Vikings (season 2)

The second season of the historical drama television series Vikings premiered on February 27, 2014 on History in Canada, and concluded on May 1, 2014, consisting of ten episodes. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and later those of his sons. The first season of the series begins at the start of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793.

Vikings
Season 2
DVD cover art
Starring
Country of originCanada / Ireland
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkHistory
Original releaseFebruary 27 (2014-02-27) 
May 1, 2014 (2014-05-01)
Season chronology

The second season follows Ragnar's struggles with rival Vikings and his rise from Earl to King. The Vikings raid farther into England, and for the first time are offered land for settlement.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guests

  • Nathan O'Toole as young Bjorn Ironside, Ragnar and Lagertha's son
  • Tadhg Murphy as Arne, one of Ragnar's warriors
  • Anna Aström as Hild, a servant in Kattegat
  • Jay Duffy as Ari, King Horik's second son
  • Alan Devine as Ealdorman Eadric, serving King Ecbert
  • Edmund Kente as Bishop Swithern of Winchester
  • Jens Christian Bushov Lund as Olrik
  • Cathy White as Queen Ealhswith of Northumbria, King Aelle's wife
  • Elizabeth Moynihan as Queen Gunnhild of Denmark, King Horik's wife
  • Carl Shaaban as Jesus, appearing in visions

Episodes

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
101"Brother's War"Ciarán DonnellyMichael HirstFebruary 27, 2014 (2014-02-27)
Rollo battles Ragnar when Jarl Borg and King Horik's men clash. Rollo surrenders to Ragnar after admitting he cannot kill him. Ragnar negotiates an unsteady truce between Borg and Horik, then returns to Kattegat. Ragnar's attempts to reconnect with his wife are hampered when Lagertha learns about his affair with Aslaug. Ragnar finally mourns for his dead daughter, Gyda. Ragnar's life becomes more complicated when a ship arrives bearing a visibly pregnant Aslaug. Rollo is placed on trial, but is shocked when freed by the lawkeeper, who has been bribed by Ragnar. Despite Lagertha's enmity towards Aslaug, Ragnar decides to take the princess as his second wife. Humiliated, Lagertha leaves Ragnar and Kattegat. Ragnar tries to stop her and pleads with her to return, but she rebuffs him. Ragnar's sorrow is multiplied when Bjorn rejects him and goes away with his mother.
112"Invasion"Ciarán DonnellyMichael HirstMarch 6, 2014 (2014-03-06)
Four years later, Ragnar finally announces plans to raid England. Horik and Borg arrive, but his resentment leads Ragnar to break the pact with Borg. Ragnar accepts Rollo back into his family, but forbids him from raiding. The Seer tells Ragnar that his sons will be more famous than him. Ragnar and Horik's men set sail for England, but a violent storm throws them off course. While exploring, they are ambushed by soldiers and several men are killed including one of Horik's sons. Athelstan saves Ragnar's life during the fight. They learn that they are in Wessex, which is ruled by King Ecbert, a man described as similar to Ragnar.
123"Treachery"Ken GirottiMichael HirstMarch 13, 2014 (2014-03-13)
Ragnar and his men move deeper into Wessex. He believes the land's greatest wealth is its rich soil, which could support a Viking colony. Ecbert sends envoys to ask Ragnar to leave; Ragnar replies asking what Ecbert would be willing to pay. In Hedeby, Lagertha is now remarried to an abusive husband, earl Sigvard, and both she and Bjorn are unhappy. Bjorn wants to go out into the world and prove his manhood, but his stepfather won't allow it. Meanwhile, Jarl Borg remarries and decides to seize Ragnar's lands in retaliation for Ragnar breaking their truce. With all the able warriors gone, Rollo rallies the village's women, children and elderly, but Borg massacres them and seizes control of Kattegat. Rollo is forced to flee with Ragnar and Aslaug's sons.
134"Eye for an Eye"Ken GirottiMichael HirstMarch 20, 2014 (2014-03-20)
Ragnar meets King Ecbert, who questions his reasons for staying in Wessex and offers to grant him some land. Later, back at camp, one of Horik's ships arrives with news of Jarl Borg's sacking of Kattegat. Ragnar and his men set sail for home. Athelstan chooses to remain with Horik, but is later captured by soldiers after his hunting party is ambushed. Rollo hides Aslaug, Siggy and the other survivors at a remote homestead and tries to rally others to help them retake Kattegat. Ragnar returns home and finds his family. His happiness is soured by Rollo's revelation that they do not have enough men to defeat Borg. In Wessex, Athelstan is branded an apostate and is crucified, but his life is saved when Ecbert arrives and orders him taken down from the cross. Ragnar is surprised when a large group of fighters arrives led by Lagertha and Bjorn. Ragnar is overjoyed to be reunited with his son.
145"Answers in Blood"Jeff WoolnoughMichael HirstMarch 27, 2014 (2014-03-27)
Concerned that Borg is heavily entrenched, Ragnar plans to lure him away from Kattegat. Ragnar and Bjorn sneak into the town at night and set fire to the winter food stores, forcing Borg to give chase. Ragnar engages Borg's forces in a bloody battle, and Borg's host is routed and forced to flee. Ragnar reenters Kattegat, and Bjorn is asked to sacrifice a prisoner to the gods. Ragnar visits the Seer and confesses that he wants both Lagertha and Aslaug as his wives. In Wessex, Athelstan is kept at Ecbert's court, giving the king insight into pagan beliefs. Athelstan struggles with his former Christian beliefs. Lagertha gives Bjorn permission to remain in Kattegat with Ragnar, but chooses to return to her husband. A messenger arrives and informs Ragnar that Ecbert's forces have slaughtered Horik's men, with Horik and his son, Erlendur, barely escaping.
156"Unforgiven"Jeff WoolnoughMichael HirstApril 3, 2014 (2014-04-03)
King Horik returns to Kattegat, defeated by King Ecbert and with few of his forces surviving. Hungry for revenge, Horik tells Ragnar that they need the help of Jarl Borg again, since he has many ships. Aslaug is not pleased and asks Ragnar not to listen to Horik. Rollo is sent as emissary to Götaland to negotiate with Jarl Borg, the latter accepts the offer after consulting with the skull of his first wife. Athelstan becomes a confidant of King Ecbert, entrusted to look after secret Roman scrolls and relics. Lagertha returns home to a displeased Sigvard who sends men to beat her during the night. He tries to humiliate her further the next day, but she plunges a knife into his eye and his nephew Einar beheads him. Jarl Borg returns to Kattegat to join forces with Ragnar, but during the night his men are burned alive and he is taken captive.
167"Blood Eagle"Kari SkoglandMichael HirstApril 10, 2014 (2014-04-10)
Horik and Ragnar agree that they need more ships and warriors to return to England. Horik persuades Ragnar to delay killing Jarl Borg, in case his execution scares off potential allies. Helga reveals that she is carrying Floki's child and they agree to wed. When Helga seeks Ragnar's blessing, Floki claims they do not need it. Ragnar visits the Seer who reveals that Athelstan is alive but spiritually torn. In England, King Ecbert proposes an alliance with King Ælla against the expected return of the Vikings. To win over a suspicious Ælla, Ecbert marries his son to Ælla's daughter to seal their alliance. Ragnar's call for an ally is answered by a mysterious Earl, who is revealed to be Lagertha. Aslaug tells Ragnar she is pleased that Lagertha is joining forces with him. Bjorn continues to be rebuffed by Þorunn, the slave girl. Rollo forces Siggy to admit she is sleeping with Horik. Horik tricks Borg into thinking he will escape his fate, but in the end Borg is led into town to be executed. Ragnar performs the Blood Eagle ceremony on Borg.
178"Boneless"Kari SkoglandMichael HirstApril 17, 2014 (2014-04-17)
Aslaug's prophesy comes to pass when she gives birth to a son with malformed legs. Despite Ragnar's insistence that he should have no future in Viking society and must die, Aslaug keeps him. Ragnar names him Ivar the Boneless. Lagertha arrives in Kattegat with her ships and warriors. In Wessex, Ecbert receives Princess Kwenthrith of Mercia, who is in civil war with her family after murdering her brother. Kwenthrith takes a sexual interest in the Northmen and Athelstan. Sensing Floki's growing rift with Ragnar, Horik attempts to entice him to his side. After landing in Wessex, Ragnar decides on his own to send Torstein to inform Ecbert of their arrival, annoying Horik and Lagertha. Aethelwulf and a group of soldiers arrive, and he invites Ragnar to speak with his father. As a sign of goodwill, Aethelwulf returns Athelstan's bracelet to confirm that the monk is still alive. Despite Ragnar's promise of safety, Aethelwulf's group is ambushed by Northmen led by Erlendur. The entire group is slaughtered except for Aethelwulf who is allowed to escape.
189"The Choice"Ken GirottiMichael HirstApril 24, 2014 (2014-04-24)
While reviewing old Roman texts with Athelstan, Ecbert sees a way to defeat the Vikings. Horik advances towards what he thinks is the Wessex army, but Ecbert catches the Vikings between two troops of cavalry and defeats them. Rollo is badly injured, but is recognised by Athelstan and taken back to Winchester. Ragnar names his son Björn Ironside, as he is unscathed. Ælla wants to destroy the remaining Vikings but instead Ecbert decides to offer them land and to employ them as mercenaries to fight against Mercia. Rollo is returned to the Vikings, and some of them volunteer to fight for Kwenthrith. Athelstan returns to Kattegat with the Vikings, admitting to Ragnar that he holds belief in both the Christian and Norse gods now. Meanwhile, Þorunn has been made a free woman.
1910"The Lord's Prayer"Ken GirottiMichael HirstMay 1, 2014 (2014-05-01)
Horik's wife and children arrive in Kattegat and the village celebrates. To prove to Horik he is trustworthy, Floki poisons Torstein. Horik reveals his plan to kill Ragnar and his entire family. In return for a promise to marry her, Horik orders Siggy to kill Ragnar's children. Bjorn and Þorunn finally reconcile and commit to each other. Athelstan teaches Ragnar the Lord's Prayer. With reinforcements, Horik attacks Kattegat. Arriving in the main hall, he discovers Torstein alive, and sees that Floki and Siggy did not betray Ragnar. Ragnar and his closest circle kills Horik and claims his "King's Sword", while Ragnar's men slaughter all of Horik's children, save Erlendur. Ragnar is now king, sitting atop the iconic cliff Preikestolen.

