Vikings (season 2)

Vikings (season 2)

DVD cover art
Country of origin Canada / Ireland
No. of episodes 10
Release
Original network History
Original release February 27 (2014-02-27) – May 1, 2014 (2014-05-01)

The second season of the Canadian-Irish historical drama television series Vikings premiered on February 27, 2014 on History in Canada and in the United States and concluded on May 1, 2014, 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, and eventually becomes a Scandinavian king, with the support of his family and fellow warriors: his brother Rollo, his son Björn Ironside, and his wives—the shieldmaiden Lagertha and the princess Aslaug.

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's 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

King Horik is now at war with Jarl Borg who is accompanied by Rollo. Rollo, now bitter and enraged, rampages through battle killing and wounding many of his kin but cannot fight his brother when faced and surrenders to him. In a stalemate, Ragnar, Horik and Jarl Borg come to an agreement and decide to raid as a single force. Rollo, now ostracized by his kin for his betrayal awaits death by trial but is spared by a judge bribed by Ragnar. Princess Aslaug makes her way to Ragnar's kingdom now pregnant with Ragnar's child. Humiliated, Lagertha leaves Ragnar along with their remaining son Bjorn.

Four years pass: Aslaug is now ruling with Ragnar and raising their sons. Rollo has faded away into obscurity and self-destruction because of shame but is forgiven by Ragnar although excluded from the raid. Floki has finished ship building and Horik has now decided to exclude Jarl Borg from the raid for personal reasons. Ragnar tells Jarl Borg of the decision and he leaves angry and slighted. A storm throws the raid off course and lands the Viking horde in Wessex which is ruled by the King Ecbert of Wessex (Linus Roache). The Vikings begin to plunder the countryside and Athelstan, who has now been integrated into the Vikings and has joined them on the raid, finds it hard to fully embrace Viking brutality and is deeply troubled.

Lagertha has since remarried to a powerful but abusive Earl of whom teenage Bjorn disapproves. Jarl Borg seeks vengeance against Ragnar for his slight and begins an invasion of his homeland. Rollo who had been left behind gathers remaining Vikings in defense of Kattegat but is defeated and forced to retreat from the village. Rollo takes the survivors including Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig), Aslaug, and her children and flees to a remote farming settlement. While Ragnar and King Ecbert negotiate, Jarl Borg declares himself ruler of Ragnar's lands and swears to wipe out his blood line. Word reaches Ragnar of Jarl Borg's treachery and he abandons the campaign, sailing off in four of the Viking longships, two of which sink on the way back to Scandinavia. Athelstan stays behind with King Horik and is captured by Wessex's soldiers and crucified as an apostate, but is spared by the mercy of King Ecbert. Upon returning home, Ragnar finds Rollo and the survivors in their sanctuary. Short on warriors to strike back at Jarl Borg, Ragnar finds unexpected assistance from Lagertha and Bjorn, who arrive with a detachment of warriors to aid in taking back Kattegat. Four-and-a-half years have elapsed since Ragnar last saw Bjorn and Lagertha, when she left him, so Ragnar is heartened to see them, especially his first-born son who's grown into a tall and strong warrior.

Ragnar plots against Jarl Borg and decides to destroy Kattegat's winter stock of food causing starvation in order to draw Jarl Borg out of Kattegat. Jarl Borg seeks to find who has destroyed the stock and is led into a trap forcing him into open battle with Ragnar and Lagertha's forces. In Wessex, the divided Vikings under King Horik are ambushed by Ecbert and nearly all are killed. Athelstan, now once again living among his Saxon people is divided about his faith and in the process saves a young Saxon girl involved in a domestic dispute which King Ecbert has asked his counsel, earning Athelstan her gratitude but he is plagued by visions. Back in Kattegat, Jarl Borg is defeated and is forced to retreat allowing Ragnar to reclaim his throne. Ragnar realizes he is still in love with Lagertha although she leaves him once again but allows Bjorn to stay behind to be with his father. King Horik returns with word of the defeat and says Athelstan had betrayed them before being killed by the Saxons.

King Horik convinces Ragnar to invite the defeated Jarl Borg back to join them once again as an ally, since after their losses in Wessex they could use his men and boats to raid (and Horik wants revenge on Ecbert). Ragnar agrees, but it is only to lure the Jarl into a trap. Ragnar plans to execute Jarl Borg by blood eagle in revenge for the attack on his lands and family. King Horik convinces Ragnar to wait until they find a replacement ally, as the Jarl's death will frighten away prospects. Bjorn begins to fall in love with Þórunn (Thorunn), one of his family's slaves. Seeing his love for her grow, Princess Aslaug eventually frees Thorunn and Bjorn courts her as a free woman.

