"Vikings" took some down time to get spiritual. Ragnar's captured monk, Athelstan, may be looking more like a viking these days, but had he reneged his ways and his religion and truly become one of them? If so, he may live to regret doing so -- or more specifically, he would not live to regret doing so. As part of their own religious ceremony, Ragnar and the vikings were going to be sacrificing various creatures in multiples of nine.
Nine humans were included in the sacrifice, but it was apparently important that these nine be sacrificed willingly, and with full belief in their gods. This proved a lifesaver for Athelstan, as the Seer didn't believe that he had renounced his old faith. A cross hanging from his wrist betrayed the truth, but as a non-believer in their ways, Athelstan would not do for a sacrifice. It's a good thing, as he'd never really volunteered in the first place.
So another man among them announced that it would be his honor to die so that the gods may grace the remaining vikings. While it may not have been an episode of bloody battles, there was nevertheless plenty of bloodshed, showing that violence and death were an accepted mainstay in viking culture. It was simply the way it was.
The bloodfest continues every Sunday on "Vikings" at 10 p.m. ET on History.
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