Vikings Season 5 Reviews and Episode Guide

Vikings season 5 has come to an end, and we've got your in-depth episode guide as well as links to reviews of each installment.

If you’ve seen Vikings, you know that these Norse heroes cause quite the racket when they do battle. Quietly, History, known more for its documentaries than original series, has a hit on its hands. Now that Vikings season 5 is over, fans are anxious to see what will happen when the series returns to the History Channel for its sixth and final season.

Even though the season is over, we’ll keep this as our official episode guide which also serves to provide links to all of our season 5 reviews, including the one for the finale.

Watch Vikings on Amazon Prime

Further Reading: Vikings Ending After Season 6, Spinoff in the Works

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Vikings Season 5 Reviews and Episode Guide

Below is everything currently known about Vikings season 5 episodes and when they will air. Follow the links to our reviews of each episode as they publish.

Vikings Season 5 Episodes 1 & 2: “The Departed”

Tensions mount between the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok as the Vikings continue to threaten the very heart of England. As the Great Army moves to take York, with King Aethelwulf and his family still in hiding, Heahmund, the warrior bishop, must rally the Saxons to defend the Realm. (air date: November 29, 2017)

Read our review of “The Departed” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 3: “Homeland”

Celebrations are cut short in the aftermath of the battle at York; Ragnar Lothbrok’s sons are pitted against each other as tensions reach an all-time high, and each one is forced to choose a side. (air date: December 6, 2017)

Read our review of “Homeland” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 4: “The Plan”

Guided by Bishop Heahmund’s visions, the Saxons devise a battle plan. Ivar the Boneless strategizes on his own as the Vikings undergo increasing pressure. Bjorn Ironside finds himself in a new territory and must convince the local commander he is a trader and not a raider. (air date: December 13, 2017)

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Read our review of “The Plan” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 5: “The Prisoner”

Ivar meets his match in Bishop Heahmund. Floki returns to Kattegat. Bjorn receives a lavish welcome in North Africa. (air date: December 20, 2017)

Read our review of “The Prisoner” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 6: “The Message”

Lagertha is betrayed and Bjorn must find a way to support the distraught queen. Floki and his settlers arrive in a new land but it is far from what they expected. (air date: December 27, 2017)

Read our review of “The Message” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 7: “Full Moon”

Bjorn returns to Kattegat to learn that an attack is to take place during the next full moon. Ivar must decide if he can place his trust in a former enemy on the battlefield. (air date: January 3, 2018)

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Read our review of “Full Moon” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 8: “The Joke”

The battle for Kattegat begins. As the two armies line up to fight, the Great Heathen Army must decide between a final plea for peace or all-out war. Floki faces discord amongst the settlers. (air date: January 10, 2018)

Read our review of “The Joke” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 9: “A Simple Story”

The army leaders consider their options in the aftermath of the battle. In Floki’s camp, all hopes of binding the community together are dashed as tragedy unfolds. (air date: January 17, 2018)

Read our review of “A Simple Story” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 10: “Moments of Vision”

A sense of doom looms over Kattegat as bloodshed ensues, but as the defeated army flees in the face of the victors, a legendary warrior makes his way home. (air date: January 24, 2018)

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Read our review of “Moments of Vision” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 11: “The Revelation”

Ivar is crowned the new king of Kattegat just in time to welcome Rollo home. Bjorn, Lagertha, and Ubbe must rely on unsteady alliances to survive. (air date: November 28, 2018)

Read our review of “The Revelation” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 12: “Murder Most Foul”

Bjorn, Lagertha, and Ubbe face an uncertain fate as Heahmund’s loyalty is tested. In Iceland, Floki fights to understand the will of the gods. In Kattegat, Ivar may have met his match. (air date: December 5, 2018)

Read our review of “Murder Most Foul” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 13: “A New God”

Heahmund must convince King Alfred that his actions are in defense of the crown; Ubbe and Torvi strengthen the position of the Vikings, but not all in the Viking camp support their strategy; another settler disappears in Iceland. (air date: December 12, 2018)

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Read our review of “A New God” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 14: “The Lost Moment”

As the celebrations for Ivar continue in Kattegat, grief hits Iceland, and Floki must now make a fated decision. Harald’s army approaches Wessex. A conspiracy grows against King Alfred in Court. (air date: December 19, 2018)

Read our review of “The Lost Moment” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 15: “Hell”

Bishop Heahmund is wracked with guilt as he fights to renounce his passions. Viking will clash with Saxon on the battlefield leaving a key figure lost in the balance. (air date: December 26, 2018)

Read our review of “Hell” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 16: “The Buddha”

Bjorn achieves one of Ragnar’s dreams. Back in Kattegat, Ivar hatches a new plan while preparing for a divine arrival. In Iceland, a settler returns in a terrible state. King Alfred faces his greatest threat yet. (air date: January 2, 2019)

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Read our review of “The Buddha” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 17: “The Most Terrible Thing”

An unexpected turn amongst the settlers leaves Floki powerless. King Alfred confronts Judith. In York, Bjorn must strike a deal with Harald. Wessex is once again threatened by a Viking force, but who will lead the Saxon army to defend the Realm? (air date: January 9, 2019)

Read our review of “The Most Terrible Thing” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 18: “Baldur”

Hvitserk is severely tested. Floki makes an amazing discovery. Freydis gives Ivar a surprise. Ubbe negotiates with the three Danish Kings that have massed their armies in Reading, but the negotiations may have a perilous outcome. (air date: January 16, 2019)

Read our review of “Baldur” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 19: “What Happens in the Cave”

Ubbe is forced into hand-to-hand combat. Floki reaches new depths and is met by a shocking sight. Bjorn sets off for Scandinavia with an old rival. (air date: January 23, 2019)

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Read our review of “What Happens in the Cave” here.

Vikings Season 5 Episode 20: “Ragnarok”

A new battle for Kattegat is on and only the gods know who will emerge victorious. (air date: January 30, 2019)

Read our review of “Ragnarok” here.

Michael Ahr is a writer, reviewer, and podcaster here at Den of Geek; you can check out his work here or follow him on Twitter.