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Vikings season 2

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Vikings (season 2)
Season 2
Region 1 DVD cover art
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkHistory
Original releaseFebruary 27 (2014-02-27) –
May 1, 2014 (2014-05-01)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 1
Next →
Season 3
List of episodes

Vikings is a Canadian-Irish historical drama television series,[2] written and created by Michael Hirst for the television channel History.[3] It premiered on February 27, 2014 in the United States and Canada.

Filmed in Ireland, Vikings is inspired by the tales about the Viking Ragnar Lodbrok, one of the best-known mythological Norse heroes and notorious as the scourge of France and England. It portrays Ragnar as a Viking farmer who pioneers the first daring raids into England with the support of fellow warriors, his brother Rollo, and his wife, the shieldmaiden Lagertha.

Series overview

The series is inspired by the tales of the raiding, trading, and exploring Norsemen of early medieval Scandinavia. It follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lodbrok and his crew and family, as notably laid down in the 13th century sagas Ragnars saga Loðbrókar and Ragnarssona þáttr, as well as in Saxo Grammaticus's 12th century work Gesta Danorum. Norse legendary sagas were partially fictional tales based in Norse oral tradition, written down about 200 to 400 years after the events they describe. Further inspiration is taken from historical sources of the period, such as records of the Viking raid on Lindisfarne depicted in the second episode, or Ahmad ibn Fadlan's 10th-century account of the Volga Vikings. The series is set at the beginning of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793.

Plot

King Horik is now at war with Jarl Borg who is accompanied by Rollo. Rollo, now bitter and enraged, rampages through battle killing and wounding many of his kin but cannot fight his brother when faced and surrenders to him. In a stalemate, Ragnar, Horik and Jarl Borg come to an agreement and decide to raid as a single force. Rollo, now ostracized by his kin for his betrayal awaits death by trial but is spared by a judge bribed by Ragnar. Princess Aslaug makes her way to Ragnar's kingdom now pregnant with Ragnar's child. Humiliated, Lagertha leaves Ragnar along with their remaining son Bjorn.

Four years pass: Aslaug is now ruling with Ragnar and raising their sons. Rollo has faded away into obscurity and self-destruction because of shame but is forgiven by Ragnar although excluded from the raid. Floki has finished ship building and Horik has now decided to exclude Jarl Borg from the raid for personal reasons. Ragnar tells Jarl Borg of the decision and he leaves angry and slighted. A storm throws the raid off course and lands the Viking horde in Wessex which is ruled by the King Ecbert of Wessex (Linus Roache). The Vikings begin to plunder the countryside and Athelstan, who has now been integrated into the Vikings and has joined them on the raid, finds it hard to fully embrace Viking brutality and is deeply troubled.

Lagertha has since remarried to a powerful but abusive Earl of whom teenage Bjorn disapproves. Jarl Borg seeks vengeance against Ragnar for his slight and begins an invasion of his homeland. Rollo who had been left behind gathers remaining Vikings in defense of Kattegat but is defeated and forced to retreat from the village. Rollo takes the survivors including Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig), Aslaug, and her children and flees to a remote farming settlement. While Ragnar and King Ecbert negotiate, Jarl Borg declares himself ruler of Ragnar's lands and swears to wipe out his blood line. Word reaches Ragnar of Jarl Borg's treachery and he abandons the campaign, sailing off in four of the Viking longships, two of which sink on the way back to Scandinavia. Athelstan stays behind with King Horik and is captured by Wessex's soldiers and crucified as an apostate, but is spared by the mercy of King Ecbert. Upon returning home, Ragnar finds Rollo and the survivors in their sanctuary. Short on warriors to strike back at Jarl Borg, Ragnar finds unexpected assistance from Lagertha and Bjorn, who arrive with a detachment of warriors to aid in taking back Kattegat. Four-and-a-half years have elapsed since Ragnar last saw Bjorn and Lagertha, when she left him, so Ragnar is heartened to see them, especially his first-born son who's grown into a tall and strong warrior.

Ragnar plots against Jarl Borg and decides to destroy Kattegat's winter stock of food causing starvation in order to draw Jarl Borg out of Kattegat. Jarl Borg seeks to find who has destroyed the stock and is led into a trap forcing him into open battle with Ragnar and Lagertha's forces. Athelstan, now once again living among his Saxon people is divided about his faith and in the process saves a young Saxon girl involved in a domestic dispute which King Ecbert has asked his counsel, earning Athelstan her gratitude but he is plagued by visions. Back in Kattegat, Jarl Borg is defeated and is forced to retreat allowing Ragnar to reclaim his throne. Ragnar realizes he is still in love with Lagertha although she leaves him once again but allows Bjorn to stay behind to be with his father.

Cast

Main cast

Recurring cast

Production

An Irish-Canadian co-production, Vikings was developed and produced by Octagon Films and Take 5 Productions.[3] Michael Hirst, Morgan O'Sullivan, John Weber, Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, James Flynn and Sheila Hockin are credited as executive producers.[3]

The production team includes cinematographer John Bartley,[7] costume designer Joan Bergin, production designer Tom Conroy, and composer Trevor Morris.

