Vikings Season 3 Episodes 8 Thru 9 Reviews: Has Ragnar Seen The Light?

It's hard to believe that next week is the season 3 finale of "Vikings". With only 10 episodes each year, it goes by quickly. I still MUCH prefer this format to a 22 episode season where 3/4 of the episodes are fillers.

Paris Is Beautiful This Time Of Year

In "To The Gates" and "Breaking Point" the Vikings make their long awaited play for Paris. Anyone complaining about not seeing enough fighting this season should be thrilled now. These were the most extensive battle scenes we've seen. The Vikings attack, not once, but twice. How many people comprised the attack force? It appeared to be thousands and thousands. They stormed the city both from land (Lagertha and the battering ram at the front gate) and by sea (Floki's floating towers).

Dont Mess With Lagertha!

I was seriously worried one of the main characters was going to die. Ragnar seemed the most likely candidate since he was coughing up and peeing blood. Not a good sign. I was especially worried when he laid down in a pool of blood and had a vision of Athelstan, Jesus and Odin (with his two raven staff). And he's still NOT out of the woods. They wouldnt kill off Ragnar... would they? I know he dies at some point but I hope its when he's a very old man. The show will not be the same if Ragnar is gone.

Shirtless Rolo Is The Best Rolo

Bjorn was also very close to death but after the time lapse between the two episodes, he recovered nicely. I thought Floki might burn in one of his towers (which would have been a fitting ending) but he didnt. Lagertha managed to stay alive despite being at the front of the attack party. Girl, remember to keep your shield up! We wouldnt want anyone shooting at your pretty head. Shirtless Rolo also lived to fight another day even though it looked like he was a goner when he sank under the surface of the water.

Floki Will Get His...Some Time

The second time around the Vikings got smarter. Lagertha and the shield maidens snuck in under the cover of darkness and opened the gate. Well, technically they set it on fire. The rest poured in--only to be greeted by a giant spiked contraption from which there was no escape. The worse part of that was the bodies still stuck to it as it rolled along. Luckily Lagertha escaped this fate when Kalf carried her off in the nick of time. Yes I hate you Kalf but we'll give you a pass... for a little while.

The Roller Of Death

The scene with hundreds of Vikings and French all fighting it out on the narrow covered bridge was great. And the Vikings were repelled for a second time. Siegried (among others) was trapped on the French side when the drawbridge was raised.

Sorry Siegfried. I Guess They Didnt Find That Joke As Amusing As We Did.

There was a moment of levity when Siegfried was about to be beheaded. He pulled his head back at the last moment causing one of the French men to lose his fingers. Then Siegfried laughed hysterically. It's good to have a sense of humor right before ya die. The strange part of this episode was the traveler named Sinric. He spoke French so could translate. He also knew the layout of the city. I wasnt sure what they were trying to do with his character though. Were they trying to make him as odd as possible? Were they insinuating that he was gay or transgendered? I have no idea.

The Parisians...Well Technically The Franks: Princess Gisla, King Charles and Count Odo

The Vikings are outside the city while the French are locked inside and starting to starve. They're also being killed by the plague (or some such malady). The French suggest a truce. The Vikings agree...well actually Ragnar agrees. The rest of the Vikings arent so thrilled about it. Ragnar's only demand to be baptized (much to the horror of Floki). Seriously? That's it? Couldnt you ask for some gold or something? I know you miss Athelstan and all but this is a bit much. And end scene.

I Love This Pic!

Here's where we are going into the finale:

Ragnar is still in bad shape. I really hope he survives till season 4. He still has to give Floki payback for killing Athelstan.
Speaking of Floki, he has spent a considerable amount of time torturing himself for their failure to take the city. Maybe the gods are unhappy because he murdered Athelstan... just a thought.
Lagertha and Kalf finally got together. She told him they could enjoy each other as long as he accepted that some day she would kill him for his betrayal.
Rollo shined in these episodes as the shirtless warrior proved himself to be a great adversary on the battlefield. At some point he marries a princess. I dont know if it is the Parisian Princess Gisla or someone else.
Can someone please kill King Charles? What a weanie! While his daughter was out motivating the troops, he was hiding. Even Charles acknowledges that he is not like his grandfather Charlemagne.
Over in Wessex, Ecbert has taken his son's wife Judith as his mistress (in exchange for protecting baby Alfred). I still dont know what Ecbert's long game is.
In Kattegat, Aslaug rules in Ragnar's absence. She deals with a visiting Christian missionary. Uh, nevermind he's dead. Its hard to be compelled by the stories in Wessex and Kattegat since they're so far away from the main action.

Favorite Quotes:

Count Odo: "I have never seen a man of such strength and such violence.' Sinric: "He fights like a crazy bear."- discussing Rollo.
Ragnar: "I am king. King Ragnar, that is my name. What does a king do Bjorn?" Bjorn: "He rules." Ragnar: Yes, good he rules. And as a ruler I have the last say. Me...not you, not you, not you and not you."
"I am a dying man and when I die I want be reunited with my Christian friend."- Ragnar.

Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). Perfection! Both of these episodes were action packed. We have grown to care about the Vikings and are worried what might become of them. I cant wait to see the finale. I'm personally hoping Floki bites the big one (but he is very valuable as a shipbuilder so maybe that's not the wisest choice).