Viking Bikers from Hell is a Miami Vice classic. This show is packed with non-stop action, from the opening scenes at a biker reunion to a hand-to-hand combat grand finale.
Actor Reb Brown, as psycho-biker Reb Gustafson, gives a completely convincing performance. The supporting cast is also superb, from both the Miami Vice regulars and a host of actors playing high-end drug dealers. Viking Bikers from Hell features the music, the cars, the action, the suspense, the drama, and the emotions that make Miami Vice the best police/crime TV show of all time.
Some nit-picking reviewers mentioned that Rico doesn't have an IV tube in his arm on Sonny's second visit to the hospital. Some mentioned the cameraman who accidentally steps into the scene as Toad (actor Sonny Landham) gets off the elevator. One reviewer commented that Reb's motorcycle, as he jumps over the police car (take that, Dukes of Hazzard!) is switched from his street motorcycle to a dirt bike for the stunt. As to these flaws, it should be pointed out that when the show first aired in prime time, and when it re-ran on USA TV Network in the late 1980's, those faults weren't noticeable. They only became apparent when fans slow-framed their VHS recordings (or today, their DVDs).
The biggest complaints from the critics is the motorcycles that "The Violators" are riding, and their leather overcoats (in hot and humid Miami?). As for the leather outfits, come on folks, it's a TV show. The Bikers have to look totally bad-ass; the leather creates the image. As to why the Violators were riding Japanese motorcycles (brand names obscured), and not riding chopped Harley Davidsons, reasons given range from "the producers couldn't acquire the necessary Harleys in time for the film shoot" to, "Harley Davidson was trying to clean up their image; they didn't want their product associated with drug dealer outlaw bikers". Who knows, who really cares. The storyline and the great acting by all players blows away those petty complaints.
Memorable scenes in Viking Bikers from Hell include Izzy (actor Martin Ferrero) putting on a nightclub show at a cabana on South Beach, only to be interrupted by Reb, Toad, and Lascoe (actor John Matuszak). The scene with Victoria running her hands through a satchel of Krugerrands in her room at the Breakwater Hotel is acting at its best. An epic fire-fight between the Bikers and a SWAT Team involves grenade launchers and dozens of rounds of machine gun fire. And the final hand-to-hand fight between Sonny Crockett and Reb is brutal. Who will survive the battle? Sonny? Reb? Or will both of them die in the struggle?
"Viking Bikers from Hell" ranks among the very best episodes of Miami Vice!