Wikingowie

An impressive battle of kings where the creators try to make it look similarly lavish to the Battle of the Bastards, but fall far short. Still, solid production design and sets for a series, plus authentic actors. Perhaps even better than the battle is the interesting side character of Porunn. Her fundamental level of transformation from slave to normal person is presented in a surprisingly interesting way. (05.12.2019)

It feels a bit as if the final episode was primarily for effect, to make us watch the next season. And very likely that's exactly what it is, because the script is tellingly "falling into place". That is, the viewer is not surprised to see something unexpected, but actually expects the unexpected as the last season unfolds – the surprise is how it all fits together perhaps too well. If you pay attention, you can't overlook the questionable motivations of the characters for various situations and thus the unlikely outcome according to the original plan of the antagonists. Despite the slight cynicism and the attempt to be as cool and shocking as possible at the end, it's a fine, lively ride with a cast of likeable, or at least strange, characters. (05.12.2019)

The previous season was tighter and more focused. This one is a bit more sweeping and epic, especially when it comes to the trip to Paris. There's a bit more religious themes compared to the previous seasons, but it's still bearable. (11.12.2019)

An initial dusting off of the main characters, more local languages, Porunn's divine haircut and a solid final battle that offers nothing groundbreaking. The third season could have had a sharper start, but we’ll see what happens next. (08.12.2019)

A bit of farming, a bit of romantic nosing around. An interesting character begins to emerge in Scandinavia, the homeland of King Ragnar. Probably someone who can finally be a match with him at home. (08.12.2019)

Paradoxically, far more interesting than the other big battle with a substantial thinning out of the favourite peasant fighters is the interestingly developing double relationship that could have far-reaching consequences. And the pilgrim looks kind of all over the place, which is probably the intention of the creators. (08.12.2019)

Admittedly a bit too chatty and unnecessarily meandering, but key figures are moving and there's no shortage of surprises. (08.12.2019)

Things don’t really start to happen until just before the end, but I still feel like this episode is sort of treading water before the key episodes in Paris. By the way, Ragnar is not afraid of acrobatics, thumbs up. (09.12.2019)

The ultimate torture scene, admittedly a bit too much of the annoying religious overtones, but the final countdown didn't overstay its welcome, we were just waiting to see when it would come. An intense, full-blooded episode, one of the best of the third season. (09.12.2019)

Everyone seems to be waiting for the battle of all battles, but instead it's more of a scramble and Master Floki is building siege weapons perhaps a little too quickly? This is not the first time the creators are a bit off with the time jumping and plot shifts in general. (11.12.2019)

It's not the best series battle of all time, GoT holds that distinction, but even so, the Battle for Paris is very well shot, with some interesting moments and twists where the audience is worried about crucial characters. It's a bit reminiscent of Kingdom of Heaven in its concept, visuals and religious overtones. (11.12.2019)

Ragnar is in trouble, Judith has finally grasped the game and is beginning to play it. It's one of the few moments where the viewer fears for the most central character of the entire series. (11.12.2019)

The plan to take over Paris looks like something out of Ocean’s Eleven, but yeah, why not. There must be originality even in the Middle Ages. The touching confessions and the moment of surprise are delightful. (11.12.2019)

The fourth season is hands down the weakest yet. It’s also 20 episodes long and the emotional level and narrative grip, as well as its drive are questionable. Yes, there's "that thing" that happens in the middle, which is sort of important, and it should be noted that it's pretty faithful to the source material, but a lot of the characters are there just to make something cool happen (e.g. Rollo) and some of the middle episodes are downright drawn-out boredom without much going on. Technically speaking, Vikings isn’t going anywhere either. This is the most significant difference with, for instance, GoT, which became a high-budget spectacle from the third season on. That said, still above-par entertainment. (15.01.2020)

A sketchy time shift where things don’t fit together, but we are all used to it already. The illogical decisions made by the main characters are probably deliberate, after all, there has to be something at least a little innovative about the plot in the fourth season. For example, a final action set-piece that will be surprising. For a first episode, traditionally weaker and more circumspect. (12.12.2019)

Ragnar is musing too much, Rollo is a joker, but things are happening in England. The son of the king in the best action scene of the whole series so far – raw, brutal, authentic and brilliantly scored. Just brilliant. (12.12.2019)

Bjorn in a somewhat pointless survival drama in the wilderness, otherwise, it’s about nothing. It's losing the Nordic directness and rawness, the events in Paris are actually more of a parody, and nobody can tell whether intended or not. (15.12.2019)

Good action with the hitman, but too long and when things are getting almost unbearably stretched, a new character arrives out of nowhere. We’ll see what will happen. The fourth season is in dire need of something new that will move the series forward. (15.12.2019)

It's hard to understand this wallowing in screenwriting ballast and confusion. The twist at the end and the fact that Bjorn is becoming more charismatic than his father, who is currently not in very good shape, saves the day. (18.12.2019)

Boring, tired and empty. The ending, however, promises that the coming episodes will feature a legendary viking carnage after all. (18.12.2019)