Vikings: Valhalla
Vikings: Valhalla is a hurricane of many things: history and wonder, virtues and legacies between fathers and sons, and individuals stepping up to the plate and living up to the title afforded to them. All of this is typical of any story involving battle, warriors and nobility. This one in particular begins on the night of the Saint Brice’s Day massacre, when Vikings are slaughtered by order of then king of England, Æthelred the Unready. This prompts Viking tribes from across the continent to come together, seeking to avenge their fallen families. Within these divisions, the animosity between Christians and Pagans increases as the two groups try to work together to take down England.
Set 100 years post the original Vikings series and featuring the historical figures of Leif Erikson (Sam Corlett), Freydís Eiríksdóttir (Frida Gustavsson) and Harald Hardrada (Leo Suter), Vikings: Valhalla may at first seem like a daunting undertaking for any newcomer. However, it is an easy watch, with new characters and conflicts to explore. One of the main themes is the question of family and blood over tribe and community. Family is a big presence throughout series, with questions surrounding how far can a predecessor’s legacy should define their children, and nature versus nurture.
One of the selling points of this show is the character writing and the excellent portrayal by the actors. The women specifically are the absolute stars, with the narrative including strong female representation and an excellent dynamic of women standing up for women (a rare sight in a media riddled with stories and films determined to pit women against each other. In general, the relationships between the different characters at play are what make the conflict and themes so tangible and grounded.
Vikings: Valhalla has a lot of fluid action in motion. There’s a delicate contrast in the illuminated orange glow of the night, filled with lit candles and campfires, against the neutral to cold filter of the day. This creates silence in the darkness, allowing for more emotional sequences that really dive deep into the characters’ motivations and kinships, against the hard and bloodied sights seen in the light of day. Atmospheric music aids in this storytelling. It’s a blend that allows for moments of success to breathe and linger through the scenes, and heighten the stakes of war and battle.
Mae Trumata
Vikings: Valhalla is released on Netflix on 25th February 2022.
Watch the trailer for Vikings; Valhalla here:
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