We’ve seen him stumble before, but there’s a sense that he’s back on track to stand with Ivar.
It’s also a nice touch to have him admit the struggles he’s faced living in the shadow of his father and brothers.
Interestingly, it’s Hvitserk that takes the first real step toward recovering their place in Kattegat by pointing out that the people still revere Ragnar and as his sons, they’ll always provide value. We’re treated to a fascinating meeting in Harald’s great hall as Ivar attempts to work his way into the king’s graces, while Erik steams in the background because he knows the Lothbrok brothers pose a threat to his standing with King Harald. How much and to what extent remains the focus of his character. Watching the crowd spit upon them as they walk along the dock brings mixed feelings since it’s not easy to forget the old Ivar, but as Hvitserk points out when they ride out of Kiev, Ivar has changed. While Ubbe battles his own demons, Ivar and Hvitserk must now find a new path now that they’ve returned to Kattegat and a populus that sees both as traitors. Unfortunately, as Torvi points out, more will surely die before they reach their promised land. “What is the point of finding a new land if we behave just as we did in the old one?” There’s no reason to think that Ubbe can regain his composure, keep the survivors together, and once they find a new home, set out to build a functioning community. As the boat drifts at night, Othere begins singing a hymn which prompts Ubbe to counter with a traditional Viking song as if to state that Odin is more powerful than the Christian God.ĭespite losing a child on this ill-fated journey, Torvi still manages to support Ubbe, but it’s her ability to understand the ultimate question they all face once they reach land. While we naturally wonder where this group will end up, it’s the friction between Ubbe and the mysterious Christian Othere that drives this arc. Of all the Lothbrok sons, Ubbe has always come across as the most level headed and ethically sound, so it’s extremely painful to watch what’s left of his group flounder at sea while he struggles not only with his faith in the gods but the responsibility he feels for the decision to leave Greenland so abruptly. With Kjetill and the other Greenlanders in the rear view mirror, Vikings leaves that thread behind, at least for the time being, and hopefully brings some closure to Floki’s Icelandic debacle. And while introspection and personal assessment are necessary growth elements for both characters and storylines, “The Final Straw” plods along before finally revealing the next move for Ivar the Boneless. Vikings Season 6 Episode 16Īmidst a plethora of intense soul searching, Vikings finds itself weighted down in a morass of despair, self-loathing, and regret.