Lagertha's new husband, Earl Sigvard, drunkenly berates her for not returning with Bjorn, and has her beaten in her bedchambers at night. Later, at a feast, he attempts to expose her breasts to the diners to further humiliate her. Lagertha instead stabs him in the eye, and the earl's nephew beheads him. A mysterious "Earl Ingstad" then offers to be Ragnar's new ally, and he happily agrees (as it will allow him to finally kill Jarl Borg). Earl Ingstad is revealed to be Lagertha; she has taken Earl Sigvard's lands with the support of his family (who had grown to hate him) and rules in Hedeby. Meanwhile, in Essex, King Ecbert and King Aelle have become allies after marrying their children and support the Princess of Mercia in her coup to claim the throne. The three Viking rulers return to Wessex, with divided plans: King Horik wants revenge for his earlier defeats, but Ragnar desires to hear the King out and Lagertha is open to either (provided she is consulted as well).

King Ecbert sends his son to meet with the Vikings and offer terms for a truce, but then stages a Viking ambush on his son on the trip home. He then declares the Vikings cannot be trusted and instead of meeting their envoys attacks them. Ragnar, Lagertha, and King Horik are routed and Rollo is left for dead and subsequently captured. Ragnar meets with Ecbert to negotiate Rollo's release and a truce; King Ecbert pays them to cease their raids, grants them 5,000 acres of farmland, and offers to hire any Viking raider to fight in Mercia as mercenaries. While some of the Vikings stay to fight in Mercia, Ragnar returns home with his brother and allies, including a still spiritually-conflicted Athelstan. Ragnar and Athelstan discuss his return and beliefs, and Ragnar asks Athelstan to teach him a Christian prayer. Athelstan has Ragnar recite the Lord's Prayer with him, though Ragnar refuses to state the words "forever and ever" during it. Helga reveals to Floki she is pregnant, and after he briefly weeps and despairs that the child will have such a terrible father, he becomes happy and asks Helga to marry him. He refuses to invite Ragnar to his wedding when Helga mentions it, saying that Ragnar has enough of the world and some things must belong to them alone. Siggy hears of Floki's refusal to invite Ragnar and informs King Horik that Floki is angry with Ragnar.

King Horik has grown distrustful of Ragnar's ambition and lust for revenge. He courts Floki to betray Ragnar, ordering him to kill Bjorn to prove himself. Meanwhile, King Horik and his son Erlendur lead an attack on Kattegat to defeat Ragnar and wipe out his allies and family. Athelstan steels himself before successfully joining the defense of the city. Lagertha and her soldiers kill Horik's wife and retinue. Meanwhile, Floki has betrayed Horik, and the King and his men are led into a trap and defeated. King Horik's last request is for his son to be spared; Ragnar agrees, and Horik is slowly and brutally executed by Ragnar and his men. Erlunder watches most of it, but is dragged away as Ragnar beats Horik in a savage rage before collapsing into his throne.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guests

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
101"Brother's War"Ciarán DonnellyMichael HirstFebruary 27, 2014 (2014-02-27)
Rollo battles Ragnar when Jarl Borg and King Horik's men clash. After a bloody rampage, Rollo surrenders to Ragnar after admitting he cannot kill him. Ragnar negotiates an unsteady truce between Borg and Horik, then returns to Kattegat. Ragnar's attempts to reconnect with his wife are hampered when Lagertha learns about his affair with Aslaug. Ragnar finally mourns for his dead daughter. Ragnar's life becomes more complicated when a ship arrives bearing a visibly pregnant Aslaug. Rollo is placed on trial, but is shocked when he is freed by the town lawkeeper, who unknown to the town was bribed by Ragnar. Despite Lagertha's enmity towards Aslaug, Ragnar decides to take the princess as his second wife. Humiliated, Lagertha leaves Ragnar and Kattegat. Ragnar attempts to stop her and pleads with her to return but she rebuffs him. Ragnar's sorrow is multiplied when Bjorn rejects him and chooses to go with his mother.
112"Invasion"Ciarán DonnellyMichael HirstMarch 6, 2014 (2014-03-06)
Four years have passed and Ragnar finally announces his plans to raid England in the spring. Horik and Borg arrive, but lingering resentment forces Ragnar to break the pact with Borg. Ragnar accepts Rollo back into his family, but forbids him from raiding. The Seer tells Ragnar that his sons will be more famous than him. Ragnar and Horik's men depart for England but a violent storm throws them off course to an unknown land. While exploring, they are ambushed by soldiers and several men are killed including one of Horik's sons. Athelstan saves Ragnar's life during the fight. They learn that they are in Wessex, which is ruled by King Ecbert, a man described as similar to Ragnar.
123"Treachery"Ken GirottiMichael HirstMarch 13, 2014 (2014-03-13)
Ragnar and his men move deeper into Wessex. Ragnar believes the land's greatest wealth is its rich soil which could support a strong Viking colony. Ecbert sends envoys to ask Ragnar to leave and Ragnar returns a message asking what Ecbert would pay to make that happen. In Hedeby, Scandinavia, Lagertha is now remarried to an abusive husband and both she and Bjorn are unhappy. Bjorn is anxious to go out into the world and prove his manhood, but his stepfather won't allow it. Meanwhile, Jarl Borg remarries and decides to seize Ragnar's lands in retaliation for Ragnar breaking their truce and leaving him out of the raids. With all able warriors gone, Rollo rallies the village's women, children and elderly, but Borg massacres the villagers and seizes control of Kattegat. Rollo is forced to flee to protect Ragnar and Aslaug's sons.
134"Eye for an Eye"Ken GirottiMichael HirstMarch 20, 2014 (2014-03-20)
Ragnar meets with King Ecbert, who questions Ragnar's reasons for staying in Wessex and offers a proposal that would grant him land. Later, back at camp, one of Horik's ships appears and brings word of Jarl Borg's sacking of Kattegat. Ragnar and his men immediately sail for home. Athelstan chooses to remain with Horik, but is later captured by soldiers after his hunting party is ambushed. Rollo hides Aslaug, Siggy and the other survivors at a remote homestead and tries to rally other farms and villages to help them retake Kattegat. Ragnar returns home and is able to locate his family. His happiness is soured by Rollo's revelation that they do not have enough men to face Borg's forces. In Wessex, Athelstan is branded an apostate and crucified, but his life is saved when Ecbert arrives and orders him taken off the cross. Ragnar is surprised when a large group of fighters arrives led by Lagertha and Bjorn. Ragnar is overjoyed to be reunited with his son.
145"Answers in Blood"Jeff WoolnoughMichael HirstMarch 27, 2014 (2014-03-27)
Concerned that Borg is too heavily entrenched, Ragnar devises a plan to lure him away from the Kattegat. Ragnar and Bjorn sneak into Kattegat at night and set fire to the town's winter food stores, forcing Borg and his forces to give chase. Ragnar and his allies engage Borg's forces in a bloody battle, and in the end Borg and the remnant of his men are forced to flee. Ragnar and his men reenter Kattegat and Bjorn is chosen to offer a sacrifice to the gods in gratitude. Ragnar visits the Seer and confesses that he still loves Lagertha and wants both her and Aslaug as his wives. In Wessex, Athelstan is being kept at Ecbert's court, using him to gain insight into 'pagan beliefs'. Athelstan struggles with whether to reclaim his Christian beliefs. Lagertha gives Bjorn permission to remain in Kattegat with Ragnar, but chooses to return to her husband. A messenger arrives and informs Ragnar that after he left, Ecbert's forces slaughtered Horik's men, with Horik and his son barely escaping.
156"Unforgiven"Jeff WoolnoughMichael HirstApril 3, 2014 (2014-04-03)
King Horik returns to Kattegat, defeated by King Ecbert and with little of his remaining forces. Hungry for revenge, Horik says to Ragnar that they need the help of Jarl Borg again, since he owns many ships. Aslaug is not glad to hear the news and asks Ragnar not to listen to Horik. Rollo is sent as emissary to Gotaland to negotiate with Jarl Borg, the latter accepts the offer after consulting with the skull of his first wife. Athelstan becomes a valued confidant of King Ecbert and is entrusted to look after scrolls and relics left behind by the Romans, promising Ecbert he won't say a word to anyone about that, otherwise he will be crucified again. Lagertha returns home to a displeased husband who sends men to beat her during the night; and tries to humiliate her even further the next day, but she plunges a knife into his eye and one of his own men beheads him immediately in her favor. Jarl Borg returns to Kattegat to join forces with Ragnar, but during the night his men are burned alive and he is taken captive to be executed by the Blood Eagle in retaliation for the attack against his family.
167"Blood Eagle"Kari SkoglandMichael HirstApril 10, 2014 (2014-04-10)
Horik and Ragnar agree that additional ships and warriors will be needed if they hope to return to England. Horik persuades Ragnar to delay killing Jarl Borg lest the execution scare off any potential allies. Helga reveals that she is carrying Floki's child and the two agree to finally wed. When Helga wishes to get Ragnar's blessing, Floki claims they do not need it. Ragnar visits the Seer who reveals that Athelstan is physically alive but spiritually torn over which path to embrace. In England, King Ecbert proposes an alliance with King Ælla against both the weak English kingdom of Mercia and the expected return of the Viking raiders. To alleviate the hesitant Ælla, Ecbert weds his son to Ælla's daughter, sealing their alliance. Ragnar's call for an ally is answered by a mysterious Earl, who is revealed to be Lagertha. Aslaug tells Ragnar she is pleased that Lagertha is joining her forces with Ragnar's. Bjorn continues to be rebuffed by Þorunn, the slave girl. Rollo forces Siggy to admit she is sleeping with Horik. Horik tricks Borg into thinking he will escape his fate, but in the end is led to the center of town to be executed. Ragnar performs the Blood Eagle ceremony on Borg.
178"Boneless"Kari SkoglandMichael HirstApril 17, 2014 (2014-04-17)
Aslaug's prophetic warning comes to pass when she gives birth to a son with malformed legs. Despite Ragnar's insistence that he would have no future in viking society and should die, Aslaug is determined to keep him. Ragnar names his son, Ivar the Boneless. After dealing with the fallout of her husband's death, Lagertha arrives in Kattegat with her ships and warriors. In Wessex, Ecbert receives Princess Kwenthrith of Mercia, who is engaged in a civil war with her family after murdering her brother. The bluntly sexual Kwenthrith takes an interest in the Northmen and Athelstan in particular. Sensing Floki's growing rift with Ragnar, Horik attempts to entice the shipwright to his side. After landing in Wessex, Ragnar sends Torstein to inform Ecbert of their arrival, inciting Horik and Lagertha's ire. A short time later, Aethelwulf and a group of soldiers arrive. Aethelwulf parlays with Ragnar and invites him to speak with his father. As a sign of good-will, Aethelwulf returns the golden bracelet Ragnar gifted to Athelstan, confirming that the monk is still alive. Despite Ragnar's pledge of safety, Aethelwulf's group is ambushed by Northmen led by Horik's son. The entire group is slaughtered except for Aethelwulf who is allowed to escape.
189"The Choice"Ken GirottiMichael HirstApril 24, 2014 (2014-04-24)
While reviewing old Roman texts with Athelstan, Ecbert realises a way to defeat the Vikings in battle. Horik leads the Viking raiders downhill towards what he thinks is the Wessex army, but Ecbert catches the Vikings between two mounted pincer movements and defeats the Vikings. Rollo is badly injured, but is recognised by Athelstan and taken back to Winchester. Ragnar names his son Björn Ironside, as he is unscathed in the battle. Ælla wants to destroy the remaining Vikings but instead Ecbert decides to offer the Vikings land and employ them as mercenaries to fight against Mercia. Rollo is returned to the Vikings, and a number volunteer as mercenaries for Kwenthrith. Athelstan returns to Kattegat with the remaining Vikings, admitting to Ragnar that he holds belief in both the Christian God and the norse gods now. In the meantime, Aslaug has made Þorunn a free woman.
1910"The Lord's Prayer"Ken GirottiMichael HirstMay 1, 2014 (2014-05-01)
Horik's wife and children arrive in Kattegat and the village celebrates. To prove to Horik he is trustworthy, Floki poisons Torstein. Horik reveals his plan to kill Ragnar, Lagertha, Aslaug and their children. In return for a promise to marry her, Horik orders Siggy to kill Ragnar's children. After continued tension, Bjorn and Þorunn finally reconcile and commit to each other. Athelstan teaches Ragnar the Lord's Prayer. After reinforcements arrive, Horik and his forces besiege Kattegat. Arriving in the main hall, Horik discovers Torstein alive and that Floki and Siggy had never betrayed Ragnar. Ragnar kills Horik and claims his "King's Sword". The last shot shows Ragnar, now king, sitting atop the iconic cliff Preikestolen.

Production

An Irish-Canadian co-production, Vikings was developed and produced by Octagon Films and Take 5 Productions.[3] Morgan O'Sullivan, Sheila Hockin, Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, James Flynn, John Weber, and Michael Hirst are credited as executive producers.[3] This season was produced by Steve Wakefield and Keith Thompson. Bill Goddard and Séamus McInerney act as co-producers.

The production team for this season includes casting directors Frank and Nuala Moiselle, costume designer Joan Bergin, visual effects supervisors Julian Parry and Dominic Remane, stunt action designers Franklin Henson and Richard Ryan, composer Trevor Morris, production designers Tom Conroy (episodes 1-6) and Mark Geraghty (episodes 7-10), editors Aaron Marshall (episodes 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) and Don Cassidy (episodes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10), and cinematographer Pj Dillon.

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 92% approval rating with an average rating of 8.2/10 based on 13 reviews. The site's consensus reads, "Vikings makes up for its slow pace with captivating characters and visual appeal".[4] Metacritic which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 77 out of 100 based on 11 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[5]

References

  1. ↑ Turnbow, Tina (March 18, 2013). "Reflections of a Viking by Clive Standen". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  2. ↑ Mitchell, John (April 25, 2013). "'Vikings' season finale: Mysterious beauty tempts Ragnar". EW.com. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "VIKINGS Tops The Ratings With 8.3 Million Viewers". Irish Film Board. March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ "VIKINGS: SEASON 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Vikings: Season 2". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
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