In the next three episodes of Season 2, Ragnar’s ambitions in England collide with a devastating crisis at home. His first face-to-face encounter with King Ecbert reveals two formidable leaders who recognize something of themselves in each other and begin to imagine possibilities beyond endless bloodshed. But while Ragnar negotiates in Wessex, Jarl Borg has seized Kattegat and driven his family into hiding. Ragnar abandons England and races home, where an unexpected reunion changes everything: Lagertha and Bjorn return with warriors of their own, joining Ragnar and Rollo in a desperate battle to reclaim Kattegat and settle an increasingly personal score. Victory, however, only creates new dangers. Athelstan survives a terrifying ordeal in Wessex and finds himself drawn into the confidence of the intellectually curious King Ecbert, forcing him to confront once again the conflict between his Christian faith and the Viking world that has transformed him. Lagertha must return to a brutal marriage, Bjorn begins to choose his own path, and King Horik arrives with a proposal Ragnar can barely accept: Jarl Borg may be needed as an ally for another invasion of England. Ragnar appears willing to put vengeance aside—but beneath the feasts, negotiations and promises of reconciliation, a merciless trap is closing. Loyalty, faith and family are tested as Ragnar proves that forgiveness and revenge can sometimes wear exactly the same face.
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.
Garry Kasparov is arguably the greatest chess player who has ever lived. In 1997 he played a chess match against IBM's computer Deep Blue. Kasparov lost the match. This film shows the match and the events surrounding it from Kasparov's perspective. It delves into the psychological aspects of the game, paranoia surrounding it and suspicions that have arisen around IBM's true tactics. It consists of interviews with Kasparov, his manager, chess experts, and members of the IBM Deep Blue team, as well as original footage of the match itself.
Victory, however, only creates new dangers. Athelstan survives a terrifying ordeal in Wessex and finds himself drawn into the confidence of the intellectually curious King Ecbert, forcing him to confront once again the conflict between his Christian faith and the Viking world that has transformed him. Lagertha must return to a brutal marriage, Bjorn begins to choose his own path, and King Horik arrives with a proposal Ragnar can barely accept: Jarl Borg may be needed as an ally for another invasion of England. Ragnar appears willing to put vengeance aside—but beneath the feasts, negotiations and promises of reconciliation, a merciless trap is closing. Loyalty, faith and family are tested as Ragnar proves that forgiveness and revenge can sometimes wear exactly the same face.