Vikings (season 3)

Vikings (season 3)

DVD cover art
Country of origin Canada / Ireland
No. of episodes 10
Release
Original network History
Original release February 19 (2015-02-19) – April 23, 2015 (2015-04-23)

The third season of the Canadian-Irish historical drama television series Vikings premiered on February 19, 2015 on History in Canada and in the United States and concluded on April 23, 2015, consisting of 10 episodes.

Filmed in Ireland, Vikings is inspired by the tales about the Viking Ragnar Lothbrok, one of the best-known mythological Norse heroes and notorious as the scourge of France and England. It portrays Ragnar as a Viking farmer who pioneers the first daring raids into England with the support of fellow warriors, his brother Rollo, and his ex-wife, the shieldmaiden Lagertha.

Series overview

The series is inspired by the tales of the raiding, trading, and exploring Norsemen of early medieval Scandinavia. It follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew and family, as notably laid down in the 13th-century sagas Ragnars saga Loðbrókar and Ragnarssona þáttr, as well as in Saxo Grammaticus' 12th-century work Gesta Danorum. Norse legendary sagas were partially fictional tales based in Norse oral tradition, written down about 200 to 400 years after the events they describe. Further inspiration is taken from historical sources of the period, such as records of the Viking raid on Lindisfarne depicted in the second episode, or Ahmad ibn Fadlan's 10th-century account of the Volga Vikings. The series is set at the beginning of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793.

Plot

The raiding party explores the new world that has come to their knowledge after the raids of Season 2. While Ragnar deals with his new role as King, his son Bjorn, ex-wife Lagertha (now Jarl Ingstad), Princess Aslaug, and his brother Rollo have to face their challenges in love, leadership and personal life. But Ragnar better watch his back from King Ecbert, the wise and ruthless ruler of Wessex, who - notwithstanding the promise of a lasting friendship - might threaten his plans of peace and plenty. In the endless clash between religions, Floki grows even more suspicious of Athelstan, always torn between his God and the Norse Gods, making a call that might lead to a point of no return between him and Ragnar.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guests

