Vikings(2013) series

[Corvus]

I started watching this series recently from curiosity about the life in that time and in that part of Europe, that is end of 8 century A.D. I can say it depicts realistically how life was/is brutal and violent. In first episode in intro scene there is from beginning fighting in East Baltic and apparition of Odin with crow on his shoulder that only the main character was seeing. There are for now 6 episodes that were released. Here is a trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn8lrGYsbVc

The story follows warrior named Ragnar who is ambitious and later becomes earl/jarl of his small community. He gets in conflict with earl because he wants to sail to west because eastern countries are also poor like them. And from then story unfolds.

It is done by history channel and I think some things were depicted well but for others I am not sure because they probably used western sources that are influenced by priesthood that was target of some of their raids. Some scenes are very violent because there is a massacre of unarmed monks in monastery when they first raided in the west. There are also other scenes so it shows how the they take lives like killing flies. there are and scenes of rape but do not think it was historically accurate in one scene because some say they did not rape during raids because they did not have time and that it was not condoned. I have no favorite character because they are all pathological in the end. Only one that is shown in more positive light is captured priest that is treated well by main character, but maybe that is intended that way by influence of Zionist media. But never the less even if they are all pathological that is realistic by me because you could not survive in that time in that kind of environment otherwise.

There was and some funny scenes when they raid Church in monastery when one of actors says something like(do not remember exact words) look at their God, no wonder he can not help them, he is dead and pinned on the cross. He is no match for powerful and mighty gods like Odin and Thor. And comments by Saxons who met them in battle that they were giants, possessed by demons in battle, etc... They were big that was for sure and from what I read they say they took the biggest men on their ships. Also there was a scene where Ragnar and his wife wanted from captured priest to have sex with her.

I usually do not watch these kind of series like Game of thrones etc.., these one seemed kind of interesting. There was and one scene that I saw also in movie 13th warrior that was based in 13th warrior on original writings by Arab traveler and writer Ibn Fadlan that wrote about their customs when they met them in one of their journeys through rivers of Central Russia to Basilea toi Romanoi. When they leader died they sacrificed one of his female slaves. Before that she would be made drunk and had sex with all men that wanted to give message to dead leader in afterlife. Then she would be killed. Her body would be put beside body of dead leader on the ship which would be burnt. Also that Russian actor that played king in 13th warrior is acting in this series also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0twvVmJKTJY

There was and one scene when earl killed one boy that he could guard his material possessions that under their belief waits them in afterlife. This custom is true by historical accounts that the leader buried 1/3 of his property while other would be given to his wife and children. Another thing that was accurate and shown in series was about they assemblies where they were all equal. Ragnar s wife also joined in one raid, so they maybe tried to be close to truth in this way that viking women also fought.

 

[Diane]

I'm watching it Sunday nights. I enjoy it because I'd much rather be watching a legendary Norse Saga, (part truth, part fantasy maybe), rather than some of the other carp on Sunday night. This is the only show right now that will make me put down a book and take notice. The actor playing Ragnar when in character, (Travis Fimmel), looks almost exactly like my son Gavin, especially when Gavin has his little goatee thing going on. Appears they're following the story of Ragnar fairly well.

The Ragnar of sagas is apparently based on several historical persons. One was a pirate and raider, Ragnall, who was reported invading France and attacking several other lands. One of his favorite tactics was to attack Christian cities on church feast days, knowing that many soldiers would be in church.[4] He would generally accept a huge payment to leave his victims alone, only to come back later and demand more riches in exchange for leaving. The double-name of the legendary Ragnar Lodbrok also links him to historical vikings documented as "sons of Lothbrok", although there is no documentary basis for associating this Lothbrok with the documented viking Ragnall.

The namesake and subject of "Ragnar's Saga", and one of the most popular Viking heroes among the Norse themselves, Ragnar was a great Viking commander and the scourge of France and England. A perennial seeker after the Danish throne, he was briefly "king" of both Denmark and a large part of Sweden. A colorful figure, he claimed to be descended from Odin, was linked to two famous shieldmaidens, Lathgertha in the Gesta Danorum, and Queen Aslaug according to the Völsungasaga.

