Tonight on the History Channel Vikings returns with an all-new Wednesday, December 6 season 5 episode 3 called “Homeland” and we have your weekly Viking recap below. On tonight’s Viking season 5 episode 3 episode as per the History synopsis, “Celebrations are cut short in the aftermath of the battle at York; Ragnar Lothbrok’s sons are pitted against each other as tensions reach an all-time high, and each is forced to choose a side.”
Tonight’s episode looks like it is going to be great and you won’t want to miss it, so be sure to tune in for our Viking recap between 9 PM – 10 PM ET! While you wait for our recap make sure to check out all our Viking spoilers, news, photos, recaps & more, right here.
Tonight’s Viking recap begins now – Refresh Page often to get the most current updates!
Vikings begins tonight with Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) sitting on a cliff, overlooking a river. He uses a walking stick as he crouches down and dips his rag into bubbling liquid, he wraps his cut hands in the cloth. He prays the Allfather, asking for forgiveness for his weakness and carve his future there among the gods. Meanwhile, Astrid (Josefin Asplund) arrives at King Harald Finehair’s (Peter Franzen) homeland; she steps over blood and carcasses, asking if this is his kingdom, saying she doesn’t like the looks of it; he says this is her new home as everyone welcomes him home.
He stands before his people and informs them their warriors went to England and exacted revenge for the death of Ragnar Lothbrok and their great army was victorious everywhere. He shares that some decided to remain there, while his brother, Halfdan (Jasper Paakkonen) went exploring with Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig), so no harm will come to him. He reminds them that it has always been his dream to make this town the capital of Norway and introduces them to Astrid as part of his dream; everyone seems pleased as he invites her to sit next to him.
Ivar (Alex Hogh Andersen) meets a slave girl, Freydis (Alicia Agneson) who isn’t afraid of him; he explains they are about to be attacked and need to offer the gods a sacrifice asking her if she is willing to sacrifice herself. She agrees to anything he asks, undressing and sitting on him, saying she knows he is a cripple but the gods favor him especially and she always looks for people who are different as that is a true sign. He is a very special person as no one is like him, as he is destined for great things. He tells her she is free to go, saying she is a free woman and tells her to leave!
King Aethelwulf (Moe Dunford) is enjoying dinner with Alfred (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), Judith (Jennie Jacques) and Bishop Heahmund (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) when soldiers come in, informing them the Northmen haven’t secured the northern walls, and remain undefended; the Bishop says that is where they will enter as Aethelwulf tells Alfred that tomorrow they will take York. Ivar calms contemplates what Freydis has just said to him as he prepares for the impending battle.
At the Gulf of Cadiz, Bjorn and Halfdan drink and talk about Halfdan needing something to prove. He wants to simply live, unlike his brother, who just wants fame and more fame. He wants to live with the greatest intensity and feel every moment of his life, for as long as it lasts. Bjorn says he understands him completely. Sinric (Frankie McCafferty) joins them at the fire, saying it would better for them to appear as traders than raiders, suggesting he send most of his fleet home, proceeding forward with only 3 of his ships; saying its better to feel naked than dead!
In the early morning hours, the Saxxon Army gathers for mass as they prepare for an attack on York. Judith reminds her boys to care for each other as they ride off. They climb into the city, as Ivar watches from a hidden spot, showing his brothers Hvitserk (Marco Ilso) and Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) who Aethelwulf and his sons are – like lambs to the slaughter. Aethelwulf tells the army to divide up and meet at the Cathedral, after a few moments of silence, arrows fly through the air and strike several of them before several Vikings lift up doors and trap them in alleyways.
Ivar watches from his window as the Saxons run over their own people in attempts to save themselves. Bishop Heahmund prays to God as his men are not only hit with arrows but are set on fire; the chaos around him doesn’t seem to faze him. Finally, the Saxons and Vikings meet face-to-face as King Aethelwulf screams out to Ivar to come out to fight, calling him a coward. He pulls Alfred to safety as Ivar grabs his helmet, and rides into the city on his chariot; suddenly he is knocked off it by a Saxxon who swings at him with a massive stick. Ivar jumps on him and repeatedly stabs his face until there is nothing left to stab; he laughs insanely as the army approaches him; his face covered in the other man’s blood, pouring down from the rain. He screams at them asking if they know who he is. Saying they cannot kill him as he is Ivar the boneless!!
