Vikings (TV Series) A King's Ransom (2013) User Reviews

Back to England

[amongpixels · 9/10 · 6 January 2021]

"A King's Ransom" excellently brings Ragnar and his crew back to England, showing us their intriguing and worsening back-and-forth relationship. The way the show presents their religious and cultural differences is enjoyable, while also adding weight to the moments when they try to adapt to each other (like when Ragnar kneels at the christening, and when King Aelle genuinely laughs at Ragnar trying to give his son a drink).

This culminates is a strong and entertaining battle sequence, which simultaneously wraps up Tostig's story in a satisfying manner, while also giving a particularly memorable development to Rollo. The plotline back in Scandinavia also adds some emotionally effective beats for Lagertha, Athelstan, and Siggy - making them all the more likeable.

The Betrayal

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 26 September 2017]

Ragnar sails to England with his men in three vessels and they camp near the sea. Meanwhile King Aelle summons his brother Lord Aethelwulf to lead his army to fight the invaders. However they are defeated and Lord Aethelwulf is captured by Ragnar and the Vikings. King Aelle invites Ragnar to have lunch with him and Ragnar accepts the invitation. He asks 2,000 pounds in gold and silver to release Lord Aethelwulf and leave his lands without attacking his village. King Aelle accepts the offer provided one Viking converts to Christianisty. Rollo is baptized and King Aelle sends a wagon with trucks. Will both parts keep their words?

"A King's Ransom" is another great episode of "Vikings" with many fight scenes. Lagherta shows that is a wise woman and the true intention of Saggy is unclear. The old Viking has finally reached the Valkalla and Ragnar has a new powerful enemy. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "A King's Ransom"

Fool me once.......

[Abdulxoxo · 7/10 · 25 January 2021]

The Vikings are back for more treasure in Northumbrian. I think Northumbrian people are the most foolish people alive. They were caught off guard in the first attack so that was understandable but the second time? Come on. No plans or anything. Well, they do have a plan but they had to wait until the Vikings set up their camps and have a good night sleep first before they attack but they are not there to sleep now are they? I thought attacking the Saxons at night was a brilliant idea. Since they don't want to attack why don't the Vikings take the opportunity and attack first? Two big battles ensued between the Vikings and the Saxons but of course the Vikings have the upper hand, of course! (I'm sensing a little case of plot armor) There even an attempt for a negotiation and surprisingly the Vikings are not the ones that go back on their words. The episode ends with King Aelle swearing that he will one day bring the Vikings to justice. Yeah well good luck with that dude.

On the whole, the story is getting a bit interesting by expanding on the world that was established in the previous episodes. The production value remains top-notch, the battle sequences are tense and brutal, the musical score is atmospheric and the performances are good all around.

Sorry...

[Khaela · 1 June 2020]

I know it is not a good behaviour but when i saw the scene where Rollo receive the bapteme and the bishop is saying all parts of the body, I suddendly have this strange impression to have switch to Monthy Python's Holy Grail. I did have a good laugh ^^

Invincible Vikings, pub team Saxons

[allthevines · 6/10 · 8 June 2020]

Winds me up a bit that they expect us to swallow such tripe. An army defeated by posting little to no sentries so the Vikings can just trot in all big and tough, and the saxons barely put up a single bit of fight. Seems to be a case of "the plot demands it" rather than anything remotely believeable. I'm trying to get into this show but the invincible Vikings shrouded in plot armour in kinda ruining it a bit

Good episode with major flaw

[jansouverein · 7/10 · 13 June 2023]

This is an entertaining episode, as always with great visuals and dynamic battle scenes. We also see the first direct interaction between Ragnar Lothbrok and King Aelle of Northumbria which is quite rewarding. A major letdown however that spoilt this episode for me was the Vikings' nightly stealth attack against the Saxon's camp, which seemed to have no one at all on guard duty to alert the camp in the case of an attack, even though the knew the Vikings' camp was nearby. So they could just walk in to find everybody sleeping and wipe out the whole camp with no losses at all - very unbelievable.

How did the Saxons conquer anyone?

[Wirefan122 · 2/10 · 6 May 2015]

I have to say that I want to like this show...the scenery is beautiful and the story itself intrigues me as I do not know much of the Vikings history. Then the show starts...

The episode starts off with Ragnar and his 3-4 boats of soldiers in Northumbria somewhere on a river. They set up camp and start digging in although one may wonder why raiders would do such a thing...at least they stay close to the river in case they need to flee.

The hapless Saxons send out a force that sets up camp above the Vikings position on the river and the very first night they don't seem to have too many sentries posted as the Vikings just march in and start slaughtering them. The commander prays for a bit then surrenders. How on earth did the Saxons ever take anything, much less England? What a sad display of incompetence! A night watchman would be a good idea especially when you know exactly where your enemy is.

I guess might be as arrogant as Ragnar if my foes were such clowns. The Saxon king is a slovenly sort who would unlikely arouse fear in anyone. The bilingual Vikings then decide to ransom the king's brother for gold and will allow Rollo to be baptized as one of the conditions (also that they take their money and leave which will undoubtedly work out well for the Saxons).

The Saxons try to fake them out by giving them empty crates and then attack. Surprisingly enough the Vikings were prepared for this and slaughter another bunch of soldiers but probably lost three or four men themselves. How does one take the Saxons or this show seriously?

So Ragnar then kills the king's brother and sends his body to the king's camp. Then the king sends out his gold! Why would you do that when your brother is already dead? Strategic genius he is not.

Oh and Ragnar's wife miscarries.

Good Soldiers and Commander

[haidarkanaan · 1/10 · 6 January 2019]

I set a camp then go to sleep with all my soldiers and leave our camp in the wilderness without any night guards.. then another army came to me like soft breeze and burns my tents without any sound and no one of these good soldiers wake up or feel anything

Somewhat like Lord of the Rings but nowhere as good

[billcarr31 · 4/10 · 3 September 2017]

Much has been written about historical accuracy and lack thereof, but one is so glaring I must comment about it. When Ragnar is 'executed' by King Aelle, he is cast into a pit with hundreds of snakes, the vast majority of which are exotic species from the tropics. Where would a North English king get so many exotic snakes? They could not stay alive in a cold climate anyway. Another thing which always bothers me is the lack of helmets. No Viking would have fought without a helmet even if he had very little other armour, as even a glancing head blow would be your end in a battle. BTW when armour is shown (on any side) it is wildly over developed for the period. It is noteworthy that the Saxon military have helmets that look like they are from late mediaeval Italy. Perhaps the lack of helmets was to not hide the actors identities. I also question the extensive tattoos, maybe they had tattoos but not so much. As for the elaborate hairdos, I doubt very much that people living in a very cold climate would have shaved heads, and having a long pigtail would be suicidal for a warrior.