"Burial of the Dead" is filled with plenty of strong, emotional moments - including the Earl's final moments, Ragnar discovering Lagertha is bearing another child, and Ragnar finally taking leadership of his clan.
However, the episode's conclusive nature also shines a light on some of the characters and elements that have been rushed thus far, like how Rollo just shows up again after his torture and barely mentions it (I thought he was supposed to be in real danger?), or how the Earl's relationship with his daughter, Thyri, is basically nonexistent. The show often seems to have a lack of character reactions, particularly considering how large the cast is, which creates some disconnect at times.
It also doesn't help that Ragnar acts rather dour and strange throughout the episode, claiming that the Earl was "a great man" (which is ridiculous), yet also refuses Siggy's request to burn his body? Thankfully, Rollo does make note of Ragnar's lack of holding grudges, but Ragnar thinking highly of the Earl doesn't make much sense to me after the Earl killed his friends, tortured his brother, and destroyed his home. Perhaps this is an intentional flaw they are establishing for Ragnar? Either way, it doesn't make him particularly relatable in that regard. I pretty much agree with Athelstan on everything, who is constantly taken aback by the Viking ways.
As for King Aelle, it was a little disappointing that his first big "antagonist moment" is just killing one of his own men, which the show already did with the Earl. Hopefully there's some more originality and depth to Aelle going forward. Regardless, this was a solid enough episode, but certainly not perfect.
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