Vengeance Drives Series

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TV SERIES REVIEW
Vikings: Valhalla: The Complete First Season
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Genre: History, Epic, Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, War
Year Released: 2022, 2024 Season 1 Blu-ray
Runtime: 8 x ≈51m episodes
Creator(s): Jeb Stuart
Cast: Sam Corlett, Frida Gustavsson, Leo Suter, Bradley Freegard, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Caroline Henderson, Laura Berlin, David Oakes
Where To Watch: available now here: www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Welcome back to the rugged terrains of the Norsemen with VIKINGS VALHALLA. This sweeping saga launches us into a century post-Ragnar Lothbrok from the original VIKINGS series. In this latest installment, a new generation of warriors grapples with the legends of their formidable past. The series seeks to honor their storied history and carve a fresh path, establishing new legacies amidst the ghostly whispers of ancient heroes.

The home of the Vikings, Kattegat continues to be as enthralling as ever, with its meticulously crafted sets and costumes that accurately evoke the Viking era (while maybe not 100% accurate, it does so in a way that many Viking renditions ignore.) Ragnar and his crew, though absent, haunt the storyline, leaving long shadows under which the new characters struggle. These fresh faces endeavor to stamp their marks on the Viking legacy, navigating the pressures of living up to the old guard’s mythic stature.

The action kicks off with a streamlined, high-octane script, propelling characters like King Canute and the siblings Leif Eriksson and Freydis Eriksdotter into the fray. Fueled by personal and religious vendettas, their quests set the stage for a season packed with intricate battles and burgeoning drama against an evolving medieval landscape.

However, where the series shines in its production and battle choreography, particularly in depicting the cultural clash between Christian and pagan Vikings, this vital interplay, which once offered a rich philosophical debate, now seems to settle for more superficial dialogues, potentially leaving fans of the original series yearning for more substantial exchanges.

Aiming for broader appeal with its slick visuals and robust action sequences, the new series, while visually impressive, sometimes eclipses the more profound moments, reflective elements that could lend significant insight into the Vikings’ complex world.

As the narrative unfolds, characters like Leif and Freydis become more nuanced, hinting at legendary feats and fateful prophecies. King Canute, in particular, steals the spotlight with his magnetic charisma and cunning, engaging in a battle of wits with the English monarchy. The standout battle scenes, especially a strategic clash on a bridge, underscore the Vikings’ tactical prowess, adding a vigorous pulse to the storyline.

Despite its epic scope, VIKINGS VALHALLA does not shy away from taking creative liberties, including the controversial portrayal of characters like Estrid Haakon. While aiming to reflect a diverse Viking world, these decisions feel more like slightly forced inclusions than genuine historical portrayals, which could divide viewer opinion.

Yet, through all its trials and tribulations, VIKINGS VALHALLA weaves a narrative rich with power struggles, revenge, and ideological conflict against simmering religious tensions. While it may occasionally sidestep the more profound philosophical musings that gave the original series its soul, it delivers a riveting blend of action and evolving interpersonal drama.

As the season concludes, VIKINGS VALHALLA finds its stride, laying promising groundwork for future seasons. It hints at a maturing storyline capable of exploring complex themes and deepening character arcs, suggesting that it might yet carve out a unique identity within the historical drama genre. I can’t wait to see where the rest of this series goes!

VIKINGS VALHALLA navigates the vast sea of its illustrious predecessor’s legacy with ambition and reverence. While it initially may not reach the philosophical depths of the original, it lays a solid foundation for expansion. With its dynamic action sequences, breathtaking scenic design, and characters beginning to resonate intensely, VIKINGS VALHALLA offers a vibrant new chapter in the Viking saga, filled with potential and gradually distinguishing itself in the annals of historical drama.

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[photo courtesy of WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY HOME ENTERTAINMENT]

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