Television Review: Vikings (season 1, 2013)

Michael Hirst became famous thanks to his screenplays for Elizabeth and The Tudors, which also created reputation of an period drama expert. His attempt to explore Arthurian legends in Camelot failed, not advancing past first season. Vikings, his next project, was closer to actual history and was in 2013 produced by History, one of that television channel’s first forays into scripted drama. It also proved to be rather successful experiment, now in its fifth season.

First season begins in 793 and tells a tale of small community of Norsemen, in those days still stuck in pre-historic Iron Age, faced with harsh climate and lack of arable land in Scandinavia, which often leads to conflict or raiding as the only way to make ends meet. Protagonist Ragnar Lothbrok (played by Travis Fimmel) is a warrior who built his reputation in raiding, although he begins to question whether the traditional raids eastwards, via easily navigable Baltic shores, have much sense. Instead, he gets idea to try sailing westwards, across huge and seemingly impassable North Sea where some sort of prosperous and rich country should be. After his friend Floki (played by Gustaf Skarsgård) builds a new kind of boat, Ragnar launches expedition that lands on the shores of today’s northeastern England. The natives, ruled by Northumbrian king, are completely taken by surprise and don’t know what hit them. Ragnar returns with huge plunder and Athelstan (played by George Blagden), Christian monk taken prisoner, but his triumph is overshadowed by enmity of Earl Haraldson (played by Gabriel Byrne), local ruler who suspects that Ragnar could challenge his authority.

Lack of urban civilisation in Northern Europe during Early Middle Ages also works in the show's advantage, allowing for the past to be recreated with smaller budget. Instead of spectacular vistas, Vikings attract audience with well-directed, violent but effective combat scenes, as well as well-written and complex characters, played by diverse and talented cast. Australian actor Travis Fimmell is especially effective in the role of character which is violent thug, visionary adventurer and dedicated family man at the same time. Season is made out of 9 episodes, which keeps the plot tight and allows a lot of space to manuevre in the next seasons.

Starring: Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Jessalin Gilsig, Gustaf Skarsgård, George Blagden, Gabriel Byrne, Alyssa Sutherland, Donal Logue
Directed by: Johan Renck, Ciarán Donelly, Ken Girotti
Created by: Michael Hirst

Pro: spectacular action, well-written characters, diverse and talented cast, imaginative and intriguing reconstruction of ancient past
Contra: at times a cavalier attitude towards historical accuracy, explicit violence that might disturb some viewers
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RATING: 7/10