The second half of "Vikings" Season 4 will focus on the power struggle within the Lodbrok household. (Photo : History Channel)
"Vikings" and "Game of Thrones" are two of the biggest, most successful TV franchises in recent times. These two particular shows are often pitted against each other for having similar settings, elements and stories, but in terms of popularity, "Game of Thrones" overpowers "Vikings" by a long stretch.
Reports suggest that "Vikings" took a mid-season break to avoid a collision with "Game of Thrones." Episode 10 of "Vikings" Season 4 aired on April 21, just a few days before "Game of Thrones" returned with its sixth season on April 24.
According to Carter Matt, the remaining episodes of "Vikings" Season 4 will most likely air in fall, although History Channel has not confirmed anything with regard to the show's return date.
It is speculated that the show is trying to avoid the "Game of Thrones" air dates. Considering that Season 6 only has 10 episodes, it is likely that the series will conclude sometime in June. That said, there is also a possibility that the "Vikings" Season 4 will return to History Channel in July, just enough to circumvent "The Game of Thrones" storm.
Meanwhile, the last part of "Vikings" Season 4 episode 10 gave fans enough to imagine what would happen in the upcoming episodes. There was a time jump in the mid-season finale. After losing the battle against Rollo, Ragnar disappeared for a while. By the time he returned, his sons have all grown up and there is now an issue of power and who will assume Ragnar's place as king.
While the time jump definitely sets the transition towards the younger generation, "Vikings" creator Michael Hirst confirmed that Ragnar's story is far from over.
"Nowhere near the end, and it's just an amazing, onward story," Hirst told The Hollywood Reporter. "It may be the story of the rise and fall of a hero - it still counts as a fall, I suppose - but some of my best work and [Travis Fimmel's] work comes in the next half of the season."
Conflict brews in the Lodbrok household, and there is also the impending rematch between Rollo and Ragnar. According to Hirst, the epic battle between the two brothers in "Vikings" Season 4 episode 10 will not be the last viewers hear about Rollo. He is now a powerful person in France, and that spells an interesting rivalry with the ambitious Ragnar.
On the other hand, History released a 40-second teaser of what's to come in "Vikings" Season 4. In the first scene, Ragnar is talking to his son, Ivar, telling him, "One day the whole world will know and fear Ivar the Boneless."
Watch "Vikings" Season 4 mid-season teaser below:
