Vikings has emerged as one of the most watched historical drama television series created and written by Michael Hirst for the History channel. Filmed in Ireland, the series premiered on March 3, 2013, in Canada and has finally concluded on December 30, 2020, when the second half of the sixth season was released in its entirety on Prime Video in Ireland, ahead of its broadcast on History in Canada. A sequel series, named Vikings: Valhalla, is in development for Netflix.
The drama is inspired by the sagas of Viking Ragnar Lothbrok, one of the best-known legendary Norse heroes and notorious as the scourge of England and France. Ragnar is portrayed as a farmer who rises to fame by successful raids into England, and eventually becomes a Scandinavian King, with the support of his family and fellow warriors. In the later seasons, the series follows the fortunes of his sons and their adventures in England, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean.
The peculiar thing about the series that the storyline gets stronger after losing its lead (Travis Fimmel) several seasons ago, leading way to his sons – Bjorn, Ivar, Ubbe, Hvitserk, King Harald, and the stronghold of Kattegat. Passage of time leads to loss of more characters but the narrative remains intact and engaging despite of that.
The clan is supposedly barbarian and ends with a note of finding a civilized world. But then there are elements that would prefer the old ways and break the balance like Kjetill.
In a scene that captures the zist of the final season, Ubbe is asked by Ragnar and Floki,”Do you really want to live by the Old Ways?” as doing so will bring about the “land you left behind.”
But the world Ubbe seeks is contrasted and to some extent broken there is still bloodshed and warfare.
The season appears to be nagging about in the middle but the constant tussle between new and old ways is what brings out the message well. After the first episode, the season seems to appear a bit confused with dull games in the clan. There is seemingly trouble in bringing about storyline for few characters. But as the final episodes draw in the new land vs blood drenched old Viking ways add the thrill.
This is a must watch, streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5olIdQPDr-4
