Vikings

A wonderful and somewhat historical series. The acting is great and I think most all of the stars

will be big breakout stars in movies soon. Definitely refreshing and high-end entertainment at its best

this show is brilliant... but what happened?... a sudden end?

just curious because according to history, Ragnar is captured and put in the well of snakes... while he goes on to conquer France.

Only one word - Brilliant !

Now that is how you do an inaugural season. Can not wait until next season and for that matter, I can't wait for its 100th season and 15 movies. I highly suggest that everyone watch this.

This is a great show overall. Its not suppose to be a documentary. Vikings were real men which this show depicts instead of these neurotic "girly" men that are usually depicted on prime time TV shows. What else can a man ask for in a TV show, hot women, sex, violence and real men acting like a real man. Its the only show that I actually look forward to watching each week.. I only wish that they had made more episodes.

I absolutely love this series in fact I just reordered cable to watch this series, since house is no longer on tv I had really no use for until now. And as far as being harsh, yes I love historical and period pieces and accuracy is definitely a strong point when your watching a documentary by this isn't, this is loosely based on a myth/ legend from the Viking period. I think if that's what your looking for in this series you've missed the point, and point being to entertain and give a depiction of the Viking demeanor and their possible exploits. It's just good entertainment, with terrific actors and Travis fimmel(Ragnar) is just completely confidently sexy. Wish I was playing Lagertha. Uh huh

The series many hits and many misses. As a Norwegian and a student of history the misses outweigh the rather historical misses. I understand that the designers of the costumes, sets and locations, have to, at times, use some LICENCE about what is true and AVAILABLE.

That having been said, there are so many such as the Stave Church used as the Uppsala location! This was a MUCH later CHRISTIAN Norwegian Church Style, and did not exist in Upsalla or during the time of Ragnar! this church was NOT a Norse Pagan center!

The Royals in the series were often shown wearing or sitting on Brocaded or complex fabrics, that were from a much later Ages. The majority of the costumes were fanciful at the best and had little to do with the real cloths and fabrics worn in the Viking age... but, were the over imaginative creations of the Costume designers!

Much of the jewelry and set accessories were made and are available in Asia (Thailand) . The Scandinavian cultures of that time period had fabrics, jewellery and interior furnishings that were very obviously NOT glamorous enough for the series, set dressers and/or costume designers.



As for human sacrifices at a Christian Stav church is outrageously wrong and comes from the need for a little more confused action and satisfy the need for blood, repeated killings and super action.... required of the modern day Computer game playing generation!

If you are going to make an expensive series like this, based on history, such as the history of the well studied Viking Age .... at least be accurate on the big and important stuff!



In the first episode, they sail to Britannia in one ship, but there are two ships waiting at the shore after they are finished raiding the Lidesfarn monastery! Where did the other ship come from?

Why don't you review the series, dont you read the rating, the fan reviews?

Sometimes i believe you are blind by the logo history. They have done and almost perfect serie, when lately most of the other tv only do crap :(

As a Viking, I really like the series. Good insight about religion and the old Gods. Also nice costumes and play.



Of course there are a couple of questionable "facts" in the latest episodes:

- Uppsala is a town in Sweden, not Norway (and not at all by the coast)

- They did not have stave churches in the Viking age (they were built after Norway got their Christian belief).



It is with sorrow to see they filmed the series in Ireland and not in Norway (due to costs), but the areas portraited in the show kind of looks like Norway :). Hoping for a second season!

@nahga1 You say in your review that history channel has had any scripted shows that has more than 1 season. You're saying there is another show from history channel having been scripted. GUESS WHAT Don't open your mouth when you don't know anything about it. HISTORY CHANNEL MADE VIKINGS AS its 1st I REPEAT 1st ever scripted show. You're review is invalid cause you're data is obviously false. search it if you want



As for the show I'll give it a 9.5. I don't believe in giving a 10 because I always believe that there is always something left to be improved upon. Nothing is perfect. Love VIKINGS!!! As for season 2 I hope they do!!!

Vikings definitely needs more love from this site.

I am from Iceland. When I see an old movie or TV show that showcases the vikings I want to take my axe and cleave someone in half. Anglo-saxons just don't get it. Probably because they wet their pants when they hear the name Viking mentioned.

This show manages to get all the elements right. They get it!

Of course Ragnar Lobrk is a famous fictional character and his stories date from ca. 400-500 . (He got to marry the daughter of Sigurdur the Dragonslayer and Brunhilde). But that doesn't matter. Its a cool name. What matters is they tell the story of someone who had to be daring and crazy enough to sail west. It had to start with someone. We in Iceland wouldn't be living here if they hadnt ventured out into the unknown.

These were fearless men and women ... a little rough around the edges, granted ... but with a strong code of conduct and a rich culture.

I applaude this show and recommend it with the greatest compliment I know. Stupendous.

I rarely watch television but The Vikings has got me hooked big time. Everything about this programme is extremely well done. Storey line, script, dialogue, settings, scenery, acting!!!! WOW, great show! LOVE it!!

