Rey BelenEach one of us must have a hero in mind, whether real and fictional, there is someone we picture being a hero. I believe it is natural in human beings to always look up to a leader or a hero to drive or motivate us. That’s why epic stories is such a hit, from the olden days of Homer up to the modern graphic times of Leonidas in 300.
Characters just change, but still, there is always a person or group of persons people look up to as heroes.
Personally, I’m a big fan of great epic stories, both in movies and series.
This time around, another epic series is about to be seen in the Philippines, entitled “Vikings.”
Vikings on History Channel will showcase the tribe that are believed to be one of the fiercest, if not the fiercest, tribe to have ever lived on Earth. Many tales have been adapted on books, movies and even cartoons, depicting the lives and characteristics of Vikings.
Vikings the series is a drama portrays the world of these Dark Age raiders, traders, explorers – not from an outsider’s view, but, through the eyes of Viking society.
A story of a Viking’s farmer who just wanted to go on a stretch to discover what is far out in the other part of the world he has grown to know. Ragnar Lothbrok, played by Travis Fimmel, is up against big hurdles to do his own adventures and discoveries.
Faced by conflict with his chieftain Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne) rule to just go east of their territory, Ragnak was compelled to do his conquest of other lands on his own terms to go west and seek out on his own.
With the help of his jester friend Floki, (Gustaf Skarsgard, they build a new generation of boats – faster, sleeker and more beautifully crafted than anything else on the sea. The series will also delve into how the Vikings – the last pagans – worshipped ancient gods like Odin, Thor, Freya and Loki. Ragnar claims to be a direct descendant of the Norse god Odin, who, as well as being the god of warriors slain in battle, is also the god of curiosity.
Vikings will be premiered in the Philippines on History Channel on Sept. 29, 2013 at 10pm.
And for starters, media people were treated to a back-to-back first episode – a treat that I feel mixed about. I was happy to see the first two episodes (and to be one of the first to see it in Asia), but at the same time frustrated since I got the best two parts already, now I have to wait for weeks to see what’s next. Sigh.
Anyway, not to spoil everyone about the whole story, just partially, Vikings shows another side of what it is about to be in a tribe of conquerors at that time.
If you’re expecting Vikings to be a gory, bloodbath, you’ll be disappointed. It is action-packed, but not as graphically gory as you would expect from the recent trend of epic series/movies. But, it doesn’t lack in the conflicts that make a good story.
Plus, there are light moments that can make you laugh at times, which is good, to make a better transition for the parts. Another thing that I like about this series, is the musical scoring and soundtrack. Fabulous.
Episode 1: “The Passage” and Episode 2: Wrath of the Northmen bring together a foundation of the Vikings’ tradition and their culture.
Both the two episodes are packed with great scenes, lots of quotable quotes.
But two quotes that I loved the most are first, when Ragnar attacked the island in England where monks live, he asked the monk Athelstan (George Blagden), “Of all the treasures (referring to the gold altar items), why protect this Book (referring to the Bible)?”
Then Athelstan answered “Without the Word of God, there will be total darkness.”
Joining Fimmel, Byrne and Skarsgard are Katheryn Winnick (Bones, Love and Other Drugs, The Black Marks) as Lagertha, a fierce shield maiden and Ragnar’s wife; Jessalyn Gilsig (Glee, Heroes, Nip/Tuck, Friday Night Lights) as Siggy, Earl Haraldson’s beautiful wife; and Clive Standen (Camelot, Robin Hood) as Rollo, Ragnar’s impulsive, wild, care-free brother.
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Created and written by Michael Hirst – one of the premier historical story-tellers in the industry (Academy-Award winning film Elizabeth; and the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated series The Tudors), Michael serves as Executive Producer along with Morgan O’Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo; The Tudors), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (The Tudors; The Borgias), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, James Flynn (The Tudors; The Borgias) and Sheila Hockin (The Tudors; The Borgias). Dirk Hoogstra and Julian P. Hobbs are the Executives in Charge of Production for HISTORY.
Vikings will be shown on September 29, 10pm at History channel.
HISTORY is available on SKYCable Ch 67; Cable Link Ch. 43; Dream Satellite Ch 30; Destiny Cable Ch 57.
Rey Belen
