"Mercenary" for VIKINGS

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.

"Prayer" for VIKINGS

Article first published TV Review: 'Vikings' - 'The Lord's Prayer' on Blogcritics.

History’s Vikings tied up its second season recently with “The Lord’s Prayer.” Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) is finally home, surrounded by his loved ones, the raiding and wars taking a pause. However, it’s in his own village, the place where he feels most safe and comfortable, in which the most deadly danger may lie. His ally, King Horik (Donal Logue) has grown jealous of Ragnar’s expanding power, and working with a couple of those closest to Ragnar, decides to remove a potential rival for good.

King Horik’s turn is disappointing, but not unexpected. Horik is always weary of those who threaten his position, and Ragnar, a lowly earl, is respected and listened to more than Horik. Horik has become the junior partner in their arrangement, and that’s not a position Horik wants to be in. Viking society is brutal and bloody, a structure built on strength, and Horik does what any viking king would in his position – he tries to murder Ragnar and all his heirs (to prevent anyone seeking revenge or rallying people around a martyr in the future).

Unfortunately for Horik, he underestimates Ragnar, and it’s Horik and his family who end up slaughtered. Horik should know better, having spent extended amounts of time with Ragnar. While Horik doesn’t understand Ragnar very well, he has seen what Ragnar can accomplish, and what happens to those who don’t grant Ragnar the respect he has earned. It is understandable that Horik makes this fatal mistake, but it’s also one that, in retrospect, he should have been prepared for.

The one character that has been feeling inconsistent to me lately is Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård). Floki is a most loyal friend to Ragnar in season one, but in the second year, he inexplicably pulls away, cozying up to Horik instead. As I watched “The Lord’s Prayer,” I was already writing the review paragraph in my head arguing that Floki’s turn could be explainable, but without his motivations explored, feels weak. And then, Vikings reveals that Floki has never shifted loyalties, simply acting as a spy for Ragnar, which explains why Ragnar has not moved to save or severe his ties to Floki.

This does succeed at truly surprising, as does the fake death of Torstein (Jefferson Hall) and the loyalty of Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig). Siggy will sway whichever way the wind blows, or so I surmised, so she either knows about Ragnar’s plans to stop Horik, or she has more moral fiber than I give her credit for, staying true to her people rather than taking Horik’s bribe. Either way,  I appreciate the writing and plot structure Vikings delivers in its finale, as well as keeping the tale at home, among the major players, rather than abroad.

One of the best scenes in this adrelaine-charged episode is when Ragnar quietly prays with Athelstan (George Blagden). Ragnar’s curiosity for all things outside of his frame of reference is one of his greatest assets, and his friendship with Athelstan, a foreigner himself, is touching. Seeing the two of them together here, after Athelstan finally returns to the fold, is a moving moment.

It also must be said that the strange dynamic between Ragnar, his current wife, Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland), and his ex-wife, now an earl herself, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), is somehow working. Lagertha is right to go away initially, not being the type of share her man quietly. But after some bad experiences in the outside world, she returns to the man who is (mostly) good to her. She may not share Ragnar’s bed any longer, but is as important to him as ever. I’ll bet there will be some more development for her next season, and it could go any number of different ways.

One thing that may be lacking in season two is the death of a main character. Vikings is a very action-intensive show, and people are frequently killed. Season one is full of that, including when Ragnar unseats his predecessor. Season two dances around it, with Torstein’s fake and Rollo’s (Clive Standen) grievous injuries, but never goes there. In a series of this nature, it feels inauthentic that all of the major parts should continue year after year, and if no one perishes in season three (Siggy and Rollo probably being the most expendable at this point), the danger of the series may start to bleed away.

Still, for a show that teaches loose history loosely, Vikings continues to deliver as a compelling, interesting, informative adventure week after week. I am surprised that History Channel’s first foray into scripted programming is doing so well, but I admit really getting into this show, even forgetting about the uneven accents in most installments. I look forward not only to the further telling of Ragnar’s story, but also the next project History launches.

Vikings has been renewed and will return in 2015.

"Brother's War" on VIKINGS

Article first published as "Brother's War" on VIKINGS on TheTVKing.com

History's VIKINGS begins its second season this week with "Brother's War." Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) faces much upheaval as members of his own family turn away from him. But at least his career as a raider is going well, as both King Horik (Donal Logue) and Jarl Borg (Thorbjørn Harr), both powerful leaders themselves, get on board with Ragnar's plan to sail to new lands.

I have to wonder how good a leader Ragnar will end up being. He can inspire loyalty in his friends and foes, to be sure, but has a major blind spot when it comes to family. He refuses to even consider that his brother, Rollo (Clive Standen), might betray him until Rollo shows up with an army. Ragnare doesn't believe his wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), is leaving him, even after he catches her packing and she says she's going, until she rides away. His son, Bjorn (Nathan O'Toole), is disgusted by Ragnar's treatment of Lagertha and chooses to go with his mother. If Ragnar can't get his relations in line, what hope does he have with anyone else?

It is a bit odd that no one seems to question Ragnar regarding these desertions. The other vikings all still trust him and follow him. Could it be that, in this time and place, the culture is so different from our current frame of reference that this doesn't matter? I mean, if a political leader these days had falling outs with his family, it would impact his or her career. For Ragnar, this doesn't seem to be the case at all. He doesn't fight their leaving, and I guess because no one sees him losing something he wants to hang onto, he doesn't come across as pathetic.

Not that Ragnar doesn't have a few things going for him. For one, he has been very successful with his missions, winning soldiers because he keeps bringing his men wealth. For another, he seems to have won the heart of the beautiful Princess Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland), who hails from legendary stock, and is now carrying his baby. Aslaug even seems willing to share Ragnar, though Lagertha will have no part of it. So Ragnar isn't without strength.

There are moments, though, when he truly shines. Witnessing Ragnar's goodbye to his little girl, who died while he was away, is heartbreaking. Unlike in other moments, it doesn't make Ragnar soft to show emotion, finding power in his feelings. The aforementioned blind spot comes from a place of great love, and Ragnar will use that love to drive him forward. 

I guess one thing that bothers me a bit about Vikings is that the character of Ragnar seems a little unrealistic and half-formed. Is he a warrior of legend, or someone who has a rocky personal life? It's not that he can't be both, it's just that Rangar's faults are weaknesses that it's hard to understand his fellows looking past, so it makes the character seem poorly constructed.

Rollo has a similar issue, first turning on Ragnar, then begging his forgiveness. He's willing to die for his sins, but also ready to serve again. Some characters briefly complain about Rollo's pardon, and since Ragnar is not the one who gives it, the sentence being commuted by The Lawgiver (Morgan C. Jones), one is left wondering why Rollo isn't executed and how he can be accepted back into the group?

Unless both of these are just a matter of a race of people living by such different laws and codes that it's hard for a modern mindset to understand. I admit finding many of the motivations and attitudes of the players strange, and that contribute to an overall lack of comprehension. Ragnar couldn't act like this today, but maybe, for the vikings of old, his behavior is perfectly acceptable.

The installment itself is pretty good. I like the battle scenes, appropriately long and action-packed, with real, deadly consequences. The sets and costumes still look cool, and the pacing is quick enough. I'm interested to see how things will play out. Even when I don't think some of the characters are developed well enough, the narrative is still intriguing and entertaining.

Vikings airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on History.