Vikings recap: What happens to Helgi’s family when Floki and Flatnose arrive?

Vikings Season 5, Episode 17 continued with the shocking twists and deaths. What happened to Helgi’s family and is Hvitserk safe from Ivar’s tyrant ways?

Vikings Season 5 is getting close to the end. That means loyalties are tested and not everyone is going to make it out alive. After the shocking death of Aethelred last week, it’s clear that nobody is safe.

The last we left our characters, Floki and Flatnose were heading off to help Helgi’s family. There was hope that things would be different, but is that the case once the saviors get there? Meanwhile, Wessex deals with the loss of a prince and Ivar makes it clear he needs his people’s adoration.

More from Drama

• The Serpent Queen season 2 release updates and everything we know
• Is Quantum Leap on tonight? (November 22, 2023)
• Is Magnum P.I. on tonight? (Nov. 22, 2023)
• Miss Scarlet and the Duke returns for season 4 at the top of 2024
• The Way Home season 2 trailer reveals 1800s storyline and release date!

Bjorn and Harald make a deal

Let’s start in York, where Bjorn and Harald are now joining forces. Harald makes it clear that he wants Kattegat and he already had an agreement with Ivar. Bjorn promises that he’ll honor that deal but this time after he dies — and he’ll make Gunnhild swear to this as his intended bride. Yes, Bjorn is looking to get married again.

He may have some competition. Harald is also interested in Gunnhild and that’s not too surprising. She’s a great warrior. And she has the intention of becoming queen of the whole of Norway.

However, for now, she’s also into Bjorn. He admits he doesn’t know if he’s ever been in love, but he is definitely in lust. And while he’s not sure, he does tell her he loves her and it’s enough for her to bring him to bed. Who wouldn’t want to be with one of the most famous men in the world?

Wessex is under attack

Alfred wakes from his illness to find his brother being buried. While Aethelflaed knows that there’s something suspicious, Judith wants to get rid of her widowed daughter-in-law quickly. After that, she tells Alfred the full truth about her hand in Aethelred’s death.

Naturally, he’s upset and angry but there isn’t time to deal with that. There’s a Danish army coming from Dublin to Cornwall and he needs Ubbe and Torvi’s help. Alfred says he’ll lead the army, but Ubbe makes it clear that he needs to instead.

Watch your favorite shows on fuboTV: Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!

Hvitserk is sent away

Ivar wants the adoration and loyalty of his people. To do that, he needs to prove that he’s not someone to mess with, so he wants to kill Hvitserk.

Freydis believes that would be a mistake but Ivar needs to get rid of his threat. So, what does he decide to do? He’ll send Hvitserk away instead. While Hvitserk doesn’t want to leave Kattegat, he goes on a ship to England to join Harald in the fight against Alfred.

Now it makes sense why there were clips of Hvitserk fighting with Bjorn.

Helgi’s family don’t make it out alive

We had hoped that Floki and Flatnose would be able to save Helgi and his family. While Floki did have that intention, Flatnose and his son have had other ideas this whole time. In a shock decision, Flatnose and his son kill the women and younger ones inside the tent and leave Eyvid and Helgi outside in the cold overnight.

The following morning, Eyvid is executed. Floki, angry and shocked at Flatnose’s actions, attempt to prevent Helgi’s death. After all, Helgi had nothing to do with his wife’s murder. He is a victim in all this, too. Flatnose refuses to listen and kills his widower son-in-law, too.

Aud is shocked to learn of everything when the group return to their settlement. That was never something she wanted. Unable to withstand the grief and pain any longer, Aud decides to throw herself over a waterfall, and all Floki can do is watch in despair. The only surviving pure part of the settlement is gone.

Did you expect Helgi and his family to die? Were you shocked to see Gunnhild choose both men in her own way? What did you think of Vikings Season 5, Episode 17? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Vikings Season 5 continues on Wednesday at 9/8c on HISTORY.