Season 4 of the historical drama TV series “Vikings” is set to premiere on the History Channel on February 18 and the network has just released the latest trailer of the brand-new season of the very popular show.
The trailer shows King Ragnar Lothbrok, played by Travis Fimmel, returning home to Kattegat after seizing victory in Paris during the Season 3 finale. It was a major victory for the Vikings as they were already on the jaws of defeat in the epic battle with the French but somehow managed to turn the tables on their enemies, details ET Online.
However, Ragnar will be returning home dangerously ill after getting nearly killed during the battle in Paris.
With his health issues possibly crippling Ragnar, reports have it that others will be seeking to take over his throne as leader of the Vikings including his wife Aslaug and eldest son Bjorn Ironside, played by Alexander Ludwig.
There are also reports saying that Lagertha, played by Kathryn Winnick, the fierce warrior that was also a former wife of Ragnar, is also one of those who will be vying for the throne of Kattegat.
Power is dangerous
Also during the latest trailer of “Vikings” Season 4, Ragnar is shown ominously foretelling of the bloodshed that awaits the major characters of the show including himself.
Ragnar was also quoted as saying that he has always known that power is dangerous. He added that the problem with power is that the more one has it, the more others want it. And that in his world, power can only be truly built with blood.
“Vikings” Season 4 will likely feature King Ecbert continuing his scheme down in Wessex while the French hid inside their booby-trapped Romanesque battlements.
King Ecbert will still be twirling his mustache in the wings while Charlemagne’s grandson remains cowering in Paris.
It is also expected that King Rognvaldsson Rollo, played by Clive Standen, brother of King Ragnar will continue to weigh his loyalty against his own fortunes, notes the A.V. Club.
It would be interesting to see if the fourth season of “Vikings” will see King Ragnar continuing to run roughshod over England and France or will fate finally catches up on the self-proclaimed heir of Odin.
Moving on to acting on the big screen
As the King of Kattegat in Denmark and the leader of the Vikings, Travis Fimmel’s role is quite important in the TV series.
However, when Fimmel decides to leave the show in favor of acting on the big screen, the producers and showrunner were left with no choice but to find a good successor to his role, who can become the next focal point of “Vikings.”
It seems like they have already decided that it is going to be Bjorn Ironside. Bjorn is the son of King Ragnar and reports have it that he will succeed his father as the leader of the Vikings.
As Bjorn is a bit too young even during the Season 3 finale, reports are saying that there will be a major time jump towards the middle of Season 4 in order to age Bjorn and be more fit to become the leader of the Vikings.
The accelerated storyline shall also help in erasing the stigma of the departure of Travis Fimmel through the likely death of his character King Ragnar.
Indicative of the accelerated storyline and time jump in Season 4 of “Vikings,” Alexander Ludwig actually posted a selfie from the set where he was shown looking a bit old with his first gray hairs as well as a graying beard.
More importantly, his appearance already resembles that of his father King Ragnar, which only confirms the speculation that indeed there will be some changing of the guards in “Vikings” after the departure of Travis Fimmel.