Episode 9: The Battle of London Bridge

Studying the heavily defended London Bridge, Askeladd knows that Thorkell's presence makes it nearly impregnable, and orders Thorfinn to fetch the giant's head. Thorfinn secures the captain's promise of a reward, insisting his only wish is a final duel with Askeladd. When Floki's Jomsvikings approach hoping to buy Thorkell back to Sweyn's side, the warrior refuses outright; having fought the English himself, he knows how weak they have become and simply finds the rebel side more entertaining. He answers the offer by hurling a boulder that barely misses the ship.

The Viking fleet attacks the bridge and begins chopping at its supports, but Thorkell wades in with a sharpened log, smashing boat after boat and taunting Sweyn for only ever fighting battles he is sure to win. Spotting Thorfinn on Askeladd's approaching mast, the giant marks the boy as his own target and warns his men off.

Thorfinn leaps onto the bridge and dodges Thorkell's swinging log until the giant discards it to fight bare-handed. The boy slips the massive punches and even cuts an arm, but every strike could kill him outright. When Thorkell seizes his knife hand and flails him about like a rag doll, Askeladd hears the retreat signal and abandons him. Left for dead, Thorfinn severs two of Thorkell's fingers, escapes his grip, names himself as the son of Thors, and plunges into the river, leaving the delighted giant eager for a rematch.

Judging London too costly to storm now, Sweyn shifts his main force west and leaves four thousand men to continue the siege under Canute, waving off Ragnar's protests. Thorfinn drags himself from the water with a dislocated shoulder, sprained ankle, and broken ribs, resets his own arm, and limps after Askeladd's army, still wondering what could possibly make battle enjoyable.

Airing September 1, 2019 as the ninth episode, this WIT Studio installment adapts chapters 18 and 19. Michiru Itabisashi directed with Tadahito Matsubayashi on storyboard and a screenplay by Hiroshi Seko and Kenta Ihara. The episode stages Thorfinn's first clash with Thorkell, a fight that leaves the giant impressed and hungry to meet him again.