He told people he always sought greater adventures for fear that his (possibly adoptive) sons, who included such notable Vikings as Björn Ironside and Ivar the Boneless, would eclipse him in fame and honor. Ragnar raided France many times, using the rivers as highways for his fleets of longships. By remaining on the move, he cleverly avoided battles with large concentrations of heavy Frankish cavalry, while maximizing his advantages of mobility and the general climate of fear of Viking unpredictability.

To court his second wife, the Swedish princess Thora, Ragnar traveled to Sweden and quelled an infestation of venomous snakes, famously wearing the hairy breeches whereby he gained his nickname. Supposedly, the breeches were made from bearskin dipped in pitch and sand, making them fireproof. He continued the series of successful raids against France throughout the mid 9th century, and fought numerous civil wars in Denmark, until his luck ran out at last in Britain. After being shipwrecked on the English coast during a freak storm, he was captured by Anglian king Ælla of Northumbria and put to death in an infamous manner by being thrown into a pit of vipers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragnar_Lodbrok

 

[amd57432]

I loved this series. And, there will be a second season next year.

One thing I did notice was that Ragnar's wife was not the only shield maiden on the 2nd voyage. There were at least two more visible in a couple of the battle scenes.

 

[tohuwabohu]

I think they should really rather make the Sarah connor chronicle follow up. That was much closer to our reality. I do not get it why they always cancel something so enriching. Firefly was the same deal.

 

[Z...]

I started watching this and I have to say is quite good.
As usual Vikings are portrayed as blood thirsty and greedy pillagers and rapists and i cannot help but notice contrast with present day Scandinavians who are are generally speaking probably the most polite and politically correct people in the world :)

 

[Corvus]

As usual Vikings are portrayed as blood thirsty and greedy pillagers and rapists and i cannot help but notice contrast with present day Scandinavians who are are generally speaking probably the most polite and politically correct people in the world :)

Then and now is not the same, even now how long do you think they will stay polite to each other when they bellies become empty?

 

[Z...]

Then and now is not the same, even now how long do you think they will stay polite to each other when they bellies become empty?

well as far as I know hunger and lack of food was not exactly the drive behind Viking's raiding excursions, more likely hoarding of gold and riches

 

[Wu Wei Wu]

I watched the whole series. I thought it was a very down to earth approach to the Viking story, a stretch towards realism which I found enjoyable compared to the mass of stereotypical or cliche entertainment out there.

Parts I found frightening. The betrayal of the Ragnar's brother I found emotionally surprising, a flagrant breaking of one's bond. All of which is done behind Ragnar's back. Rollo, terrible man. Lagertha's turning to the spiritual side of the world in order to approach her problems also display desperation. This is contrasted with Ragnar's spirituality, which is a matter of a choice. He views his relationship as the son of Odin has an important part of his destiny, his spirit is his future.

Acting wise, I can't fault the show. It's quite gruesome, but well done. The relationships seem strong. Except for the English man's work.

 

[l apprenti de forgeron]

I started watching this and I have to say is quite good.
As usual Vikings are portrayed as blood thirsty and greedy pillagers and rapists and i cannot help but notice contrast with present day Scandinavians who are are generally speaking probably the most polite and politically correct people in the world :)

I agree. The system always try to pigeonhole northern peoples like barbarians, to be hidden the degree of knowledge they had advanced (well, maybe more would have to separate the terrible warriors from that seeking other relationship with life, as the Hyperboreans ).
As an example, that movie "The 13th Warrior" (from 1999) in which the aryans are barbarous and ignorant, and must be "civilized" by an Arab Islamic (showing that the monotheism as a breakthrough over the religions of nature). Obviously, after the 2001 Islamic no more heroes in Hollywood, I think.
Another point of that movie is that the villains (hordes of looters and destroyers, violent soulless people) they are worshipers of the Great Goddess and the Bear. Very subtly destructive! Project in the soulless what actually belongs to the mystical traditions of the Hyperboreans! Another way to misplace the true seekers.

 

[l apprenti de forgeron]

Then and now is not the same, even now how long do you think they will stay polite to each other when they bellies become empty?

well as far as I know hunger and lack of food was not exactly the drive behind Viking's raiding excursions, more likely hoarding of gold and riches

I agree with both! But I think what Corvinus wants to highlight is how they will act today, in the collapse of modern civilization called America. Well, "Wait and See", right?

