Vikings: Valhalla gives off serious Game of Thrones vibes as it deals with a brutal and bloody war between Pagans and Christians — who sometimes betray themselves.
Vikings: Valhalla is a dramatic series set in the early 11th century and it centers around, you guessed it, Vikings. While there are other aspects to season one, the majority of time is spent on the religious war between the Pagans and the Christians, as the latter tries to rid the lands of the former. There are some serious Game of Thrones vibes as several people vie for the throne, and often kill each other to get ahead.
This series is filled with drama and deceit, but also a whole lot of blood. There is a war going on, but even as someone who enjoys blood and gore on their screen, I was shocked by just how much we got. I am not complaining by any means, just warning those who are squeamish as several times this comes completely out of nowhere. It is very similar to the amount that we get in Game of Thrones, so if that is too much for you, perhaps skip this one.
Something I can appreciate is that the effects look great. Many heads are severed from their bodies and not once did it appear fake — in fact, it always looks really freaking cool. The worst of it happens on the battlefield, but since this is about many men (and women) who want to rule, sometimes the kills take place in the shadows. Lots of them are unexpected, and I must admit, I always smiled a little when one took me by surprise.
As someone who has not yet watched the original Vikings series, which has a completely different cast and is set over one hundred years earlier than this, I did not know what to expect. Many family and friends have seen that show and have told me how much I would like it, and I have to admit, after watching Vikings: Valhalla, it has jumped to the top of my must watch list. Unfortunately because I have not watched it yet I cannot compare them. That is why I am comparing this series closely to Game of Thrones, because they are very similar.
Even though I am not caught up on that series, I do know quite a bit about the Vikings — like, the real ones. Not to brag but I have nearly one hundred percent completed Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, which obviously feels very similar. In all honesty, that is part of the reason I was so interested in this show in the first place. This show does a great job of bringing in and showcasing much of the Viking lore, and doing so in a visually stunning way.
Vikings: Valhalla has all the right bits and pieces to keep the audience completely captivated, and make them feel like they are immersed in this world. From the set design, to the accents, to the costuming, to the hair and makeup, every scene is believable. When it comes to a show like this it is important that there is nothing to take viewers out of the show. Like, I don’t know, a Starbucks coffee cup, just for example.
This show does all that and more. With an intriguing plot from the start, it just gets better and better as there are more twists and turns. There are just eight episodes in Vikings: Valhalla season 1, but there is a whole lot to unpack as we follow the journeys of several different main characters. All of them bring something to the table, even the ones that meet an early death, but there a couple standouts here that deserve to be praised.
Frida Gustavsson (who plays Freydis Eriksdotter) and Sam Corlett (who portrays Eriksson) steal every single scene they are in. They both have their own strengths and weaknesses, and work in very different ways. When the two are on screen together they are an absolute powerhouse. Don’t get me wrong, the other supporting actors here are phenomenal, but it is these two that truly shine. It is hard to get into what is just SO GOOD about their performances without spoilers, but by the end of the season I am willing to bet they will be at the top of the favorites list with most viewers.
The first season of Vikings: Valhalla has some fantastic action, lots of blood, and stunning visuals. It is very easy to get sucked into this world, and I imagine this will be a big hit with people who like a period piece action drama. Fingers crossed for a season two because the way episode eight ends is going to leave viewers begging for it!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
About Vikings: Valhalla
Set over a thousand years ago in the early 11th century, VIKINGS: VALHALLA chronicles the heroic adventures of some of the most famous Vikings who ever lived — the legendary explorer Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett), his fiery and headstrong sister Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson), and the ambitious Nordic prince Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter).
As tensions between the Vikings and the English royals reach a bloody breaking point and as the Vikings themselves clash over their conflicting Christian and pagan beliefs, these three Vikings begin an epic journey that will take them across oceans and through battlefields, from Kattegat to England and beyond, as they fight for survival and glory.
VIKINGS: VALHALLA, set over a hundred years after the end of the original VIKINGS series, is a new adventure that blends historical authenticity and drama with gritty, immersive action. From showrunner and executive producer Jeb Stuart, VALHALLA is also executive produced by Morgan O’Sullivan, Michael Hirst, Sheila Hockin, Steve Stark, James Flynn, John Weber, Sherry Marsh and Alan Gasmer, Paul Buccieri, and also stars Bradley Freegard, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Caroline Henderson, Laura Berlin, and David Oakes.
