Why no criticism for King Ecbert?

Because King Ecbert is suppose to be the villian, so he is expected to do that.

Ragnar is suppose to be the good guy.
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I want my freedom FROM religion!

ECBERT was also the one who SENDS that OLD MAN back to KATTEGAT so he'd tell EVERYONE there what had happened.

Because ECBERT also knew when the OLD MAN told everyone about it, that would also LESSEN the STATUS of RAGNAR.

That's also why RAGNAR KILLED the OLD MAN.

Because he also KNEW the OLD MAN had LIED to him and was ECBERT'S PUPPET.

Because if the OLD MAN really CARED as much about his FAMILY as he PRETENDS TO then he'd also have DIED defending them.

But other posters also don't UNDERSTAND this.

Or the way that OLD MAN didn't really MAKE IT ALL the way BACK to KATTEGAT again ALL by himself in a ROW BOAT.

And now that those in KATTEGAT have been MADE RICH by the PARIS TREASURE, they also feel COCKY ENOUGH to be RUDE to RAGNAR,

the same way as THE BROOD MARE was also RUDE to LAGERTHA,

when she suggested she also be a part of the CEREMONY to give her SON BJORN a SAFE SEND OFF on his VOYAGE.

But just like the rest of those in the VILLAGE who show NO RESPECT for RAGNAR and for what he's done for them,

THE BROOD MARE also shows no RESPECT for LAGERTHA either (who also USED her ARMY to get back KATTEGAT again from BORG for THE UNGRATEFUL BROOD MARE who also NEVER offers to pay her anything for the USE of her ARMY).

And that's also why it will be nice to see all of those who took BRIBES from RAGNAR DIE at SEA.

And it's also why it will also be nice to see LAGERTHA put THE UPPITY BROOD MARE into her proper place next week for REFUSING to let her HELP during the CEREMONY for her SON BJORN's VOYAGE that LAGERTHA also wasn't even INVITED to attend.

Imagine if LAGERTHA had a GOING AWAY PARTY for IVAR in HEDEBY and then didn't even invite the BROOD MARE to ATTEND IT.

How would she like it???

She'd NO DOUBT have had a MAJOR HISSY FIT about it.

RIGHT???

🐇 🐰

Because Egbert has done what he had to do as a King. First duty to his people vs first fury to one's family is 5he same Protect. AnnihilatING the colony of pagan invaders is making sense from his perspective. True Ragnar and his merry men of Kattegat are presented as the main characters of the show but it does not imply they are right. Invaders are invaders and nuts be ruthlessly brought to heel. Thinking here of recent European events of the last 200ys. What you call villainy I call real-politik.
Angelism may earn you an admission ticket to the pearly gates but not protecting your people efficiently will lead you to a trial for dereliction of duty. And a direct access to Hell.