Valhalla ended after setting up a huge story that would have realized Godwin’s dream

When Netflix is ​​very popular Vikings: Valhalla Finally, it left me unsatisfied by some of its loose ends. The Vikings Spinoff based its main characters on real figures from 11th-century Europe, such as the famous Viking explorer, Leif Erikson, and Canute, the Viking king of England. While Valhalla repeated Vikings Lacking historical accuracy, it contained many subtle nods that only history buffs would pick up on. One of these centered around Earl Godwin, Canute’s scheming advisor. along with his heirs, Godwin had a great role to play in an important period of English history.

I have been fascinated by this character since the shocking scene where Godwin killed King Edmund. Not similar Valhalla’s More brutal warlord antagonists, Godwin relied on cunning, surreptitiously pulling strings to bring about his ultimate dream: to see his son become the King of England. Netflix’s disappointing decision to end Vikings: Valhalla Yet season 3 meant we never got to see the full rise and fall of the historic House of Godwin. I wish the series had built on the foundations it laid for a War of English Succession, which would have seen Godwin’s dream realized.

I can’t believe Vikings: Valhalla started setting up a major succession story – then just ended

Season 3 introduced several characters with a claim to Canute’s English throne

Vikings: Valhalla Set up a major storyline around the dispute over who would succeed Canute on the English throne, which was surprising as season 3 was the last of the series. In the final episode, Canute divides his empire among his heirs. Although he ultimately decided to leave England in the hands of Queen Emma, ​​many of these characters served as the King of England for a time. The series ended with Harefoot’s shocking ascent. Harthacanote followed him, and after he succumbed to illness in his early 20s, Emma’s son Edward took the throne.

There were more future kings of England not present at this meeting, however, who also appeared briefly in the series. Godwin’s lucky marriage with Gita made their sons, Harold and Tostig, part of the royal lineage. did Vikings: Valhalla Continued, we would have seen the House of Godwin rise to further prominence. By the mid-11th century, Godwin and his extended family were the most prominent nobles in England. Their power was consolidated when King Edward granted earldoms to Godwin’s two eldest sons. This would eventually lead to Godwin’s dream becoming a reality.

Vikings: Valhalla’s Succession Story could eventually lead to Godwin’s son being king

Harold Godwinson’s short reign ended in his defeat by William the Conqueror

While it’s unlikely that Vikings: Valhalla would have run all the way up to the Norman Conquest, It’s clear that the showrunners have plans to explore this period more deeply if the series is continued. The last season introduced some seemingly inconsequential side characters. One of these was the mysterious young Duke of Normandy, William, who was strangely given a detailed backstory despite only being in one episode. He is best known by the pseudonym he would eventually earn as William the Conqueror, who famously stole the throne from The Last Anglo-Saxon King of England: Harold Godwinson.

The Godwin family’s ties to the throne were further entrenched by the marriage of Godwin and Gita’s daughter, Edith, to Emma’s son Edward. However, Edward the Confessor never produced an heir, and when his health failed, he appointed his brother-in-law, Harold, to succeed him. nevertheless, Harold’s reign was short-lived. During his nine months on the throne, he fought off an invasion by Harald Hadrada (i.e. Valhalla’s Harald) before meeting his death at the hands of William’s forces at the Battle of Hastings. This historical context adds another layer to it Vikings: ValhallaKnowing that Godwin’s ambitions ultimately ended in tragedy.

Why did Vikings: Valhalla end after Season 3?

The series had a satisfying conclusion but left many stories unfinished

Godwin made for a compelling secondary antagonist in Vikings: Valhalla, And while his key role in the series acknowledged the real Earl Godwin’s importance in the lead-up to the Norman Conquest, I felt the show ended before his arc was complete. Valhalla Season 4 would have included the tragic death of Alfred, Emma’s other son. Godwin captured the young prince and handed him over to Harefoot, who brutally killed him. Establishing Godwin’s alliance with Harefoot, Valhalla Set up Godwin’s most despicable act. His son’s eventual death provides a fitting end to Godwin’s hubristic ambition.

Unfortunately, storylines I would have loved to see in Vikings: Valhalla’s The original five-season plan—most notably, Leif’s arrival in America—never made it into the show. Netflix’s decision to end the epic saga was made with the full agreement of creator Jeb Stewartwho felt that the series successfully portrayed the evolution of Leif, Freidis and Harald. Minor characters like Godwin also get a satisfying conclusion. His ultimate betrayal of Emma underscored his self-serving commitment to “Always backing the winner.”

Nevertheless, given the show’s effort to carefully lay the seeds for the conflict to come, I was disappointed that we never got to see more of the succession arc. It is understandable that Valhalla Ended up where it did. Expecting the series to cover the intricacies of early English history was a big ask. His Viking characters were always going to be the main focus, and Vikings: Valhalla Did an admirable job in conveying the complex power struggles of 11th century Europe. yet, With all the great material teased in its final season, a sequel series wouldn’t go amiss.