Vikings: Valhalla season 3 brings a fateful conclusion to the saga of three beloved leads. After six seasons of the hit series Vikings, the franchise was expanded with Vikings: Valhalla, which pulls from a new page of history. Set around 100 years after the exploits of Vikings legends like Ragnar Lothbrok, Björn Ironside, Ivar the Boneless, and more, Vikings: Valhalla explores the expansion of Christianity and the battle between the followers of the Old Gods and the Christians. Vikings: Valhalla season 3 marks the final adventure with Harald Sigurdsson, Leif Eriksson, and Freydís Eiríksdóttir.

Vikings: Valhalla season 2 ended with Leif and Harald about to reach Constantinople. The series’ final season reveals what the two brothers in arms have been up to since reaching their destination, with Harald’s ultimate goal of becoming the King of Norway making itself known once again. As for Freydís, her role as the Keeper of the Faith puts her on a collision course with Christian Vikings one last time. With seven years between the end of season 2 and the start of Vikings: Valhalla season 3, we’re dropped into a story with many changes.

Vikings: Valhalla Season 3’s Time Jump Is Great For The Series

Characters’ motivations and dynamics are better for it

Instead of seeing Leif and Harald arrive at Constantinople, Vikings: Valhalla‘s decision to have a seven-year time jump means we have to slowly piece together what they have been up to in their journey with the Byzantine Empire and which members of their crew from season 2’s boat plot have remained by their side. This offers plenty of opportunities to play around with characters’ relationships and dynamics. It is clear from the start that Vikings: Valhalla season 3 is the final step of the journey for Leif, Harald, and Freydís.

It’s great for character development. Season 1 established the world of the series, season 2 separated the trio, and season 3 picks back up with Harald and Leif’s action-packed adventures, as well as Freydís’ role as the Keeper of the Faith in Jomsborg. All three characters started the show as very different people, having experienced love, laughter, pain, and heavy losses;Vikings: Valhalla season 3 makes it clear that the characters have evolved in both expected and surprising ways.

I had not watched Vikings before starting Vikings: Valhalla. While I’d heard enough about the series to recognize the names of major characters from the original show, who were always remembered as heroes in Valhalla, I entered this world with a fresh perspective. Since Vikings: Valhalla starts 100 years after the events of Vikings, I never felt lost and quickly grew to be engrossed by the world of the series and its characters. While season 3 is not the Netflix show’s strongest season, its time jump and character work lead to another intriguing affair.

Vikings: Valhalla Gives A Fitting End For Its Main Stories

By the end of the series, most questions regarding its biggest characters’ fates are answered. The final season is all about grappling with one’s destiny, a consistent throughline for the series. With the finish line near, every episode of season 3 brings the characters closer to their historical fates, which includes some key changes to its main trio. Leo Suter is the star of season 3 as Harald, though Sam Corlett’s Leif and Frida Gustavsson’s Freydís are also great.

Since the start of the show, Harald has had a clear mission: Fulfill his destiny as the new King of Norway. That even led him to part ways with Freydís — and his unborn son — in season 2. Harald then went on a major journey through distant lands to secure an army to get what he wanted. Vikings: Valhalla season 3 shows the next step in that mission, which leads to both the best action sequences of the season and some of its best character work.

Season 3 also presented the best look yet at King Canute’s family, with his heirs playing a key role in the show’s politics. With plenty of action, twists, and turns, season 3 nicely adds to the show’s mythology. Vikings: Valhalla also sees the debut of Erik the Red, and it is interesting to see the man behind the myth. And though some supporting characters’ fates could have been shown better, the series’ leading trio meet their destinies to great effect.

All episodes of Vikings: Valhalla season 3 are now streaming on Netflix.