Episodes
No.
overall		 No. in
season		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date
201"Mercenary"Ken GirottiMichael HirstFebruary 19, 2015 (2015-02-19)
Ragnar tells Björn that he never wanted to be king, that he wanted only to explore and farm. Ragnar wants to return to Wessex to claim the land he was promised by King Ecbert. Floki feels that his new family with Helga is too happy, while Rollo wishes to be away from Siggy. Þórunn desires to be like Lagertha, much to Björn's displeasure; he believes her to be carrying his child. When Lagertha announces she intends to raid with Ragnar, Kalf, her right-hand man, offers to remain and take care of Hedeby. When the northmen arrive in Wessex, King Ecbert informs Ragnar that to receive their promised land, the Vikings must fight for Princess Kwenthrith to appease King Ecbert's nobles. Lagertha is unsure about joining, so King Ecbert offers her the job of leading the Viking settlers in Wessex. The warriors proceed to Mercia and the settlers to the land to farm, while the Viking warriors defeat Kwenthrith's uncle's army.
212"The Wanderer"Ken GirottiMichael HirstFebruary 26, 2015 (2015-02-26)
After the victory over Princess Kwenthrith's uncle, there is a celebration at which Princess Kwenthrith demands her uncle's head be brought to her. Björn, concerned for Þórunn's safety, admonishes her and then proposes marriage. Prince Aethelwulf goes in search of Princess Kwenthrith's younger brother, Burgred, and his army, and capture a soldier who tells him they are awaiting reinforcements at the top of the mountain. Princess Judith tells Athelstan during confession that she dreampt of sleeping with him, and they share a kiss. Back in Kattegat, Helga, Siggy, and Aslaug share strange dreams about a stranger. Helga meets the stranger from her dreams.
223"Warrior's Fate"Jeff WoolnoughMichael HirstMarch 5, 2015 (2015-03-05)
Helga, Siggy, and Aslaug help Harbard with his injured hand and lodging while he tells them stories about his travels and the gods. The Vikings begin climbing the mountain to meet with Princess Kwenthrith's brother and his army. Princess Kwenthrith asks Ragnar to spare her brother. When they are unable to see over a cliff of the mountain, Torstein volunteers to go first to make sure Princess Kwenthrith's brother and his army are there, and dies valiantly. Fighting ensues, Þórunn is severely injured, and eventually, Princess Kwenthrith's brother surrenders. In Kattegat, a fisherman catches two young boys in his nets who have drowned. Siggy visits the ancient one to discuss Harbard and the dream in which the ancient one was injured.
234"Scarred"Jeff WoolnoughMichael HirstMarch 12, 2015 (2015-03-12)
Aethelwulf attempts to befriend Rollo and Floki, although Floki is still not happy about fighting for Christians. Kalf and Einar discuss plans of what will happen when Lagertha returns, and Kalf states he has invited an important person to their village to deal with that – King Horik's son Erlendur, now married to Jarl Borg's widow Torvi, and Jarl Borg's infant son. Aslaug's two sons run out of their home and Siggy runs after to find them walking across a frozen pond where both boys fall through the thin ice. Siggy dives in after them, and Harbard helps pull them out as Siggy drowns. Princess Kwenthrith when giving a toast poisons her brother Burgred.
245"The Usurper"Helen ShaverMichael HirstMarch 19, 2015 (2015-03-19)
The Vikings return to Kattegat, and the women learn of Torstein's death as the men learn of Siggy's. Ragnar is suspicious of why Siggy was watching the children instead of Aslaug. Floki becomes even more outspoken about his anger against Christians, and against Athelstan. Helga tells Floki about Harbard, and he claims that Harbard is a god. Aethelwulf learns that Judith is with Athelstan's child, and is sent to the settlement to quash issues between settlers and Christians after the Christians burned down one of the houses of the Northmen. A messenger arrives in Kattegat to tell Lagertha that her earl-ship has been usurped by Kalf, she asks Ragnar to assist her in retrieving her position. Ragnar tells the men that they will raid and conquer Paris in the spring. Ragnar accompanies Lagertha to speak with Kalf, although he decides to not help fight for Lagertha's earl-dom. Aethelwulf leads a group of soldiers to the settlement, but instead of peace, decides instead to kill them. Floki tells Ragnar that Aslaug slept with Harbard and tells him that Harbard was simply another name for Odin. King Ecbert finds out that the nobles and his son killed the settlers. He asks to speak privately with his son where he reveals that it was his plan from the beginning and never wanted to allow the Northmen to settle on his land.
256"Born Again"Helen ShaverMichael HirstMarch 26, 2015 (2015-03-26)
Þórunn gives birth to a girl, Siggy. A farmer, Stender, returns from Wessex and tells Ragnar about Aethelwulf's massacre. Athelstan has a sign from God. In Wessex, Judith gives birth to a son, but is then sentenced to having her ears and nose cut off for adultery. After one ear is removed, she reveals that Athelstan is the father. King Ecbert says the child is sent from God and will be christened Alfred. Earl Kalf leads a fleet to Kattegat to join the raid on Paris, along with King Horik's son Erlendur, and Jarl Borg's widow Torvi. Rollo reveals that Athelstan no longer wears his arm band. Floki receives a sign that "blood must be spilt", and kills an accepting Athelstan while he's praying. Ragnar carries Athelstan's body up the side of the mountain for burial.
267"Paris"Kelly MakinMichael HirstApril 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)
The raiding party arrives in Frankia, getting ready for the greatest of all battles. Ragnar shocks the leaders when he decides to leave Floki in charge of the attack. Both Vikings and Franks prepare for the siege as the Christians gather to pray for protection from the pagans camped just around the riverbend. New characters are shown: Count Odo, commander of the troops of Paris; Emperor Charles the Third, ruler of Paris; and his daughter Gisla who seems to have all the qualities of a great leader.
278"To the Gates!"Kelly MakinMichael HirstApril 9, 2015 (2015-04-09)
The attack to Paris takes place. The plan is simple: Lagertha, Kalf and Erlendur lead an attack from the city gate, making their way by taking the bridge; meanwhile, Floki, Ragnar, Bjorn and Rollo try to breach the walls from the water. As the attack begins the fate of Paris seems to be a heavy defeat, but Princess Gisla manages to restore faith in the troups by showing the Oriflamme, the holy banner of their patron, Saint Denis. Eventually the defense holds, pushing back the Vikings from all sides: Kalf understands that the battle is lost, and after dulling Lagertha's senses falls back with a wounded Erlendur and very few survivors. Floki's assault machines are burned with oil and fire, all them are forced to retreat. While the Franks celebrate their victory, at the Viking camp the warriors have to deal with their wounded, including a badly wounded Bjorn and Ragnar who has been thrown down from the walls. Floki is consumed by his guilt, having trusted by omens of their gods of certain victory. Helga, disgusted by his selfishness, leaves him.
289"Breaking Point"Ken GirottiMichael HirstApril 16, 2015 (2015-04-16)
With the raiding party still healing Ragnar orders to attack again. Led by Rollo, Lagertha, and Kalf, they manage to pass the bridge, but they are once again pushed back. Although the Franks have managed to defend the city, a mysterious illness has spread in Paris and its citizens are dying. Count Odo begs the King to come to terms with the Pagans in order to lift the siege for the sake of the people. Ragnar's wounds won't heal, leaving him weaker and weaker. Trying to restore his leadership he secretly meets the Franks outside the walls for an agreement; though offered gold and silver, Ragnar doesn't accept. Knowing his end is drawing near, he asks to be baptized. Meanwhile in Kattegat, Aslaug is left in charge and deals with the Christian preachers who have come north to spread the word of God.
2910"The Dead"Ken GirottiMichael HirstApril 23, 2015 (2015-04-23)
The French stand by their promise and pay gold and silver to the Vikings but the raiding party shows no sign of returning home. Many people are still shocked at Ragnar's christening, and when the badly wounded leader dies, Bjorn is left in charge. The warriors place Ragnar's corpse into a wooden coffin and escort it to the gates of Paris, where they meet the Bishop. The coffin is brought inside the Cathedral to be blessed, but Ragnar suddenly jumps out of the coffin very much alive. He takes Princess Gisla as a hostage and forces the guards to open the gates, allowing his fellow Vikings to raid the city. Soon after, most of the Vikings leave Frankia for home, but a small party, led by Rollo, remain at the river camp. In Paris, Emperor Charles is determined to gain the favour of the northerners, offering Rollo lands and titles and his daughter in marriage. While sailing home Ragnar tells Floki that he knows he is Athelstan's killer.

