Alliances are forged in what may be the best episode of the series to date. It offers nothing less than breathtaking visual and impressive screenplay as the scenes are meticulously crafted for the highest impact. Nearly everyone brandish their cloak-and-dagger, in the shelter of darkness as well as in open field.
The cinematography has always been outstanding, graphic-wise it represents the icy home of the Vikings amazingly. This episode sees a particularly wonderful scene on the lake. Cool color palette and clever camera angles make it a nearly surreal look. It also translates into indoor as kings and earls scheme while sharing the same scenery.
Characters deliver their decisions now, some are less crucial than others. Athelstan still wonders about his possible stay, a more concrete matter than his usual religious struggle. The pious concern is felt by Floki and Rollo instead. It's ironic that Rollo is the calmer one while Floki is turning up to be the most disgruntled employee of the month as he thinks Ragnar neglects the gods in place of lucrative spoil, which is an understandable assumption.
There are plenty of major developments, Princess Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey) is now properly comfortable on her insane woman stint and the mysterious visitor looks more ghostly than ever. Furthermore, the great twists also set up for latter confrontation. With the pace it's going at, Vikings looks mightily unstoppable.
The cinematography has always been outstanding, graphic-wise it represents the icy home of the Vikings amazingly. This episode sees a particularly wonderful scene on the lake. Cool color palette and clever camera angles make it a nearly surreal look. It also translates into indoor as kings and earls scheme while sharing the same scenery.
Characters deliver their decisions now, some are less crucial than others. Athelstan still wonders about his possible stay, a more concrete matter than his usual religious struggle. The pious concern is felt by Floki and Rollo instead. It's ironic that Rollo is the calmer one while Floki is turning up to be the most disgruntled employee of the month as he thinks Ragnar neglects the gods in place of lucrative spoil, which is an understandable assumption.
There are plenty of major developments, Princess Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey) is now properly comfortable on her insane woman stint and the mysterious visitor looks more ghostly than ever. Furthermore, the great twists also set up for latter confrontation. With the pace it's going at, Vikings looks mightily unstoppable.
