Like I did with Fargo, I'm going to introduce you another of my favourite series: Vikings, from History channel. Soon the 4th season will be aired, and the show is still great.
The series follows the story of Ragnar Lothbrook, a Viking farmer and warrior whose ambition and interest in sailing to other parts of the world drives him and his people through a lot of events, cultural shock and battles (many battles). The journey starts with the discovering of Britain, where he captures a monk named Athelstan and makes him his slave. Ragnar has an unusual willing to learn from Athelstan's culture: language, politics and, what is more controversial and shocking for both sides, religion. We see very different evolutions: a Christian having to adapt to the Vikings' ways and a Viking making strategies using knowleadge of a culture from another land, and all this while dealing with civil wars and betrayal. Here's a good trailer I found for season 1!
One of the best things of Vikings is its historical accuracy. History Channel, honoring its name, has taken special care in showing the Viking culture as it was, and also, reproducing the story of Ragnar Lothbrook (a real legend in Viking history) as closely as posible, while introducing other characters from real history (Rollo, Bjorn, Lagertha...). This is probably what I like the most of this series, because I can imagine the way this people lived and how his society and culture worked. I've learned that the Viking society was really familiar and about bonding, without too much restricting rules, but with the same cruelty and ambition as the Christian kingdoms. It's another way to see what history has many times called "northern barbarians".
On the other hand, I also find the characters really interesting. Starting with Ragnar, I'm amazed of how he always has a strategy in mind, surprising everyone in the last minute. He manages to rise with his ambition and follow his dream, involving everyone in it. He is cocky because he can see through everyone's intentions and he is cleverer than most of them think, with this being his main weapon to defeat others. The many turn of events he has caused has driven the viewers crazy since season one. The other side of the coin is Athelstan, the Christian monk that is captured by the Vikings and turnt into a slave. His will to survive in this new society he finds himself in without renouncing to his religion is something really difficult. In this two videos we can see the different points of view that the story has through this two interesting characters:
Meet Ragnar
Meet Athelstan
As a conclusion, if you enjoy history and adventures with a more serious tint this is probably one TV show that you'll love. Let's just hope that season 4 is good to the characters!
Ragnar is also eager for the next season to start.
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