Vikings: Valhalla season 3 ending, explained

Wondering how Vikings: Valhalla wrapped up the stories of Leif, Harald, and Freydis? Well, we’re here to share! 

Unfortunately for fans of the series like me, Vikings: Valhalla season 3 is the final season of the Netflix original series. The third and final season was released on Thursday, July 11. 

We shared what happened in the season 3 finale and how the series ends for the three characters who we’ve been following since the very beginning of this journey. Of course, there are more characters with interesting stories than Freydis (Frida Gustavsson), Harald (Leo Suter), and Leif (Sam Corlett), and we’ll share a little bit about them, too! 

In the season and series finale, “Destinies,” Leif continues his search for Freydis after he learns that Magnus killed her. Spoiler alert: She’s not actually dead, but she’s trying to find a new home for her people. Once she learns that Leif is looking for her, she changes her plans from finding boats to carry her people further than Greenland to trying to find her brother. 

Luckily, Harald and Leif, long separated, meet again. Leif is looking for Magnus, while Harald, after killing General Maniakes and breaking free from captivity, is back in the North and ready to become king. He, too, must take out Magnus, who was the backing of the church and is trying to kill King Svein and take over as King of Norway. Oh, it’s so on!

We shared how the season ends for the main characters in Vikings: Valhalla.

King Canute dies 

King Canute (Bradley Freegard) reaches the end of his life. He asks the Earls to honor his decision for Queen Emma (Laura Berlin) to rule, but she knows it will lead England to a Civil War. She plans to turn over England to her son, Edward, as the rightful ruler of England, to unite the kingdom and all of the Earls. 

Eventually, he dies and is given a Viking burial while Emma watches on from the cliffs. 

Later, Emma calls a witan to decide what to do, but she’s outflanked by Earl Godwin (David Oakes). He informs her that Edward never received her message. Instead, he plans to turn the kingdom over to Harold Harefoot (Pyry Kähkönen), Emma’s stepson, but Emma isn’t just willing to roll over. She still has a fighting spirit, and she’s not going to let Godwin just get his way. 

In the last scene with Emma, we see her kick everyone out of the room at the witan to speak with Harold alone. 

Harald becomes King of Norway

Magnus Olafsson (Stefán Haukur Jóhannesson) convinces King Svein’s guard to turn on him. They kill him, and then, Magnus returns to kill Queen Aelfgifu (Pollyanna McIntosh), which he does. He plans to kill Katla (Kateryna Bratchyna), as well, but she makes a deal in return for her life spared. She turns Freydis over to Magnus and his men. 

Magnus calls the Jarls for a vote. He tells them that King Forkbeard ordered he be made King of Norway upon Forkbeard’s death. Well, Harald and Leif arrive just in time. 

Freydis is brought out in front of the group, where she reunites with Harald and Leif. Magnus questions her in front of all of the Jarls. Magnus claims that voting for Harald means supporting the Pagans, being excommunicated from the church, and more because Freydis and Harald have a son together, a Pagan son. Freydis tells Harald that it is true and that he does have a son. 

Instead of Magnus, the Jarls choose Harald as the King of Norway, but they allow Magnus and Harald to rule Norway together to keep peace. Harald accepts the decision of the Jarls, as does Magnus. Magnus asks that Harald promise to burn “the Pagan Witch,” meaning Freydis. Harald agrees, but Leif has a plan, as does Harald. 

Leif poses as a Christian and visits Freydis in her cell, and he makes a plan to save her when they plan to burn her. He enlists the help of a priest. 

During the coronation of Magnus and Harald, Magnus brings out Freydis and riles up the crowd to burn her at the stake, but there’s a twist. There’s always a twist with Harald and Leif. That’s been clear since the very beginning of the series.

Freydis survives thanks to Leif and Harald

Freydis challenges Magnus and calls the Gods to the meeting, but Magnus doesn’t bite. She puts on a show and wins over the crowd! Leif’s plan works, and he rescues Freydis before she burns to death, but they don’t allow her to kill Magnus. 

Later, they meet and discuss the next steps. Harald has big plans! He takes the Magnus problem off Freydis’ plate and sends her away with Leif. First, they speak about their son, Harald. He tells her that he has lost the smile he once had, the one Freydis loved. She tells Harald that if he needs to see that smile, he can come to meet his son. He says, “Someday,” and she replies, “Don’t wait too long.” 

When Harald returns, he has his guards throw Magnus in a cell. He promises to make Norway the most powerful kingdom on Earth and asks any Viking to challenge him. He proclaims himself Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, and the Jarls honor him. 

The series ends as Leif and Freydis sail away. 

And, that’s the end of Vikings: Valhalla season 3. There’s clearly so much more story that could be told, and it’s a shame that will never happen.