In episodes 7 and 8 of Season 2, rivalries harden and new alliances begin to reshape the balance of power on both sides of the sea. Ragnar and King Horik clash over the fate of Jarl Borg and over who should control their next expedition to England. While Horik argues that they still need Borg’s ships and warriors, Ragnar finds an unexpected new ally in Lagertha, now commanding warriors of her own. With that obstacle removed, Ragnar carries out one of the most terrifying punishments in Viking tradition: the blood eagle. At the same time, King Ecbert welcomes King Aelle to Wessex and seals an alliance between their kingdoms through marriage, preparing England for the Vikings’ inevitable return. The tension only increases when Aslaug’s dark prophecy appears to come true with the birth of Ragnar’s son Ivar, while the Viking fleet once again sails for Wessex. Ragnar wants negotiation and sees the possibility of something more lasting than simple plunder, but Horik is driven by revenge and increasingly resents Ragnar’s independence. Ecbert, meanwhile, prepares both for peace and war, using Athelstan as a link to the man he knows is unlike any other Viking leader. When Ragnar discovers that Athelstan is still alive and Ecbert offers talks under safe conduct, the possibility of a historic agreement suddenly emerges—but distrust, ambition and bloodshed threaten to destroy it before it can even begin.
Across two continents and from one pole to the other, this spectacular wildlife series explores the wonders, mysteries and fragilities of the Americas. Narrated by Tom Hanks, it reveals extraordinary animal behaviour, dramatic struggles for survival and some of the planet’s most varied landscapes, from frozen wilderness and ancient forests to deserts, tropical seas and vast grasslands. Filmed over five years and more than 180 expeditions, the series combines intimate wildlife stories with remarkable natural spectacles, showing both the resilience of life and the delicate balance on which these ecosystems depend. In the first three episodes, the journey begins along the Atlantic Coast, where wild horses battle, bald eagles pursue ospreys, sharks move among great shoals of fish, raccoons adapt to city life and black bears search ancient forests for food. It then heads south into Mexico, where deserts meet the tropics and pygmy owls, hunting orcas, orchid bees and mysterious creatures in flooded caves reveal a hidden world of astonishing diversity. Finally, the Wild West brings an even harsher test of survival, as coyotes face a snowbound Yellowstone, hundreds of rattlesnakes emerge from their winter refuges, woodpeckers compete to store food, bison clash across the Great Plains and immense gatherings of cranes continue one of nature’s most ancient migrations.
The tension only increases when Aslaug’s dark prophecy appears to come true with the birth of Ragnar’s son Ivar, while the Viking fleet once again sails for Wessex. Ragnar wants negotiation and sees the possibility of something more lasting than simple plunder, but Horik is driven by revenge and increasingly resents Ragnar’s independence. Ecbert, meanwhile, prepares both for peace and war, using Athelstan as a link to the man he knows is unlike any other Viking leader. When Ragnar discovers that Athelstan is still alive and Ecbert offers talks under safe conduct, the possibility of a historic agreement suddenly emerges—but distrust, ambition and bloodshed threaten to destroy it before it can even begin.