‘Vikings’ Season 6 Episode 9 Preview: An epic battle awaits Vikings and Rus can wreak havoc like never before
With only one more episode left before the midseason break, the historical drama is unfolding some exciting chapters of history. The last episode ‘Valhalla Can Wait’ ended with a surprise attack on Harald’s kingdom from Oleg’s army. We know it was a test run as Oleg had planned with Ivar. Once they find the weak spots in the Viking kingdoms, they will raise a bigger, better troop to take over and execute their long-awaited raid on Scandinavia.
As the preview clearly shows, Erik, Bjorn’s savior from Harald’s attack and a new friend, is well-informed about the Rus army and what the Vikings could expect from them. In his words, “they are a vast kingdom, rich in resources, and have a huge army” which could easily outdo the dwindling manpower of Bjorn’s land. In fact, in the previous episode, when Harald questions the mysterious attack, Olaf tells him that they are an “alien force of great magnitude.”
Now, Olaf and Erik have both seen more of the world than either Bjorn or Harald. Olaf’s experience and knowledge give him the insight while Erik has been an explorer all his life after he was banished from his land, thus enriching him with information about the world. Looking at the possibility of a war between the early Russians and the Vikings of Norway, here are a few things that might happen in the upcoming chapter of the Vikings’ story.
One, Hvitserk and Ivar might end up face to face. Yes, it might sound surprising or even impossible at first, but let’s think again. After sparing his life, Bjorn banishes his mentally unstable and murderous half-brother into the forests, in the midst of winter. On the other side, Ivar is about to lead a raiding party and finally be free of Oleg’s palatial prison and be on his own while he returns to avenge his brothers. It is quite possible that while both Hvitserk and Ivar might end up finding each other trying to find their ways back to Kattegat. But what could ensue from such an encounter?
Two, Erik will become an important member of Bjorn’s team. As history is evidence, Erik, 'the Red' was a significant Viking figure and a prominent Norse explorer. The show’s character is obviously adapted from the historical version and if we have to go by history, Erik’s expeditions and the experience he gathered from them make him more knowledgeable than Bjorn and his people. The people of Kattegat could use Erik’s information to be more aware of the Rus army and prepare well for the attack.
All said and done, it is sure to be a very important episode as the valiant Viking warriors try their best to outdo the indomitable Rus in an epic battle.
Take a peek into what’s coming to Scandinavia and how in this flash of a preview of ‘Resurrection'.
‘Vikings’ Season 6 airs every Wednesday, 10 pm/9c, only on History Channel.