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08-17-2016, 05:40 AM | #1 |
Dúnedain Ranger of the North
Join Date: Aug 2000
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The Vikings
Is anyone watching the History Channel's series The Vikings? I've been enjoying this series since it started. The second half of season 4 will be starting soon, and I have to say I can't wait! I end up watching the reruns or the ones I saved on the PVR.
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08-17-2016, 07:14 PM | #2 |
Salt Miner
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It’s on the History Channel, but it seems more like an historical novel. Does it follow real history, or is it spun of whole cloth? And if it does follow actual history, how closely?
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08-18-2016, 12:53 AM | #3 |
High King at Annuminas Administrator
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From the little I've seen, I'd say it draws from history.
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08-18-2016, 06:20 AM | #4 |
The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator
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There certainly are real historic events and people as well as characters from sagas and legends used in the series as far as I can see, but some are mixed in new ways, I think, and out of sequence historically. But from what I know they've certainly did their research.
For instance: Paris was attacked and besieged at least two times by Vikings. The island of Lindisfarne which had a monastery was raided and is seen as the start of the Viking raids. (In the series the character Athelstan comes from here.) BUT if I'm not mistaken, there is like a century between the attack on Lindisfarne and the siege of Paris and therefor couldn't have been done by the same characters. In the series, they're maybe ten/fifteen years apart. Ragnar and Ivar the Boneless are names I remember from Nordic myth, but it remains unclear whether their myths are tied real historic figures. So I'm guessing there will be more characters that come from Nordic myths. Rollo is based on a historic figure that did besiege Paris and (like the seer predicted in the series) has quite a big historic impact there. (If the name doesn't ring any bells now, I won't spoil.) The riddle-test Ragnar sets for Aslaug is something I recall as directly out of Nordic myth books but I can't recall if they are in origin part of the Rangar-sagas or are added because they're pretty nifty. The production values are quite high. Settings, customes, the vast aerial sweeps of Paris under siege... is all pretty impressive. |
08-18-2016, 08:04 AM | #5 |
Dúnedain Ranger of the North
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: The Ruins of Arnor
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I don't think the producers ever claimed that it was a documentary. Just because History Channel is in on producing it doesn't mean it has to follow history verbatim according to Viking sagas. It is a drama. It is based on history, and they have used the historical points well in their production. The timelines and costuming and the characters aren't 100% accurate, etc.. Still, it is quite entertaining. I also think Kathryn Winnick would have made an most excellent Eowyn.
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"I am an outlaw, I was born an outlaw's son. The highway is my legacy, on the highway I will run." |
08-18-2016, 02:48 PM | #6 |
Quasi Evil
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Location: Maryland, US
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Ive enjoyed Vikings since it began but I feel like they have been getting more and more over the top season to season. The story lines and drama (and brutality) seems purposefully over amplified at times and I found myself rolling my eyes more often and less eager to see what happens next. Im going to guess a lot of that is a feeling that they need to compete with Game of Thrones for violence and drama and intrigue.
The same is true for the program Outlander which I think is an absolutely excellent show but shockingly extreme in some episodes to the point where I cant think of many MOVIES that have pushed the envelope so far. Im no prude as far as sexuality OR violence but some of those episodes at the end of the first season... I needed weeks to recuperate before I was interested in watching more... And this is a series designed for "aging house wives and romance novel readers"!
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08-18-2016, 02:55 PM | #7 |
Elf Lady
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I read the books and have started watching Outlander. So far I like what they've done with the books, but I'm only at episode 5 or 6 or so.
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08-18-2016, 05:24 PM | #8 |
Quasi Evil
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Let me know what you think of the last 2 episodes once you get there...
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"People's political beliefs don't stem from the factual information they've acquired. Far more the facts people choose to believe are the product of their political beliefs." "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." |
01-14-2017, 12:08 PM | #9 |
Elf Lord
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: here and there
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ok ..just slightly off topic here
Have any of you seen 'the Last Kingdom'? Link@ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4179452/ Its just re-showing on BBC currently so i'm catching up on it online. Saw it first time round and liked it. Might also be available on bbc america?? |
01-14-2017, 09:42 PM | #10 |
High King at Annuminas Administrator
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I liked the old movie from the 50's - with Ernest Borgnine, Tony Curtis and Kirk Douglas.
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02-22-2017, 06:21 AM | #11 |
Dúnedain Ranger of the North
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Vikings!
Well.... like it, hate it, say what you will, it is one of the more entertaining shows on TV these days. Like the 1958 movie, this show is a drama in a historical setting, not a historical documentary. Which reminds me of the one season TV show 'Tales of the Vikings'.
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