This season of "Vikings" sees the sons of the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok fractured and vying for power. Ivar the Boneless, driven by a ruthless ambition and a belief in his own divinity, seeks to conquer England and rule. His brother Ubbe desires peace and a stable future for his people, while Bjorn Ironside aims to uphold his father's legacy and protect his family. Meanwhile, Lagertha, the shieldmaiden and former Queen of Kattegat, fights to maintain her position and defend her people from the escalating conflicts.

The core conflict revolves around Ivar's brutal campaign against England and his subsequent power grab in Kattegat. He manipulates allies, including the devout Bishop Heahmund, and ruthlessly eliminates rivals. Key turning points include Ivar's strategic victories against the Saxons, his consolidation of power in Kattegat, and the devastating battles for control of the city. The season culminates in a massive assault on Kattegat, leading to Ivar's defeat and escape, and Bjorn being declared the new King.

Season 5 of Vikings covers episodes 1-20. Here's everything that happened:

Season 5, Episode 1: The Fisher King - Following Ragnar's death, his sons are fractured by ambition. Ivar executes a bishop in York, while Ubbe and Hvitserk are convinced to join his conquest. Meanwhile, Lagertha survives an attack in Kattegat, and Floki departs on a solo voyage, leaving his past behind. Bishop Heahmund rallies the Saxons to defend against the Viking advance, and Alfred has a vision of his father, Athelstan. The episode concludes with the sons of Ragnar beginning their war against England.

Season 5, Episode 2: The Departed - In York, Ivar walks with new leg braces, asserting his leadership over his brothers. In Kattegat, Lagertha imprisons King Harald, only to be raped by him and subsequently kidnap Astrid. Meanwhile, Floki lands on a mysterious shore, believing he has found Asgard. The Saxons, led by Aethelwulf and Bishop Heahmund, prepare to counter the Viking invasion.

Season 5, Episode 3: Homeland - The Saxons, led by King Aethelwulf and Bishop Heahmund, attack York but fall into Ivar's brutal trap, resulting in heavy Saxon casualties. Meanwhile, Ubbe and Hvitserk's attempt to negotiate peace fails, leading to their humiliation and Hvitserk's decision to remain with Ivar, solidifying Ivar's leadership. Floki continues his solitary exploration in a new land, experiencing visions. The episode concludes with Ivar firmly in control of the Great Heathen Army.

Season 5, Episode 4: The Plan - Bishop Heahmund convinces Aethelwulf to besiege York, aiming to starve the Vikings out. Meanwhile, Bjorn travels to Sicily, encountering Commander Euphemius and the nun Kassia. Back in Kattegat, Lagertha forms an alliance with Ubbe against Ivar and Harald. The episode concludes with Heahmund discovering rats above ground in the seemingly abandoned York, hinting at a trap.

Season 5, Episode 5: The Prisoner - The Saxons, believing York is theirs, are ambushed by Ivar's forces emerging from the sewers. Bishop Heahmund is captured by Ivar, who is impressed by his fighting prowess. Meanwhile, Floki returns to Kattegat, seeking followers for his divine land, but Lagertha forbids him from leaving. The episode concludes with Ivar and Hvitserk plotting their return to Kattegat to seize power.

Season 5, Episode 6: The Message - Lagertha is betrayed by Floki's departure and faces the threat of Ivar and Harald's alliance. Astrid, seeking to warn Lagertha, is brutally assaulted by a messenger and his crew. Meanwhile, Ivar manipulates Bishop Heahmund into joining his forces, and Floki's settlers arrive in a new, unwelcoming land. The episode concludes with Lagertha preparing for war, aware of the impending attack.

Season 5, Episode 7: Full Moon - Bjorn returns to Kattegat, learning of an impending attack by Ivar and Harald during the full moon. He quickly aligns with Lagertha, while also proposing marriage to Princess Snaefrid. Meanwhile, Floki leads his followers to a new settlement in Iceland, and Astrid discovers she is pregnant, a revelation that brings joy to King Harald. The episode concludes with the armies preparing for the inevitable battle.

Season 5, Episode 8: The Joke - The battle for Kattegat erupts, with Lagertha's forces ambushing Ivar and Harald's army. Despite a tactical retreat by Ivar and Harald, Bishop Heahmund is struck down and left for dead, though Lagertha spares his life. The episode concludes with Ivar betraying a fragile peace, spitting in Ubbe's face and declaring he will kill Lagertha, effectively shattering any hope of reconciliation between the brothers.

Season 5, Episode 9: A Simple Story - Following a major battle, Ivar and Harald regroup, with Hvitserk suggesting they seek aid from their Uncle Rollo. In Wessex, King Aethelwulf dies from a bee sting, leading to Alfred being crowned the new King of Wessex. Meanwhile, in Floki's new settlement, tensions erupt, culminating in a fatal knife fight and the burning of their temple, shattering Floki's vision of peace. Bishop Heahmund pledges his loyalty to Lagertha.