Ubbe and his men watch Ivar for a few moments, as does Hvitserk and the people with him; when Ivar continues to scream that no one can kill him, the battle begins again, as several Vikings surround Ivar with shields. Ivar shouts that they are going to die, moving the shields aside so he can see everything that is happening. Bishop Heahmund sees him and draws his sword, he stops for a second as Ivar snaps an arrow that was shot into his leg. Suddenly they are interrupted and the Bishop orders for them to continue fighting for their king. Heahmund and Ivar share eye contact again, just before the Saxons retreat. Ivar celebrates with his people, but Ubbe doesn’t look happy at all, as there are so many dead around them.
Ivar walks to his brothers. Ubbe says they did well but Ivar says it wasn’t “we” as it was HIS strategy. Hvitserk says they all did well and the only important thing is what they do next. Ubbe suggests they make good of the land and make peace but Ivar has no interest in peace; feeling peace is a dirty word. Ivar says the Saxons lost the battle but they haven’t lost the war, and he would be wary about making negotiations with them.
Astrid looks at the jewels in her room but quickly throws them; when she tries to leave, there is a massive guard at her door, making it impossible to leave. Several women come in, bringing beautiful clothing. King Harald calls over a slave and demands to know why Astrid hasn’t come and learned she refuses; but just as he stands to get her, she comes in with the beautiful gown on, joining him at the head of the table. As she takes her seat they all shout “skol!”
Ubbe wakes up Hvitserk, saying they are leaving in the middle of the night. Int he middle of dinner, Astrid thanks, King Harald for the feast and says she is tired and is off to bed; he raises his hands in the air and decides to go after her. He tells her, she looks very beautiful and kisses her; she punches him in the face and he returns to the table with a bleeding and broken nose, joking that he doesn’t have any luck with women.
Ubbe and Hvitserk arrive on horseback to meet with King Aethelwulf, Alfred, and Bishop Heahmund. They only want peace, saying they no longer want to fight and only want to claim their land. The Bishop spits on the ground as they are told they will get their decision in the morning, Ubbe feels this was the right things to do. Ivar welcomes back his brothers who have been badly beaten. He says he told them this would happen, that the Saxons would speak sweetly to them, only for them to come into their tent while they were resting, and beat them with their own weapons.
Ivar mocks them for not fighting back, shouting at Ubbe for making a bad call and showing himself as being weak and is lucky to be alive. He feels it is time for him to recognize him as the leader of the great army. Ubbe says as his older brother, he will never accept that as someone needs to take care of their people. He tells Ivar he cannot continue to fight in England without him and Hvitserk. Ivar feels it is the opposite, so Ubbe suggests him and Hvitserk will go back to Kattegat with their forces in the morning. He tells Ivar that Ragnar would have hated him for separating his family; Ivar disagrees.
Floki wanders down to the river and unwraps his hand that is now badly infected. He prays again, saying Allfather, I don’t understand; asking why he was brought there. Floki looks up and sees a female figure with bees flowing out of her mouth, then it suddenly vanishes. He looks up to the waterfall again, where he sees a woman all in black, who turns into dozens of ravens who fly past him. He falls back onto the ground calling out to Allfather, saying he now understands that this is where he should die; in peace. Floki looks up and struggles for a few minutes, he sits up and looks at his hand and the wound is gone. He smiles at the skies and thanks to the Allfather, saying he will live there with the gods.
Ivar tells Ubbe that he is shameful and embarrassed for leaving the way he is; shouting that no one is with Ubbe and everyone is with him. Hvitserk looks at Ubbe and steps off the boat, returning to Ivar’s side.
END!