5 WTH moments in History's Vikings Season 5 so far

Vikings Season 5 is the first full season without Ragnar. While nothing as shocking as his death has happened, there have still been plenty of surprises.

It’s never easy managing the loss of a main character. Most shows don’t make it past the following season, but for Vikings, the loss of Ragnar was kind of expected. After all, it was based on history and Ragnar died in a pit of snakes, just like the character in the show. However, it was still shocking for many, considering he was the main character.

Nothing quite as shocking will likely ever happen on Vikings Season 5, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t had some surprises. There have certainly been times that we’ve watched episodes and just wondered “WTH!” Here’s a look at the five WTH moments so far in the series.

#1. The eating of man

While in the Mediterranean, Bjorn and Halfdan became the world’s worst bodyguards. They completely forgot their job, choosing to have fun one night instead of looking after their client. Of course, that led to the death of the man they were supposed to protect. It went one step further, when they actually ate him!

Yes, really!

The best part of that moment was the look on Halfdan’s face. He just shrugged his shoulders and went back to eating one of the ribs. At least Bjorn had a look of disgust.

#2. Heahmund choosing Lagertha

This shouldn’t have been as shocking as it was, but it seemed out of Heahmund’s character. When Vikings Season 5 began, Heahmund was unwavering in his faith. He wanted to kill all Heathens. Joining Ivar’s army was mainly a means to an end. He saw a way out of the chains and had a chance to kill as many Heathens as he could.

Photo Credit: Vikings/History Channel by Jonathan Hession Image Acquired from A&E Networks Press /

Then he was saved by Lagertha. She saw something in him that made her help him. Instantly he knew that he had her to thank and he repaid her by choosing her.

Lagertha and Heahmund became involved both in the army and personally. There’s certainly more to come for the two of them, but that connection wasn’t really something many guessed would happen at the start of the season.

#3. Hvitserk turning to Rollo

How many people honestly remembered that Rollo had offered help to Hvitserk? I’d only rewatched Vikings Season 4 recently before the Season 5 premiere and had completely forgotten that part. It was only in the “Previous on…” that I realized it was about to come up.

Really, it wasn’t Hvitserk turning to Rollo that was shocking. It was Rollo choosing to help. This was brother against brother. Rollo had a request that Bjorn be saved, but if that was really so important to him, he shouldn’t have given his French army over to help!

Of course, the great thing about this is that Rollo is back for the second part of the season.

#4. King Aethelwulf’s death

In the finale episode of Vikings Season 5A, King Aethelwulf’s role in the series came to an end. It was an anticlimactic death to a once prominent character. This was someone who deserved to die in battle, and really should have died when he found himself trapped in York with Ivar’s army.

Photo Credit: Vikings/History Image Acquired from A&E Networks Press /

Granted, very little is known about the real King Aethelwulf’s death, but at the same time the real King Aethelwulf did much more in the final years of his life. He also had more sons and married twice! Michael Hirst changed a lot.

Opting for death by bee sting was a surprising way to go. It’s not often that a historical show focuses on something like anaphylactic shock. It was only in the moments before that it was clear his death was coming.

#5. Aethelred suggesting Alfred becomes king

As the eldest, Aethelred should have become king. There was no reason for him to listen to his mother to put Alfred first. In fact, had history been followed, Aethelred would have taken the throne first. The Last Kingdom got that part right.

While it makes for good storytelling and suspense at the end of the episode, it didn’t quite make sense overall. However, it could lead to some tension between brothers, as Aethelred likely regrets his decisions.

Next: Vikings Season 5 midseason finale recap: Who goes to Valhalla?

What were your biggest WTH moments in Vikings Season 5? What did you expect to happen differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Vikings Season 5B premieres sometime in 2018.

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5 WTH moments in Vikings Season 5 so far

By Alexandria Ingham | Feb 16, 2018