Vikings: Valhalla picks up where the original Vikings left off, following the death of Ragnar Lothbrok. The new series follows Bjorn Ironside, Lagertha, Ubba, Harald Finehair, and Rollo as they fight for power across Scandinavia and England. It is a show about conquest, family betrayal, and the slow collapse of the old gods. It is also a show that knows exactly what worked in the past and tries to replicate it.
Trailer, via Netflix.
Bjorn Ironside Takes Over
Bjorn Ironside is the clear lead of the early seasons. He wants to prove himself after his father’s death, and he sets his sights on Wessex, ruled by King Alfred. The conflict between the two men drives the first season, and it works because both actors play the tension well. Bjorn is ambitious, cruel, and funny in equal measure, and the show leans into those contradictions.
Lagertha gets her own arc too. She leaves Bjorn after he betrays her, and she raises a shieldmaiden army to protect her son Sigurd. Her storyline is quieter than Bjorn’s, but it carries a lot of weight. Lagertha is a strong, capable woman in a world that does not want her to be either, and the show treats her character with respect.
Ubba and the Great Heathen Army
Ubba and the Great Heathen Army are the villains of the first season. They attack Northumbria and Wessex, and their raids drive the plot forward. The show spends a lot of time on their brutality, showing the cost of war in graphic detail. That is effective for a while, but it starts to feel repetitive by the middle episodes.
Harald Finehair and Rollo round out the main cast. Harald is the ruler of Norway, and he wants to expand his kingdom. Rollo is the leader of the Normans, and he settles in Neustria. Their arcs are less developed than Bjorn’s and Lagertha’s, but they add texture to the wider conflict.
The English Response
King Alfred is the other half of the central conflict. He rules Wessex and tries to hold his kingdom together while facing invasion from all sides. His scenes are tense, and the show captures the fear and desperation of his people. The relationship between Bjorn and Alfred is the heart of the series, and it is handled with care.
Alfred’s son Edward also appears. He is young and inexperienced, and he struggles to live up to his father’s expectations. That arc is smaller, but it adds depth to the royal family. The show does not waste time on side characters, and Edward’s scenes are well used.
The Visual Style
The production design is excellent. The sets, costumes, and battle scenes all look expensive and well-researched. The show uses a lot of close-ups and wide shots to build atmosphere, and the cinematography is sharp. It is a visually pleasing series, even when the story drags.
The music is also strong. The score is dramatic and heavy, with plenty of horns and drums. It matches the tone of each scene, whether it is a battle or a quiet conversation. The sound design is similarly good, with realistic sounds of fighting and shouting.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The best episodes of Vikings: Valhalla are the ones that focus on character. Bjorn’s schemes, Lagertha’s grief, and Alfred’s determination all land because the writing trusts the actors to carry the weight. The worst episodes are the ones that rely on spectacle. When the show spends too much time on raids and battles, the story loses its emotional center.
The pacing is uneven. Some episodes fly by, while others drag. There are moments where the show feels like it is repeating itself, especially in the middle of the first season. That is a problem, because the first season is the foundation for everything that comes after.
| Season | Episodes | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Bjorn’s invasion of Wessex |
| 2 | 10 | Harald’s expansion and Rollo’s settlement |
| 3 | 10 | Lagertha’s shieldmaidens and Alfred’s resistance |
The Third Season
The third season shifts the focus away from Bjorn and toward Lagertha and Alfred. Lagertha’s shieldmaidens face off against Ubba’s forces, and the battle sequences are some of the best in the series. Alfred’s resistance movement grows stronger, and the show builds toward a final confrontation.
The season ends on a high note, setting up the fourth season for a conclusion. It is a strong finish, even if the middle of the season is slower than the first two. The show knows how to end a story, and it does not waste that skill.
Final Score
Vikings: Valhalla is a solid but uneven show. It has a great cast, a strong visual style, and some excellent writing. But it also has pacing problems and a tendency to lean on spectacle over substance. The best episodes are among the best TV of the year, and the worst are forgettable filler.
The show earns a 7 of 10.
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