Second season of Vikings establishes its main protagonist, Ragnar Lothbrok (played by Travis Fimmel), as a renowned Viking warlord whose successes brings many followers, but also create huge envy among other warlords, including his nominal suzerain, King Horik (played by Donal Logue). In the mean time, his political struggles are matched with family troubles, namely the unwillingness of his beloved warrior wife Lagertha (played by Katheryn Winnick) to accept his second wife Princess Aslaug (played by Alyssa Sutherland). When Ragnar, together with Horik, launches another, even more ambitious, raid against England, storm brings him southwards, towards the rich Kingdom of Wessex. The land there looks promising for Ragnar, who dreams of taking it for his fellow Vikings and turning them into prosperous farmers instead of plunderers. The problem is in Wessex being ruled by King Ecbert (played by Linus Roache), a cunning monarch who has his own plans with the Norsemen.
While many shows, emboldened by the success of their first seasons, try too hard to make their second seasons more epic or different, Vikings has opted for more subtle approach. The plot, despite not being completely in line with actual history, flows organically and convincingly. The viewers already became familiar with Vikings, their customs and way of life, so the second season must show how that culture changes and reacts to another. Hirst and the rest of his screenwriting team deal with that issue by having Ragnar face formidable counterpart in the form of Ecbert, a leader who is dealing with culture clash of his own, being torn between his nominal Christian belief and affection towards ancient Roman civilisation whose technological and cultural achievements make his entire kingdom petty. British actor Linus Roache, who plays King Ecbert, is very interesting addition to the cast.
The actors who remain are well-served with a script that provide them with strong roles, clever dialogues or, in the case of Fimmel as Ragnar, lack of dialogue. The plot takes place over few years confidently mixes personal with political issues, whether they are Ragnar’s fight for power and survival with other warlords, military expeditions, Athelstan’s struggle of faith or Ragnar being torn over two women he equally loves. Second season of Vikings isn’t without its faults, and one of the most distinctive examples is in infamous Blood Eagle ritual (which, according to serious historians, Vikings didn’t practice) which is recreated in way which is disturbingly graphic, yet toned down compared with similar scenes in Spartacus.
Starring: Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Jessalyn Gilsig, Gustaf Skarsgård, George Blagden, Alexander Ludwig, Alyssa Sutherland, Donal Logue, Linus Roache
Created by: Michael Hirst
Number of episodes: 10
Pro: spectacular action, great acting, well-defined characters
Contra: lack of historical accuracy, graphic violence that is sometimes gratuttous
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RATING: 8/10