Sacrifice

As the series has progressed I've been feeling more and more like this is just over-hyped and over-rated, then this episode comes along and pretty much ruins the whole show for me. The original theme seems to have gone, and we're just left with hallucinogens, witchcraft and blood sacrifice. No thanks.

This feels very calm for a prenultimate episode. I had hope for the Athelstan character in the beginning, as i thought he was going to be an integral part of plot. I don't like what they're doing with the character. He just ask daft questions and does basically nothing. Tho there's a slight development for him in this episode. I just hope he will be utilized in a way that's very relevant to the story in the future. The episode is basically just people praying and calling gods name. While I enjoyed it and we get to see some weird Viking's traditions but I find it to be way overplayed at this point. We've had enough of that already. That being said, there's actually interesting part that involves Ragnar pledging fealty to King Horik, I'm sure this is going to play a vital role in the coming episode. I liked that Rollo part as well.

This episode raises the important question.

How many people has religion killed? How many people have died needlessly for the thousands of superstitions and cults, several of the larger which still survive to this day at the expense (quite literally in many cases) of their followers.

This is the 21st century and yet we still follow these ridiculous patterns handed down to us from our ignorant forebears.

We should be aghast at ourselves for to still believe in unfounded tales of olde whilst wistfully searching for the imaginary and ephemeral instead of recognising and understanding the absolute reality and magnificence of the universe and the limitless wonders contained herein.

The fact that so much of this show rings true today, 1200 years later is a tragic testament to our lack of advancement as a species and the shame is all ours.

Still, a bloody good watch, though, aye?

This episode has it all,the vibe @ the holy festival is so damn realistic <3 This is television in his purest form!

I really like this one, people say it is the worst one of the season but I thought it was insightful of old religious ways and how Christianity is a progression from these old customs. Don't worry I'm not promoting religion. From the beginning of vikings we see old customs of superstition and interpretation of events expressions of God's and fate. Sacrifices of animals and humans was common and sad to see in the name of religion. It made me think how when Christianity came to the nations although it brought a lot of bad it taught that christ was the final sacrifice for all times. It was interesting to watch and wonder what the priest from lindisfarne might be thinking as he almost abandons his old faith and loves and hates things of the new. I loved the magic 🍄 scenes and how it was normal on these occasions and experienced by all. Form me it was an insightful history lesson and producers did it justice. After all Rognor doesn't have to be kicking ass and swashbuckling in every episode