Content Warning: This article contains topics that include sexual assault and violence.
Although Vikings is mostly known for its great battles and courageous characters, it still offers some heartwarming moments that brought fans to tears. From unique twists to an immense storyline to expected but extremely satisfying endings to certain side stories, Vikings offer more than enough emotional moments.
Most fans shed tears of joy when Lagertha arrived at Rangar's aid as Earl Ingstad and tears of sadness upon Ragnar's final goodbye to both Gyda and Athelstan—and rightly so, as the characters are presented in a way that allows the viewers to get attached to them.
Ragnar Saying He Should Have Never Left The Farm
In one of the most emotional scenes in the show, Ragnar is seen talking to Lagertha about his past decisions and his regrets. Ragnar reveals that his biggest regret is leaving the farm and his past life in his attempt to become King. Lagertha responds "no regrets... and yet every regret," and the scene ends with the two passionately kissing and showing how close they are despite everything that happened.
Lagertha Becoming Earl
When Ragnar decided to marry Aslaug, Lagertha had to leave and find a new place to call home. She finds and marries Earl Sigvard, who, however, abuses her.
Nevertheless, in one of the most satisfying and heartwarming redemption arcs of the series and one of Lagertha's best decisions, she stabs Sigvard and frees herself from an abusive husband while also claiming the title of the Earl for herself.
Lagertha Helping Ragnar As Earl Ingstad
When Ragnar requests assistance from other Earls to raid England, a mysterious Earl named Ingstad offers to help. Ingstad requests to meet Ragnar in the woods near Kattegat only to reveal himself to be the well-known Lagertha in a scene that brought many fans to tears.
Afterward, they ride back to Kattegat while talking about their son Bjorn, almost making it seem like they are a family again.
Earl Kalf Taking Lagertha's Side
After Kalf usurped Lagertha's earldom, he proposed to her that they should rule together. Lagertha accepts, but, when Kalf announces it to his people, many do not agree to this decision and want Lagertha banished.
Kalf gathers everyone who wants her banished as if he is counting votes for and against, but, instead of banishing her, he opts to kill everyone who voted against Lagertha. Through this act, Kalf shows Lagertha that they are allies and equals.
Ragnar's Final Words To Ivar
When in England with Ivar, Ragnar knows he will die there. In his final words to Ivar, Ragnar acknowledges him as the most important son for the future of the Vikings, and, in one of Ragnar's best quotes, he argues that Ivar's biggest weakness is also his greatest strength, as people will falsely underestimate him.
As Ragnar was the main character during the first season of the series, his final goodbye to his son is one of the most emotional moments in the series.
"I Hope That Someday Our Gods Can Become Friends"
In one of Ragnar's talks with Athelstan, the latter mentions that he is in constant agony between choosing a god, as both Jesus and the Norse gods have revealed themselves to him.
In hearing this, Ragnar, instead of trying to persuade him to embrace the Norse gods while denying the Christian religion, only hopes that the gods can finally become friends so that Athelstan won't have to choose. Seeing Ragnar understand Athelstan's position is one of the show's most heartwarming moments.
Ragnar Frees Floki
After Ragnar has punished Floki by leaving him in a cave to be eaten alive by crows, he visits him a few days—or weeks—later while wielding an ax. Although some fans expected Ragnar to kill Floki, that was not the case.
Instead, Ragnar freed him from his punishment while saying that both Floki and Helga have suffered enough. It is an unexpected ending, but a definitely heartwarming one, as Ragnar wasn't willing to kill Floki.
Bjorn Leaves Ragnar With Lagertha
When Ragnar takes Aslaug as his wife, Lagertha has no choice but to leave Kattegat and seek a new home. While saying farewell to Ragnar, Bjorn decides to join her, only to bring both Ragnar and the fans to tears as they say their goodbyes.
The scene ends with Lagertha and Bjorn riding away together while Ragnar stays behind in sorrow, seemingly regretting one of his worst decisions in the series.
Aslaug Freeing Porunn
Porunn was a slave in Kattegat when Bjorn fell in love with her. When Aslaug realized that, despite Bjorn not being her son, she decided to free Porunn from slavery in an attempt to make Bjorn happy.
Although Aslaug had good intentions, and it was a heartwarming moment, at first, it didn't work out for the best, as it led to Porunn joining the Vikings in raids only to be seriously injured in the end.
Ragnar's Reaction Before His Death
When Ragnar is in a cage above Aelle's pit of snakes ready to die, he gets the chance to have one final speech. There, he mentions how he is ready to join Odin in Valhalla and patiently wait there until his sons join him in order to hear their tales of triumph.
The mentions of his sons' achievements also refer to their later raid over England as revenge for Ragnar's death. Ragnar, the show's main character, falls with glory and sets the path for what's to follow.