Season 5, Episode 10: Moments of Vision - Amidst a brutal battle for Kattegat, Halfdan and Snaefrid are killed. Lagertha experiences profound trauma, her hair turning white. Hvitserk spares Ubbe, but the battle's outcome is dire for Lagertha's forces, leading to a strategic retreat. The episode concludes with Ivar seemingly victorious, while Floki offers himself as a sacrifice in Iceland.

Season 5, Episode 11: The Revelation - Ivar is crowned King of Kattegat, while Rollo returns and claims Bjorn as his son. Lagertha, Bjorn, and Ubbe flee to England, seeking refuge with King Alfred, guided by Bishop Heahmund. Harald kills his own brother, Halfdan, and Floki's Icelandic settlement faces internal strife. The episode concludes with Lagertha's group arriving in Wessex as prisoners.

Season 5, Episode 12: Murder Most Foul - Lagertha, Bjorn, and Ubbe strike a deal with King Alfred to fight for Wessex, while in Kattegat, Margrethe is brutally murdered by Ivar's assassins. Meanwhile, Freydis falsely claims to be pregnant with Ivar's child, and Heahmund faces accusations of fornication. The episode concludes with Heahmund killing the new Bishop Cuthred in a violent confrontation.

Season 5, Episode 13: A New God - In Wessex, Heahmund convinces King Alfred of his loyalty after killing Lord Cuthred. Ubbe and Torvi are baptized as Christians to strengthen their position, despite Bjorn's disapproval. Meanwhile, Ivar, influenced by Freydis, declares himself a god and plans a sacrifice, while Magnus reappears, claiming to be Ragnar's son and seeking out Bjorn. The episode ends with a hooded figure, implied to be Hvitserk, about to be sacrificed.

Season 5, Episode 14: The Lost Moment - Ivar attempts a sacrifice, presenting a Lagertha look-alike to the crowd, but Hvitserk exposes the deception, leading to the woman's death and Ivar's further alienation. In Iceland, Floki discovers the body of the pregnant woman, leading to the banishment of Eyvind's family. Meanwhile, in Wessex, Bjorn grapples with Magnus's desire for revenge, while Ubbe begins training Alfred in combat. The episode concludes with the Seer being murdered by Ivar, who is increasingly convinced of his own divinity.

Season 5, Episode 15: Hell - Bishop Heahmund, tormented by visions, renounces his love for Lagertha before a major battle. Ubbe's strategic deception leads to Harald's army being outmaneuvered. The ensuing battle results in Bishop Heahmund's death and Lagertha's injury. Meanwhile, Judith tortures a conspirator, revealing Aethelred's treason. The episode concludes with Lagertha missing after the battle, leaving her fate uncertain.

Season 5, Episode 16: The Buddha - Bjorn allies with Harald to retake Kattegat, while Hvitserk becomes fascinated with Buddhism after finding a statue. In Iceland, Floki struggles with the settlers' plight. King Alfred faces his greatest threat yet as Judith poisons her son Aethelred, who had been plotting against him. The episode concludes with Bjorn and Harald preparing for their assault on Ivar.

Season 5, Episode 17: The Most Terrible Thing - In Iceland, Kjetill brutally slaughters Eyvind's family in a bloody act of revenge, leading to Aud's despairing suicide. In Wessex, Judith confesses to poisoning her son Aethelred to protect Alfred, who reacts with fury. Meanwhile, Ivar manipulates Hvitserk into leaving Kattegat under threat, while Bjorn and Harald form an uneasy alliance to challenge Ivar's rule.

Season 5, Episode 18: Baldur - Freydis gives birth to Ivar's son, Baldur, who is born with a deformity. Ivar abandons the infant in the woods to die, mirroring Ragnar's past actions. Meanwhile, Judith reveals she has breast cancer, and Lagertha, having recovered from her ordeal, returns to Wessex. Thora and her family are tragically burned alive on Ivar's orders.

Season 5, Episode 19: What Happens in the Cave - Ubbe wins a brutal fight against King Frodo, solidifying peace in Wessex. Meanwhile, Floki discovers a Christian cross in a cave, leading to a cave-in that seemingly traps him. Ivar confronts Freydis about their son's death, and Bjorn and Hvitserk reunite, agreeing to attack Ivar together. The episode concludes with the stage set for a major confrontation at Kattegat.

Season 5, Episode 20: Ragnarok - A massive battle for Kattegat ensues as Bjorn and Hvitserk lead an assault against Ivar. Magnus is killed during the chaotic fighting. Freydis, after betraying Ivar, is strangled to death by him. Bjorn is declared the new King of Kattegat, but Ivar escapes.