Netflix’s “Vikings: Valhalla” is set at a pivotal period in the history of Northern Europe and takes place around a hundred years after the events in the hit History Channel series “Vikings.” The conflict between Scandinavians and Saxons in Britain reaches a breaking point, resulting in a bloodbath and a Viking invasion. In the meantime, Christianity and the ancient Pagan religion are at odds in Scandinavia.
While her brother Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett) and lover Harald Hardrada (Leo Suter) travel to Constantinople in pursuit of their fates, Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson) ascends to power and guards the final stronghold of her religion in season 2. The most complex conspiracy Godwin (David Oakes) has ever concocted may be revealed to Emma of Normandy (Laura Berlin) in the meantime. Here is all the information you would need on the conclusion of “Vikings: Valhalla’s” second season. Spoilers follow.
Vikings: Valhalla Season 2 Recap
Sometime after the conclusion of the first season, the second one starts. The first season’s cliffhanger is quickly resolved by the show: Leif spared Canute’s son Svein, but he still wants revenge on Olaf Haraldsson (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson). However, Harald still desires to rule Norway, so he and Freydis decide to travel to Kattegat to speak with Forkbeard about Canute’s vow. In the meantime, his sister and Harald have created their own private paradise in the forest. To assist his son in defeating his enemies, Forkbeard regrettably must depart for Denmark. He thus strikes a bargain with Olaf. In order to enforce obedience, Forkbeard names Svein the King of Norway, appoints Olaf as his protector and counselor, and takes Magnus, Olaf’s son, to Denmark. Leif locates Freydis and Harald after hearing Olaf place a bounty on them and alerts them.
Later, the group runs into Jorundr, a man Leif had previously met. Freydis, Harald, and Leif are taken by Jorundr, who shows himself to be a Jomsviking or pirate, to Jomsborg, Pomerania, where the old religion is openly practiced. Freydis decides to go with Jorundr after noticing that they both have tattoos of the Seer, while Harald and Leif travel to Novgorod to ask Yaroslav the Wise for an army to conquer Norway. Freydis doesn’t reveal to Harald that she is carrying his kid because this is the final time she will see both Leif and Harald this season.
Leif and Harald successfully arrive in Novgorod, but Yaroslav chooses not to assist his nephew. He doesn’t need to anger Canute the Great; he already has enough issues with the nomadic Pechenegs. Lord Vitomir of Chude eventually hires Harald on a journey to Constantinople. Leif rejoins his old friend on the trek after reflecting, along with Mariam, an Arabian scholar.
As the temple’s new priestess in Jomsborg, Freydis witnesses the prejudice practiced toward the immigrants. She clashes with Lord Harekr (Bradley James), the head of the community. Freydis’ newborn boy, who she names after her father, is taken from her by Harekr, who also butchers the refugees. Later, after defeating Freydis in combat, the other citizens of Jomsborg stone Harekr to death for attempting to kill her.
In the meantime, Godwin foils an apparent assassination attempt on Emma in Britain and apprehends the perpetrator, who turns out to be Aelfwynn, one of Emma’s ladies-in-waiting, half-brother. Emma suspects Godwin is up to something when she discovers that a harsh and ambitious guy like Godwin wants to wed a poor woman like Aelfwynn.
The actual nature of the wealth Harald and Leif had brought to Constantinople is revealed in season 2 episode 8 titled “The Reckoning.” Freydis has a struggle to win in order to protect her people. Canute arranges for Godwin and his niece Gytha to get married.
Vikings: Valhalla Season 2: Is Olaf Dead or Alive?
Olaf is indeed dead. Olaf receives the local Christian priest’s blessing for his crusade against the Pagans after visiting Novgorod and learning of his brother Leif’s and his travels to Constantinople. He begins to feel that it is his holy duty to demolish Jomsborg and exterminate the Pagan religion. The issue is that nobody outside of Jomsborg is aware of the Jomsvikings because they are a secretive people group.
