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History Channel - Vikings

#341
I just watched the latest episode. I am glad Athelstan is gone. He was sort of like Siggy to me, a character just there. I didn't like how he was always goign back and forth between the two faiths, loyal to neither.

Ragnar is getting creepy to me. Murdering the farmer, wearing the cross, and betraying Lagertha by buddying up with Kalf. If he goes after Floki, I won't be happy with that plot twist.

Maybe this is the turn where things start going Rollo's way.

-Mike
 
#342
^ I finally got caught up too - 3 episodes last night. That was quite a horrific slaughter, and it wound up that Ecbert was behind it all, but now Ragnar knows, and he's the only one that does.

The Seer's prophecy of a man with "two heads" is quite telling with Ragnar; a man now with two Gods.
I not quite sure why he took Athelstan's cross and put it on, but maybe he's in the midst of being converted(?)

Athelstan had a lot bigger influence on Ragnar than anyone knows.

I'm really curious as to what Ragnar is going to do with his new knowledge of Ecbert being behind the massacre of the farm village.
 
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#343
Solarmist said:
^ I finally got caught up too - 3 episodes last night. That was quite a horrific slaughter, and it wound up that Ecbert was behind it all, but now Ragnar knows, and he's the only one that does.

The Seer's prophecy of a man with "two heads" is quite telling with Ragnar; a man now with two Gods.
I not quite sure why he took Athelstan's cross and put it on, but maybe he's in the midst of being converted(?)

Athelstan had a lot bigger influence on Ragnar than anyone knows.

I'm really curious as to what Ragnar is going to do with his new knowledge of Ecbert being behind the massacre of the farm village.
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I didn't get that Ragnar knows King Ecbert is behind the attack...all he knows is that it was Athelwulf - the kings son, but Ragnar also knows that Athelstan had an affair with Judith, so he may be thinking it was revenge for that. Really, we didn't get details on what Ragnar is thinking, or what he knows about the attack on the settlement. He knows about the massacre but isn't telling anyone, and yes...when he killed that farmer damn..that was NOT the Ragnar he once was. But in the last episode when Ecbert and Ragnar were sitting on their thrones, not looking at one another yet saying things like "do you think you are a good man"...yes, I think so. "You?"...Yes, I think so. "Are you corrupt?" "Yes" and "Yes" both admit to being corrupt despite the fact that they are good men.

Ragnar said to Bjorn in the first episode of this season that power corrupts, and is only for the taking by those who will stoop low enough to take that power. He sees himself going there, becoming something he never intended to become and yet, once you have power, you must do terrible things to keep it. I think you are right Solarmist, Ragnar is becoming the two headed snake the seer saw, and maybe it is indeed Rollo's turn. History does say he becomes a powerful man in France.

I also think that the return of Horik's son and Jarl Borgs wife is gonna spell big trouble for Ragnar and Lagertha.
 
#344
betraying Lagertha by buddying up with Kalf
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Mark my words: Kalf is a dead man, and either by Ragnar's hand or by Ragnar's doing. Jarl's kid is due to bleed out as well, and so will most, if not all, complicit in Laegertha being deposed.

Ragnar said that the King and Athelwolf would pay. He sees the plot for what it was.

Ragnar is still a Viking and still believes in those gods. He's wearing the cross as a memento. Remember that he said to Athelstan after burying him "forgive me, not for what I've done, but what I'm about to do" before putting it on.
 
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#345
sagagirl said:
I didn't get that Ragnar knows King Ecbert is behind the attack...all he knows is that it was Athelwulf - the kings son, but Ragnar also knows that Athelstan had an affair with Judith, so he may be thinking it was revenge for that. Really, we didn't get details on what Ragnar is thinking, or what he knows about the attack on the settlement.
Click to expand...

Maybe I read into it a little too much - I was thinking Ragnar put it together after talking with the farmer, and finding out about Athelwulf. I'm bewildered as to why he killed him.

I'm really liking this season so far!
 
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#346
I'll go back and watch it again here in a few minutes. I thought Ragnar made the connection and knew it was Ecbert who commanded the slaughter. Didn't he say something about the wrath of the gods on Ecbert?

