This episode didn't had much action, but the entire conversation between two kings was legendary. The next episode will be amazing, can't wait to see it.
15 Reviews
Golden writing
theteamavengers4 January 2021
Golden conversation
uzairarshad-159775 May 2020
At last
Khaela7 June 2020
Ecbert and Ragnar are talking again... only Athelstan is missing. It is for me one of the good point of this show, the facing of two different cultures and religion and how people can talk about them.
If you prefer an episode for violence or sex scenes, the latter generally does not add anything to the plot, well you will find this episode a bit long...
Underrated
jorgitofunes13 August 2019
Greatest Episode of Whole series
krishu-7819918 November 2020
Best written dialogue in the entire Show
tannerjmichels20 January 2020
Very powerful, outstanding hour of Vikings television
hellbendermlg6 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Lagertha once again uses Katheryn Winnick's good looks and charm to deceive Aslaug and shoot her in the back, forcing her the join the Kalf club. Who can blame her of course, she's viking - there is little room for moral code, although her dishonourable murder of an unarmed ex- queen is something that the people of Kattegat may take offence by.
Magnuspoiled gets the boot and must go off on his own. Maybe he won't fight a bear and a berserker, or maybe he will. Either way, this storyline doesn't interest me, especially after finding out the yellow truth about Queen Kwenthrith and Ragnar's relationship.
But disregard all that, King Ecbert and Ragnar Lothbrok reunite, resulting in scenes which feature very strong acting and are an absolute blast.
Ecbert - the lonely soul who has come to the realisation that his culture and religion do not matter and that there is no reason to believe in anything, having to put on an act in front of his people and uphold the values and faith that are to be expected of him - finally gets a visit from the man who has reached the same conclusion. Two men who view themselves as only humans, having to tackle the problems of their respective people, who see them as chosen by, or having descended from God.
His kindred soul in the form of Ragnar has finally come back. They dance around the fact that Ragnar is bound for death, getting the problems regarding the agro-settlement's destruction and their equally similar and different religions out of the way before finally talking about the man they love and so desperately yearn for in their most trying of times - Athelstan.
They make an agreement on Ragnar and Ivar's futures and also that of the islands, which Ragnar insists will soon face the vengeful wrath of his sons.
Thoroughly enjoyed this episode. These characters and the atmosphere that has been so beautifully created is why I love this show.
Magnuspoiled gets the boot and must go off on his own. Maybe he won't fight a bear and a berserker, or maybe he will. Either way, this storyline doesn't interest me, especially after finding out the yellow truth about Queen Kwenthrith and Ragnar's relationship.
But disregard all that, King Ecbert and Ragnar Lothbrok reunite, resulting in scenes which feature very strong acting and are an absolute blast.
Ecbert - the lonely soul who has come to the realisation that his culture and religion do not matter and that there is no reason to believe in anything, having to put on an act in front of his people and uphold the values and faith that are to be expected of him - finally gets a visit from the man who has reached the same conclusion. Two men who view themselves as only humans, having to tackle the problems of their respective people, who see them as chosen by, or having descended from God.
His kindred soul in the form of Ragnar has finally come back. They dance around the fact that Ragnar is bound for death, getting the problems regarding the agro-settlement's destruction and their equally similar and different religions out of the way before finally talking about the man they love and so desperately yearn for in their most trying of times - Athelstan.
They make an agreement on Ragnar and Ivar's futures and also that of the islands, which Ragnar insists will soon face the vengeful wrath of his sons.
Thoroughly enjoyed this episode. These characters and the atmosphere that has been so beautifully created is why I love this show.
Eckbert and Ragnar get philosophical and Magnus gets the boot!
haroldmigias30 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
An excellent episode. The interaction between King Ecbert and Ragnar was great! They both have so much in common. Both are in a sense "renaissance men" and trailblazers in their respective worlds. I felt sorry for Magnus, though. He seems to have been raised in pampered luxury and then is rejected by his supposed father and then thrown out into the real world completely unprepared. I'm not sure if he was expelled by Ecbert or if Aethewulf was trying to save the kid from a certain death with all of the palace intrigues going on. I hope Magnus survives to reenter the story. Kudos to Cameron Hogan on a part well played for such a young "tyke".
What an exchange of Dialogue! Outstanding!!!
qaisbro21 April 2022
The greatest scene of the serie
cedriccha26 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The talks betwwen the 2 kings is perfectly executed. Talk betwen two same souls looking at the past, the present and the future, love and death. There relation was built for that specific moment, such strong feelings and talent, well done.
Change of power
tenshi_ippikiookami27 December 2016
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.
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.
The Queen Is Dead. Long Live the Queen!
claudio_carvalho14 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
In Wessex, Aethelwulf arrests Ragnar and Ivar and when King Ecbert returns, he has a long conversation with Ragnar. The talk about faith, God and gods and Athelston, and Ragnar asks Ecbert to kill him. He refuses but accepts to deliver Ragnar to King Aelle and to take Ivar back home. In Kattegat, Lagherta kills Queen Auslag despite her renounce as a queen in favour of Lagherta. Ubbe and Sigurd arrive in Kattegat and Ubbe tries to kill Lagherta but they are imprisoned by her warriors.
"In the Uncertain Hour before the Morning" is the fourteenth episode of the Fourth Season of "Vikings". It took a long time to Lagherta resolve her issues with Auslag. It is hard to understand the attitude of Ragnar after his disappearance and loss of power in ten years. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "In the Uncertain Hour Before the Morning"
"In the Uncertain Hour before the Morning" is the fourteenth episode of the Fourth Season of "Vikings". It took a long time to Lagherta resolve her issues with Auslag. It is hard to understand the attitude of Ragnar after his disappearance and loss of power in ten years. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "In the Uncertain Hour Before the Morning"
Cry me a river, O Athelstan!..
hamidullahgenc9 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
If one asks what the significance of this episode is, we can claim that there is not many but one.
Earl Lagertha kills Queen Asloug in cold blood, like the series tell us how a Viking should behave when it comes to being a leader. (There is a spoiler alert for LGBT community. Their much awaited viewership is now reached for the fact that there is the partner of a woman (Astrid) for Lagertha.)
The sons of Ragnar resembles him not only in the appearance, but in lust for power and women, too.
Aethelwulf, son of Ecbert is still acting on rush decisions, while Ecbert is living on his intelectual ideas in somewhat "cool" form of Christianity as the unifier King of Wessex and Mercia. (No praising here... To step forward / to do something unethically new is always cool in the eyes of humans.)
We are to leave Floki and Rollo to their journey to invade Al-andalus as they aren't to be seen in this episode. Someone's wife goes to her chamber in disappointment with her husband's betrayal of God. (Okay, to each their own belief. But if there is no solid authority, like the Book and the Tradition, one could easily jump off of a Ship of Faith to another in their selfish manners. Dear Rollo, pun intended...)
What makes this episode significant is the reunion of King Ecbert and King Ragnar. Why?.. For the last three episodes, we could easily believe that something is definitely wrong with Ragnar, his strength and his government.
Not necessarily for that he was beaten in France by his brother, or that he is now old; but because his ambitions were to fade away and, more importantly, his pursuit of the calm state he was living in, when both Athelstan and Ecbert in company.
So, Ragnar tried everything to get to England... and it would also serve as an attraction for a wave of attack by the Vikings to avenge him! Bravo!
(All the bloodshed is to cry for. But... ideas.)
Their talk on religions and Gods would not gleam as fresh arguments or philosophically challenging, as someone might claim that you believe what you deem to be right, and there is no unavoidable sameness in the cases of Earth and Heaven(s) for most religions, including Christianity. And even if there is, it would still be different than that of here.
Think about it; we cannot even judge / enjoy the same movie in the same way / degree ever.
That is why, the character of Athelstan is way genuine a believer, along with a number of others (both from Christians and Vikings); for he follows / they follow the logic not one hundred percent!.. Both heart and mind, he is / they are of. That is better in consistency. All of us know that the general superiority of mind over heart is something new...
So, how is it that, if given the information that Heaven is of the same essence as Earth, we would get the same joy and eventually get sick of it?.. Oh, man (and woman!); we are to dig for nothing, I fear.
All in all, their (Ragnar and Ecbert) hale-fellow-well-met relationship is gold... as it reminds us of our late-night, after-school, congregation-in-a-café, slumber-party talks with the circle of friends of different settings. And their shared affection for Athelstan. Hey, no one can understand why humans love or hate!.. And we see the illogical logic behind their love for him. Well played by the actors, (Mr. Linus Roache and, thankfully, Mr. Travis Fimmel) too.
Here is a saying of my culture: "Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder."
If only Ragnar would raise his soul... from dirt. Amen.
Earl Lagertha kills Queen Asloug in cold blood, like the series tell us how a Viking should behave when it comes to being a leader. (There is a spoiler alert for LGBT community. Their much awaited viewership is now reached for the fact that there is the partner of a woman (Astrid) for Lagertha.)
The sons of Ragnar resembles him not only in the appearance, but in lust for power and women, too.
Aethelwulf, son of Ecbert is still acting on rush decisions, while Ecbert is living on his intelectual ideas in somewhat "cool" form of Christianity as the unifier King of Wessex and Mercia. (No praising here... To step forward / to do something unethically new is always cool in the eyes of humans.)
We are to leave Floki and Rollo to their journey to invade Al-andalus as they aren't to be seen in this episode. Someone's wife goes to her chamber in disappointment with her husband's betrayal of God. (Okay, to each their own belief. But if there is no solid authority, like the Book and the Tradition, one could easily jump off of a Ship of Faith to another in their selfish manners. Dear Rollo, pun intended...)
What makes this episode significant is the reunion of King Ecbert and King Ragnar. Why?.. For the last three episodes, we could easily believe that something is definitely wrong with Ragnar, his strength and his government.
Not necessarily for that he was beaten in France by his brother, or that he is now old; but because his ambitions were to fade away and, more importantly, his pursuit of the calm state he was living in, when both Athelstan and Ecbert in company.
So, Ragnar tried everything to get to England... and it would also serve as an attraction for a wave of attack by the Vikings to avenge him! Bravo!
(All the bloodshed is to cry for. But... ideas.)
Their talk on religions and Gods would not gleam as fresh arguments or philosophically challenging, as someone might claim that you believe what you deem to be right, and there is no unavoidable sameness in the cases of Earth and Heaven(s) for most religions, including Christianity. And even if there is, it would still be different than that of here.
Think about it; we cannot even judge / enjoy the same movie in the same way / degree ever.
That is why, the character of Athelstan is way genuine a believer, along with a number of others (both from Christians and Vikings); for he follows / they follow the logic not one hundred percent!.. Both heart and mind, he is / they are of. That is better in consistency. All of us know that the general superiority of mind over heart is something new...
So, how is it that, if given the information that Heaven is of the same essence as Earth, we would get the same joy and eventually get sick of it?.. Oh, man (and woman!); we are to dig for nothing, I fear.
All in all, their (Ragnar and Ecbert) hale-fellow-well-met relationship is gold... as it reminds us of our late-night, after-school, congregation-in-a-café, slumber-party talks with the circle of friends of different settings. And their shared affection for Athelstan. Hey, no one can understand why humans love or hate!.. And we see the illogical logic behind their love for him. Well played by the actors, (Mr. Linus Roache and, thankfully, Mr. Travis Fimmel) too.
Here is a saying of my culture: "Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder."
- Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi
If only Ragnar would raise his soul... from dirt. Amen.
Ecbert and Ragnar at their strongest
leehillier234 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Auslag's death was gorgeous! Just what she deserved, thinking she'd won just to have Lagertha deal the final blow. The reunion of Ragnar and Ecbert was as brilliant as I thought. The two of them together absolutely command the scene. The discussion about religion was also brilliant.
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