Decided to give
Vikings a try. I was still jonesing for some bloody combat after the finale of
Spartacus, so thought I'd give it a watch. Heard mixed reviews about it, wasn't sure what to expect. I am so pleasantly surprised. I'm on episode 5 now. I was so hooked I watched the first 4 back to back last night. I love it already.
It's actually a refreshing change of pace from
Game of Thrones and
Spartacus. It just feels more authentic and grounded in reality. And it is to a large extent, since it's based on real Viking history and culture. The setting, the places, the names, the social structures, the beliefs and superstitions, the costumes and cultural trappings, all based on real history. The combat is messy, bloody business too, not over-the-top swashbuckling or superhuman feats of heroism. No obligatory gratuitous sex scene every five mins, which is actually a kinda nice palette cleanser. The script is actually refreshingly simple too. They talk like normal people would. That might not sound like a selling point, but it lends itself nicely to the overall feeling of immersion. And not a single horned helmet in sight. It really swept me away into another time and place.
Despite the Vikings in it being essentially just raiding thugs, I can't help but root for them. It's a good story and I already kinda care about the characters. I'm, strangely, willing to accept they have their reasons for their actions. They have been fleshed out really well. The main character, Ragnar Lodbrok, is based loosely on an actual historical figure, or rather a figure of Viking legend and the sagas; part real person, part mythical embellishment. The guy who plays him is brilliant, Travis Fimmel. His facial expressions and sly grin give him so much character and its hard not to love him a little bit. His wife, the sheildmaiden Lagetha, is great too. I love that there are so many strong women in film and TV now. Great characters all round actually. Classy cast, classy acting, classy production.
It's not a documentary, though. It's a period drama with flashes of creative license. So if you don't go in expecting total historical accuracy, you're likely to enjoy it more. Don't let the fact that it's on the History Channel put you off either. I know the HC is really shit these days, but this show is a real gem in my not so humble opinion. I am glad to hear it's been picked up for a second season, which means I can really get into it and not feel like it's gonna end abruptly anytime soon, like so many other good series that didn't quite make the cut.
Awesome theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ4sDn89P04A little behind the scenes teaser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnkQdgOSW14Damn, I am seriously tempted to stay in tonight and watch the rest. I'm hooked.
Topic: TV Shows