Vikings Season 3 Epi 1 Review: Welcome Back To Wessex (Season Premiere)

History channel's "Vikings" returns with an episode entitled "Mercenary". I have watched the show from the beginning and LOVE it. The fight scenes are thrilling and occur every few episodes. But what really holds the show together is an engaging story and compelling characters. After three seasons, I care about Ragar and Lagertha and their assorted family members and friends. And let's face it, life is rough for a viking.

After a long winter, the vikings have cabin fever and are ready to head back to England to claim the land King Ecbert gave them. Many are itching for a fight as well. Floki says he's "too happy" with his wife Helga and their child. He's always been a weirdo. Ragnar is having marital issues with Aslaug (some of which is the strain of Ivar The Boneless' birth defects). Also Ragnar wants nothing to do with the baby even though he claims to love him. Aslaug asks Ragnar if he still loves her. He does not reply. That's not good. Various other men are having their own problems with their wives and/or girlfriends.

Time To Get Away From The Women Folk

Making the long voyage to England are King Ragnar (yep he's not an Earl anymore), ex-wife Lagertha, their son Bjorn, his wife Porunn, Ragnar's brother Rollo, Loki, Athelstan (the monk) and assorted other supporting Vikings.

Before they leave Kattegat, Lagertha give temporary control of her lands to Kalf. He's someone we havent seen previously. He looks like a potential love interest for Lagertha but is later revealed to be conspiring against her with Einar. Those whacky vikings are always up to something.

You Feeling Me Girl?

The ships arrive safety in England and are warmly greeted by King Ecbert. But, as usual, there is trouble brewing. Princess Kwenthrith has been usurped by her uncle and brother. Ecbert wants men to take back control of Mercia for the princess. Lagertha and Athelstan agree to stay and oversee their farms in Wessex. We see a foreshadowing of things to come when Ecbert says his nobles arent as welcoming of the vikings as he is. Ecbert's son Aethelwulf is obviously not thrilled. His wife Judith is already making eyes at Athelstan. She asked to kiss his hand because she believes he has stigmata.

My Precious!

Ragnar, Princess Kwenthrith and the other Vikings head to battle. They find the brother and uncle's armies on two separate banks of the river. Why? I dont know. Who thought that was a good idea? Initially the vikings take lots of arrow fire but once they hit land (on the uncle's side), there is hell to pay. Uncle-What's-His-Name is killed by Floki. I thought a few times that Bjorn or Porunn were going to be injured/killed since they kept looking at each other. It's probably not a good idea for husband and wife (who is pregnant) to fight at the same time. Also my guess is Ragnar and Princess Kwenthrith will be hooking up soon. He seems to have a thing for princesses (remember Aslaug is a princess as well). Kwenthrith however appears to be cray cray (and Ragnar just realized it).

Uh Oh. The Princess Enjoyed This Battle A Little Bit Too Much.

Miscellania:

We saw Lagertha visit the seer at the beginning of the episode. Lagertha asks if she will have any more children. He says no. She asked the time of her death. He doesnt know. Will Lagertha now throw all her energies into farming? Will she and Ecbert hook up? And what was the rest of that prophecy from the seer? Something about a marble city, blah, blah. That guy is just making crap up so he can get paid.
I am also perplexed by the character of Rollo. He has betrayed Ragnar several times and is still hanging around. I would trust him as far as I could throw him. Will Rollo survive the season?
Ragnar continues to have higher ambitions than most vikings. He wants the rich lands of England for farming so his people can have a better life. Most of the other vikings around him (including Bjorn) just want power.
I hear Siggy made a cameo but missed it. If everyone's in England, I doubt we'll see much of her. Which is a shame cause she is great at manipulating those around her.
I continue to not like the character of Floki but I guess you have to keep someone around to do crazy stuff.
The vikings that stayed in England when Ragnar returned home were all wiped out by someone. It could have very well been Ecbert and he's not telling. Will the same thing happen to TeamRagnar if they get too comfortable?
Please dont kill off Lagertha this season. She is totally awesome!

Father/Son Bonding Time

Favorite Quotes:

“Power is always dangerous. It attracts the worst and corrupts the best. I never asked for power. Power is only given to those who are prepared to lower themselves to pick it up.”- Ragnar to Bjorn.
"I feel trapped in all this happiness"- Floki to his wife Helga.
"The hearts of woman are turned on a whirling wheel"- Floki to Rollo.
"He likes you"- Athelstan greatly paraphrasing to Lagertha what King Ecbert said about her.
“I see a harvest celebrated in blood, I see a trickster whose weapon cleaves you, I see a city made of marble, and a burning, broiling ocean.”- Seer to Lagertha. I hear the vikings are headed to Paris this year so this may be what he sees. Did vikings really make it that far? I didnt know.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). A good solid start to season 3. Just a reminder that there are very few episodes each year (compared to other shows) so enjoy them while you can. Any predictions of what will become of our vikings this year?