'Vikings' season 4 spoilers: Ragnar returns with purpose, days during absence to be explored

Although it seemed like the end for Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) in the midseason finale of "Vikings" season 4, the entirety of his story is yet to be told and will continue to unfold when the show returns.

Series creator Michael Hirst said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that "anyone who thinks that what has happened in [the midseason finale] is the end of the story is completely wide of the mark."

Before "Vikings" season 4 took a break, the series showed Ragnar old and gray. He returns to Kattegat years after going away trying to deal with his defeat at the hands of his own brother Rollo (Clive Standen).

"Ragnar's story is not told," Hirst said. "This is, and always has been, the story of Ragnar and his sons... We can look forward to following them. But Ragnar's story isn't over by any means," he continued.

Hirst continued that in the second half of "Vikings" season 4, everyone, especially his sons will simply have to deal with the fact that Ragnar is now back in their lives no matter how angry they are about him leaving them.

"Ragnar's come back for a purpose. He has to fulfill that purpose, and he does fulfill that purpose. That's a big part of the narrative. The sons, it's slightly different," Hirst explained.

In the rest of "Vikings" season 4, issues of power as a result of Ragnar's temporary departure will take center stage. Ragnar will deal with King Ecbert's (Linus Roache) betrayal and propping up his successor, who might very well be Ivar the Boneless (Alex Hogh Andersen).

Despite the emotional ordeal he is in, Rollo's journey is yet to see its end in "Vikings" season 4 and so is Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) who returns with a vengeance.

"Vikings" season 4 is expected to premiere by July or August.