nd that anger may be rooted in Athelstan's death. Our parting gift from Season 3 was a bucket of gasoline on the fire of Ragnar's love for his dearly departed friend. As the Vikings sailed home from France, Ragnar called Floki over and revealed, "I know you killed Athelstan." We've always suspected that Ragnar knew the truth, but seeing it confirmed—and witnessing Floki's reaction—was a chilling way to say goodbye to Season 3. We have to assume that Ragnar heard everything Floki said to him while he was in the coffin, and even though Floki didn't confess outright, he was clearly pained by Ragnar's affection for Athelstan even after Ragnar was gone. Now was the time for Ragnar to say, "Dude, I know what you did." And Season 4 had better be the time for something big to grow out of a relationship tainted by jealousy and betrayal, because I can't handle anymore simmering.
Of course, "The Dead" wasn't all about Ragnar faking his own death. Rollo enjoyed a nice, meaty story, and that's good because his character needed it. He deserves to be more than Vikings' most imposing shirtless figure, and now he's caught between Ragnar and King Charles. Rollo decided to stay behind in France at Ragnar's request, likely to remind the French they're being watched. But the French used Rollo's presence to their advantage and Charles the Simple concocted a plan: If you can't beat them, let them join you. He offered Princess Gisla's hand in marriage to Rollo, which gifted us this lovely exchange and reminded us of why screencaps were invented: