WAVES APART
A queen’s fate, a warrior’s path and a brother’s call to exploration await when “Vikings” returns Wednesday.
There is a call, a pull deep within that longs for a time of exploration and expansion, with oars moving quickly through foreign waters, seeking out the next adventure or new-found home with blade and axe in hand.
Since 2013, fans have heeded this call vicariously, becoming followers of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel, “Warcraft: The Beginning,” 2016), whose heroic actions saw him expand the Vikings’ reach far beyond the Nordic seas. What happens, however, when power is shifted — when sons who have exacted their vengeance must now decide what is the next best move for their people? Perhaps the answer is mere days away, as “Vikings” returns for season 5, Wednesday, Nov. 29, on History Channel.
“Vikings” began as an ambitious project from series creator Michael Hirst, who longed to traverse the thin line between fact and f iction when it came to Viking lore. Ragnar is the perfect example of this duality, for his legacy as a f ierce ruler and warrior is still the topic of much debate, as is his personhood, for some believe him a mere legend. The series has seen Ragnar go from an honourable son and earl to the eventual but reluctant king, accompanied by his closest friend, Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård, “Kon-Tiki,” 2012), and wife Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick, “The Dark Tower,” 2017). Ragnar acquired more land, another wife and increased his lineage, and now five key sons are set to become prominent figures in the future.
The quest to expand is never easy, and season 4 proved this. Predictions came to pass, battle lines were drawn and the leadership of the Viking people was once again left fractured, the unity Ragnar sought to achieve knocked asunder.
The chaos of last season’ s finale has made season 5’s premiere highly anticipated. Everything that has come to pass during the past four seasons means little now that a war between brothers is underway. It is a war that echoes across the waters, with Lagertha’s rule also under threat and the seer’s vision ever weighing on her mind. One of her sons will kill her, so the seer claimed, but will the answer be an obvious one, like Ivar (Alex Høgh Andersen, “A War,” 2015), or someone she cannot anticipate?
Meanwhile, while brothers feud, one son of Ragnar seems determined to further the Viking conquest. Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig, “Final Girl ,”2015) will finally trek to the Mediterranean this season, with trailers hinting that a desert storm or two lurks in his future.
Another Viking is also off to explore, though he has chosen to let himself be led by the gods. Floki’s destiny awaits him on some foreign shore, as early clips show that he will make contact with land, though where he’ll f ind himself remains one of season 5’s most well-guarded secrets.
This year’s San Diego Comic-Con was ever the hotbed of discussion for what awaits fans this season in “Vikings.” As noted, Floki’s character arc is at the top of many cast members’ minds, particularly that of the man who plays the role. While discussing F lo ki’ s future with Entertainment Weekly, Skarsgård ref lected on the weight of multiple sorrows that have led to his character ’s su r render. According to Skarsgård, “Floki has definitely lost everything” and “submits [himself ] to the will of the gods.” Skarsgård notes that “this world is not for [Floki] anymore,” and that he must go so that he can find “some sort of meaning to live again.” As a character with a rich history, his is a journey that is arguably the most anticipated to watch unfold when the series restarts this November.
While other historically based series have struggled to maintain their momentum, “Vikings” seems to have captivated audiences worldwide. Much of this, no doubt, is due to the exquisite craftsmanship of the narrative, thanks to creator and writer Hirst, who is renowned for his attention to detail on historical projects. Films such as “Elizabeth” (1998) and “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (2007), along with the beloved series “The Tudors,” speak to the devotion Hirst has to depicting key historical events with a nice serving of dramatic f lair. The research i nvolve d, t he i nt r icac ie s of t he costumes and settings, and every aspect of production is selected to ensure that the words and historical details are as closely adhered to as possible.