When Netflix’s hugely popularVikings: Valhallaended, it left me dissatisfied by some of its loose ends. TheVikingsspinoff based its main characters on real figures from 11th-century Europe, such as the famed Viking explorer, Leif Erikson, and Canute, the Viking king of England. WhileValhallarepeatedVikings’lack of historical accuracy, it contained many subtle nods that only history buffs would pick up on. One of these centered around Earl Godwin, Canute’s scheming advisor. Along with his heirs,Godwin had a major role to play in an important period of English history.
I became fascinated by this character ever since the shocking scene whereGodwin killed King Edmund. UnlikeValhalla’smore brutal warlord antagonists, Godwin relied on cunning, surreptitiously pulling strings to bring about his ultimate dream: to seehis son become the king of England. Netflix’s disappointingdecision to endVikings: Valhallaafter season 3meant we never got to see the full rise and fall of the historical House of Godwin. I wish the series had built upon the foundations it laid for anEnglish succession war, which would have seen Godwin’s dream realized.
I Can’t Believe Vikings: Valhalla Started Setting Up A Major Succession Story - Then Just Ended
Season 3 Introduced Several Characters With A Claim To Canute’s English Throne
Vikings: Valhallaset up a major storyline surrounding the dispute over who would succeed Canute on the English throne, which was surprising, given that season 3 was the series' last. In the penultimate episode, Canute divided his empire among his heirs. Though he ultimately decided to leave England in the hands of Queen Emma,many of these characters did end up serving as the king of Englandfor a time.The series ended with Harefoot’s shocking ascension. Harthacanute followed him, and after he succumbed to illness in his early 20s, Emma’s son Edward took the throne.
Vikings Valhalla Season 3 Ending Explained: What Happens To Everyone?
Vikings: Valhalla ended with its third season, which was full of twists, turns, and shocking reveals for Leif, Harald, Freydis, and Queen Emma.
There were more future kings of England not present at this meeting, however, who also appeared briefly in the series. Godwin’s fortuitous marriage to Gytha made their sons, Harold and Tostig, part of the royal lineage. HadVikings: Valhallacontinued, we would have seen the House of Godwin rise into further prominence. By the mid-11th century, Godwin and his extended family were the most prominent nobles in England. Their power was consolidated when King Edward granted earldoms to Godwin’s two eldest sons.This would eventually lead to Godwin’s dream becoming a reality.
Vikings: Valhalla’s Succession Story Could Have Eventually Led To Godwin’s Son Being King
Harold Godwinson’s Short Reign Ended In His Defeat By William The Conqueror
While it’s unlikely thatVikings: Valhallawould have run all the way up to the Norman conquest,it’s clear that the showrunners had plans to explore this period more deeply had the series continued. The final season introduced several seemingly inconsequential side characters. One of these was the mysterious young Duke of Normandy, William, who was strangely given a detailed backstory despite only appearing for one episode. He is best known by the pseudonym he would eventually earn as William the Conqueror, who famously stole the throne fromthe last Anglo-Saxon king of England: Harold Godwinson.
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Vikings: Valhalla season 3 introduced William, Duke of Normandy, but it didn’t explore his story, despite becoming an important historical figure.
The Godwin family’s ties to the throne were further entrenched by the marriage of Godwin and Gytha’s daughter, Edith, to Emma’s son Edward. However, Edward the Confessor never produced an heir, and when his health failed, he appointed his brother-in-law, Harold, to succeed him. Nonetheless,Harold’s reign was short-lived. During his nine months on the throne, he fought off an invasion by Harald Hadrada (i.e.Valhalla’sHarald) before meeting his death at the hands of William’s forces in the Battle of Hastings. This historical context adds another layer toVikings: Valhalla, knowing thatGodwin’s ambitions ultimately ended in tragedy.
Why Did Vikings: Valhalla End After Season 3?
Godwin made for a compelling secondary antagonist inVikings: Valhalla,and while his key role in the series acknowledged the real Earl Godwin’s importance in the lead-up to the Norman conquest, I felt that the show ended before his arc was complete.Valhallaseason 4 would have included the tragic death of Alfred, Emma’s other son. Godwin captured the young prince and turned him over to Harefoot, who had him brutally killed. Establishing Godwin’s alliance with Harefoot,Valhallaset up Godwin’s most despicable act.His son’s ultimate demise provides a fitting end to Godwin’s hubristic ambition.
Unfortunately, storylines I’d have loved to see inVikings: Valhalla’soriginal five-season plan– most notably, Leif’s arrival in America – never made it into the show.Netflix’s decision to end the epic saga was made with the full agreement of creator Jeb Stewart, who felt that the series had successfully portrayed the evolution of Leif, Freydis, and Harald. Minor characters like Godwin also received a satisfying conclusion. His final betrayal of Emma underscored his self-serving commitment to"always backing the winner."
Vikings Valhalladid an admirable job at conveying the complex power struggles of 11th-century Europe.
Nonetheless, given the show’s effort to carefully lay the seeds for the conflict to come, I was disappointed that we never got to see more of the succession arc play out. It’s understandable thatValhallaended where it did. Expecting the series to cover the intricacies of early English history was a big ask. Its Viking characters were always going to be the main focus, andVikings: Valhalladid an admirable job at conveying the complex power struggles of 11th-century Europe. Still,with all the great material teased in its final season, a sequel series wouldn’t go amiss.
Vikings: Valhalla
Cast
Set over a thousand years ago in the early 11th century, Vikings: Valhalla chronicles the heroic adventures of some of the most famous Vikings ever chronicled. As tensions between the Vikings and the English royals reach a bloody breaking point and as the Vikings themselves clash over their conflicting Christian and pagan beliefs, these three Vikings begin an epic journey that will take them across oceans and through battlefields, from Kattegat to England and beyond, as they fight for survival and glory.
