I’ve missed Athelstan, so it was great to see Ragnar’s Christian buddy show up in Thursday’s new episode. Yes, after being teased for weeks, Bjorn finally had his bloody showdown with the grizzly bear, but that bloody battle actually took a back seat (for me at least) to Athelstan’s guest appearance.

The episode’s title, “Mercy,” was the singular word Athelstan spoke to Ragnar, who took it as a sign he should release Floki from his cave trussing. The late monk appeared to King Ecbert too, in the chamber where Judith’s teachings have taken place. Both Ragnar and Ecbert pleaded for Athelstan to stay with them, but he quickly disappeared. The thing I love about Vikings is Michael Hirst’s ability to successfully interweave scenes of intense emotion with those of chaotic battle or violence. Athelstan’s visit came on the heels of Bjorn’s triumph over the bear, an awful affair that included claws, knives and a well-timed axe.

Bjorn, after skinning the beast, dove into the frigid lake water and emerged, screaming. The symbolism couldn’t have been more obvious: Bjorn plunged into the water a boy and emerged a man. (Did anyone else feel badly for the bear? I know it didn’t really die, but still…) Bjorn’s triumph over the bear should prepare him for his next challenge: surviving an assassination attempt by the berserker Kalf and Erlendur have hired.

Aethelwulf, meanwhile, was proving his own worth. He successfully delivered Kwenthrith and Magnus to the safe haven of Wessex and was rewarded for his troubles by a roll in the hay with Kwenthrith. Little does Aethelwulf know his father is sleeping with his wife. That’s going to make family meals an awkward affair, no?

As for Rollo, he’s still trying to figure out where he fits in in Paris. As he was in Season 1, Rollo is pretty much a laughingstock in France, unable to communicate and unable to win over Gisla. Pair her divorce demand with that priest calling him a savage, and Rollo’s having a pretty crap time in the City of Light. The thing is, you can never count the big man out. (And seeing as history documents a viking dude named Rollo being part of the Paris upper class, we know things are going to work out eventually.)

What did you think of Thursday’s new episode? How will Floki react when Ragnar tells him he’s free because of Athelstan? Let me know in the comments or via Twitter.

Vikings airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on History.

After last week’s Season 4 return catching viewers up with what was going on with the viking side of the story, Thursday’s instalment ventured into Wessex while following Floki’s misadventures and Bjorn’s icy journey of survival.

“Kill the Queen” covered a lot of ground, announcing Queen Kwenthrith had been overthrown after Merican nobles refused to pay homage to Ecbert and imprisoned she and her son in a tower. That meant Aethelwulf was put in charge of breaking her free as he coordinated an attack against the nobles. To this point, Ecbert’s son has been a bit of a joke, but what he proved to be an astute tactician in the field and saved Kwenthrith. (She did her part in deadly hand-to-hand combat in the tower when her female guards attempted to murder she and her son.) Aethelwulf is proving himself a man to his father, something Bjorn can certainly relate to.

As for King Ecbert, I’m not sure what his plan is regarding Judith. Last season it appeared he was trying to steal her from his son. Is offering her freedom to do anything—including learning to gild pages of the bible—part of that plot or does he have something else up his sleeve? As someone who is getting bored of Judith’s watery-eyed stares, I’m glad she’s finally got something to do story-wise other than simper around covering her ear hole.

Off in Paris, the power-hungry Rollo was only too happy to help Odo plan against any future viking attack by showing how to stop the longboats from advancing upriver. Little does Rollo know that machinations behind the scenes are working against Odo and towards Ragnar’s brother becoming the Emperor’s right-hand man.

Meanwhile, there’s poor Floki. He’s always been one of my favourite characters, especially in earlier seasons when he was very much the comic relief. His crisis of character and questionable moves against Ragnar have put him in an awful place. For awhile it looked like he might escape capture and head into the woods, but instead he’s been laid even lower: chained in a cave with water dripping on his head and only his thoughts to keep him company. Will he go completely insane upon learning of his daughter’s death or will he earn a place back in Ragnar’s heart? He seems too dangerous to for the latter, unless he’s willing to swallow his pride, and Floki doesn’t seem the type.

Vikings airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on History.

Like a viking raid, there was a lot going on during Vikings‘ Season 4 return on History. “A Good Treason” had a lot of ground to cover, and for the most part was successful. Season 3, of course, concluded with a grievously-injured Ragnar being transported back to Kattegat, Rollo left behind as a representative in Paris and Floki realizing Ragnar knew he murdered Athelstan.

Thursday’s return caught up with everyone an untold amount of time later, though enough time had passed that Ragnar’s sons were significantly older, Ragnar was on the mend and Rollo was wed to a very unhappy Princess Gisla. (Quick note: I appreciated seeing the symbolism surrounding the gates of Valhalla and them closing in front of Ragnar to represent him going back to the land of the living, but the scene was a little too long.)

Meanwhile, Aslaug—clearly tired of Ragnar’s ways—approached The Seer and asked if a woman will lead Kattegat after Ragnar was dead. The Seer, who loves to speak in circles, answered in the affirmative, though I doubt it’s the current Queen he was speaking of. No, my money is on Lagertha, who returned to Hedeby with her own plunder. Kalf, who is quickly becoming a favourite character of mine, announced he and Lagertha will rule the outpost together, drawing the ire of Einer, who immediately plotted to oust the shield maiden from the town for good. Unfortunately for Einer, Kalf had a backup plan and—with the help of Erlendur, who was armed with a bunch of French crossbows—eliminated the threat. (I had to turn away when Lagertha cut off Einer’s genitals. Don’t ever cross that shield maiden.)

As for Floki, he’s in tough thanks to an over-eager Bjorn, who had Ragnar’s most loyal friend and brilliant ship and siege tower builder arrested. As a convalescing Ragnar reminded his eldest son, now he has to deal with Floki sooner rather than later. Bjorn, smarting from the comment, announced his intention to go off on his own and survive, proving to Ragnar he is able to shoulder responsibility. Pair the fact Bjorn didn’t tell his father about the map of the Mediterranean and the sudden Boy Scout field trip, and I’m betting Bjorn’s next ask is to put oars in the water and lead a group in search of the sea. (Those Bjorn vs. bear images floating around the Internet suggest the ursine challenge is coming soon.)

Finally, new Canadian cast member Dianne Doan made a brief appearance, first being purchased by Aslaug and then when Ragnar noticed her in the great hall. I can’t wait to see where that storyline goes.

More Vikings runes

• I love the newish opening credits with flames, blood and Kattegat
• Kattegat has expanded inland and the fleet is much larger
• Ragnar had a right to be upset with Bjorn for leaving Rollo behind. He knows his brother will turn against him when presented with a position of power.

Vikings airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on History.