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History Channel - Vikings

#641
That moment when Ragnar and Ivar are sitting on the cliff, and Ragnar says to Ivar 'I didn't come here to go back'.
Do you think he meant go home right then, as in turn around and go back?
Do you think he was saying he knows he is going to die in England (perhaps part of his plan he alluded to in next weeks episode), so he made this trip knowing full well he will never go back to Kattegat?
Something else?
I am inclined to think he meant that he knows the reason for this trip is that he is going to die in England.

Curious too how when he was carrying Ivar and talking about the gods. It seems to me Ragnar does not have the faith/confidence/loyalty/trust in the gods as his fellow Vikings do.

-Mike
 
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#643
I loved when Rollo’s oldest kid stuck his tongue out at Floki and his facial expression - that was funny!

So Rollo is returning to his roots with letting Bjorn’s fleet pass … but only if he can go, and what about Gisla’s response. I almost couldn’t believe when she said if her 3 kids had any Viking heritage - she’d kill them, and if Rollo goes – don’t come back. It looks like curtains for their relationship, and I take it that Rollo being keelhauled was punishment for the battle at Frankia(?). I’m glad Bjorn let him live.

You certainly can tell how much Ragnar loves Ivar – that was touching the way he was carrying him around, and Ivar sure showed Dad he was capable of being a ruthless killing machine. I’m wondering if Ragnar came to realize that after the shipwreck – the best thing to do is turn himself over to Ecbert so Ivar may have a better life(?)

I get the impression that Lagertha & Astrid are hatching a plan to get Sigurd and Ubbe fighting or killed by getting them to fight over Margrethe because of her hatred of Auslog … she did call her a “Witch”.

That sure wasn’t much of a battle, but Astrid did prove her metal.

I think my all time favorite Viking scenes are Lagertha charging into battle with sword, and shield.


From the History Channel:
“In addition to acting, Katheryn Winnick is an accomplished martial artist who holds a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a second-degree black belt in Karate. By 21, she had founded and owned three martial arts schools.”
 
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#644
keelhauling happens at speed, speed fast enough to tear your skin open on the barnacles on the hull of the ship
I think what they did to Rollo was just dunking, LOL.

the kid's reaction to Floki was priceless

the myth was that Aslaug really was a witch, and the reason Sigurd has a snake in his eye and Ivar has a disability

Astrid has mettle alright, and I agree about the Lagertha scenes:

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#645
Solarmist said:
I get the impression that Lagertha & Astrid are hatching a plan to get Sigurd and Ubbe fighting or killed by getting them to fight over Margrethe because of her hatred of Auslog … she did call her a “Witch”.

I think my all time favorite Viking scenes are Lagertha charging into battle with sword, and shield.
Click to expand...

Great observation. I didn't think of that angle with Ubbe and Sigurd at all.
I dig Lagertha too, but she can't carry this show like Ragnar has. If he really is getting killed soon, Ivar or maybe even Rollo better step up.

Rollo did seal his fate when he left. Gisla said it would be over, or maybe he doesn't believe her. Documented history indicates Rollo was a powerful French ruler, but it also seems to indicate Harald Finehair was his brother. We also got introduced to Rollo's son William last night, who takes over for his father later in life.
I don't know what to make of the Rollo storyline now. This one intrigues me. I don't think he is scheming against Bjorn, but I am sure a battle with the Frnech is looming. They'll need to come back that way later.
Is that chubby little masochist still around, Count Odo?

-Mike
 
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#646
Ragnar and Ivar made the smartest move killing their people. They were using them to get to England all along anyway, IMO. How long will 3 ships full (maybe 60 people and NOT the finest warriors available) last if they made it to England intact, then when they arrived, they had a dozen. Maybe. Ragnar knew that they would be seen as part of a raiding party and all killed. By killing them, they save themselves for now.

Ragnar has something to do. I'm not sure what but it was important enough for him to dig up his treasure, give it away, etc...

Best show on TV. Still.
 
#650
Immigrant said:
Ragnar and Ivar made the smartest move killing their people. They were using them to get to England all along anyway, IMO. How long will 3 ships full (maybe 60 people and NOT the finest warriors available) last if they made it to England intact, then when they arrived, they had a dozen. Maybe. Ragnar knew that they would be seen as part of a raiding party and all killed. By killing them, they save themselves for now.

Ragnar has something to do. I'm not sure what but it was important enough for him to dig up his treasure, give it away, etc...

Best show on TV. Still.
Click to expand...


