Vikings (TV Series) All Change (2013) User Reviews

Could Have Been Better

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 27 September 2017]

Ragnar is assigned by King Horik to travel to Götland with Rollo, Bjorn, Floki and a few other men to represent him and negotiate a land dispute with Jarl Borg. He does not accept to sell the lands but proposes a deal and Floki travels to have the answer of Horik. Meanwhile Ragnar travels to see a beautiful tree with Bjorn and his men while Rollo stays with Jarl Borg that poisons him against his brother. Ragnar stumbles upon Princess Aslaug and they have sex against the will of Bjorn. Meanwhile plague strikes Lagherta's village and Gyda, Athelson, Siggy and Thyril get sick.

"All Change" is the conclusion of the First Season of "Vikings" and could have been better. Indeed it is a little disappointing with important characters dying and no action. The unbearable situation between Rollo and Ragnar seems to increase in the next season. The expectation of how will the strong Lagherta act after losing her beloved daughter and maybe her husband is not a cliffhanger. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "All Change"

A Dark, Somber Turn

[amongpixels · 9/10 · 8 January 2021]

"All Change" truly does make significant changes in the story with some tragic and unnervingly quick deaths, lines being drawn, an intriguing land dispute (although I wished we learned more of it), and Ragnar being pulled towards a new desire. While I haven't been totally sold on Ragnar thus far, he is at his most unlikeable here, while characters like Björn, Lagertha, Gyda and even Rollo are given chances to be more likeable. Ragnar never treats his brother well nor abides by his promise to lead equally, and given Ragnar is so willing to cheat on his own wife, why should Rollo trust him? Whether this is intentional or not, I'm unsure, but it is interesting to see a show where its protagonist is bordering on being the antagonist.

Anticlimactic

[Abdulxoxo · 7/10 · 25 January 2021]

Talk about anticlimactic finale. Nothing happens in this episode that indicates it's the end of the season. It's like they're building the whole story not just for each season but the entire series, yeah well, I like that but you have to give us something pulsating for the finale, something to keep one on the edge of their seat, you know? This episode features two storyline: the first one involves a mysterious disease in Kattegat killing many inhabitants, including Lagertha's daughter, Gyda, and Siggy's daughter, Thyri. The second involves Ragnar falling for a woman. I don't know how things work in the middle ages but man, some of things are really messed up and makes you go "what the hell?" Every now and then. Ragnar is becoming one-dimensional character truth be told. He just sits around, does nothing and there's nothing going on with him that interesting anymore. The romance featured in this episode is weird and feels rushed. But I like how the two storylines shows the contrasting situation the characters are in; in Kattegat people are suffering while in the other, the characters are having the time of their life. Now what managed to keep my attention is the development of the Rollo character; I like the build-up of the subplot that started right from the pilot, I'm sure it's going to blow up soon and when that happens, one thing is certain - that is me rooting for Rollo all the way!

Overall, a good first season tho not great. I liked first half better, the whole raiding sequences are intense, but the second half moves at snail pace and the plot becomes trite. Visually, It is beautifully and atmospherically photographed and similarly boasts production and set design that are very imaginative. The music score, fits with the atmosphere and sounds appealing on the ears. The fight sequences are good. The performances are decent all around.

Promising Series

[GibsonExplorer1976 · 5/10 · 13 May 2013]

I'm a natural fan of historical fiction, and so I was eager to see how this series would fare. So far, I'm very much enjoying it.

As far as likable characters go...well, there aren't many. Or any. At all. But that's not a necessity in a series as THE SOPRANOS has already proved, but none of the characters are particularly interesting, either. That's the one major drawback this series has. It keeps me from being emotionally attached or interested in anyone, and so I don't look forward to seeing any of the story lines develop.

Except, being a fan of history, I'm hugely interested in the history, and that's what keeps me watching. I'm not picky about historical accuracy when it comes to the details, so I won't be complaining about any of that (but thank goodness the Vikings don't have horned helmets).

As far as the story goes, it's been handled well. With the exception of the last two episodes I felt as though the season was building quite well episode after episode. It was only episode 8 (which could have been placed elsewhere) and the finale (which didn't tie up much at all and only confirmed events the audience already knew was going to happen).

Best Episode: A King's Ransom (07) Best Actor: Gustaf Skarsgard

All change but who cares?

[Wirefan122 · 2/10 · 6 May 2015]

Ragnar, Rollo, Floki and Bjorn go to see Jarl Borg about concluding a peace settlement with King Horik. The ever-smiling/smirking Ragnar treats Jarl Borg with zero respect as he does everyone. The two do some bantering and agree to send an emissary back to Horik with a proposed trade agreement.

Meanwhile Ragnar and Bjorn (Rollo stays in camp with Borg to be further reminded that his brother is boss and Floki the Flake heads back to see the King) head to see a local tourist attraction when two of Borg's men spot a lovely maiden bathing! She suggests that Earl Ragnar apologize for their behavior...

Aslaug the maiden shows up and boy do the sparks fly! That lovable scamp Ragnar looks quite mischievously at her and her at him! Off to see the Tree of something. While there Ragnar sleeps with her and apparently the next day the pregnancy test said she was pregnant...with a son, no less!

Horik tells Floki he will not compromise. Borg secretly asks Rollo's help in attacking Horik as it seems Ragnar may keep his sworn oath to Horik. Rollo agrees to fight against his brother which I guess was supposed to set us up for next season but I will not be around for that.

Oh, and Ragnar sleeps with Aslaug again after promising Bjorn that he would not! Again I will not be around but feel a bit bad as Lagertha was one of the few characters who actually seemed human.

Very weak ending to the season...

[elvenwarrior-63550 · 2/10 · 20 March 2017]

The only real redeeming part of this episode is the conversation toward the beginning between Ragnar and Rollo. It's interesting from an acting and character standpoint, but other than that nothing interesting happens, and certainly nothing important that won't be summarized at the beginning of the next episode. The last two episodes of season 1 are skippable episodes that feel like the writers thought they only needed to write seven episodes for the season instead of nine.

If season two isn't better I'm going to have to forget about this series which had so much promise for most of season 1...

Unbelievably bad ending to the season...

[plop72 · 5/10 · 10 May 2013]

Don't get me wrong; this is a great series! But only 10 episodes in a season, combined with slow pace is strange by today's standards. Furthermore, the last episode of the season is terrible! Multiple story lines are left open. Why? They are not all that interesting. I cannot understand this at all. I hope this is not going to affect the rest of the series as the start was very promising. Having said that, I do think the story goes from left to right without any need to do so. It's all a bit, well, bland. It could be so much better! A note for the writers: if you want to know how to end a season: go watch Game of Thrones.