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Born Again


Born Again is the sixth episode of the third season of Vikings. It is the twenty-fifth episode of the series overall. It first aired on March 26, 2015. It was written by creator Michael Hirst and directed by Helen Shaver.

Synopsis

Preparations for the Paris raid pick up pace. Porunn and Judith both deliver children, and with new life there is also death. Athelstan tells Ragnar of his reconnection to his Christian faith. Floki interprets a sign from the gods that a sacrifice should be made.

Plot

Athelstan builds a small representation of Paris out of sand and water, showing Ragnar how the Seine encompasses the city. From there Athelstan explains that the city is also surrounded by walls with towers, calling the city "impregnable." Ragnar smiles.

Þórunn gives birth to a girl. Bjorn names the girl Siggy, for the savior of Ragnar's sons. Aslaug appears pained by the choice of names.

A farmer, Stender, returns from Wessex and tells Ragnar about Aethelwulf's massacre. Floki further makes his case against trusting the Christians, and especially Athelstan. Ragnar dismisses Floki.

Stender continues, telling Ragnar that his entire family was either killed in the slaughter or died during the flight from Wessex, where storms ravaged their stolen boat. Stender is beside himself with grief, that he alone of his family survived and did not die with them. Ragnar asks if Stender has told anyone else of the massacre, to which he replies that he has not. Ragnar responds by telling Stender "now you can be with your family" and strangles him.

Athelstan has a sign from God in the form of a ray of light which knocks him to the ground. Athelstan rebaptizes himself and throws his sacred arm ring into the water. Meanwhile, Floki witnesses everything.

In Wessex, Judith gives birth to a son, but is then sentenced to have her ears and nose cut off for adultery. After one ear is removed, she reveals that Athelstan is the father. King Ecbert says the child is sent from God and will be christened Alfred.

Bjorn finds Floki sulking and questions his progress on the boats. Floki shows Bjorn Athelstan's discarded arm ring and Bjorn confesses that he, too, is concerned with Ragnar's interest in Christianity. Floki intends to go back to his wife and his culture, but promises to finish the boats first.

Athelstan tells Ragnar that he has regained his faith and renounced Ragnar's gods. Ragnar protests when Athelstan proposes that he should leave Kattegat. Ragnar promises to protect Athelstan, as he's the only person Ragnar trusts, earning Ragnar's love.

Earl Kalf leads a fleet to Kattegat to join the raid on Paris, along with King Horik's son Erlendur, and Jarl Borg’s widow, Torvi.

In the Great Hall, Bjorn attempts to woo his wife, Þorunn. She rejects his advances and suggests that he find another for the night and points out that Torvi is being neglected by Erlendur. Bjorn scoffs at the idea, but Þorunn says that she wants Bjorn to be happy.

Rollo reveals that Athelstan no longer wears his arm band. Ragnar intervenes and takes Athelstan to meet Sinric, who knows of a way to reach the mouth of the Seine River.

Bjorn, while professing love for his wife, seduces Torvi.

While woodcarving, Floki receives a sign that "blood must be spilt," when the idol he is working on appears to bleed. Forcing Helga into silence, he leaves his home for Kattegat. Floki finds and kills an accepting Athelstan while he's praying; willfully offering up his soul to the Lord.

Alone, Ragnar carries Athelstan's body up the side of the mountain to the place by the waterfall where Athelstan taught him the paternoster for burial, attempting to take Athelstan as close as he can to his god. After burying Athelstan, Ragnar shaves his head bloody with a knife and puts on Athelstan's cross necklace. He also sets up a cross.

Cast

Main

Guest Starring

Additional Cast

Uncredited

  • Einar Selvik as Singing Shaman
  • Unknown Baby Actress as Siggy
  • Unknown Baby Actor as Alfred
  • Celine Nihicdhe as Shield-maiden
  • Robert MacDomhnail as Viking Warrior
  • Yuri Ribeiro as Viking Warrior

Episode Deaths

Trivia

  • Kevin Durand and Lothaire Bluteau are not credited and do not appear in this episode.
  • This episode marks the final appearance of Athelstan. However, he also appears in a brief vision of Ragnar's in Breaking Point, in which George Blagden is credited in the opening sequence.
  • Jessalyn Gilsig is credited in the opening sequence as some archive footage of Siggy from Scarred appears in this episode.
  • This episode is the first time that the word "Viking" is used in the series.
  • Another antiquated language is used in this episode. Frankish, or Old Franconian, is spoken by Sinric.
  • This episode sees the birth of Alfred the Great to Judith. In reality, Alfred was born to Æthelwulf's first wife Osburh. Judith of Flanders was Æthelwulf's second wife and they had no children together.