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‘Vikings’: We need to talk about Bjorn
There’s something very strange happening on “Vikings” and it must be addressed. For quite a while fans have believed Ivar the Boneless (Alex Hogh) would be the son of Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) to grow up and become the psychotic brother with a rage problem. Did we have that all wrong, though?
While there’s no doubt Ivar is every bit as sick and twisted as he’s shaping up to be, he may have some competition in the crazy department — care of his brother Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig). Sweet, trustworthy Bjorn is a changed man after returning from the Mediterranean, and it’s scaring us a bit.
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It all started with the way he treated his wife and kids upon their return. Screaming at them and storming out is not the Bjorn fans have watched grow up. Then, of course, he’s fallen into some kind of affair with his mother’s lover and most trusted ally. That’s a very bizarre relationship for a parent and child to fall into, and makes you wonder if he’ll somehow be involved in his mother’s death.
But to see him become the bloodthirsty man his father often was, during the blood eagle execution of King Aelle (Ivan Kaye), was something else entirely. This was a ruthless and animalistic Bjorn — and the blood eagle itself was beyond horrific to watch unfold.
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While it may make sense in the grander picture of Viking culture, it’s hard to watch Bjorn become this man he was — honestly — always destined to be. This is the new generation of the Lothbrok family and the future of “Vikings.”
Hopefully, in delivering revenge for the death of Ragnar, these boys will be able to also find a sense of peace. After all, as Ivar said, they want to go to war with the entire world. That’s going to take some serious strategic work to make it a reality.
“Vikings” airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The History Channel. Two episodes remain in Season 4, and another 20-episode season is confirmed.