Interesting. So you’re suggesting Ragnar originally had other motives for the journey, but how would it have played out if there wasn’t a shipwreck? Maybe the shipwreck served as an asset rather than a possible disaster(?). You’re right that that’s too small of a party to launch an attack so what was his mindset I wonder. Could it have anything to do with when Bjorn told him he had a child (Magnus) with Kwenthrith?
 
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#651
Solarmist said:
Interesting. So you’re suggesting Ragnar originally had other motives for the journey, but how would it have played out if there wasn’t a shipwreck? Maybe the shipwreck served as an asset rather than a possible disaster(?). You’re right that that’s too small of a party to launch an attack so what was his mindset I wonder. Could it have anything to do with when Bjorn told him he had a child (Magnus) with Kwenthrith?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure Ragnar thought it through that far. He tried to kill himself, and failed. No one wants him in Kattegat. He had to PAY men (and women) to go with him when a dozen years earlier, they would've been begging him to be allowed to go along. When they hit the storm and some of them survived, it was time to concoct plan B.

Ragnar has a history of using people for his benefit and discarding them. I almost think that's part of the Viking way. Ragnar has true love for himself only. He has proven that along the way, leaving Lagertha, etc., letting Bjorn leave with her...

I think, in Ragnar's mind, three small ships full of men could overcome Eckbert's forces, at least enough for him to get close enough to kill the king. I doubt he cares about Magnus too much. He hasn't really had much to do with the middle 3 at all since his return either.
 
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#655
Now it all makes sense to me, Ragnar's strategy. Bjorn has no interest in raiding England, neither do his other sons. Now, they will.
Ecbert is a dang fool if he believes Ragnar will make sure his life is spared. This, to me, is all about Ragnar getting revenge on Ecbert for killing the Viking settlers.
I like Lagertha, but the show is going to be way different after next week.

-Mike
 
#656
What a great episode it was - it really humanized Ragnar with the sentiments expressed by both men regarding the death of Athelstan, and it looked to me that Ecbert was getting a bit sloshed and tearing up. Ragnar seemed genuinely comforted upon meeting Athelstan's son which was quite a touching scene. I loved the discussion on the Gods - which came off a bit humorous, and my favorite line was when Ecbert said "Valhalla's ridiculous - all the dead warriors get to fight again in the courtyard each morning, and kill each other again, and the they all have supper together". Ragnar - with a bit of a grin says ""they are both ridiculous".

Ecbert thought raising Magnus may have been sort of a bargaining chip, but wowza - was he wrong. I did not see that coming. That poor kid gets raised by a King, and once it's found out that he's of no value - he gets immediately exiled!

By the look in Ragnar's eyes with regards to their agreement - I don't think he's going to tell Ivar what Ecbert thinks he's going to say .... we'll have to wait for next week.

I didn't think Lagertha was going to let Auslog just walk. She really hated her for taking Kattagat away from her, but she's being tolerant of Sigurd & Ubbe out of respect for Ragnar, however Ubbe may get himself killed if he doesn't start to abide.

I really hope something happens next week that will change what is inevitable - I don't want to see Ragnar die - especially in the hands of Aelle.
I've grown 4 years older knowing Ragnar - he's like a friend I see once a week.
 
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#657
Solarmist said:
I really hope something happens next week that will change what is inevitable - I don't want to see Ragnar die - especially in the hands of Aelle.
I've grown 4 years older knowing Ragnar - he's like a friend I see once a week.
Click to expand...

Same here all around.
Aelle said he would kill Ragnar in season one, and now it looks like he's going to be right. That sucks.
That scene in the preview of Aelle punching Ragnar in the face made me mad.
I'll be right there with you next week hoping something drastic happens and Ragnar does not die at Aelle's hand.

-Mike
 
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#660
Solarmist said:
^ I may get a bit choked up if he does die, and I rarely get that way with TV. Vikings has a loyal fan base, and I don't think it will hurt the ratings ... I'm certainly not going to quit watching. There are so many beloved characters. Maybe they'll drag it out for a couple more weeks.
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I'd still watch also, but I can't think of any other show where the main character was killed off and the show survived more than one season afterward.

Maybe Hirst realizes that Ragnar has been (and is) influential enough to keep him around and using his character every couple of episodes, like WWRD?

One can hope anyway. The first thing I remember seeing in the series was Travis Fimmel's frickin hypnotic crazy eyes after he and Rollo kill some dudes on a hill. I know it sounds HE but I'm secure enough in my sexuality to say he IS a draw to the show for me.
 
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