Vikings (TV Series) On the Eve (2017) User Reviews

If you have to do battle it is wise to have a better strategy than your adversary

[Ed-Shullivan · 9/10 · 25 January 2017]

In this episode we see that Lagertha was wise to build a wall with barriers around her village while most of the men had sailed to do battle in England. When the Vikings lead by the five (5) Lothbrook brothers land in the county of Essex the brothers are all vying for superiority and when it is time to do battle Ivar convinces his brothers that maybe this time the Vikings should change their battle strategy and rather face Aethelwulf and his army head on, they should spread out since they have more men and corner Aethelwulf's army by leading them to the Vikings preferred battle location.

So in this episode we see how Queen Lagertha's barricades will help defend her village against any attackers. We don't have to wait very long to see a great battle ensue and that Lagertha's tactics work. She then spares the attackers leader Egil, hog ties him on a spit above a bed of hot coals and tells him that if he does not want to be barbecued alive he will tell her who was behind the plan to attack her village while the Vikings were away abroad.

Meanwhile as Aethelwulf's army appears to be running around in circles, the Vikings led by Ivar's plan to defeat them may or may not be working. Ivar does remind his brothers that their father Ragnar, had told Ivar that he will be a great leader because he has a superior mind, and in the heat of battle it will be Ivar who will strategize how to defeat their opponents.

I was not let down by either Queen Lagertha's strategy, nor by Ivar's strategy. Their opponents are both left bewildered and the episode leaves us hungry for more of what will happen next. Included in this episode we see how the three way relationship between Princess Ellisif, her husband Vik, and the power hungry Viking King Harald Finehair plays out. Each has ambitions and this is an interesting side story to the battles on the field that are taking place.

This episode was much better than the previous episode 18 as there did not appear to be any strategy in the way that the Vikings defeated their opponent King Aelle's army in episode 18. Mrs. Shullivan and I both really enjoyed this episode 19 and we will be sure to be watching next weeks final episode of season 4. It is still a great series with many interesting characters and Vikings who want to challenge each other for their leadership.

The Strategy

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 16 October 2017]

Egil and his warriors attack Kattegat, but Lagherta and her army defeat the invaders and captures Egil. She tortures him and he discloses that King Harald has paid his army. Aethelwulf joins a great army to defend Wessex and they head to intercept the Vikings. However Ivar plots a scheme to defeat the Saxons and Bjorn follows the plan. Who will win the battle?

"On the Eve" is a full of action episode of "Vikings" with two battles. In Kattegat, Lagherta now is aware of the true intentions of Harald. In Mercia, the Viking and the Saxon armies face each other and Aethelwulf orders his men to attack. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "On the Eve"

Prince Aethelwulf meets the great heathen army

[akhilvettr · 9/10 · 26 January 2017]

The episode starts with bloodshed and tension remains till the end. The great heathen army encounters Aethelwulf and his men in England, at the same time Kattegat is attacked by King Herald's paid men. It was good to see Bjorn and Ivar working it out together.Torvi was seriously injured and I didn't saw it coming.The creators didn't disappoint with adult scenes. There was intense love making between King Herald Finehair and Princess Elissif.The episode was equally thrilling and enjoyable. There was brother's love, backstabbing, violence, sex and humour, which makes the episode outstanding. The episode ends in when the battle is about to start, so that next episode will be a screen to screen continuation.

a change of tactics

[axel-desoomer · 26 January 2017]

A lot happened in this episode. Let's start with Lagertha. It was wise from her to make a defense around Kattegat. But she should have made a better strategy plan. The sides at the woods was well defended. But Come on. The coast? Vikings use their boats so much that it is almost stupid to leave the docks unguarded. But of course she had an answer ready for that.

In the viking camp there were tons of tensions in this episode. The tension between the Lothbork brothers still remains. BUT Ivar must have gained some respect after this battle. Bjorn may lead the army but Ivar sure has a genius mind for tactics. The other Tension was between Harald and Princess Ellisif. The scene about forgiveness, let's be honest.. We ALL saw that one coming. After that we saw why you need brothers who will always have your back. On the other hand I'm not that sure Harald liked it.

The scene before the battlefield was interesting we saw a different Ivar. Not the one who wants to lead but the one who contributes to the plan. And right he was. Fighting in the same position over and over again makes you predictable. But change your tactics and there is a big chance to win by the advantage of surprise. But i Think that if Ecbert would have lead the army. He would also adjust his strategy.

The end of the episode was kind of direct. I mean it was good but it was just so weird. The tension was build up real high and then 'CHAAAARGE' the end.

Overall great episode can't wait for the final episode.

War plan 🔥🔥

[aftharappu · 10/10 · 20 September 2020]

What a war strategy man , this is the one that game of thrones never had . One of the best war seen i have ever seen. Ivar the boneless 🔥, The only hope left after ragnar, worth watching.

Ivar the Boneless a true genius military strategist!!!!

[elo-equipamentos · 9/10 · 9 September 2023]

When Ragnar decides taken Ivar on last incursion at Northumbria, he already has in mind that Ivar is a brainer young guy, he overcomes his physical disabilities over their healthy brothers in intellect, when Wessex send a huge troops lead by Prince Aethelwulf are moving forward against their invaders, a Viking scout is back warns Bjorn that Wessex's army is approaching one day long, thus Bjorn demands a set up an army camp in order to wait the Aethelwulf's army on the woods, then the wiser Ivar suggest to Bjorn a study at nearby area to make a proper plan aiming for surprise the numerous army and beaten them.

Meanwhile at Kattegat a powerful army attacks the village, Lagherta expelled them with a brave women warriors, she gets capture their leader called Egil, trying withdraw a avowal putting him in a fire burning slowly like a pig, his wife begs for a confession, thus Egil at last surrenders spoken the attack was at King Harald's behest, one the most bloody and violent episode, Ivar proves at his brothers even a boneless man has enough brain claiming himself as true Ragnar's successor.

Thanks for reading.

Resume:

First watch: 2023 / How many: 1 / Source: Blu-ray / Rating: 9.

Elissif v Harald

[billcarr31 · 16 September 2017]

Not quite what it seemed. Elissif was actually tricking King Finehair into sex in order to murder him for killing her husband in front of her. But his brother saved him by killing her first and instead of a passionate climax he was soaked in her blood. It is highly unlikely the Vikings would have done such a plan of running rings around the English until they did not know where they were. The shield wall was the proved plan of battle and the English (formerly Vikings themselves) still used it in 1066 at Hastings. This was to give some kudos to Ivar who was useless as a warrior but could use 'superior' wits to play a part. BTW Ivar strapped into his chariot/juggernaut would very vulnerable as he only had an axe which gave very limited reach. He could have been killed easily specially if his horse was injured and his chariot overturned. He would have been better armed with a bow or even a spear. It was also very noticeable none of the Vikings (at least the principals) got even a flesh wound!