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VIKINGS on History

60K views 1K replies 95 participants last post by  WilliamR 
#1 ·
#4 ·
Taken from the HOTP thread an the top of the HDTV Programming forum page.

TV Review
History's 'Vikings' a bloody good time
Travis Fimmel and Gabriel Byrne come from the land of the ice and snow

By Alan Sepinwall, HitFix.com - Mar. 1, 2013


There are more ambitious dramas on television right now, but few that deliver as consistently on what is promised than “Vikings” (Sunday at 10 p.m.), History’s first scripted drama series. The show is exactly what you might expect from the title — unless, that is, you’re from Minnesota and expecting a fictionalized account of the career of the Purple People Eaters, or perhaps a dramatization of the sex boat scandal — presented with plenty of style.


So there are many tall men with axes and shields and interesting beards. There are longboats and debates over whether any lands exist to the west of Scandinavia — making our westward-looking hero, Ragnar (Travis Fimmel), a bold thinker for his era — and battles on green hills and sandy beaches. There’s abundant pillaging, talk of Valhalla and how to get there.


It’s called “Vikings.” It’s about Vikings. And it’s quite good in the early going.


The series was created by Michael Hirst, who has plenty of experience with period intrigue (the “Elizabeth” films, Showtime’s “The Tudors”), and the pilot directed by “Breaking Bad” veteran Johan Renck. With a little help from computer effects and a lot from their production people and the green hills of Ireland, they create a vision of the culture that may not be 100 percent to historical accuracy, but which also doesn’t feel completely ludicrous for the sake of drama.


Though we open with Ragnar as one of the few survivors of a fearsome battle involving swords, spears and axes — one that’s not quite as graphic as, say, Starz’s “Spartacus,” but also one that doesn’t hide from the blood — the series is willing to take its time to introduce us to Ragnar’s family, his community, and the conflicts before the action really gets heated. We meet his wife Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), a fierce shield-maiden in her own right, and their son Bjorn (Nathan O’Toole), who’s on the verge of becoming a man — with all the power and responsibilities that involves. And we see the subtle battle between Ragnar and the local Earl (Gabriel Byrne), who believes there are no lands to the west and no way to get there — even though Ragnar has discovered the Viking equivalent of GPS, and can properly chart a voyage through unfamiliar waters.


Fimmel’s a former model who had a rough introduction to the TV business a decade ago as the star of the WB’s “Tarzan,” but he’s evolved into an interesting performer. The role of Ragnar plays to all of his strengths: impressive physical presence, a command of the screen, crazy eyes that also reveal a wicked intelligence behind them. Some of his most interesting moments involve Ragnar in repose, contemplating his next move, and Fimmel absolutely holds the frame as he does it. The part (and the beard) may create more confusion between Fimmel and Charlie Hunnam on “Sons of Anarchy,” but that’s not a bad thing when the performance suggests it might have that kind of power behind it.


Fimmel is well-matched by Winnick, who’s convincing as a woman who can go to battle with these giant men, and also by Gustaf Skarsgard (brother of Alexander from “True Blood”) as Ragnar’s eccentric ship-building friend Floki. Byrne is playing more of a stock villain, but he also lends credibility to this maiden voyage for History, and Jessalyn Gilsig from “Glee” plays well to type as the Earl’s cunning wife.


In an odd way, the four episodes I’ve seen play almost like science fiction. Ragnar is the explorer determined to go somewhere that everyone says is impossible to get to (if it exists at all). And when the Vikings do eventually land on the shores of England, they’re greeted as something akin to aliens, baffling the local Christians — including George Blagden as a monk who becomes Ragnar’s reluctant guide to the Saxon world — almost as much as they in turn are baffled by those who would leave so much gold and so many jewels lying around an unprotected house of worship.


“Vikings” isn’t complicated. It doesn’t get too cute in its dialogue, and instead relies on the inherent appeal of the era and these characters to drive the story. It knows what it wants to do, and it does it. As original series debuts go, it’s no “Oz” or “The Shield,” but it does the job it sets out to do in entertaining fashion.

http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/review-historys-vikings-a-bloody-good-time
 
#5 ·
more clips i see looks like will be good. there are exclusive clips on facebook wont let me post them here

 
#6 ·
Watched the pilot tonite and enjoyed it.


Although there were some errors when it comes to the historic Vikings of yesteryear, still it was good entertainment.


One complaint....did they have to have actors with British accents trying to fake Scandinavian accents?

Should have used American English speakers faking Scandinavian accents....it would have been less distracting IMO.
 
#8 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by baja7475  /t/1459007/vikings-on-history/0_60#post_23037409


From looking and reading about the Behind the scenes, the directors and producers went out of there way to try to fill in what the History books don't show (Culture, customs, etc).
In other words, they made stuff up....
 
#10 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by oink  /t/1459007/vikings-on-history#post_23037289


Watched the pilot tonite and enjoyed it.


One complaint....did they have to have actors with British accents trying to fake Scandinavian accents?

Should have used American English speakers faking Scandinavian accents....it would have been less distracting IMO.

Silly boy - everybody knows that if you're making an historical drama and want to be taken seriously, you've got to cast British actors. The accent gives instant credibility.
 
#11 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by archiguy  /t/1459007/vikings-on-history#post_23037757


Silly boy - everybody knows that if you're making an historical drama and want to be taken seriously, you've got to cast British actors. The accent gives instant credibility.

I laughed



DVR'd this and will check it out when I get the time. My brother was also interested in it.
 
#12 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by archiguy  /t/1459007/vikings-on-history/0_60#post_23037757


Silly boy - everybody knows that if you're making an historical drama and want to be taken seriously, you've got to cast British actors. The accent gives instant credibility.
I know, it's kinda funny.

