‘Vikings’ Season 6 Episode 4 Preview: Will Prince Oleg manipulate Ivar the Boneless into being his puppet?
Things have started to move on all fronts for the Vikings. Bjorn is trapped in his pursuit of saving King Harald, Ubbe is eyeing a trading voyage to the Far East, and Lagertha is preparing against an attack on her farmstead. And parallel to all this, there’s a huge scheme brewing on the Russian front, against the Vikings.
With Ivar and Oleg’s budding friendship, it has already been established that they will soon be allying for a war on Kattegat. Or so Ivar thinks. Because as the trailer of Episode 4 shows, Oleg will probably bypass Ivar and wage war on the Vikings lands all by himself. This might just come as a surprise to the audience, who were rooting for the bromance developing between the two rulers. Despite being of polar opposite backgrounds and history, they had found connect in each other’s characteristics. And that was when both of them realized that they could use each other’s strengths in fulfilling their agenda of achieving power.
Oleg has money, influence, and a lot of human resources at disposal that Ivar could use for winning back Kattegat from Bjorn. And Oleg could use Ivar’s sharp mind and calculated battle strategies, which he is known for. But things are rarely the way they seem, especially when it comes to two power-hungry rulers. Each of them would want the journey and the outcome to be in their favor. Though we don’t know much about Oleg as a ruler, we have seen enough to establish the fact that he is sly and an opportunist as one can get and he would do anything to get what he wants. Also, he is devoid of any belief system or loyalty to anyone. So, if he ends up feigning friendship with Ivar, only to control him, we will not be surprised.
Now, when it comes to Ivar, there are a few things that set him apart from every other character in the story. And for those who still haven’t understood Ivar in and out, here’s what you need to know about the legendary Ivar the Boneless. Ivar might be a cripple, but that makes him psychologically unique, emotionally stronger, and sharper than his peers. He sees the world with a perspective, albeit aggressive, which most other ruthless rulers cannot see. He is charming in his apparent demeanor but cuts through people’s weaknesses like a knife through butter and yet, when he lets his inner demons out, there’s no stopping him. He cannot tolerate being discriminated and despite his physical handicap, he thinks himself to be a god. Now, when such a man is being put under the thumb by another person of similar stature, it will not go down nicely. Ivar probably will realize and identify Oleg’s true intentions of having him follow him like a dog and this will make him disappointed.
Could that put an end to the budding friendship between the duo? Or will there be more than what we can anticipate?
Watch if Oleg managed to control Ivar and manipulates him to be his puppet or if Ivar will assume his true form, on ‘Vikings’ Season 6, every Wednesday, at 9 pm, only on History channel.