Vikings season 3

Last updated

Contents

Vikings
Season 3
Vikings Season 3.png
DVD cover art
Starring
No. of episodes10
Release
Original network History
Original releaseFebruary 19 (2015-02-19) 
April 23, 2015 (2015-04-23)
Season chronology
 Previous
Season 2
Next 
Season 4
List of episodes

The third season of the historical drama television series Vikings premiered on February 19, 2015 on History in Canada, and concluded on April 23, 2015, consisting of ten episodes. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and later those of his sons. The first season of the series begins at the start of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793.

The third season follows the development of Ragnar's family, and the Vikings as they become more entwined in English mingling affairs, and also begin to raid farther afield.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guests

Episodes

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
201"Mercenary" Ken Girotti Michael Hirst February 19, 2015 (2015-02-19)
Ragnar tells Björn that he never wanted to be king, but only to explore and farm. Ragnar wants to return to Wessex to claim the land promised by King Ecbert. Floki feels that his new family with Helga is too happy, while Rollo wishes to be away from Siggy. Þórunn desires to be a shield-maiden like Lagertha, much to Björn's displeasure; he believes her to be carrying his child. When Lagertha announces she intends to raid with Ragnar, Kalf, her right-hand man, offers to remain and take care of Hedeby. But he betrays her as soon as she is gone to usurp the earldom with the help of Einar. When Ragnar and Lagertha arrive in Wessex, King Ecbert brings a new condition to give his land. The Vikings must fight for Princess Kwenthrith to appease King Ecbert's nobles. Lagertha is unsure about joining, so King Ecbert offers her the job of leading the Viking settlers in Wessex. The settlers go to the land to farm, while the warriors defeat Kwenthrith's uncle's army.
212"The Wanderer"Ken GirottiMichael HirstFebruary 26, 2015 (2015-02-26)
A celebration is held in honour of the victory. Kwenthrith asks for the head of her uncle, and Ragnar questions her hatred; she admits to having been sexually abused as a child by him and her oldest brother. Concerned about Þórunn's safety, Björn lectures and then proposes to marry her. In Kattegat, Helga, Siggy, and Aslaug share strange dreams about a hooded stranger walking in the mist, one hand bloody and the other holding steaming snow. In Hedeby, Kalf expresses his jealousy towards Ragnar, insinuating a wish to kill him. Prince Aethelwulf searches for the young brother of the princess and his army. He captures a soldier who tells him that they expect reinforcements. Torstein's left arm becomes gangrenous and he asks Floki to amputate it. King Ecbert, woos Lagertha and offers her a necklace. Princess Judith tells Athelstan during confession that she dreamt of sleeping with him, and they kiss. In Kattegat, Helga meets the stranger from her dreams who is wounded in the right hand.
223"Warrior's Fate" Jeff Woolnough Michael HirstMarch 5, 2015 (2015-03-05)
Helga, Siggy, and Aslaug help Harbard with his hand. He explains that he is a wanderer, offering to share stories about his travels, and the gods, in return for lodging. In England, Floki resents Ragnar's fighting for the Christians. The Vikings begin climbing the mountain to fight Kwenthrith's brother and his army. She asks Ragnar to spare her brother. Torstein volunteers to go first and dies valiantly. While Ragnar and his men fight their way up the hill, Aethelwulf's archers surround Kwenthrith's brother, killing many and forcing him to surrender. Þórunn is severely injured. Ragnar finds out that Þórunn is pregnant and chastises his son for allowing her to fight. In England, King Ecbert shows Lagertha his Roman bathhouse and invites his guests to join him in the bath, leading to Ecbert and Lagertha having sex. In Kattegat, a fisherman catches two drowned young boys in his nets. Siggy visits the Seer to discuss Harbard and her dreams.
234"Scarred"Jeff WoolnoughMichael HirstMarch 12, 2015 (2015-03-12)
Aethelwulf attempts to befriend Rollo and Floki; Floki is unhappy about fighting for Christians. Athelstan sleeps with Judith and they both express their love for each other. Kwenthrith urinates on Ragnar's wounds. King Ecbert and Lagertha have a sexual relationship, but she tells him that "he only cares for himself". In Kattegat, Aslaug sleeps with Harbard. Harbard seems to be able to ease Ivar's pain simply by touching and talking to him. Kalf invites Erlendur to the village to help fight against Lagertha's return. Erlendur accepts and comes with his wife Torvi, who recently gave birth to Jarl Borg's heir. Aslaug's sons run out of their home and Siggy finds them walking across a frozen pond, where they fall through the thin ice. Siggy dives in, and Harbard pulls them out as Siggy drowns. In England, Princess Kwenthrith poisons her brother Burgred. She then proposes a toast to herself as the sole ruler of Mercia to which all in the room acknowledge and then pour out their wine onto the floor. Before Harbard leaves Kattegat, he tells Aslaug that Ivar's pain will now be less.
245"The Usurper" Helen Shaver Michael HirstMarch 19, 2015 (2015-03-19)
