Season 3 of Vikings premiered on February 19, 2015 on History in Canada and in the United States and concluded on April 23, 2015, consisting of 10 episodes. Below is a brief review of what happened in the third season of Vikings.
Plot
The new 10-episode season begins with Ragnar as King and follows the great responsibility that now rests on the shoulders of the former farmer.
With the promise of new land from the English, Ragnar leads his people to an uncertain fate on the shores of Wessex. King Ecbert has made many promises and it remains to be seen if he will keep them. But ever the restless wanderer, Ragnar is searching for something more... and he finds it in the mythical city of Paris. Rumored to be impenetrable to outside forces, Ragnar and his band of Norsemen must come together to break down its walls and cement the Vikings legend in history.
The gripping family saga of Ragnar, Rollo, Lagertha and Bjorn continues as alliances and loyal friendships are questioned, faith is catechized and relationships are strained. Vikings tells the extraordinary tales of the lives and epic adventures of these warriors and portrays life in the Dark Ages, a world ruled by raiders and explorers, through the eyes of Viking society.
Cast
Main Cast
- Travis Fimmel as King Ragnar Lothbrok
- Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha/Earl Ingstad
- Clive Standen as Rollo
- Jessalyn Gilsig as Siggy
- Gustaf Skarsgård as Floki
- George Blagden as Athelstan
- Alexander Ludwig as Bjorn
- Alyssa Sutherland as Queen Aslaug
- Ben Robson as Earl Kalf
- Kevin Durand as Harbard
- Lothaire Bluteau as Emperor Charles
- Linus Roache as King Ecbert
Recurring Cast
- Maude Hirst as Helga
- Moe Dunford as Prince Aethelwulf
- Gaia Weiss as Þórunn
- Jennie Jacques as Princess Judith
- Amy Bailey as Princess/Queen Kwenthrith
- John Kavanagh as The Seer
- Owen Roe as Count Odo
- Morgane Polanski as Princess Gisla
- Jefferson Hall as Torstein
- Steve Wall as Einar
- Cathal O'Hallin as Hvitserk
- Cormac Melia as Ubbe
- Philip O'Sullivan as Bishop Edmund
- Aaron Monaghan as Prince Burgred
- Edvin Endre as Erlendur
- Georgia Hirst as Torvi
- Greg Orvis as Earl Siegfried
- Frankie McCafferty as Sinric
- Huw Parmenter as Roland
- Mark Huberman as Louis
- Karen Hassan as Therese
Guests
- Ian Beattie as King Brihtwulf
- Ivan Kaye as King Ælle
- Elinor Crawley as Thyri
- Søren Pilmark as Stender
- Eddie Drew as Odin
- Carl Shaaban as Jesus
- James Murphy as Ansgar
Crew
Executive Producers
- Morgan O'Sullivan
- Sheila Hockin
- Sherry Marsh
- Alan Gasmer
- James Flynn
- John Weber
- Michael Hirst
Producers
- Keith Thompson
- Steve Wakefield
- Bill Goddard: Co-producer
- Séamus McInerney: Co-producer
Production Team
- PJ Dillon: Cinematographer
- Mark Geraghty: Production Designer
- Aaron Marshall: Film Editor (Episodes 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9)
- Tad Seaborn: Film Editor (Episodes 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10)
- Trevor Morris: Composer
- Julian Parry: Visual Effects Supervisor
- Dominic Remane: Visual Effects Supervisor
- Joan Bergin: Costume Designer
- Frank Moiselle: Casting Director
- Nuala Moiselle: Casting Director
- Franklin Henson: Stunt Action Designer
- Richard Ryan: Stunt Action Designer
- Justin Pollard: Historical Consultant
- Wei Gao: Digital Compositor
- Ida Eriksson: Hair Stylist
Directors
- Ken Girotti: Episodes 1, 2, 9 and 10
- Jeff Woolnough: Episodes 3 and 4
- Helen Shaver: Episodes 5 and 6
- Kelly Makin: Episodes 7 and 8
Reception
Critical Reception
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating, with an average rating of 8/10 based on 11 reviews. The critical consensus reads: "Vikings continues its onslaught of engrossing action, intrigue, and characters, led by Michael Hirst's strong vision of Norse legend." On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, it scored 81 out of 100, based on seven reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".
Episode Guide
- See also: Episodes
Episode | Image | Title | Airdate | |
---|---|---|---|---|
3.01 | 30 | Mercenary | February 19, 2015 | |
Ragnar and Lagertha's fleets depart Kattegat once more for Wessex but this time they bring settlers. King Ecbert hosts the Vikings and proposes a deal. Despite the misgivings of some of the other leaders, Ragnar leads his forces into battle once more, but this time as allies of Wessex. | ||||
3.02 | 31 | The Wanderer | February 26, 2015 | |
Lagertha and Athelstan help to establish the Viking settlement in Wessex. A mysterious wanderer arrives in Kattegat. | ||||
3.03 | 32 | Warrior's Fate | March 5, 2015 | |
King Ecbert visits the developing Viking settlement as the first harvest is sown and rebuffs criticism from his leading nobles. | ||||
3.04 | 33 | Scarred | March 12, 2015 | |
The victorious Wessex/Viking forces return to Wessex, but there is rancour in the Viking camp. | ||||
3.05 | 34 | The Usurper | March 19, 2015 | |
The fleet returns to Kattegat to find tragic circumstances await. Lagertha learns that her Earldom has been usurped and convinces Ragnar to travel to Hederby with her in an effort to reclaim her title. Ragnar causes great surprise when he announces the next raid. The Seer has interesting prophecies for Rollo. | ||||
3.06 | 35 | Born Again | March 26, 2015 | |
Preparations for the Paris raid pick up pace. Porunn and Judith both deliver children, and with new life there is also death. Athelstan tells Ragnar of his re-connection to his Christian faith. Floki interprets a sign from the gods that a sacrifice should be made. | ||||
3.07 | 36 | Paris | April 2, 2015 | |
The appearance of the Viking fleet causes panic among the population of Paris. | ||||
3.08 | 37 | To the Gates! | April 9, 2015 | |
The Viking army embarks and Paris goes into lockdown as the army prepares the defense, overseen by Odo. The Vikings are determined to make it through the gates of Paris and will stop at nothing to succeed. | ||||
3.09 | 38 | Breaking Point | April 16, 2015 | |
The Vikings goes out for a second assault on Paris. Recognizing the desperate state of affairs. Emperor Charles must make a difficult desicion. In Wessex, Judith is compelled to make a difficult decision of her own. | ||||
3.10 | 39 | The Dead | April 23, 2015 | |
With one last chance to take Paris, Ragnar and his Vikings troops take a daring chance. Ragnar asks Bjorn for a favor that could change the course of Viking history. |