Vikings is an Irish-Canadian historical drama television series written and created by Michael Hirst for the television channel History. While the lavish sets and costumes are impressive, it is the scheming between the various allies and enemies that keep viewers hooked on this historic soap opera. The best way to describe the series would be like Game of Thrones but based, somewhat, on real history.
Filmed in Ireland, Vikings is inspired by the sagas of Viking king Ragnar Lothbrok, one of the best-known legendary Norse heroes and notorious as the scourge of England and France. In the first series Ragnar begins as a farmer who rises to fame by successful raids in the west and by season three rises to position of a Scandinavian king. He is supported by his family and fellow warriors: his younger brother Rollo, his son Björn Ironside, and his wives—the shieldmaiden, Lagertha, and the princess (later Queen) Aslaug.
The fourth season of the Canadian-Irish historical drama television series Vikings picks up where the third season left off. After seizing victory from the jaws of defeat in Paris, Ragnar returns to Kattegat dangerously ill and rumours of his imminent death galvanize the forces who seek to succeed him as king: including his second wife Queen Aslaug and his oldest son, Bjorn. Meanwhile, Ragnar’s first wife, Lagertha, continues power struggles with her calculating former second in command, Kalf. All the while Rollo, Ragnars’ younger brother, betrays (or perhaps lives up to) his Vikings heritage by remaining in Frankia in a plan to defeat his brother in battle and Floki is seized for murdering the Christian priest Athelstan.
The DVD release benefits from some excellent extras including a commentary provided by series creator Michael Hirst on the episode “The Last Ship”. There is also a good feature that looks at the transformation of Rollo’s character throughout the series.
VIKINGS: SEASON 4 PART 1 / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR: VARIOUS / SCREENPLAY: MICHAEL HIRST / STARRING: TRAVIS FIMMEL, KATHERYN WINNICK, CLIVE STANDEN, GUSTAF SKARSGARD, ALEXANDER LUDWIG / RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 24TH