Loved listening to our lead's Australian accent...
 
#13 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by oink  /t/1459007/vikings-on-history#post_23037438


In other words, they made stuff up....

Nope, i didn't mean they made stuff up. They did a lot of research, had a lot of experts on set and read a lot of books that are not usually in a normal history class room but a more in-depth look into the Vikings and to try to get it as accurate as possible for a fictional story. For instance the vikings went east first into the baltics and Russia. Most that i remembered from history class is about the vikings going west to Britain and the Atlantic.
 
#14 ·
I managed to catch this last night and while it wasn't quite what I thought it going to be, it didn't take too long to get locked into the story. I admit that I don't know about the culture and history, or perhaps I should say, I don't know the accuracy of what I know. So I'm hoping that this will offer an accurate representation with the story. I'm just thrilled, at least so far, that there isn't that campy look to it, which means it will definitely get continued viewings by me depending on how the story progresses.
 
#15 ·
Watched and enjoyed. I'm familiar with the character, Ragnar Lothbrok (Harry Breeks). He's probably the most famous Viking of them all. He's got his own Saga, has appeared in many books and a couple of films, IIRC. That said, he was a major badass and maybe his sons loved him, but he scared the **** out of everyone else. Do a wiki on him if you want to. He and later his sons terrorized France and later England, getting very rich and leaving many, many bodies behind. I kind of doubt that History Channel cleaves too close to the character if they want the audience to view him as a protagonist. He'd fit right in with Attila, Tamberlane, Genghis Kahn...they'd all be best buds.
 
#16 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by baja7475  /t/1459007/vikings-on-history/0_60#post_23038448


For instance the vikings went east first into the baltics and Russia.
They also made it thru Gibraltar to the Mediterranean and down the Volga to the Black and Caspian Seas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WikingerKarte.jpg


Some even became mercenaries and bodyguards for the King of Constantinople.
 
#17 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Temple  /t/1459007/vikings-on-history/0_60#post_23039031


He'd fit right in with Attila, Tamberlane, Genghis Kahn...they'd all be best buds.
Last I heard, they were all hanging out in the best bar in Hell....knocking back some serious firewater.
 
#19 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by oink  /t/1459007/vikings-on-history#post_23039349


They also made it thru Gibraltar to the Mediterranean and down the Volga to the Black and Caspian Seas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WikingerKarte.jpg


Some even became mercenaries and bodyguards for the King of Constantinople.
When I was a boy, I read a novel called "The Long Ships" set a couple of generation after Ragnar. It was a very cool book centered around a young buck who went from an inadvertent raider, then galley slave to the Caliph of Andalusia, then bodyguard, escaped, back up to Denmark, became a great champion, then later took the eastern route to Micklagard (Constantinople). It was a great read. Made the whole circuit so to speak.


Anyway, what was the date shown when the show started off? 790 something? That's not accurate. Ragnar died in England around 863. His sons were grown, but I'm sure he didn't live past 50. Wonder why they dated the series so early.
 
#20 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Temple  /t/1459007/vikings-on-history#post_23039681


When I was a boy, I read a novel called "The Long Ships" set a couple of generation after Ragnar. It was a very cool book centered around a young buck who went from an inadvertent raider, then galley slave to the Caliph of Andalusia, then bodyguard, escaped, back up to Denmark, became a great champion, then later took the eastern route to Micklagard (Constantinople). It was a great read. Made the whole circuit so to speak.


Anyway, what was the date shown when the show started off? 790 something? That's not accurate. Ragnar died in England around 863. His sons were grown, but I'm sure he didn't live past 50. Wonder why they dated the series so early.

There is a lot of different sources that have different dates of Ragnar's Death. Most have them in between 840-865. 793 in the series would be a little early unless he died in his late 70's or 80's.
 
#22 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by baja7475  /t/1459007/vikings-on-history#post_23039965


There is a lot of different sources that have different dates of Ragnar's Death. Most have them in between 840-865. 793 in the series would be a little early unless he died in his late 70's or 80's.
I did note that from wiki, but the telling point is that Ragnar's sons invaded England in 865 supposedly to avenge Ragnar's death...that's history. I said 863 earlier figuring that it take a couple of years to gather the ships/armies, but I've also read that they came the next summer, so he could have died late 864 or early 865. So, the HC's starting the series in 793. Ragnar has a 12yr old son (could be adopted I guess), so the youngest he could be at this point is early 20s (if the kid is adopted) or more likely 27-28. So if the HC wants to remain accurate, they kicked the series off probably 30-50 years too soon depending on how old he was when he died. Bjorn Ironsides is the only one in the show presently. He had at least 3 more, Sigurd Snake Eyes, Ivar the Boneless and either Halfdan or Ugga (or both). Heck, he could have had 20 more, but they didn't get famous. Anyway, I'm just picking nits. Looking forward to where this series goes.
 
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#23 ·
i believe the start date is to coincide with the raid at lindisfarne, the church they will raid. this event is considered the start date of the viking age.


btw second episode is online for anyone cant wait until next sunday. im trying to hold out lol
 
#25 ·
Hoped we might have been able avoid faux Scandinavian accents when they started the show with the characters speaking a native language and wehad subtitles.


Alas my hopes were dashed.
 
#26 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. wally  /t/1459007/vikings-on-history/0_60#post_23041495


Hoped we might have been able avoid faux Scandinavian accents when they started the show with the characters speaking a native language and wehad subtitles.


Alas my hopes were dashed.
Unfortunately, Americans seem to hate subs....


It would have been much better to use American actors...at least the audience wouldn't have to fight thru 2 different accents.
 
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