Olaf and his followers track down Jorundr, who was exiled by Harekr after losing his hand and being wrongly accused of killing Freydis. Unaware that Freydis is now in charge of Jomsborg and that Harekr has passed away, Jorundr offers to assist Olaf. When he learns this, he gives his life in order to defend the town. Freydis deceives Olaf into believing he is safe before setting his ships and soldiers afire with oil and piercing him with a spear. After that, Freydis returns Svein to his mother in Kattegat in exchange for a pledge of peace.
What Treasure Do Leif and Harald Deliver to Constantinople?
Harald is enlisted for the journey by Vitomir, who informs him that they are carrying something incredibly valuable that is intended for the Byzantine Emperor himself. At first, Harald believes it to be the necklace Eleana, Vitomir’s daughter, wears around her neck all the time. Although the necklace is priceless, it was handed to Vitomir as a sign that he has something very significant for the Emperor.
Eleana is revealed to be the significant prize Vitomir hired Harald for in the season 2 finale. Eleana’s safe arrival in Constantinople earns Harald the Emperor’s appreciation. Vitomir planned for his daughter to marry Romanos the Emperor. The issue is that Harald has begun to feel something for the potential Empress, and it appears that she feels the same way. Together, they have endured a terrifying journey that has deepened their bond in numerous ways.
By the end of the second season, Harald had found a powerful ally in the Emperor—possibly the only person in all of Europe who might aid him in his struggle against Canute. But if he chooses to pursue a covert relationship with Eleana, as suggested at the end of the second season, he might lose every bit of the respect he has gained as well as his life.
Was Godwin Planning to Marry Gytha All Along?
Emma sees that Aelfwynn is clearly rattled after seeing the would-be killer’s face during the attempt on her life. Later on, the Queen finds out that the individual is Aelfwynn’s half-brother. After Aelfwynn admitted to having a relationship with Godwin, Emma started to wonder if Godwin was involved in the attempted murder. To find out what the other woman knows about this, she orders that Aelfwynn be tortured, but she only discovers that Godwin wants his son to rule as king in the end. Aelfwynn, who claims that Godwin loved her to the the last, perishes as a result of the torture.
Emma is troubled by Aelfwynn’s murder and her part in it, so she keeps looking into it. Eventually, she discovers that Godwin planned the assassination attempt. It was solely intended to win Canute’s favor, therefore failure is always expected. Canute has returned from Denmark when Emma arrives back in London. When Canute finds out what has happened, he arranges for Gytha to wed Godwin.
Godwin did desire his son to become king, despite everything he told Aelfwynn to the contrary. However, a child with Aelfwynn who lacks both the means and ties to a family cannot be that. In Canute’s court, Gytha, on the other hand, can grant him access to both. So, certainly, Godwin had always intended to wed Gytha. He was aware that he would be given Gytha’s hand in marriage as payment if he forced Emma to kill Aelfwynn.
What Does Emma Give Gytha for Her Wedding?
Godwin learns that Emma gave Gytha a very precious ring, which now hangs from Gytha’s neck on a chain, as they are ready to consummate their marriage. Gytha was also advised by Emma to never take it off. John Fletcher is the owner of that ring. Godwin was raised by Fletcher when his father was imprisoned; as Emma learns, Fletcher also orchestrated the attempt on Emma’s life. Fletcher is already dead when Emma locates him at the end. Even though there are no indications of wrongdoing, Emma concludes that Godwin is also to blame for this.
Emma gives Gytha the ring and tells her not to ever take it off because she wants Godwin to always be aware that she is aware of his background and what he has done. Emma wants Godwin to know that she will never be able to trust him, despite the fact that he has now practically joined her family.
In Mariam Dead or Alive? What Is the Key For?
Leif’s first love, Liv, was killed in season 1, and early in season 2, he has hallucinations about her. He consumes opium at one point to cope with the sadness and almost passes away. He develops a sexual relationship with Mariam in season 2 despite being aware of her fatal illness. She teaches him English, algebra, and astronomy while on the way to Constantinople, where he pledges to take her to. Leif receives the key to Mariam’s home in Constantinople before Mariam eventually passes away at the Pontic Olbia. The manuscripts and scrolls in that house are her life’s labor, and she is confident they will guide Leif toward his destiny.
