[Traveller]

I haven't watched much past Ragnars death.

We watched the first, maybe the second eps of the following season, but the sack of York and the thoughtless killing and slaughter by the sons was so far from the innovative, planned initial raids from season one, that it lost any sense of sympathy with any of the remaining characters.

Reading this thread doesn't make me feel like I've missed anything.

[Abyss]

Ivar has his moments.

And Lagetha still rocks.

[QuickTidal]

Traveller, on 08 January 2019 - 01:01 PM, said:

I haven't watched much past Ragnars death.

We watched the first, maybe the second eps of the following season, but the sack of York and the thoughtless killing and slaughter by the sons was so far from the innovative, planned initial raids from season one, that it lost any sense of sympathy with any of the remaining characters.

Reading this thread doesn't make me feel like I've missed anything.

Yep, us too. My wife turned to me about 3 eps into the first non-Ragnar season and said...this is dumb now.

I agree.

[Malankazooie]

You jag offs missed the adventures of Bjorn and Halfdan (some of my favorite material of any season), so you lose, biggly, like the biggest losing ever. But yeah, post Ragnar's death, the show has been, on the whole, a net loss of a rubbish heap.

[Malankazooie]

I'm in love.

She would eat Lagertha for breakfast and then shit chunks of her out at lunch.

[acesn8s]

It's gotten so weird. 2 more episodes this season.

[Malankazooie]

I'm a few episodes behind. I just recently watched 'The Buddha' episode, which I found fascinating. Hvitserk being introduced to Buddhism might be my favorite material of this season (arguably of all the seasons). I think it is a device being employed to have Hvitserk go the 'passivity' route as Ivar's machinations turn more and more aggressive/warlike. I've just found it fascinating, but I have to know from you true-blue, dyed in the wool History buffs, is this something that actually happened? Was Buddhism introduced to the Viking's culture during the time of Ragnar and his sons?

[Malankazooie]

LOL!

Tyrion Lannister and Hvitserk's cheeks! Man oh man, them cheeks! And King Olaf (or Buddha?!). Do you think Hvitserk will rub his belly for luck?

I'm gonna try and get caught up in advance of the season finale tonight. Will let you guys know how it goes.

[acesn8s]

So, that's it for the season, correct? Next season is the last?

[Malankazooie]

Yeppers. 20 episode 6th (and final) season still to come. Supposed to take it to new locations. Then a new show that has been called a 'continuation' coming sometime beyond that. And I think they are using 'continuation' loosely, in that it seems more of a statement that viewers will be familiar with it being a 'Vikings' show as opposed to carrying on with identifiable characters we are familar with. Not a lot out about it yet. We shall see.

[Malankazooie]

Ragnar Lothbrok siting.

[Abyss]

Just caught up to Ubbe and the Danes/Hvitserk and Tyrion.

Not as good as previous seasons, but i'm still enjoying this.



Except for the Floki storyline. That part just bores/depresses/annoys.

[Malankazooie]

I guess to try and polish the turd that Floki's storyline became would be that the location and some of that back ground scenery and landscapes they shot were pretty epic and breath taking. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Abyss]

All done w the season.

SPOILERS


SPOILERS


SPOILERS FOR ALL EPISODES OF VIKINGS TO DATE


SPOILERS



Ubbe took a level in badass on a few fronts, realizing Ragnar's dream for the Wesex colony, kicking the Hobbit King's ass (that fight was SO fucked), leading Al's army. After ages of being Mini-Bjorn or perpetually less interesting than Ivar, this was good to watch. His interactions with Alexander were probably the most interesting thing about Alexander.

Torvi pretty much dominated every scene she was in. Would have liked to see more of her as other than a foil for Ubbe or Bjorn or Lagetha.

I still don't understand why a show called 'Vikings' feels the need to spend as much time on the Wesex political scene as it does. Honestly, do a show called 'Wesexytime' if you must. That said, the Queen's steps to solidify Al's rule were fairly impressive in an otherwise tedious storyline.
Nothing saves Floki's story. Nothing. Except perhaps that very last last twist at the end of his pointless journey to the center of the earth. Because on some level i felt like he hadn't be adequately fucked by the universe just yet and finding a Christian cross in the most fucked up place on his bullshit paradise of the gods island was just the happy ending he/the audience needed.


Ivar... Ivar dominated this season all kinds of ways. Logically nothing this character did should have ever worked or made sense, yet somehow actor Alex Andersen just sells it week after week. I'm glad he lived to fuck with his family some more.


Lagetha... i feel like they didn't know what to do with Lagetha this season. That said, i can forgive almost everything for that scene where she just massacred enemies with a sword and A SEVERED HEAD AS A WEAPON.


Hvitserk... well, by the end of the season i sort of knew how to pronounce his name without giggling. His toying with Buddhism was silly. His reunion with Bjorn wasutterly contrived... hey bro, i just happened to be here with an army fixing to invade Kattegat and HEY, YOU TOO WHAT WERE THE ODDS???


Harald... this poor guy just can't catch a break, but he's continually fun to watch other characters bounce off of.


Bjorn... pretty much everything Bjorn did this season was awesome, and Gunnhild was such a great character in her own right and a perfect foil to him. She could carry her own series.




The battle scenes in the finale were great. I feel like Ivar's queen betraying him was weak storytelling, but it made sense enough.
ALL HAIL KING BJORN.

[Malankazooie]

Abyss, on 03 April 2019 - 07:20 PM, said:

Bjorn... pretty much everything Bjorn did this season was awesome, and Gunnhild was such a great character in her own right and a perfect foil to him. She could carry her own series.

'Natural Born Killer' like spin-off series with Bjorn and Gunnhild. Boom, give me an Emmy.

[Abyss]

Spoiler

RAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

[Abyss]

Not bad at all.
The interplay between Bjorn and fam is a joy to watch (tho if hes seriously going to cheat on Gunnhild I give up) . I like Ivar among the Rus but Oleg's clashing w his bros was ok.

[Abyss]

I'm still a week back, but finding Hvitserk's issues are kind of random. They really just don't know what to do with this guy.

[Abyss]

All caught up and agreed. Lots of interesting stuff going on... and then there's Hvitserk.

Tho Bjorn just never learns, does he? Fucking around, trusting the wrong people... how has he lived this long? And King Olaf is probably setting him up all over again...

Lagetha's plot was obvious but still enjoyable. Except for the last bit, that was brutal.

[Abyss]

All caught up again.

Spoiler

1. Lagetha. That did NOT just happen. No, seriously. DID. NOT. HAPPEN.

...FUCK.

Hell of a funeral tho'.

2. Bjorn. Yep, did it again. Again. And the other thing too. And this moron thinks he should be King of Norway?

That said, it's stupid to me that Harald, who was sitting in chains at the beginning of the season after being invaded and annihilated by Olaf, is now King.
It makes zero sense that he was even in the running.

3. Gunnhild. Honestly at this point she should just off Bjorn and take over. She's being entirely too nice about the thing with the maid.

4. Hvitserk. Sucks. And him getting drunk and taking out Lagetha was just contrived. She could have dropped and died of her wounds. Hvitserk was already on his way out of Kategatt, that was unnecessary.

5. Ivar. Is swimming in some verrrryyyyy deep ugly vodka. But i think i may be enjoying his storyline most. Even if Hvitserk is back w him again.

6. Ubbe and Torvi's Excellent Iceland Adventure. I have no clue what's going on there and nothing related to Floki and Iceland and that debacle of a story from last season makes me want to see more. And i LIKE Ubbe and Torvi.