The Vikings return to Kattegat, and the women learn of Torstein's death as the men learn of Siggy's. Ragnar is suspicious about why Aslaug was not watching the children. Floki becomes more outspoken about his hatred for Christians, and Athelstan. Helga tells Floki about Harbard, and he claims that Harbard is a god. Aethelwulf learns that Judith is pregnant with Athelstan's child, and he is sent to the settlement. A messenger arrives to tell Lagertha that her earldom has been usurped by Kalf; she asks Ragnar to help win it back. Ragnar tells the men that they will raid Paris in the spring. Ragnar returns with Lagertha to speak with Kalf, although he decides not to help fight for Lagertha, and instead asks him to join the raid on Paris. Aethelwulf leads his soldiers to the settlement and kills all the settlers. Floki tells Ragnar that Aslaug slept with Harbard and that Harbard is another name for Odin. King Ecbert finds out about the settlers' fate; he chides his nobles, then in private reveals that it was his plan all along.
256"Born Again"Helen ShaverMichael HirstMarch 26, 2015 (2015-03-26)
Þórunn gives birth to a girl that Bjorn names Siggy. A farmer returns from Wessex and tells Ragnar about Aethelwulf's massacre. Athelstan has a sign from God and tells Ragnar that he has been born again as a Christian. In Wessex, Judith gives birth to a son but is then sentenced to having her ears and nose cut off for adultery. After one ear is removed, she reveals that Athelstan is the father. King Ecbert says the child is sent from God and will be christened Alfred. Earl Kalf leads a fleet to Kattegat to join the raid on Paris, along with Erlendur and Torvi. During a party, Erlendur publicly cheats on his wife, who then decide to sleep with Bjorn. Rollo reveals that Athelstan no longer wears his armband. Floki receives a sign that "blood must be spilled", and kills Athelstan while he is praying. Ragnar, heartbroken by Athelstan's death, carries his body up the side of the mountain for burial and asks Athelstan to forgive his upcoming actions.
267"Paris" Kelly Makin Michael HirstApril 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)
Ragnar's Viking fleet, also reinforced by Earl Siegfried, arrives in Francia and prepares for battle. Emperor Charles is asked by count Odo to evacuate Paris, but after privately consulting his daughter Gisla, he refuses. Ragnar shocks them when he decides to leave Floki in charge of the attack. Both Vikings and Franks prepare for the siege as the Christians pray for protection from the pagans. In England, Queen Kwenthrith has killed the Wessex nobles and has broken her ties with King Ecbert. The king sends his son, Aethelwulf, to Mercia to force her back into submission. She informs Aethelwulf that her son, Magnus, was fathered by Ragnar. She eventually submits once Aethelwulf tells her about the massacre of the Viking settlement.
278"To the Gates!"Kelly MakinMichael HirstApril 9, 2015 (2015-04-09)
The Vikings attack Paris. Lagertha, Kalf, and Erlendur lead an attack on the city gate; meanwhile, Floki, Ragnar, Bjorn, and Rollo try to breach the walls from boats on the river. Princess Gisla manages to restore faith in the Frank troops by revealing the Oriflamme, the holy banner of their patron, Saint Denis. Eventually, the defense holds, repelling the Vikings with the use of oil, fire, and crossbows. While the Franks celebrate their victory, at the Viking camp the warriors have to deal with their wounded, including a badly wounded Bjorn, and Ragnar who has been thrown down from the walls. Floki is consumed by his guilt, having trusted in the good omens of their gods. Helga, disgusted by his selfishness, leaves him.
289"Breaking Point"Ken GirottiMichael HirstApril 16, 2015 (2015-04-16)
With the Vikings still recovering, Ragnar orders another attack. Led by Rollo, Lagertha, and Kalf, they manage to pass the bridge, but they are once again pushed back. Siegfried is captured and executed on Gisla's insistence. Although the Franks have managed to defend the city, a plague has spread in Paris and citizens are dying. Count Odo begs the Emperor to come to terms with their enemy. Ragnar's wounds won't heal, leaving him weak. Trying to restore his leadership, he secretly meets the Franks; although offered gold and silver, Ragnar doesn't accept. Knowing his end is drawing near, he asks to be baptized and to be buried inside the city. Meanwhile, Aslaug rules in Kattegat and deals with the Christian missionary Ansgar. Ansgar tries to carry a hot piece of metal to prove the might of the Christian god. When he fails, Aslaug has him killed. In England, King Ecbert and Judith start up an affair.
2910"The Dead"Ken GirottiMichael HirstApril 23, 2015 (2015-04-23)
The Franks pay gold and silver to the Vikings, but they show no sign of leaving. Many people are still shocked at Ragnar's christening, and when the badly wounded leader dies, Bjorn is in charge. The warriors place Ragnar into a wooden coffin and escort it to the gates of Paris, where they meet the Bishop. The coffin is brought inside the Cathedral to be blessed, but Ragnar suddenly jumps out of the coffin alive. He takes Princess Gisla as a hostage and forces the guards to open the gates, allowing the Vikings to enter the city. Most of the Vikings then set sail for home, but a small party, led by Rollo, remain camped outside the city to maintain a presence for next year's raid. Emperor Charles is determined to gain his favour, offering Rollo land and titles, and his daughter in marriage in exchange for his pledge to defend Paris against future Viking attacks. While sailing home Ragnar tells Floki that he knows he is Athelstan's killer.

