Lagertha and Aslaug have some words. Ragnar and Ecbert have some words too.
Lots of words.
"In the Uncertain Hour Before the Morning" is a slow paced episode, with little action, heaps of talking and a couple of surprises. It is not an episode that will keep the viewer at the edge of their seat, or cover their eyes at the fights and deaths, but it is entertaining and worth watching nonetheless.
Lagertha and Aslaug's confrontation had been something that we all knew was going to happen. And the plot (and direction and actors) do a great job when the showdown actually happens. Lagertha is one of the most interesting characters in the series and Winnick makes Lagertha a character to respect (even if you do not agree with the decisions she takes).
Ragnar and Ecbert's meeting offers, well, long dialogues. The show does a good job in stretching what could have been told in one minute to almost two thirds of the episode. Still, it becomes too thin and overstretched, with too much talk about gods and what is reality and the meaning of life. Luckily for us, both actors make the showdown interesting, even if Travis Fimmel overdoes Ragnar's mannerisms a tiny little bit.
Good episode, because of the acting and atmosphere, and because the characters are interesting. However, the story is non-existing and it could have been half an episode perfectly.