‘Vikings’ Creator Michael Hirst Opens Up About Shocking Season 4 Finale Death, Compares It To Ragnar’s

Saying goodbye is never easy, but “Vikings” fans should be used to it by now. Throughout Season 4, several characters were killed off, though few were as shocking as the last.

During the finale — titled “The Reckoning” — King Ecbert (Linus Roache) and his family were finally forced to face the consequences for their villainous actions. The ruler sat atop his mighty throne while his son Aethelwulf (Moe Dunford) was on the battlefield trying to take down Ragnar’s (Travis Fimmel) sons and their men. Aethelwulf and his army realized before long that they didn’t stand a chance. Before they could all be killed, he ordered that they retreat and returned to Wessex to inform his father that it was time to move on. Ecbert refused to leave. Instead, he gave up his crown to his son and stayed behind to find out what twisted fate awaited him.

Uncertain of what was to come but grateful for the new title, Aethelwulf accepted the crown and fled with his family. Ecbert was hopeful that his son would be a good king, telling him he felt he had put “my kingdom in the safest hands,” before sending him on his way. Ecbert said goodbye to the many people who have stood by him throughout the years, but one refused to leave. Bishop Edmund (Phillip O'Sullivan) stayed behind with his king.

Shortly after the enemy arrived and began plundering the kingdom. They burned important items and took Ecbert captive. Ivar (Alex Høgh Andersen) suggested they cut a blood eagle into the king, while Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) reminded them of Ragnar’s vision — to win battles and land. They decided the best way to proceed was to keep Ecbert for ransom.

What they didn’t expect was for him to understand some of what they were saying. He tricked them into thinking he’s still the king and promised that with him in their possession, no one would question their right to the land. He promised to give it to them without a fight if only they allowed him to choose how he died. Bjorn agreed and left Ecbert to soak in a warm bath with a knife. He decided to kill himself, cutting his veins after replaying many loving moments with the most important people in his life in his head.

Creator Michael Hirst opened up about the unexpected Season 4 finale death of King Ecbert during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He told the publication that Season 4 of the History channel drama was a monumental one for the character, as well as his predeceased adversary Ragnar, explaining that fans got to see a lot of growth and change from him before he died. He went on to say that Ecbert’s only dream throughout his arc on “Vikings” was to unite the English Kingdoms under him, telling EW that once he was captured he knew his dreams had been dashed. As such, his “back is to the wall” and death is the only way out for him.

Although he essentially had to die, Hirst noted that there was a certain symbolic nature to his death. He explained that Ecbert’s suicide was “rather Roman,” adding that it made the most sense for a number of reasons. He said that while it was not an extravagant death like Ragnar’s, it was still an important moment especially since Ecbert’s plans will continue to play out even after his exit from the show.

“Although Ragnar’s death was horrific and cruel, it was also hugely symbolic, filled with meaning and spirituality that echos, in some ways, Christ’s Passion,” Hirst explained to EW. “Ecbert’s [death] is much lower-key. It’s rather Roman, of course, and it’s typical of Ecbert to chose to die as a Roman would have died. It reflects his knowledge and his learning. Nevertheless, it’s not grand in the same way. It’s more about the death of a man who, to the end, is still plotting and scheming.”