It could be recalled that during the fifth episode of “Vikings,” Ragnar demanded Yidu to provide him the mysterious herb. He also took time out from Kattegat to consume it with delight.
Apparently, the herb is not an opium but it could be betel nuts because during the same episode, when Ragnar threw his knives and a shield as Bjorn Ironside and King Harald Finehair, played by Peter Franzen, approach, his mouth and saliva were tinted with red, which is not the case if the herb he is taking is an opium.
When Yidu handed the herb to Ragnar, it was wrapped in a leaf. As everyone knows, betel is a nut but often times, it is wrapped in the leaf of the Piper betel vine.
Executive producer Michael Hirst said that fans need not worry even if Season 4 shall mark the end for Ragnar Lothbrok as “Vikings” shall continue without him.
Hirst added that Season 4 of “Vikings” is to be its longest to date and will continue to run and run.
He explained that he has a huge hope that “Vikings” can continue beyond Ragnar as his sons, led by Bjorn Ironside will continue to pick up the show’s story.
The showrunner said that he always anticipated continuing with Ragnar’s sons because many of them became as famous, if not more famous than their father.