The second season of Vikings was much the same as the first season of Vikings. If there's any credit to this show, it's that it's remarkably consistent. Of course, that does present a downside: if I found the first season had flaws, then the second season has the same flaws. Most great television shows see a marked improvement from their first to second seasons. I'm not sure I would consider this a great show, but it's certainly a lot of fun and way different than anything else on TV.
Vikings is masterful at certain things. If there's a better show for depicting mood on camera, I have not seen it. And really that's important because you get the sense that the gods played a large role in how the vikings lived their life. That a certain mood was depicted over all the events they had. Vikings displays that sense of whatever emotion it wants us to feel really well.
Also, Ragnar Lothbrook is a fantastic lead upon which to base a show. He's quite different than other characters on television, thanks largely to the work of Travis Fimmel. His sly grins, sideway glances, and mischievous movements depict how he functions better than any dialogue can. (Which is pretty good because the dialogue tends to be pretty straightforward and blunt) You hear a lot about how special Ragnar is in this show, and that is quite a bit of expectation, but the show and Fimmel create a character to where we understand and actually believe just how special he is.
The show is also very beautiful. I mean the images that appear on the screen are just breathtaking. It's amazing how they are able to capture some of the most striking images of a river, a mountain, or a camp. It's certainly one of the best looking shows on television. Then there's of course the very well done battle scenes, which plays a part in its imagery. I personally liked the first season battle scenes better (I was not a fan of the first one of the season - too chaotic), but overall they are one of the more well done battle scenes. And you can expect one nearly every episode.
One kind of major problem I had with this season was Aslaug. Aslaug is inferior to Lagertha in pretty much every way except maybe making babies. That, by effect, makes Ragnar appear worse as a character. He chose Aslaug over Lagertha. I'm sorry, the ability to make babies is not a very valid reason for me. Aslaug is spoiled, entitled, whiny, and not a very nice person. She's somewhat of a problematic character since she makes Ragnar's decision-making look bad.
Also, the show made it seem like Floki had betrayed Ragnar. Well not so much made us think as tried to fool us into thinking it. It wasn't well done. Either the twist was predictable or Floki was acting wildly out-of-character. And since that last part would be a death knell for the character of Floki, there's really only one answer. And before the "surprising" reveal at the end, the show makes it really obvious.
And I like Bjorn, and the actor who plays him, but I don't think I could give less of a shit about his potential romance with the freed slave. It just doesn't matter and I'm not sure if there's a way to make it more interesting, but whatever they are doing isn't working.
Lastly, despite having the great Donal Logue, King Horik becomes a bit of a drag. He's clearly not a good counter villain to Ragnar. There's never any sense that he's on the same level of Ragnar in smarts, strategy, or fighting. And well, there needs to be a good villain usually, and he just doesn't provide. King Ecbert was much more compelling, although I said the same thing about King Horik last season - this show just might have a villain problem.
Vikings is a good show that has a few flaws that keep it from being great. To the show's credit, Rollo vastly improves in this season. I'd say that's really the only weakness they fixed. And I didn't even mention Athlestan in this review, but really there's nothing new to say that I didn't say in my first season review. (I would recommend reading that if you haven't to get my opinion on this show - exact same opinion as then.) Despite that, I am knocking it down a little because some of the mystique has worn off and Athelstan's journey with King Ecbert was underwhelming. (Since Athelstan/Ragnar provide a lot of the best moments, they took away like four episodes of their best material in my opinion)
Grade - B
Playlist
1. "Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games." - Of Montreal
2. "Leeway" - We Were Evergreen
3. "Apply Some Pressure" - Maximo Park
4. "X Gone Give it to Ya" - DMX
5. "Tabletops" - Murs x Mayday
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