Vikings

Four stars, but just barely. The highlights were definitely the action in Paris and on the Seine, and I enjoyed King Ecbert’s triumphant return. The only other positive was the disappearance of the Chinese drug dealer. The events in Kattegat were a complete disaster, and I realized Harbard isn’t Rasputin but more like a cult leader. 4*- (16.05.2018)

Well, the creators finally did it — they pushed me to give my lowest rating yet. The episode was a total letdown. It was mostly just dragging boats around, with a raiding scene thrown in for some variety, but it didn't add any real value. There were way too many moments of pointless filler. Overall, pretty boring. (16.05.2018)

Unlike the previous episode, this one was a blast from start to finish. The action scenes on the river were fantastic, and I'll pretend I didn’t notice the absurd platforms Ragnar’s fleet was pushing just for the sake of staging some combat. The Emperor’s garrotes were a nice touch, and surprisingly, I didn’t mind the big time jump. (16.05.2018)

Honestly, I spent a while trying to figure out what the episode was really about. It felt like a whole lot of nothing, mostly just relationship drama like any other show. The only things that caught my attention were the dark prophecy and, surprisingly, Ivar. He was the most interesting character this time around. (17.05.2018)

Here we go again. What was this episode even about? Aside from Bjorn and his crew setting sail for Normandy (and maybe beyond) and Ragnar and Ivar heading to England, the plot was painfully empty. It’s clear that doubling the number of episodes per season is too much for the creators to handle. Instead of a quality story, we’re getting filler just to pad out the runtime. (17.05.2018)

I wasn't exactly thrilled about the two expeditions; Ragnar's felt almost like a joke. All the positives came from the events in Kattegat and Hedeby, where things finally started to get interesting. (17.05.2018)

Lagertha and the events in Kattegat easily earned four stars from me, and I added the fifth for the brilliant dialogue between Ragnar and Ecbert. The king of Wessex has long been one of my favorite characters, and I’ve missed his scheming. (17.05.2018)

I didn't expect to give another five-star rating this season, let alone two in a row, but here we are. Besides the most important event, there were some fascinating dialogues and Ragnar was setting up his final big plan. So yes, this episode was definitely worth it. (18.05.2018)

I really don't get it. If the creators can produce episodes this good in the fourth season, why were they hiding it? The last three episodes have been excellent, which makes it hard to understand why part of the season was so dull and uninteresting. I hope the series continues at this high quality. (18.05.2018)

With each episode, I'm more surprised. The events in Kattegat were mostly dull in the fourth season, but now it's the center of the most interesting developments. Ivar is gradually becoming an extremely fascinating character, and I expect the upcoming episodes will revolve around him. (18.05.2018)

The plot was intriguing enough for me to consider giving it five stars. But then the creators delivered a sneaky blow — I, like many others, felt cheated out of a battle. The execution of the king did lift my spirits a bit, but still... (18.05.2018)

It was great to see Lagertha get more screen time again, as I'm a huge fan of hers. The scene with Egil’s interrogation could even serve as inspiration for a summer BBQ. The hide-and-seek game at the end was entertaining, and it's clear what's in store for the final episode. Can't wait! (18.05.2018)

What a letdown. I was so looking forward to the battle... The battle, which everything had been leading up to, ended up being surprisingly dull. The only noteworthy aspect was the Vikings' speed and endurance. I have no idea why Bjorn fought a bear in the third episode when he could have just outrun it. Ivar definitely had the strongest moment, but Egbert’s end was disappointing, and I didn’t quite get Heahmund. (18.05.2018)

Season 5 isn't even a shadow of what the Vikings used to be. Twenty episodes per season are obviously a number that is far beyond Michael Hirst’s capabilities. He has repeatedly resorted to artificially and unnecessarily stretching out the story. A prime example of that is Floki's Icelandic adventure, which only brought tedium to the series and a plot that dragged on like a slug doused with honey. The Conquest of Kattegat in the final episode only proved how the creators' abilities to bring a real battle to the screen have diminished. Those who remember The Last Ship episode will certainly agree with me. A huge disappointment. 3*- (01.04.2019)

The episode was packed with funerals (two) and farewells (four). But the real highlight was the demonic and cunning Ivar, who I find relatable because I could match his speed. Harald’s involvement hints at Lagertha getting back into the action. I was satisfied with the action scenes, especially in York, but I really can't warm up to Bishop Heahmund. I don't think I'll ever get used to his character. (20.05.2018)

The creators really threw me for a loop with this one... I was completely baffled. The only part that made any sense was Floki’s voyage to nowhere, but even that was annoying. I couldn’t quite grasp what was happening in Kattegat. If Lagertha slept with Harald just for fun, fine, but if there was supposed to be a deeper meaning, it went over my head. Harald's escape from Kattegat was surely dramatic, but since those scenes might have been too nerve-wracking, the creators spared me from seeing them. And they deserve two stars for that. (20.05.2018)

Yeah, I'm just not enjoying Vikings as much as I used to. The fight for York started off strong, and the traps were a nice touch, but then came Ivar's solo, the overly dramatic scenes with Alfred in "mortal danger," the annoying Bishop Heahmund, and Floki's festering journey. So, there’s that. (20.05.2018)

I was more entertained by what was happening in Norway, with fresh intrigue brewing in Kattegat and Vestfold. Bjorn’s storyline didn’t grab me at all, and I’m not sure if spreading the plot all over Europe and possibly beyond is a good move. (20.05.2018)

I’m completely baffled by the story development again. How did Floki, the sly goat, make it from Iceland to Kattegat without any trouble? Oh right, the gods. I’ve never claimed to be a great military tactician, but even I wouldn’t come up with something as ridiculous as Ivar’s plan. I wonder if a renowned mathematician could calculate how many Vikings can squeeze through a narrow opening before someone chops off every head that pops out? Lame. (20.05.2018)

The episode was full of unpleasant surprises. It started with a local sandstorm — by local, I mean it was confined to a tiny oasis while the surrounding area was bathed in sunlight. Floki gets to establish a religious community in Iceland, which I’m thrilled about (not). The peak of absurdity was Astrid randomly picking a messenger from the enemy camp to send to Lagertha, and he actually fulfills the mission. Brilliant move. And right on cue, Bjorn shows up again... Remembering how great Vikings used to be makes me sad. (21.05.2018)