Production

Development

An Irish-Canadian co-production presented by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Vikings was developed and produced by Octagon Films and Take 5 Productions. Morgan O'Sullivan, Sheila Hockin, Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, James Flynn, John Weber, and Michael Hirst are credited as executive producers. This season was produced by Steve Wakefield and Keith Thompson. Bill Goddard and Séamus McInerney are co-producers. [3]

The production team for this season includes casting directors Frank and Nuala Moiselle, costume designer Joan Bergin, visual effects supervisors Julian Parry and Dominic Remane, stunt action designers Franklin Henson and Richard Ryan, composer Trevor Morris, production designer Mark Geraghty, editors Aaron Marshall for the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth episodes, and Tad Seaborn for the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth episodes, and cinematographer PJ Dillon. [3]

Music

The Vikings III (Music from the TV Series)
Soundtrack album by
ReleasedMay 15, 2015 (2015-05-15)
Genre Soundtrack
Length81:34
Label Sony Classical Records

The musical score for the third season was composed by Trevor Morris in collaboration with Einar Selvik and Steve Tavaglione. The opening sequence is again accompanied by the song "If I Had a Heart" by Fever Ray.

The soundtrack album was released on May 15, 2015 by Sony Classical Records. [4] Two additional pieces not included in the album are Selvik's original songs "Voluspá"—featured in "Born Again" and briefly incorporated in the score track "Floki Appears to Kill Athelstan"—and "Heljarlokk", written by Selvik and Lindy-Fay Hella and featured in "The Dead". [3] "Voluspá" was released as a single by Wardruna on November 9, 2018. [5]

Additional non-original music by Norwegian music group Wardruna is featured in the episodes "The Wanderer", "Paris", "To the Gates!" and "Breaking Point". The featured tracks—which were not included in the soundtrack release—are "Helvegen", "Løyndomsriss", "Heimta Thurs", "Algir — Tognatale", "Rotlaust Tre Fell", "Sowelu", "IwaR", "IngwaR" and "Ár var alda".

Historical church music performed by Marcel Pérès & Ensemble Organum is included in the episode "The Dead".

