The History Channel took a gamble four years ago on the first scripted drama for their programming.  Thankfully they knew what gold they had with creator/writer Michael Hirst (Elizabeth, Tudors), and gave the series based on historical Norse King Ragnar Lothbrook and his adventures.

Going into it’s fourth season, the series has garnered several award nominations, both acting and technical, as well as amassing a seriously devoted fan following.  We were ECSTATIC when the announcement of an extended season happened, 20 for season 4 whereas 10 episodes is usually the norm for cable dramas.

When we last saw everyone at the end of season 3, the siege of Paris had just been lifted, and Rollo had been promised the hand of the Frankish (French) Princess Gisla.  Ragnar, Lagertha, Bjorn and Floki boarded ships to head home, and a feverish Ragnar confronted Floki about the murder of Athelstan.

Let’s just jump right into it, shall we?  At the opening of season 4, the golden doors of Valhalla close to Ragnar. a symbol of it not being his time yet OR him being barred from the Hall of Heroes because of the baptism in England.  It sure seems like this will be an ongoing theme for him this year, a fascination with death and the struggle of his religion.

Floki, showing some measure of “oh crap, my life is possibly forfeit depending on Ragnar’s mood when he wakes up”, presents the near death King his handmade present of rune covered antlers.  This of course makes no difference to Bjorn, who orders the arrest of Floki for murder.  Floki is chained to a post in the center of the city, and he tries to convince his devoted wife Helga to help him escape.  You can read our interview with Maude Hirst who plays Helga here.

The ships returned flush with slaves, and Queen Aslaug purchases Yidu (Dianne Dion), who will become an important figure later in the season.  We’ll have our interview with her up before next week’s episode!

Meanwhile in Francia (France), Rollo and Princess Gisla (Morgane Polanski) get married.  She is literally carried over someone’s shoulder into the bridal suite, pleading and begging and spitting.  We’ll have our interview with Morgane up before next week’s episode.

 

Kalf tries to make peace between he and Lagertha back in HER earldom, stating they would be joint Earls.  Needless to say, some of the Kalf-supporters don’t like this idea and don’t want her involved at all.  So, they all get shot with arrows and killed while Lagertha looks on. Her smile during the mowing down of the opposing townsfolk really says “He just murdered all these people for me.  He must really like me.”  And I mean watching Lagertha cut away the manhood of someone who’s done her wrong is as satisfying as it is disturbing. Beautiful and powerful, her nod to Kalf as blood drips down her face possibly meaning she accepts his apology.

Bjorn announces he is leaving Kattegat to attempt to find Porunn. “I go because you don’t think I can survive,” he says to Ragnar, letting us know his struggle to find his manhood continues on despite his success on the French raid.

Rollo turns on his own Vikings, after one accuses him of being a traitor.  “Ha, I’ll show you I’m no turncoat by KILLING ALL Y’ALL with my French crossbowmen.”  Expect to see more of this dichotomy of Viking Rollo vs Frenchman Rollo during the season.

All in all, it’s a pretty damn strong season opener for a show that continues to be fantastic in it’s writing as well as performances from the incredibly good-looking cast.  I know I’m excited to see how things play out, and dreading the historical realities we know lay ahead.

And no Variety, Vikings is NOT “the poor man’s Walking Dead” as your reviewer calls it. You may have your descriptions mixed up there, buddy.