The History Channel just recently premiered its new historical drama Vikings only a few weeks ago and so far it is doing well, receiving favorable reviews and getting a decent amount of viewers the day of its premiere. The History Channel more than likely considered this a major victory considering its their first scripted series outside docudramas and mini-series.
The story follows a Viking by the name of Ragnar Lodbrok, a young and skilled warrior who is a merciless raider but also a responsible family man at the same time. Ragnar sees that his peoples economy is not doing to well and knows that the people to the east, which he and his clan raid every summer, are just as poor as they are so he decides that he will go west to a new and mysterious land know as England and try his luck at pillaging those people in hopes that they are well-to-do people who have lots of valuable loot hidden away in their homes, which they are. Of course their has to be someone who opposes change in tradition and dismisses the next best thing as a rumor, in this case its Earl Haraldson, the chieftain of Ragnars’s clan. Earl Haraldson thinks that the idea of a land to the west is absolutely ridiculous and refuses to let Ragnar explore the open seas to the west. However Ragnar journeys to England anyways and in a way insults the Earl, automatically creating major tension between the two, which is bad for Ragnar because the Earl is a very bad person, even by Viking standards. The main plot of the show is basically how Ragnar discovers England and attempts to change Viking culture while constantly being opposed by Earl Haraldson every step of the way.
Ragnar Lodbrok is not just some character that writers created for a show, he is actually one of the greatest known legends of Viking mythology and though Ragnar Lodbrok takes all the renown, this identity was actually created over the years as the actions of many people began to morph together until they finally became the actions of Ragnar. With that said, viewers might expect History Channel’s Ragnar to pull off legendary actions of the same caliber as the real Ragnar.
Aside from the story line the show has very cool looking effects, especially the one that turns peoples eyes to an almost glowing blue, such as Ragnar’s. The show also has some serious sword fighting/axe fighting in it and though it lacks a great amount of head and limb removal, remember, this is a TV show, it still has a satisfying amount of blood that realistically fits the type of combat seen.
Last are specifications such as when it comes, what channel, and what that awesome opening theme song is. The show comes on at 10pm on Sundays on the History Channel but it also is on demand. For those who have on demand take advantage of it because you can view next weeks episode one week before because they have a first look feature that allows it. For example, you could watch episode 5 on the day episode 4 premieres because it one week before. For those who also like the theme song, it is “If I Had a Heart” by Fever Ray.
If you are the kind of person who likes watching battles, massive amounts of Viking style partying, and adventure, then grab your horned helmet and battle axe and watch The History Channel’s Vikings.
