The historical drama series Vikings has put the whole lot of fans in a trance with the exhilarating depiction of Norse mythology, culture, and the lives of legendary warriors. Created by Michael Hirst, the show has already aired on History Channel since 2013 but still stands out as one of the most popular historical series of its time. Here's an in-depth overview of the storyline, the cast, viewing order, reviews, and where you can watch the show.
Overview
Producer: Michael Hirst
Date of Premiere: March 3, 2013
Date of Closure: December 30, 2020
Seasons: 6 (89 episodes)
Genre: Historical Drama, Action, Adventure
It is set in the late 8th and early 9th centuries; it is told through the eyes of the legend Norese hero, Ragnar Lothbrok and his descendants. It tells stories of battles, politics, and family. The series conjoins historical events with Norse mythology.
This is a show known for great storytelling, cinematography, and good performances, with themes ranging from ambition and betrayal to loyalty and the clash of cultures between the Vikings and their contemporaries.
Storyline
The series starts off by showing the character Ragnar Lothbrok, who is just an insignificant farmer with significant aspirations to discover new worlds beyond the ocean. He disobeyed his chief Earl Haraldson as he tried to construct a new kind of vessel designed to propel him westward. Success in raiding England sent him to fame but also into conflict with family, friends, and competitors.
Each installment of the show changes its focus from the character of Ragnar to his sons, who follow in their father's footsteps. Each son-Bjorn Ironside, Ivar the Boneless, Ubbe, Hvitserk, and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye-have their own quest that leads them to victories, wars, alliances, and even treachery throughout Europe and beyond.
Some important plot features are:
The ascension of Ragnar to power and what he seeks to create-a Viking empire.
The legendary siege of Paris, among other historical battles.
The war of succession and power changes among Ragnar's sons after his death.
The cultural clashes and influences between the Vikings, the Saxons, and other cultures.
Key Actors
Travis Fimmel as Ragnar Lothbrok:
Main character. A farmer who becomes a warrior, explorer, and king.
Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha:
First wife of Ragnar, shieldmaiden and one of the strongest characters. End.
Gustaf Skarsgård as Floki:
A brilliant but eccentric shipbuilder and Ragnar's close friend.
Alexander Ludwig as Bjorn Ironside:
Ragnar and Lagertha's son, known for his bravery and ambition.
Alex Høgh Andersen as Ivar the Boneless:
Ragnar's son, a strategic yet ruthless leader.
Georgia Hirst as Torvi:
A shieldmaiden who becomes a central character in later seasons.
Jordan Patrick Smith as Ubbe:
Ragnar's son, striving for peace and exploration.
Also, notable of the cast are Alyssa Sutherland (Aslaug), John Kavanagh (The Seer), and Peter Franzén as King Harald Finehair.
How to Watch the Show
1. Season 1: This is the story of Ragnar and his farm life with much greater ambitions than his village.
2. Season 2: The story is about the rise of Ragnar, high conflicts, etc.
3. Season 3: Including such key battles like the attack on Paris and some family troubles.
4. Season 4 (Parts 1 and 2): Ragnar's fall and the rise of his sons.
5. Season 5 (Parts 1 and 2): A series on the war struggles between the sons of Ragnar
6. Season 6 (Parts 1 and 2): Conclusion of the saga in the final chapters of the Viking Age
To see the world of the Vikings more in depth you can also watch the continuation:.
Vikings: Valhalla (Netflix, 2022 – present): The show is a historical drama's continuation, but it is set 100 years after the final episodes of the original Vikings. The story revolved around the end of the Viking Age and the rise of such legendary Norsemen as Leif Erikson and Harald Sigurdsson.
Where to Watch
Vikings is available for streaming on the following sites:
Amazon Prime Video: All six seasons are available to watch.
Hulu: All episodes are available with Hulu.
Netflix: Available with Vikings in select regions but only Vikings: Valhalla is here.
History Channel's Website and App: Free episodes with commercials ad supported, available in certain parts of the world.
What Makes Vikings Special?
1. Accurate Cultural Depiction
It does not often follow historical facts, but the spirit of this through their ship building, the rituals in religion, and its warrior element is heart-throbbing to interact with.
2. Layered Characters
All the characters have layers to them, with flaws and virtues alike that make them humanly relatable; from Ragnar's ambition to Lagertha's resilience to Ivar's cleverness are just a few examples.
3. The Epic Battles and Visuals
Action scenes were something to watch out for, with incredible battle sequences and magnificent representations of medieval warfare.
4. Powerful Women
Lagertha and the other female warriors conform to few traditional gender roles and tell the power women had in Viking society.
5. Mythological Tie-In
The use of Norse mythology gives fantasy to the plot, as characters tend to seek answers from the gods.
Summary: Critical Reception and Reviews
Vikings was praised for the story, performance, and production's excellence. Critics and the viewers appreciated how Vikings incorporated historical facts into dramatic effects.
Rotten Tomatoes: Compiled 89% audience score across seasons
IMDb: Distributed with 8.5/10, indicating the overall praise that was given to the film.
Critic has said that although the series was stunning until the last seasons, magic and sense were lost because the central line of the storyline had moved from Ragnar to his sons.
The episodes are popular even up to the last season.
Interesting Facts About Vikings
Background: Although completely mythical, there is no record that he ever existed. Vikings is based on Norse sagas and historical manuscripts.
Training the Cast: The actors were trained in physical activities to really capture the image of warriors.
Floki's Inspiration: The figure of Floki was loosely derived from Norse explorer Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vikings
Q1: Is Vikings a historical show?
Vikings is a mix of history and fiction. It is based on many historical things but also makes up most of it for entertainment purposes.
Q2: Do I need to view Vikings to see Vikings: Valhalla?
Yes, Vikings: Valhalla is a stand-alone series, though it helps to learn the historical context set by the original series.
Q3: Is the show suitable for everyone?
Vikings has plenty of graphic violence, mature themes, and nudity, so this show is not for everybody.
Vikings is history-told drama, but it's an engaging story of ambition, exploration, and human resilience. The true all-in combination of history, action, and myth will surely entrance many fans of large historical sagas, whoever your reason for checking out this series is: first-timer or revisiting Vikings. Grab your shields and swords and dive into the world of Vikings!
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