Production

Development

An Irish-Canadian co-production presented by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Vikings was developed and produced by Octagon Films and Take 5 Productions. Morgan O'Sullivan, Sheila Hockin, Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, James Flynn, John Weber, and Michael Hirst are credited as executive producers. This season was produced by Steve Wakefield and Keith Thompson. Bill Goddard and Séamus McInerney are co-producers.[3]

The production team for this season includes casting directors Frank and Nuala Moiselle, costume designer Joan Bergin, visual effects supervisors Julian Parry and Dominic Remane, stunt action designers Franklin Henson and Richard Ryan, composer Trevor Morris, production designers Tom Conroy for the first to sixth episodes, and Mark Geraghty for the seventh to tenth episodes, editors Aaron Marshall for the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth episodes, and Don Cassidy for the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth episodes, and cinematographer PJ Dillon.[3]

Music

[The first season of Vikings] was a tough score to ‘crack the code’ for. It never quite clicked the way I wanted it to. In Season Two, I felt I made the music I always wanted to make for Vikings, which was visceral and 90% non-orchestral. I found a soloist, Einar Selvik [of the musical/spiritual collective Wardruna], who lives in Norway. A true Viking who became my secret weapon. I used more ethnic instruments of the Norse area. The blend finally clicked for me.

—Trevor Morris on returning to Vikings for season 2[4]

The Vikings II (Original Television Series Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
ReleasedJune 13, 2014 (2014-06-13)
GenreSoundtrack
Length77:34
LabelSony Classical Records

The musical score for the second season was composed by Trevor Morris in collaboration with Einar Selvik, Steve Tavaglione and Brian Kilgore. The opening sequence is again accompanied by the song "If I Had a Heart" by Fever Ray.

The soundtrack album was released on June 13, 2014 by Sony Classical Records.[4]

Additional non-original music by Norwegian music group Wardruna is featured in the episodes "Eye For an Eye", "Blood Eagle", "Boneless" and "The Lord's Prayer". The featured tracks—which were not included in the soundtrack release—are "EhwaR", "Algir — Tognatale", "Dagr", "Bjarkan", "Løyndomsriss", "Heimta Thurs", "IngwaR", "Solringen", "Helvegen", "Sowelu" and "Gibu".[3]

Track listing
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."War Is Coming"3:21
2."Battle of Brothers"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
6:20
3."Bjorn's Choice"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:58
4."Vikings Return Home"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:00
5."Rollo's Trial"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
3:32
6."Ragnar Says Goodbye to Gyda"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
2:29
7."Rollo Tries to Regain Ragnar's Trust"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:49
8."Vikings Attacked"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
3:57
9."Jarl Borg Attacks Kattegat"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
3:05
10."Ragnar Reunites with Family"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:30
11."Ragnar, Bjorn Sneak Into Kattegat"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
5:15
12."Battle for Kattegat"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
6:08
13."Jarl Borg and Ragnar Make Peace"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:38
14."Aslaug In Pain"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:42
15."Ragnar Describes the Blood Eagle"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:21
16."Ragnar Meets Ingstad"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
2:09
17."Aslaug Gives Birth"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
2:14
18."Aethelwulf Is Ambushed"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:42
19."Athelstan Translates Scrolls"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
2:06
20."Vikings Retreat"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
6:31
21."Vikings Mourn Their Dead"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
0:51
22."Porunn's Metaphorical Swim"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:22
23."Horik Propositions Floki"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:18
24."Horik Asks Floki to Kill"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:09
25."Horik Watches Game"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:35
26."Feeding Rollo Poison Mushrooms"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:41
27."Erlendur Shown Sword of Kings"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
1:21
28."Horik's Forces Attack"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
3:36
29."Killing Horik — King Ragnar"
  • Morris
  • Selvik
  • Tavaglione
  • Kilgore
4:54
Total length:77:34

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the second season has a 92% approval rating with an average rating of 8.2/10 based on 13 reviews. The site's consensus reads, "Vikings makes up for its slow pace with captivating characters and visual appeal".[5] Metacritic which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 77 out of 100 based on 11 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[6]

References

  1. Turnbow, Tina (March 18, 2013). "Reflections of a Viking by Clive Standen". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  2. Mitchell, John (April 25, 2013). "'Vikings' season finale: Mysterious beauty tempts Ragnar". EW.com. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  3. Vikings. Season 2. February–May 2014. History.
  4. "The Vikings II (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  5. "VIKINGS: SEASON 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  6. "Vikings: Season 2". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
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