Production

An Irish-Canadian co-production, Vikings was developed and produced by Octagon Films and Take 5 Productions.[4] Michael Hirst, Morgan O'Sullivan, John Weber, Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, James Flynn and Sheila Hockin are credited as executive producers.[4]

The production team includes cinematographer John Bartley,[5] costume designer Joan Bergin, production designer Tom Conroy, and composer Trevor Morris.

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating, with an average rating of 8.5/10 based on six reviews.[6] On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, it scored 81 out of 100, based on six reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[7]

References

  1. ↑ Turnbow, Tina (18 March 2013). "Reflections of a Viking by Clive Standen". Huffington Post. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  2. ↑ Mitchell, John (25 April 2013). "'Vikings' season finale: Mysterious beauty tempts Ragnar". EW.com. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Breaking News - "Vikings" - History's Hit Drama Series Sails Again for Season Three Thursday, February 19 at 10 p.m. ET - TheFutonCritic.com".
  4. 1 2 "VIKINGS Tops The Ratings With 8.3 Million Viewers". Irish Film Board. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  5. ↑ Cummins, Steve (26 June 2012). "Emmy Award-Winning Cinematographer John Bartley Joins 'Vikings' Crew". The Irish Film & Television Network. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "VIKINGS: SEASON 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Vikings: Season 3". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 20, 2015.

External links

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