The show wastes no time to set up the first skirmish between Vikings and Parisians. First half is filled with carnage and blood, mostly in the expense of the Vikings. Later on, it gets freaky with supernatural Casanova groping girls back in Kattegat. It's a darker direction, mainly because everything feels chaotic and feelings were hurt.
The fight is well crafted, it shows one of the worse losses for Vikings in such grand fashion, by the hand of traitor no less. Scenes switch between the land and river smoothly. It has a nice flow that culminates in burning vessels while the main characters dive or swim across the river. The smaller scuffle on dry land is performed with tact as well.
However, the characters seem frozen in one dimensional state afterwards. Floki looks understandably disoriented, although he experiences a few strange moments, both with Ragnar and the man sleeping with his wife. Rollo has this mask for a few episodes now, it's viable that he betrays his kind for riches, but for a character from early season, audience would expect deeper narrative instead of stern stare.
Ragnar is still hurting, he doesn't show his usual wit. Last season's grief was appropriately good, yet he's steadily going on drug addiction scheme. Seeing the charismatic lead suffers for the whole season might not be the best direction. Furthermore, to hit it closer to home, Harbard goes into his city and charms his way into the women's heart, while the kid is watching. Morally ambiguous, but one can't help to admire the timing of his ploy.
While Paris side didn't look strong at first, but in one swift turn of tide, the Vikings are at their most tragic situation, which might be a bit too fast or jarring.
The fight is well crafted, it shows one of the worse losses for Vikings in such grand fashion, by the hand of traitor no less. Scenes switch between the land and river smoothly. It has a nice flow that culminates in burning vessels while the main characters dive or swim across the river. The smaller scuffle on dry land is performed with tact as well.
However, the characters seem frozen in one dimensional state afterwards. Floki looks understandably disoriented, although he experiences a few strange moments, both with Ragnar and the man sleeping with his wife. Rollo has this mask for a few episodes now, it's viable that he betrays his kind for riches, but for a character from early season, audience would expect deeper narrative instead of stern stare.
Ragnar is still hurting, he doesn't show his usual wit. Last season's grief was appropriately good, yet he's steadily going on drug addiction scheme. Seeing the charismatic lead suffers for the whole season might not be the best direction. Furthermore, to hit it closer to home, Harbard goes into his city and charms his way into the women's heart, while the kid is watching. Morally ambiguous, but one can't help to admire the timing of his ploy.
While Paris side didn't look strong at first, but in one swift turn of tide, the Vikings are at their most tragic situation, which might be a bit too fast or jarring.
