Written by: Robert Weihofen.
Last year the History Channel tried their hand in drama when it came out with the new show “Vikings.” The show is not all fiction as some may think, as its main character is based on real-life historical figure Ragnar Lodbrok. The first nine-episode season was a huge hit for History, and very shortly following the season finale was ranked the number one cable series of 2013, bringing it 3.6 million viewers, according the Deadline.com.
The series opens with viewers learning about the character Ragnar, his family, and the historically accurate ways of the Vikings. In the series premiere Ragnar shows that he wants to sail to the West, to what we know as present day England. He chooses this direction instead of going to the East, to lands such as Russia and Siberia. The local leader, Earl Haraldson opposes the choice greatly and begins a power struggle that lasts for most of the first season.
We also meet Ragnars brother Rollo, who remains by Ragnar’s side. But we question Rollo’s loyalty, since he wants to take Ragnar’s wife, Shieldmaiden Lagertha, for himself. Ragnar wants to sail west to find the riches that exist there. To this end, he has his friend and craftsmen Floki build a new type of Viking long ship for the voyage.
Throughout most of the first season he sails west, raiding new lands and cities. This story thread is intertwined with the conflict between Rangar and Earl Haraldson which ends in a dramatic and bloody duel between the two.
During one voyage Ragnar captures the monk Athelstan and enslaves him. Other storylines show how Ragnar learns about the ways of people in England. He and the crew also encounter Christianity while on their voyages and raids. The end of the first season sees a new power struggle, betrayal, cheating, and loyalties being tried. We are left wondering what awaits Ragnar and his family, how power will shift hands, and what path Ragnar will choose.
[pullquote]Throughout most of the first season he sails west, raiding new lands and cities. [/pullquote]
Season two is set to kick off February 27, 2014 and is eagerly anticipated by its viewers as it had almost an eleven-month layoff. The second season of “Vikings” continues the radical shift History Channel makes toward dramatic television. The channel’s programming move may either make or break the trend toward drama in the future.
Creator of “Vikings” Michael Hurst has been vague about the new season’s plot, refusing to comment on it in interviews. Many of the cast members, as well, have kept quiet, but some spoilers have slipped out. Ragnar’s son, Bjorn, claims to “not have seen his father” in a long period of time, reports multiple sources. Media also anticipate a new power struggle between two of the major characters.
The History Channel released a teaser trailer that shows a major battle between two groups on a beach or sandy shore of some sort. The trailer appears to indicate that one major character will die. No show officials will confirm or talk about such rumors. Season two will no doubt bring new challenges for Ragnar and his fellow Vikings, and many viewers will be glued to their televisions on February 27th.
