Could this really be the end of Ragnar? 

He told King Ecbert in no uncertain terms that he wants to die, and while Ecbert is unwilling to do the deed himself, the two seemed to have come to an agreement on Vikings Season 4 Episode 14. 

Ragnar asked to be turned over to King Aelle, and in exchange for Ivar's safe return home, will ensure that his sons don't seek revenge on Ecbert. 

We spent quite a bit of time reminiscing with Ragnar and Ecbert on old times and old friends, specifically Athelstan, who is greatly missed by the characters and fans alike. I still haven't forgiven Floki for killing him 

Ragnar has been carrying around the guilt over his death for all of these years. You could see it in his eyes when Ecbert accused him of failing to protect him. 

Maybe Ecbert is right. Maybe Athelstan would still be alive if he had stayed in Wessex, but his heart was with Ragnar and the Vikings, and he made his own choice. 

His death was not Ragnar's fault. 

Ragnar: And all you think about is heaven! Which seems like a ridiculous place, where everybody is always happy.
Ecbert: Valhalla is ridiculous! All the dead warriors get to fight again in the courtyard each morning, and kill each other again. And then they all have supper together!

• Permalink: Valhalla is ridiculous! All the dead warriors get to fight again in the courtyard each...

Who wasn't cracking up at the exchange over Valhalla versus heaven? These two actors really do an amazing job playing off of each other. 

It definitely provided some much needed comic relief leading into an incredibly intense and moving moment.  

It was heartbreaking when they started talking about Athelstan and which of their gods he is with, especially when Ragnar said it doesn't matter because his death is on his conscience. 

Athelstan might be gone, but his memory lives on, and we even got to meet his son. 

If Ragnar ends up surviving, I'd like to see him develop a relationship with the kid. 

Ragnar: Someone once explained to me what a miracle is. Now I understand, Magmus. Your birth was a miracle.
Magmus: A miracle?
Ragnar: Yes, because I never had sex with your mother. All she ever did was piss on me.

• Permalink: Yes, because I never had sex with your mother. All she ever did was piss on me.

Of course, that wasn't the only kid we met. We also met Magmus, the rumored illegitimate son of Ragnar's. 

But hey, turns out he's not actually his son. I'm pretty sure that type of miracle doesn't happen in the Viking religion. 

I was a little confused why Aethelwulf made him leave town. I'm guessing that will be important later. 

Will Ivar actually go home? He doesn't seem like the type to do what he's told. It'll be interesting to see if he plays a bigger role in Wessex.

Aslaug: How strange Lagertha that you should play the usurper, One woman against another. it doesn't quite fit with your reputation.
Lagertha: I was never the usurper, always the usurped. You took my husband, my world, and my happiness. The fact that you're a woman is neither here nor there.

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Well, that was easier than expected.

Lagertha barely had to put up a fight. It was kind of low class for her to shoot Aslaug in the back after she surrendered, but she didn't seem at all surprised by the outcome. 

She's probably already had a vision of Ubbe taking revenge and perhaps even claiming the throne for himself. 

I have to give Ubbe props on his fighting skills. That was a valiant effort to take out Lagertha all on his own, with no help from Sigurd. Will he stage another attack? 

He definitely didn't take Astrid's warning too seriously.

It's pretty clear he's not going to get any help from Sigurd in the future either. That kid is not too broken up over his mother's death. I guess it's understandable since he feels she only ever cared about Ivar. 

It was pretty great when he told Ubbe their father will never die. He probably is the luckiest Viking ever for all the close calls he's already survived. 

We did not check in with Bjorn at all this week. Did that disappoint anyone? There was so much going on that there really wasn't time for his story, but I also don't want to see it take too much of a backseat. 

So what do you guys think? Will Ragnar get his death wish or live to sail another day? I don't think it's his time yet, but it might be coming sooner than we think. 

How do you feel about Lagertha back in charge? Will you miss Aslaug? Will Ubbe seek revenge?

I'll definitely be curious to see Bjorn and Ragnar's (if he survives) reactions to that when they get home. 

If you need to catch up, you can watch Vikings online. 

Stacy Glanzman was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in March, 2019.