Vikings: Valhalla Season 2 Ending Explained: What Will Happen to Godwin?
Finally, the wait is over and we can watch the new episodes of Vikings: Valhalla Season 2, which is coming to its second season. The series is a spin-off set 100 years after Vikings. Ragnar Lothbrok, Lagertha and Bjorn Ironside are in mainstream stardom. Next, those who like good spoilers can be very attentive to what lies ahead. At times, it will be necessary to rescue some events that occurred at the end of the first season and that are related to the second year of the series. Follow:
Vikings: Valhalla Season 2: Plot Summary
Original Vikings creator Michael Hirst stepped aside as showrunner for this project but is still on board as one of the executive producers. In his place is Jeb Stuart, the creator, and showrunner of Valhalla. Stuart has a background in blockbusters, having written screenplays for classics like Die Hard and The Fugitive. Also vital to the TV series was Richard Ryan, a stunt coordinator who helped choreograph the Valhalla fights, as well as Troy, Sherlock Holmes, The Dark Knight and the original Vikings.
Where in the story does the pilot begin? With Valhalla being a Viking TV series, things begin with a bit of bloodshed: the St. Brice’s Day Massacre, when the British killed Viking communities on their shores. Barely surviving is Harald Hardrada (Leo Suter), who plans to one day become King of Norway. A year later, he joins the rest of the Vikings summoned to Kattegat by King Canute (Bradley Freegard) to launch a counterattack against the English. Among those arriving in the bustling port city is Leif Erickson (Sam Corlett) and his sister Freydís (Frida Gustavsson), who has an ulterior motive to attend the Viking gathering. But as they show up with other quests in mind, they can’t resist getting swept up in the glory of Viking life in the 1000s.
While Vikings: Valhalla got a lot of narrative space for being the story about the end of an era, the show’s first season investigates a culture’s waning days on a much more sedate level. The more things change, the more they stay the same. As much as Christian and pagan Vikings disagree with each other, they act and raid almost identically. They share clothes, hairstyles, and even philosophies. Each side may mount its attacks against the other, but the villain, an Assassin’s Creed-Esque Christian Viking named Jarl Kåre (Asbjørn Krogh), still calls his soldiers “berserkers.”
And so, the guiding ethos of Valhalla as it moves forward is about how to deal with a gigantic cultural shift that is taking its time. It makes no sense for Vikings to stop engaging in behaviors they have been doing for hundreds of years. But Viking/Norse identity is undeniably changing, whether because of the wider web of religious idolatry or geographic location. When Leif and his company of Greenlanders arrive in Kattegat, they feel like a throwback to an earlier era of Viking culture, more interested in going about their business and returning to a quiet life. What we know of Leif’s future means that changes in Viking culture will push them further and further towards the frontier until they finally reach a realm, they once thought mythical: North America. But their sense of Viking identity will be tested long before they arrive in the New World.
The Death of Olaf and His Enemies?
Right off the bat, we’re faced with an impactful situation involving Olaf. He is stabbed to death by Freydis after a bloody confrontation. In his last breaths, he says that his end will only be on earth, as he will become a martyr in the face of his strong appeal to Christian causes. But Freydis and his group ended up being at a disadvantage as Jorundr was killed in the fight against Olaf’s clan. Another death that occurred was that of Mariam. In her specific case, she was long awaited given the weakness in her health.
Freydis Declares Peace?
A moment that stands out is when Freydis declares peace to Queen Aelfgifu. On his return after a tense battle, Freydis explains his conditions and agrees with Aelfgifu that the best thing for the moment is to call a truce to the constant bickering. This moment is considered symbolic, mainly because they are two mothers concerned about the future of their descendants given the proportions that the battles took. This leaves a question mark about what the future of this vow of peace will be made by the two.
Do Leif and Harald Arrive in Constantinople?
Leif and Harald‘s journey ends with their arrival at their final destination. Together, they reach a historic milestone because they are the first Vikings to go to such distant places. From now on, the expectation is to try to understand for sure what the future will be like. They are expected to return to Scandinavia, but the decision remains to be seen. This could be one more knot left to be untied in the third season, which would show the Viking’s return or exploration of new territories.
Harald Corners Freydis
Harald feels completely betrayed when Freydis doesn’t tell him about the pregnancy. With that, he takes advantage of the excuse to get involved with Elena. What he doesn’t realize is that Elena is also guarding important information that he should know. In the final moments, she reveals everything. Elena intends to brave Constantinople to become an empress. So, either Harald does what Elena wants to do, or he leaves aside the risks he will have to take with his lover’s decision.
What Will Happen to Godwin?
The end of season two features Godwin attempting to assassinate Queen Emma. The blame ended up being on Aelfwynn, who didn’t give any information when pressed and ended up paying with his life. The fact is that Godwin acted a lot behind the scenes, especially when King Canute promised him Gytha. Godwin wanted Gytha just to be part of the English royal lineage. However, Emma unmasks him and discovers everything that Godwin is, including his history in the past. This discovery is yet another point left open in the second season, as Emma must do something about these discoveries made.
Emma’s Gift Symbolism
By joining Godwin, Gytha is presented with a jewel. Queen Emma took this object from John Fletcher, Godwin’s keeper. Emma’s gift has a very important meaning and represents a warning to Godwin. The Queen wants to make it clear that she knows all of his secrets. Mainly because Emma gives a very precise instructions. She makes it clear to Gytha the importance of always keeping the jewel around her neck. Godwin tries to maneuver to hide what he has done, but it has become increasingly difficult and especially so when dealing with someone so powerful.
