Full episode spoilers.
Ragnar meets Ecbert after an exchange of hostages provides protection for their talks. In the king's bath, Ragnar explains that farming land matters more to him than another load of treasure. Ecbert sees a possible use for Viking warriors in his own ambitions. Their discussion is interrupted when a returning ship brings Ragnar news that Borg has seized Kattegat and driven his family into hiding.
Ragnar leaves England to find them, but Athelstan chooses to remain with Horik as an interpreter. The reduced Viking force suffers an English attack, and Athelstan is captured after escaping the fighting. His Christian captors condemn him as an apostate and crucify him. Ecbert arrives before he dies and orders him taken down, keeping the former monk alive after the men around him have demanded his death.
Rollo shelters Ragnar's family in rough accommodation and gathers what support he can from nearby households. Ragnar returns to find his children safe, but his depleted force cannot easily retake Kattegat. Rollo urges attacks on Borg's supplies instead of a reckless assault against superior numbers. When another armed group approaches, the refugees fear that Borg has found them. The newcomers are Lagertha and Bjorn, bringing warriors to help Ragnar recover his home.