According to actor Clive Standen (Rollo), future seasons may feature characters such as Alfred the Great, Leif Ericson, and Ivar the Boneless, as well as travels to Iceland, Russia, France, and across the Atlantic.[8]

On April 5, 2013, History announced that it will renew Vikings for a ten-episode second season.[9] With Ragnar Lodbrok in the service of King Horik, he engages in larger raids against England and France. Ragnar also deals with his love life and his family. He now has two loves: his wife, Lagertha, and Aslaug. He also deals with his brother, Rollo, who has betrayed him to the Geats. Athelstan also continues to struggle with being a Christian in a non-Christian world. Throughout this season, Ragnar faces off against King Ecbert of Wessex.[10]

Two new series regulars were announced on June 11, 2013. Alexander Ludwig, portraying the teenage Björn, and Linus Roache, playing King Ecbert of Wessex.[11] Season Two takes a jump in time, aging the young Bjorn (Nathan O’Toole) into an older swordsman portrayed by Ludwig.[12]

Jeff Woolnough[13] (Copper, Bones), Kari Skogland (The Borgias) joined Ken Girotti and Ciaran Donnelly as directors of season 2.[14]

Episodes

No. in
series 		No. in
season 		Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(million)
101"Brother's War"Ciarán DonnellyMichael HirstFebruary 27, 2014 (2014-02-27)3.56[15]
112"Invasion"Ciarán DonnellyMichael HirstMarch 6, 2014 (2014-03-06)3.20[16]
123"Treachery"Ken GirottiMichael HirstMarch 13, 2014 (2014-03-13)3.38[17]
134"Eye For an Eye"Ken GirottiMichael HirstMarch 20, 2014 (2014-03-20)3.31[18]
145"Answers in Blood"Jeff WoolnoughMichael HirstMarch 27, 2014 (2014-03-27)3.35[19]
156"Unforgiven"Jeff WoolnoughMichael HirstApril 3, 2014 (2014-04-03)2.96[20]
167"Blood Eagle"Kari SkoglandMichael HirstApril 10, 2014 (2014-04-10)3.09[21]
178"Boneless"Kari SkoglandMichael HirstApril 17, 2014 (2014-04-17)2.91[22]
189"The Choice"Ken GirottiMichael HirstApril 24, 2014 (2014-04-24)3.11[23]
1910"The Lord's Prayer"Ken GirottiMichael HirstMay 1, 2014 (2014-05-01)3.37[24]

Reception

Reviews

The second season received a Metacritic rating of 79%.

Ratings

References

  1. ^ a b Lambert, David (August 15, 2014). "Vikings - USA Street Date, Package Art, and Extras for 'Vikings - The Complete 2nd Season'". TV Shows on DVD. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  2. ^ http://www.take5productions.ca/productions_vikings.html
  3. ^ a b c "VIKINGS Tops The Ratings With 8.3 Million Viewers". Irish Film Board. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  4. ^ Turnbow, Tina (18 March 2013). "Reflections of a Viking by Clive Standen". Huffington Post. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  5. ^ Mitchell, John (25 April 2013). "'Vikings' season finale: Mysterious beauty tempts Ragnar". EW.com. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  6. ^ http://emertainmentmonthly.com/2014/03/17/vikings-reviewrecap-treachery/
  7. ^ Cummins, Steve (26 June 2012). "Emmy Award-Winning Cinematographer John Bartley Joins 'Vikings' Crew". The Irish Film & Television Network. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  8. ^ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (8 March 2013). "History's "Vikings" interview": Clive Standen talks Rollo, complex morality and future characters". Screencrush. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  9. ^ "Vikings Renewed". News. Seat42f. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 08.4.2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  10. ^ Prudom, Laura. 'Vikings' Season Finale: Michael Hirst Talks Season 2 And The Repercussions Of 'All Change', The Huffington Post, April 29, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.
  11. ^ Goldberg, Lesley. 'Vikings' Enlists 'Hunger Games', 'Law & Order' Actors for Season 2, The Hollywood Reporter, June 11, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.
  12. ^ http://screencrush.com/vikings-season-2-spoilers-time-jump/
  13. ^ http://www.marcociglia.com/index.php/filmography/
  14. ^ http://www.casarotto.co.uk/assets/x/51853.pdf
  15. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 28, 2014). "Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Vikings' & 'Pawn Stars' Lead Night + NBA Basketball, 'Ridiculousness' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  16. ^ Bibel, Sara (March 7, 2014). "Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' Wins Night, 'Vikings', 'Suits', 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo', 'Sirens' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  17. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 14, 2014). "Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Vikings' Tops Night + 'Pawn Stars', 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo', 'Ridiculousness' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  18. ^ Bibel, Sara (March 21, 2014). "Thursday Cable Ratings: NCAA Tournament & 'Pawn Stars' Win Night, 'Vikings', 'Suits', 'Ridiculousness' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  19. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 28, 2014). "Thursday Cable Ratings: NCAA Basketball Coverage Leads Night + 'Pawn Stars', 'Vikings', 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  20. ^ Bibel, Sara (April 4, 2014). "Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Vikings' & 'Pawn Stars' Win Night, 'Suits', 'Ridiculousness, 'Sirens' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  21. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 11, 2014). "Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Vikings' & 'Pawn Stars' Lead Night + 'Greatest Event in TV History', 'Suits' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  22. ^ Bibel, Sara (April 18, 2014). "Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Vikings' & '30 for 30: Bad Boys' Win Night, 'Pawn Stars', 'Sirens' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  23. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 25, 2014). "Thursday Cable Ratings: NBA Basketball Leads Night + 'Vikings', 'Inside the NBA Playoffs', 'The Challenge' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  24. ^ Bibel, Sara (May 2, 2014). "Thursday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs Win Night, 'Vikings', 'Pawn Stars', 'The Challenge', 'Sirens' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
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