Music by Canadian throat singer Tanya Tagaq is also featured in this season's soundtrack; the vocals in Tagaq's "Uja" are sampled in the score track "Battle for the Hill of the Ash", which plays in the episode "Warrior's Fate", while the song "Howl" is featured in the episode "The Dead". [3]

Track listing
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."The Seer Gives Lagertha a Prophecy"1:50
2."The Vikings Sail for Wessex"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:37
3."Kwenthrith's Story"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
2:08
4."Vikings Battle Brihtwulf's Army"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
6:02
5."Torstein Loses an Arm"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:29
6."A Cloaked Figure Arrives in Kattegat"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
3:32
7."Battle for the Hill of the Ash"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
4:20
8."Judith"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
2:02
9."Sacrifice for the Crops"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:48
10."Siggy Sacrifices Herself to Save Ragnar's Sons"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
4:37
11."Rollo Learns of Siggy's Sacrifice"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:57
12."Bjorn Fights to Save Rollo"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:26
13."Helga Tells Floki of Harbard"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
2:12
14."The Seer Laughs at Rollo's Misery"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:50
15."Aethelwulf Attacks"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
3:13
16."Ragnar Kills the Messenger"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:25
17."Athelstan is Reborn"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:56
18."Floki Appears to Kill Athelstan"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
3:11
19."Ragnar Honors Athelstan's Death"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
0:57
20."Ecbert Sends Athelwulf on a Journey"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:36
21."Aethelwulf Meets with Kwenthrith"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
2:23
22."Floki's Siege Towers Revealed"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:29
23."Vikings Reach Paris"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
2:40
24."The Attack Begins"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
3:38
25."The Walls are Breached; the French Lose Hope"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:36
26."Ragnar Knows Floki Killed Athelstan"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:06
27."Vikings Attempt to Rip Open Gates"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
2:58
28."Floki Melt Down"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:34
29."Floki Curses the Gods"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:25
30."Kalf and Lagertha Make a Pact"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
2:46
31."Lagertha's Stealth Assault on the Bridge"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:43
32."The French Counter — Attack"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:34
33."Ragnar Hallucinates, Sees Gods"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:01
34."The Vikings are Told of Ragnar's Death"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
2:06
35."Vikings Attack Paris"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
2:38
36."Ragnar Sets Sail for Home"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
1:49
Total length:81:34

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating, with an average rating of 8/10 based on 11 reviews. The critical consensus reads: "Vikings continues its onslaught of engrossing action, intrigue, and characters, led by Michael Hirst's strong vision of Norse legend." [6] On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, it scored 81 out of 100, based on seven reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". [7]

Related Research Articles

The 850s decade ran from January 1, 850, to December 31, 859.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ragnar Lodbrok</span> Legendary king of Denmark and Sweden

Ragnar Lodbrok, according to legends, was a Viking hero and a Swedish and Danish king.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemming of Denmark</span> King of the Danes

Hemming I was a king in Denmark from 810 until his death. He was the successor of King Gudfred, his uncle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Björn Ironside</span> Legendary Norse Viking and Swedish king

Björn Ironside, according to Norse legends, was a Norse Viking chief and Swedish king. According to the 12th- and 13th-century Scandinavian histories, he was the son of notorious Viking king Ragnar Lodbrok and lived in the 9th century AD, attested in 855 and 858. Björn Ironside is said to have been the first ruler of the Swedish Munsö dynasty. In the early 18th century, a barrow on the island of Munsö was claimed by antiquarians to be Björn Järnsidas hög or Björn Ironside's barrow.

Ivar the Boneless, also known as Ivar Ragnarsson, was a Viking leader who invaded England and Ireland. According to the Tale of Ragnar Lodbrok, he was the son of Aslaug and her husband Ragnar Loðbrok, and was the brother of Björn Ironside, Halvdan, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, and Ragnvald. However, it is not known whether or not this is historically accurate. Ivar is sometimes regarded as the same person as Ímar, a Viking king of Dublin between 870 and 873. He might have been born in Uppsala, Sweden in about 787.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ælla of Northumbria</span> King of Northumbria

Ælla was King of Northumbria, a kingdom in medieval England, during the middle of the 9th century. Sources on Northumbrian history in this period are limited, and so Ælla's ancestry is not known, and the dating of the beginning of his reign is questionable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessalyn Gilsig</span> Canadian actress

