‘Vikings’: Bjorn Reveals the 3 Reasons Why He Really Went Out Into the Wilderness Alone

In the series Vikings, Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig) tries to prove himself to his father, Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), since his childhood. In season 4, he decides to go out into the wilderness. But why does he really choose to leave? We have all the details.

Bjorn Ironside wants to ‘find out’ if he ‘can survive’ and he wants to prove to his father that he can do it

In season 4, Bjorn tells his father that he is going into the wilderness alone. He explains to Ragnar his reasoning for doing it, saying, “I want to go out into the wilderness, away from everything. To find out if I can survive.” His father doesn’t think he can do it, but Bjorn is determined to prove himself.

When Ragnar asks why he’s really going, Bjorn says, “Because you don’t think I can survive.” Bjorn is determined to prove to his father that he can do this and “find out” for himself that he can. He leaves for a hunter’s lodge in Scandinavia during winter, planning to spend the rest of the season away.

Bjorn fends for himself in the wild

Bjorn makes his way to the lodge, and even does some ice fishing in order to get much-needed food. Setting up traps, he hopes to catch more food to sustain him. Bjorn even notices a bear has been snagged by one of his traps, but it gets away. However, Bjorn comes face to face with the bear again, killing it after it attacks him and leaves him with serious wounds. He burns the wounds himself, and it’s almost hard to watch.

Despite the struggle for food and survival in a snowy wilderness in the middle of nowhere, Bjorn has more problems when a Berserker comes looking for him. The man is sent by Kalf (Ben Robson) and Erlendur (Edvin Endre) to kill him. However, Bjorn handles himself, and uses fishing hooks to hurt his attacker. When Bjorn asks who sent him and doesn’t get answers, he kills the Berserker.

Bjorn wanted to ‘find’ himself

After spending enough time out in the wilderness, Bjorn makes his way to Hedeby to see his mother and to take Torvi (Georgia Hirst) back with him to Kattegat. Torvi is Erlendur’s wife, and he has a grudge against Bjorn because Ragnar killed his father, King Horik (Donal Logue). But Bjorn has taken a liking to Torvi, and he wants to bring her back with him.

Kalf asks him why he went into the wilderness, and Bjorn tells him, “I went to find someone.”

“Who?” Kalf asks.

“Myself,” Bjorn explains.

Although Erlendur doesn’t let Torvi take her son, Guthrum, with her, Lagertha agrees to watch over him for her. Torvi goes with Bjorn back to Kattegat, and it’s unclear at the time whether Bjorn is aware that Kalf and Erlendur are responsible for sending the Berserker after him.

Bjorn is forever changed after his time in the wilderness by himself. He’s quieter and more reserved like Ragnar, and he now knows he can survive on his own. He also has a deeper understanding of things from his time in the hunter’s lodge away from civilization.

Bjorn went out into the wilderness to “find out” if he could survive. He also wanted to prove to his father that he could do it, and he wanted to “find” himself. He accomplishes all of those things, and it’s clear to everyone, including his parents, that he’s a changed person now.