Episode 9: Nautilus Crew Faces Enemies Instead of Treasure

A Journey Through the Depths and the Viking Encounter

Episode 9 of Nautilus, titled "Ride of the Valkyrie," serves as the second-to-last episode of the show’s premiere season. As the series approaches its two-part finale on AMC, this episode offers a compelling mix of action, character development, and mystery. The anticipation for the final episodes is high, but tonight's installment certainly stands out as one that deserves attention.

The episode begins with the Nautilus emerging from the depths and sailing beneath an aurora borealis. Nemo shares a personal story about his daughter with Humility while enjoying the view above deck. There’s no visible damage to the ship from the previous episode’s metal-eating bugs, suggesting that repairs were made and excess water was removed before reaching this point.

The crew gathers for a large meal, where they discuss their destination: the Pillars of Halvare and the Norse goddess Freya. This scene highlights the camaraderie among the crew, as each member expresses what they plan to do with their share of the expected treasure. There are moments of concern and gratitude, reinforcing the trust that still exists within the group.

As the Nautilus continues its journey, Cuff notices something unusual while on watch. He calls Nemo outside, and together they observe tall pikes with skulls impaled on their tips. The sight brings back a sense of dread among the crew. As they sail through the fog, the towering pillars of Halvar come into view.

Nemo orders the Nautilus to dive and search for the treasure ship. Blaster and Suyin remain aboard while the others don diving suits and explore the sunken vessel. Inside, they find an armored skeleton seated with a longsword across its lap. However, the surrounding crates are empty, and no treasure is in sight. One by one, the divers are taken by an unseen creature.

Nemo wakes up tied up with his companions, finding themselves on a cliffside plateau surrounded by a tribe of warrior women. These are not Amazons, but descendants of Vikings who guard this burial ground. Their leader accuses the Nautilus crew of trespassing and refuses to believe Nemo’s explanation about the submarine. She plans to put their heads on pikes, but Nemo demands a hearing.

During the trial, each crew member speaks in Nemo’s defense. They face challenging questions from the tribal leader, revealing lingering trust issues. Despite recognizing Nemo as an honorable man, she sentences all the crew to death.

The crew doesn’t go down without a fight. A battle ensues, featuring exciting sequences and moments of plundering. In the chaos, the Nautilus crew escapes by jumping off the cliff, leaving behind their diving gear. During the escape, Nemo loses his grip on a jeweled necklace and must choose between retrieving it or saving Cuff.

As the Nautilus prepares to leave, the Viking women destroy the cliffs, burying the treasure. The falling debris creates a mini tsunami that tosses the submarine violently. Eventually, the ship emerges into calmer waters.

Later, the crew gathers after being cleaned and dried. Nemo, feeling the weight of his mistakes, tells them he will put them ashore. However, the bond formed during their journey isn’t completely broken. After heartfelt speeches, the crew chooses to stay with Nemo and the Nautilus.

The episode concludes with Crowley receiving a telegram in London, informing him of Nemo’s intent to bring the Nautilus there. He prepares by surrounding the company building with soldiers. Interestingly, Nemo has already arrived—perhaps a bit too quickly for some viewers.

While the tsunami sequence stretched the limits of believability, it was a dramatic and visually striking moment. The Viking women were a standout element of the episode, even if their leader was rigid in her views. Their society raises many questions, such as how their population manages with so few men and whether the women are chosen from other communities.

Overall, this episode delivered a thrilling mix of adventure, character growth, and mystery, setting the stage for the upcoming finale.