Article originally published as VIKINGS Review Season 3 Episode 1 Mercenary on Seat42F.
The History channel’s VIKINGS returns
for a third season tonight, and boy does it start off on a high note!
Ragnar’s (Travis Fimmel) people are anxious to get back to England, and
as spring approaches, their King sets sail for the more civilized land.
Upon arrival, King Ecbert (Linus Roache) does give them the farmland
promised, but he also has a favor to ask, and his eye is on one of the
savages.
The season premiere, titled “Mercenary,” really highlights the differences between the English and the Vikings. The English naturally think they are better than the non-Christians, assuming that since the Vikings
don’t pray to the same savior, they are unevolved. We can see at a
dinner held that these Englishmen consider themselves above the others,
and feel they are manipulating them to their advantage. The Vikings, for
their part, have their own gods and beliefs, as we see when Lagertha
(Katheryn Winnick) consults The Seer (John Kavanagh) at the start of the
hour, and think the English ways are stuffy and ridiculous. The
warriors feel they know better, and are only willing to help the English
in as much as it suits them.
This is obviously heading for a serious
split, but that doesn’t come in “Mercenary.” Instead, Ecbert’s people
are united with Ragnar’s in helping Princess Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey) win
back her crown. Thus, Ecbert’s English benefit from the Vikings’
tactics when the large battle late in the episode comes to a head, the
Vikings showing a different stripe than either group of English, who
operate by tradition and ceremony, expect.
The battle is probably my favorite part
of “Mercenary.” It’s intriguing to examine the differences in the people
and the personal drama going on, but sometimes bloody sword battles are
most welcome. After a slow burn through much of the episode, it feels
earned when the forces finally engage.
There is an interesting moment at the
end where Ragnar’s face turns unexpectedly. If you haven’t watched the
episode yet, you’ll see what I mean when you get to it. It makes me
wonder how happy he is. He clearly isn’t well-suited to be King; he
likes the power, but not necessarily the responsibility or airs. But
there’s a bit where he might finally see himself as the English do, he
always being particularly empathetic towards others, and it begs the
question, how much will Ragnar change? In the past, he’s only been
willing to go so far, but as VIKINGS pushes on, that could shift, for
better or for worse.
Ragnar isn’t the only restless one in
“Mercenary.” Athelstan (George Blagden) might not be satisfied with his
position. He gets quite chummy with Ecbert, and while he expresses
continued loyalty to Ragnar, his interests are starting to seem divided.
It makes sense for him to want to go back to his people, especially
when he’s made to feel needed and accepted by the king.
And there are others feeling off. Floki
(Gustaf Skarsgard) is much displeased to be with wife (Maude Hirst) and
child at home, feeling things are too peaceful and happy, thus luring
him into getting too comfortable. Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) isn’t too
pleased that his woman of choice, Porunn (Gaia Weiss), takes after his
mother, not content to stay at home, instead riding into battle
alongside him. Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) doesn’t look too happy to see
Ragnar sailing off with his ex, Lagertha, as she stays behind with a
crippled child that is a source of discord in their marriage.
Aslaug needn’t worry, as Lagertha stays
behind when Ragnar goes to war, and seems to have a new love interest in
King Ecbert. Ecbert likely doesn’t understand the shield maiden, no
matter what he thinks, and I don’t see any lasting union between them.
But it’s a fun little side story, and it likely will be enough to
distract her as a turncoat, Kalf (Ben Robson, Dracula: The Dark Price),
prepares to betray her.
“Mercenary” has a lot going on, and
while there are slow parts, especially early in the hour, overall this
installment holds up to the quality storytelling one expects from
Vikings. It may not be historically accurate, not surprising, given how
few formal records were kept of these people, but it is entertaining.
The world of the show is ever-changing and expanding, and that only
draws viewers deeper into the action.
Vikings airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on History.
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