There isn't supposed to be a second season of Vikings. I don't know that the history channel has had any scripted shows with more than one season.



I guess they could decide to go in that direction, but it doesn't seem they find shows of this type to be cost effective.



It is a pretty good show though.

hello all , so far the show " vikings" is amazing , has everything to be amazing ( blood - battles - love - suspence etc ) . its really bad that are 8-9 episodes. Does anyone know if its a true story ??? or will be second season???



thanks

"Vikings" represents the first serious and intelligent effort to put the Norsemen going a-viking on TV. Lets face it, most movies about Vikings have been horrible and inaccurate. History Channel would never do anything obviously inaccurate, but neither do they try to give us a history lesson - they mean to make an enjoyable TV series and that involves taking some liberties. Since the Norsemen were analphabets there are precious few written records to go by and that is probably a strength since it allows for artistic freedom.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Now, about the first four episodes. Over the course of four episodes we see: Rites of passage, intrigue, trials, ships, beheadings, mysticism, two raids, plunder, a little bit of rape and quite a lot of combat. Especially episode four has a lot of action. The first three sets up the plot and the fourth accelerates it. I recommend seing the first four episodes back to back.

ABOUT THE CHARACTERS

The main character is RAGNAR LOTHBROK, a somewhat unpredictable man with dreams of glory and riches - dreams of sailing west to raid instead of east, something that hasn't been done before. Ragnar keeps his thoughts to himself and does not explain his actions even to his brother until he carries out his thoughts. Ragnar has a wierd expression on his face most of the time - the gleam of madness. Yes -- one has to be slightly mad to do what no one else has done, but he is also fiercely competent.

Ragnar's brother ROLLO is strong man of dubious morals who usually does as his brother commands but resents Ragnar's authority over him.

FLOKI is an eccentric shipbuilder played by Gustav Skarsgrd (Alexander of True Blood's brother). He is a genius shipbuilder, quite mad and unpredictable. Loyal to Ragnar.

LAGERTHA is Ragnar's wife - a shield maiden - who is strong and fierce with some quick skills at dishing out violence to lecherous men. Women will like this character. Since the Norsemen were pagans there was no Bible or scripture telling them that women were suborned to men, which leads to some interesting cultural results - such as female warriors. They were few, sure enough, but not an impossibility.

The other characters you'll have to find out for yourself, but the series has risen higher in my esteem for every episode so you'll have a treat. The dialogue can be quite harsh sometimes due to the imitated (and real in the case of Skarsgrd) Norse English accent - but don't let it bother you. Not all characters have an accent.

CONCLUSION

Men and women alike will have plenty of fun watching this series. Its main weakness is that it is not filmed in Norway, but in Scotland, which takes away some of the epicness of the setting. It has strong male and female leads who are all very unique and interesting. There is plenty of combat and intrigue as well as the most accurate depiction of Vikings so far. The Norsemen were mostly farmers and trademen, but every man could wield a shield and sword and often the lure of loot and plunder drew them to go a-viking (raiding), raping and killing as men were wont to do with weapons in that age. The Vikings were fearsome raiders in a less enlightened era, rife with superstition, and are portrayed as such.

You can currently stream the first four episodes free and legally at History Channels website: history(dot)com/shows/vikings

Love the scenery, the plot, the costumes and the story.

Wow great show love it.

What a great show. I just happened upon it by chance and didn't think it would be very good as it was on H channel, however It's just been amazing. I hope the guys here at TV start doing reviews and help in building up this shows following so it can continue on and get a second, third, fourth etc seasons! Always loved vikings and gutted there are only a few decent films. I was disappointed to hear that mel gibsons film had been halted due to his er... personality lol. Anyways who else has a worrying man crush on travis fimmel? LOL keep it up can't wait for episode 5!!

I would have to agree with GeronimoX this is a solid show, strong acting and the story is engaging. Show cases the brutality of this era and how Vikings truly lived. If you like Game of Thrones and the like you should check this show out.

A good show about vikings in which customs, beliefs and traditions are shown in the form of a quite compelling narrative. The show is loosely based on the legends of Ragnar Lothbrok and follows him on his voyage West to England. The acting is very good and the imagery is somewhat underwhelming but seems historically correct.

The other reviewer must not have seen the show because the violence and te sex are never explicit like in Game of Thrones. Haven't seen a breast yet let alone a nipple and the worst bloodshed was some red coloured sand... I think even more people would watch it if it was more explicit, but it's a History channel show, not HBO.

All in all a very good show from the History Channel that beats reading books about vikings any day!

The fact that there are so few reviews or ratings on this show and they are predominantly slanted one way is a telling sign unto itself. Almost not plot, sterotypical characters the often have only clutching grip on one dimensional, and a lost in the void sense of place in any setting. Even a sense of culture is ultimately found wanting. And none of this will be solved through the gratuitous use of sex and violence. The only bright spot... well, dim glow... in the dark is Lagertha played by Katheryn Winnick. I say dim not because of performance but because of a lack substance with which to work. That Ms. Winnick made be care for a few moments about one character is testament to her ability and testament to another hollow work I will not miss.