There is a mention of a “meddlesome (or was it stubborn?) priest” in the episode ‘Murder Most Foul’ of Vikings. Historically, the quote attributed to Henry II, leading to the barons haring off to the cathedral to kill the archbishop of Canterbury, is “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” Mention of hollow men cements the show’s literary aspirations, for isn’t that a poem by TS Eliot and nothing whatsoever to do with an invisible Kevin Bacon spying on the lovely Elisabeth Shue? Murder most foul incidentally is from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and about a Danish prince — more Scandinavian connections.
Shot mainly in Ireland, the historical drama written by Michael Hirst for History channel is more and less historically accurate to the popular perception of Vikings.
For instance, they do not wear horned helmets; all followers of Hagar the Horrible know for a fact is how one finds out if a Viking is lying — the horns fall off. There have been mutterings about inaccuracies in clothing, religious practices, timelines and governance.
Beginning at the start of the Viking Age, the show is inspired by the adventures of the legendary Norse hero, Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel). Vikings follows Ragnar’s adventures from being a farmer to the scourge of England and France and finally Scandinavian king. After Ragnar’s death in Season 4, the show follows his sons’ and scary ex-wife, Queen Lagertha’s (Katheryn Winnick) adventures.
While Season 1, which premièred in March 2013, had nine episodes, and Season 2 (2014) and 3 (2015) had 10 episodes each, Season 4 (2016-2017) and Season 5 (2017-2019) had 20 episodes with a mid-season finale after the 10th, and the 11th episode being the mid-season opener. The sixth season, which will also have 20 episodes, will be the last.
Episode 11, ‘The Revelation’, opens the second half of Season 5 with Ivar, the psycho son of Ragnar declaring himself king of Kattegat, while Lagertha, and her son Bjorn (Ivar’s stepbrother) and Ubbe (Ivar’s elder brother) have set sail for England at Bishop Heahmund’s suggestion.
Rollo makes a poignant declaration which doesn’t have much of an effect on Bjorn, while Floki continues to sacrifice himself to the stultifying Iceland story. Young King Alfred of Wessex has revolutionary ideas, angering the church and his mum; Queen Judith feels his position will be stronger if he marries and produces an heir.
Heahmund’s mention of vows of chastity is weird if one remembers his introduction in the final episode of Season 4. It is also historically inaccurate. For that matter, everything about the warrior bishop is slightly off and serves no purpose.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who made for such a sexy Henry VIII in The Tudors also created and written by Michael Hirst, is an almighty ham as Heahmund.
The bishop’s chastity sets up for the murder most foul in the cathedral a couple of centuries before the Barons did away with Thomas Becket in Canterbury. Nothing much happens in the first two episodes, which hopefully is because the stage is being set for magnificently-choreographed battle sequences later with deals and double-crosses, passions and fear. One can always hope.
The second part of Vikings Season 5 will air on Mondays at 10 pm on AXN.