Vikings - Mercy - Advance Preview + Teasers

Almost every member if the cast this week faces a decision, one that requires them to choose between bestowing either compassion or enmity on another character. Whatever they do now will determine the fate of those around them for the remainder of the season. Let’s hope they act wisely.

Floki’s punishment is very similar to his namesake’s, so it should be no surprise to see Helga performing Sigyn’s function of holding a bowl over his head to alleviate the torturous dripping water in the promo. But as Ragnar isn’t content for his former ally to withstand just the physical and mental pain that his dank cave provides, especially since his wife is sharing the burden, you can be sure that he’ll be visiting his prisoner in order to torment him in other ways too.

Not that Floki is the only one Ragnar is playing mind games with, Aslaug finds herself on the wrong end of a pertinent question during his retelling of the Hárbarðsljóð poem to his younger sons. Just how many people is he going to alienate this season, or will there be a change on the horizon for him?

We have been waiting a long time to see Bjorn face this bear, and although it is remarkable scene - albeit brief – it is a trifling matter compared to the savage predator that is hunting him in the snowy wastelands. Erlendur’s grudge against the Lothbrok family takes a turn for the worse after an accomplice recommends sending a formidable Berserker to track down and kill Ragnar’s eldest son. However, grappling with the bear has weakened Bjorn leaving him in a particularly vulnerable position, the last thing he needs now is a brutal fight to the death against a warrior who feels no pain and is full of fury.

Over in Paris, Rollo continues his struggle to fit in. Becoming more fluent in the local vernacular might be a prudent place to start; a concept which only dawns on him after Gisla’s furious reaction to being called, “Woman…my woman” during what he perceived to be a reassuring ‘moment’. Will it be enough to turn the tide on her demands for a divorce though? Rollo’s not one to be told what to do or say generally, but now he’s thrown his lot in with the Franks he may not have much choice, no matter how stubborn or prone to outbursts he is.

Mercy airs on Thursday March 3 at 10/9c, below are a few dialogue teasers to see you through until then. If you want to have a go at guessing who said what I will fill in any correct answers before it airs. Don’t forget to come back and vote in our poll after the episode and let us know what you thought.


“Today, I would like to show you how to make the colour vermillion”

“Can’t a woman cry when her husband returns from a dangerous place? They are tears of joy”

“I hope for, and I dream, that we can have a child together. Then my happiness will be complete”

“Tell me what you know about the recent attack on Paris by the Norsemen. You have heard about it, I assume?”

“My husband is just like that Pagan Emperor. He’d probably like to destroy me in the same way, by burning me alive or cutting off my head”

“I thought we came together to destroy the family of Ragnar Lothbrok. I thought it was your ambition, as it is mine?”

“I will tell you. I’m the son of Odin, the strongest god of all. So ferryman, you are talking to Thor”

*Two actors return for short cameos in their former roles this episode*

“Aethelwulf, yes. Come to me”

“We have to stop him leaving. If he leaves now it will be catastrophic for our attempts to defend the city against his brother”

About the Author - Sandi

Sandi is part of the Senior Staff at SpoilerTV having been a contributor from back in the Lost days of DarkUFO, and who now writes previews for Banshee, The Musketeers, Poldark, and other UK shows. She also enjoys watching and commenting on other shows such as Vikings, Orphan Black, Game of Thrones and The Flash.

Recent Reviews & Articles (All Reviews)