 

[Leòmhann]

Corvinus, based on your tip, I've caught the entire series.

Yes, this first season was excellent. Thanks very much for sharing this with us. :D

 

[Corvus]

I agree. The system always try to pigeonhole northern peoples like barbarians, to be hidden the degree of knowledge they had advanced (well, maybe more would have to separate the terrible warriors from that seeking other relationship with life, as the Hyperboreans ).
As an example, that movie "The 13th Warrior" (from 1999) in which the aryans are barbarous and ignorant, and must be "civilized" by an Arab Islamic (showing that the monotheism as a breakthrough over the religions of nature). Obviously, after the 2001 Islamic no more heroes in Hollywood, I think.
Another point of that movie is that the villains (hordes of looters and destroyers, violent soulless people) they are worshipers of the Great Goddess and the Bear. Very subtly destructive! Project in the soulless what actually belongs to the mystical traditions of the Hyperboreans! Another way to misplace the true seekers.

Yes, I agree, there were also cases with Vikings like with Celts and Germans that they would feel intense heat during battle, maybe connections to 4D as Cs say. Either way their most famous unit was Varangian guard (about which people know little because of western inflated fame of latin knightood orders and knights)in the service of byzantine emperors, as part of imperial tagmata, they were palace guards and personal bodyguards of emperors because they could not count on loyalty of native troops. It was created in 10th century under Basil II from Scandinavians who came through Russia and were also in service of Kievan Rus princes(that is slavic state under varangian Rurik dynasty) and Rus. Later with fall of England to Normans, number of Anglo-Saxons increased. They were very famous for they ferociousnes in battle and fought to the death if necessary for emperor because of their oath tradition. The guard also accompanied armies into the field, and Byzantine chroniclers (as well as several notable Western European and Arab chroniclers) often note their battlefield prowess, especially in comparison to the local peoples. They were vital to the Byzantine victory under the emperor John II Komnenos at the Battle of Beroia in 1122. The Varangians hacked their way through the enemy's circle of Pecheneg wagons, collapsing the Pecheneg position and causing a general rout in their camp. They were about 500 against whole army.

In the battle of Manzikert against Turks 500 of them fought to the death to last men even if the battle was lost and emperor Romanos IV ransomed but soon dethroned in cue. Western merceneries - latin knights fled. In the sack of Constantinopole by Crusaders in 1204 they were only unit sucesfull in stoping Crusaders at the walls that prior to that conquered croatian city of Zara that was resisting Venice (with the help of Crusaders who could not pay for passage with ships to holy land so they made deal to capture that city to pay Venice for passage. Western hypocrisy revealed in that day as today that it was only for riches not religion because of attacks on "fellow" christians). Of the role of the guard, then composed of the English and Danes, it is said that "the fighting was very violent and there was hand to hand fight with axes and swords, the assailants mounted the walls and prisoners were taken on both sides". In the end due to incompetent emperors city was taken and sacked for days, population massacred and women raped because greedy crusaders never saw so rich and big city with so many churches and riches(biggest and richest city in Europe and broader thanks to position in east-west trade routes and roman legacy, and one of the reasons Venice wanted to control that routes). Even todays bronze horses in Venice on st. Mark basilica are from Constantinopol taken during pillage. The latest mention of Varangian guard is in the Greek version of the Chronicle of the Morea, which state this unit escorted the Prince of Achaia away to prison after the Battle of Pelagonia in 1259; historian D. J. Geanakoplos suggests they were reconstituted by Theodore I Laskaris to strengthen his claim as the rightful Emperor. People identified as Varangians were to be found in Constantinople around 1400.

There was also one instance when they were stationed in Asia Minor, one of their members tried to force one of the local women but she managed to pierce him with spear. Afterwards the rest of unit stationed there found the women and gave all the belongings of that individual to her which probably was not so low sum because they had many priviliges, like being first to pillage enemy camp, right to "pillage" emperors chamber after his death, rewards by new emperor when he came to throne, etc... They were called in one source vinebags because they loved to drink much, but either way they had very high sense of loyalty(even when not deserved by leader) and honor(as mentioned in this case above) which was rarity in that days as it is today even more. Many returned home to Scandinavia after service as very rich and there are monuments describing that like runestones and Piraeus lion:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Pireuslejonet.jpg