Vikings

Rape, murder, plunder: Just another day for the characters in this popular History Channel series. Or at least that’s what’s on the surface, and if that’s all you want from a TV show, it delivers. But there’s more going on with Vikings, from political intrigue to family values, and all of it brought to pulsating life thanks to some great writing, pinpoint direction and excellent acting. Travis Fimmel leads the way as young Viking Ragnar Lothbrok, a brave warrior chaffing under the iron fisted control of his chieftain, Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne). Ragnar secretly strikes out on his own, makes a very successful raid and sets in motion the wheels of history as the Vikings discover the New World. Although the series, like the Viking world, is very male-dominated, it’s to the credit of the producers that they expand the plot to include some very strong feminine characters, too, particularly Ragnar’s wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), one of the fiercest female characters ever created.