Good thinking Haji on Kalf. I could see Ragnar doing something like that.

As I think more about Rollo, I worry he is going to turn away from Ragnar again.

During one of the commercial breaks, they have an interview with the man who plays Ragnar. He mentions how in season three Ragnar learns how power corrupts. I think we're seeing that.

-Mike
 
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#347
Solarmist said:
Maybe I read into it a little too much - I was thinking Ragnar put it together after talking with the farmer, and finding out about Athelwulf. I'm bewildered as to why he killed him.

I'm really liking this season so far!
Click to expand...
I don't think Ragnar wants to go to war with King Ecbert until after they've sacked Paris, having stolen all the baguettes, escargot and little espresso cups, and then dealt with Kalf and the others. Remember how he suckered King Horik. Ragnar is not as simple as he'd have you believe. He's a thinker and long range planner.
 
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#349
I just watched the episode again, and replayed the scene with Ragnar and the farmer a couple times.

Ragnar says that Aethelwulf and his father will feel the wrath of the gods and his revenge. He knows it was Ecbert.

I totally forgot Floki knows all about the massacre too.

I also remember now how Ragnar said Athelstan is the only one he can trust, so now he lost that.

-Mike
 
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#350
Haji I think you are right! Yes Ragnar is a long range planner, and it will make for another "long secretive plot" like what they did to Horik, yes you are right he would always stand behind Lagertha he just has to bide his time and set the plot up. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Lest we think in his quietness Ragnar is not always thinking and always plotting. He has a brilliant, subtle mind. Back then to be a leader you had to think long term. Quietly wait for your chance, catch your enemies off guard by be-friending them and then waiting for the right time. This ensures victory. Impulsiveness does not pay off during feudal times.

The end of this season is gonna be a blood bath...Mike I think you are right Ragnar is getting corrupt by power. Killing the farmer was an indicator that he now has so much at stake that he would do the unthinkable.

Are we really more than half way through this season???
 
#354
I love the show...but I agree with MJ5150 that it is getting a bit to soap-opera. Also some of the names, and people are not in the right timeline. Like Judith was not the mother of Alfred the great. I could go on and list about a dozen people, place and timeline errors...but its just entertainment and not bad at all.

Who thinks Floki might get setup in the attack on Paris? I think Floki might have crossed the line.
 
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#357
I agree, Ragnar gave Floki that power to show him just what it takes to be a leader. He will learn the dangers and hidden pitfalls this way. But I also think Ragnar knows exactly why Floki went off the rails (jealousy of Athelstan) and he is setting Floki up for a fall that will come of Floki's own doing. I think Ragnar also is praying upon Floki's weakness right now (his desire for power as all men had back then, and his misguided allegiance to the Gods clouding his commonsense) he is letting Floki feel vindicated, Ragnar is for some reason letting Floki feel triumphant, to get him off guard. Ragnar really is a brilliant, cunning minded man. His plots will all come around, and most likely, all who crossed him will pay.
 
#358
Three episodes left. Wow, that went fast.

In the preview for this week, I thought I saw an image of Rollo falling a long distance backwards into water holding his battle ax. I sure hope this isn't the end of the road for him. Then the image of Floki in the burning tower. It looks like his great invention to scale the city walls may have met their match.

I wonder how long until Ragnar impregnates the Parisian kings daughter too.

-Mike
 
#359
Seems the History Channel maybe blending two different Viking attacks on Paris. Ragnars was successful in 845. Later in the 880's Rollo the Norwegian tried to attack Paris but was unsuccessful, and lost a lot of men to fire.
 
#360
In that case, Rollo lives...and we have the prophecy from the seer (good thing that gig is available; the only other thing available to a guy with that face is halloween events and hand modeling) that Rollo would run around naked (I think that was the quote; I sure hope I'm not way wrong about that!) if he knew what his future held.

This is an interesting world where the pagan gods and God are shown onscreen in the lives of the characters as being equally influential, although there was more physical manifestation of God with Athelstan getting blinded for a time. I see why they killed that character, but I liked him as Ragnar's conscience and sort of an encyclopedia.
 
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