Jessalyn Sarah Gilsig is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her roles as Meredith Gordon in Heroes, Kayley in Quest for Camelot, Lauren Davis in Boston Public, Gina Russo in Nip/Tuck, Terri Schuester in Glee, and as Siggy Haraldson in Vikings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Heathen Army</span> Norse invasion of England in 865

The Great Heathen Army, also known as the Viking Great Army, was a coalition of Scandinavian warriors who invaded England in 865 AD. Since the late 8th century, the Vikings had been engaging in raids on centres of wealth, such as monasteries. The Great Heathen Army was much larger and aimed to conquer and occupy the four kingdoms of East Anglia, Northumbria, Mercia and Wessex.

<i>The Last Kingdom</i> 2004 book by Bernard Cornwell

The Last Kingdom is the first historical novel in The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, published in 2004. This story introduces Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon noble who is kidnapped by Danish Vikings as a young child and is assimilated into their culture, religion and language before a series of events lead him into the service of King Alfred of Wessex and his participation in multiple battles, including the notable Battle of Cynwit before the book's conclusion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horik I</span> King of the Danes

Horik I or Hårik was a king of the Danes. He was co-ruler from 813, and sole king from c. 828 until his violent death in 854. His long and eventful reign was marked by Danish raids on the Carolingian Empire of Louis the Pious, son and successor of Charlemagne.

<i>Vikings</i> (TV series) Canadian-Irish historical drama television series

Vikings is a historical drama television series created and written by Michael Hirst. A co-production between Canada and Ireland, the series originally aired on the History Channel, premiering on 3 March 2013 and concluding on 30 December 2020, when the second half of the sixth season was released in its entirety on Amazon Prime Video in the Republic of Ireland, ahead of its broadcast on History in Canada from January 1 to March 3, 2021. A sequel series, titled Vikings: Valhalla, premiered on Netflix on February 25, 2022.

<i>Vikings</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the historical drama television series Vikings premiered on February 27, 2014 on History in Canada, and concluded on May 1, 2014, consisting of ten episodes. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and later those of his sons. The first season of the series begins at the start of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793.

<i>Vikings</i> season 1 Season of television series

Vikings is a historical drama television series created and written by Michael Hirst for the Canadian television channel History. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and in later seasons those of his sons. The first season premiered on March 3, 2013 in Canada and concluded on April 28, 2013, consisting of nine episodes. It begins at the start of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793, and follows Ragnar's quest to become Earl, and his desire to raid England.

<i>Vikings</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of the historical drama television series Vikings premiered on February 18, 2016 on History in Canada. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and later those of his sons. The first season of the series begins at the start of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793.

<i>Vikings</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of the historical drama television series Vikings premiered on 29 November 2017 on History in Canada. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and later those of his sons.

"All His Angels" is the fifteenth episode of the fourth season of History's historical drama television series Vikings, and the 44th episode of the series overall. Directed by Ciarán Donnelly and written by Michael Hirst, it aired on December 28, 2016.

<i>Vikings</i> season 6 Season of television series

The sixth and final season of the historical drama television series Vikings premiered on December 4, 2019, on History in Canada. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and later those of his sons.

Ragnar Lothbrok (<i>Vikings</i>) Fictional character

Ragnar "Lothbrok" Sigurdsson is a main character in the historical drama series Vikings, created by Canadian network History. He is portrayed by Travis Fimmel and is based on Ragnar Lodbrok, a 9th-century Viking farmer and warrior who raided Anglo-Saxon villages in England.

References

  1. Turnbow, Tina (18 March 2013). "Reflections of a Viking by Clive Standen". Huffington Post . Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Breaking News - "Vikings" - History's Hit Drama Series Sails Again for Season Three Thursday, February 19 at 10 p.m. ET — TheFutonCritic.com".
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Vikings . Season 3. February–April 2015. History.
  4. "The Vikings III (Music from the TV Series)". iTunes . Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  5. Weaver, James (9 November 2018). "Wardruna release new music video for 'Voluspá (skaldic version)'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  6. "VIKINGS: SEASON 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster . Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  7. "Vikings: Season 3". Metacritic. CBS Interactive . Retrieved 20 February 2015.