulf returns home and prepares his family to leave. However, Ecbert wants to stay behind and meet his destiny. Aethelwulf reminds him that they cannot leave without the king. Ecbert is quick to make a decision renouncing his crown, making Aethelwulf the new King.

Ecbert finally shows his love for Aethelwulf

In the previous two episodes, Aethelwulf was longing for love from his father, which he finally gets in the finale episode. In episode 18, he asks his father if loves him. Ecbert diverts the conversation, and so, Aethelwulf’s question remains unanswered.

In the finale episode, Ecbert kisses his son as he bids him farewell. Not only does he pour out his love for his son but he also offers words of praise for him. “I know I have placed my kingdom in the safest hands. You go now, save yourself and your family,” Ecbert said. Old Bishop Edmund (Philip O’Sullivan) refuses to leave the king alone, and hence, stays behind with him.

Helga dies

The Great Heathen Army approaches Ecbert’s stronghold and suspects something is wrong as the place is vacant. They plunder the area and burn it away. While all this is happening Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) hears Helga (Maude Hirst) singing. She carries Tanaruz (Sinead Gormally) through the wreckage. Before Floki can help, the Spanish girl (adopted daughter) kills Helga before stabbing herself as well. Floki buries her in the alien land.

Ecbert commits suicide

Meanwhile, the Lothbrok brothers discuss their plan. While Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) says that he wants to carve blood eagle into King Ecbert, just like how they did it to King Aelle (Ivan Kaye), Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) reminds him of Ragnar’s (Travis Fimmel) dream of winning the land.

Meanwhile, Ecbert leaves the bishop behind and moves out of the throne room in order to talk to Bjorn. He makes a deal with him in “Vikings” season 4 episode 20. He asks Bjorn to allow him to die in the manner he chooses, and in return promises to give them the land. While Ivar (Alex Hogh Anderson) is keen on blood eagling him, Bjorn convinces the Vikings that he wants his father’s wish of settling in England to be fulfilled. Bjorn signs the documents. None of them knows that Ecbert isn’t king anymore, and Aethelwulf, the new king, will soon reclaim the land.

Ecbert commits suicide slitting his writs in his warm bathing pool. He remembers his family, and is surrounded by their memories.

Floki says goodbye to his brothers

Floki doesn’t want to move ahead with the burden on his heart. He tells Bjorn that he is dead inside. He says he died with his daughter Angrboda (Rosalie Connerty), then with Ragnar and now with Helga again. He now leaves it to the gods to kill him as required.

Bjorn returns to Mediterranean

The Vikings think that their mission is accomplished in the finale episode. Bjorn declares that they have defeated the two kingdoms. There’s a huge celebration. Bjorn decides to return to Mediterranean thereafter.

Ivar attacks Sigurd

The power struggle between the remaining Lothbrok brothers continues. Amid arguments, while Ivar ridicules Sigurd (David Lindstrom) and calls him a gay, Sigurd says that Ivar is not a man; he is a mummy’s boy who crawls like a snake on the ground. Ivar retaliates by throwing a battleaxe that hits him in his stomach. He falls on the ground while his eyes are open. Hence, it remains uncertain if he is dead or alive. The mystery will be unveiled in season 5.

Introduction of Bishop Heahmund

In the last segment of the show, new character Bishop Heahmund (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is introduced. He plays the role of a religious warrior who is not as holy as believed. He is seen overseeing the burial of a man. He tells the widow that the Lord will find a way to console her. Later, he is seen sharing the bed with her. The audience also gets to see his sword thereafter. (Read more about Heahmund on the link below.)

“Vikings” season 4 episode 20 did not show what happens in Kattegat, and if Torvi (Georgia Hirst) survived the raid on Lagertha’s (Katheryn Winnick) territory. The finale episode aired in the US on Feb. 1 at 9 p.m. ET. The show airs in Australia SBS One at 8:30 p.m.