Vikings: Season 4 - Volume 1 [2016]

With it's usual mix of violent sequences, plotting, treachery and questionable loyalties the much followed nordic-talecontinues with Series Four (though curiously a part-one of the series)The story centres upon the three most significant location of the series, 'Ragnar's' kingdom, Paris, where ambitiousbrother 'Rollo' (Clive Standen) has been lured to stay by the offer of power and status along with the hand of theemperor's daughter 'Princess Gisla' (Morgane Polanski) in return for his intent to defend the city against his kinsmen whenthey return, also we follow the dealings of the quietly ruthless 'King Ecbert' (Linus Roache) in Wessex.We find, after the 'Paris' campaign 'Ragnar Lothbrok' (Travis Fimmel) has returned to his Kingdom 'Kattegat' a very sick manhaving suffered injuries during the battle.....his recovery will be slow, his son 'Bjorn' (Alexander Ludwig) taking care of businesswhilst his father lays fighting for his life.....whilst 'Ragner' is still incapacitated 'Bjorn' decides to serve justice upon the loyal'Floki' (Gustaf Skarsgard) for the murder of 'Athelstan' the Christian 'Ragnar' had become a friend too....'Floki' would bepublicly humiliated.....a decision 'Ragnar' reluctantly accepts whilst he recovers.Will 'Floki's' loyalty ever be the same toward his long-time friend and King ??Meanwhile in Paris 'Rollo' will betray his fellow kinsmen who had stayed close-by to serve him....In Wessex, 'Ecbert' sends his son to Mercia to rescue Queen Kwenthrith and her young son who had been imprisoned in atower by the ambitious council.'Bjorn' will journey into the frozen wastelands to find himself....'Ragnar' who, though back on his feet remains in pain from his injuries will take a shine to a slave 'Yidu' (Dianne Doan) whooffers a herb/drug to relieve 'Ragnar's' pain, however, he will become dependant on the drug.A king from a small Norwegian province with ambitions to expand his empire will turn up in 'Kattegat' to follow the legendaryleader 'Ragnar' when he turns his thoughts to re-invading Paris, will 'Ragnar's' status be challenged ?'Ragnar' will of course announce a campaign to return to Paris, though his motives for doing so is purely to exact revenge onbrother 'Rollo' for his treachery by changing sides and abandoning his identity as a Norseman.A very pregnant 'Lagertha' (Katheryn Winnick) who has had her own issues to deal-with in her Kingdom will again sail with herformer husband to do battle.Will 'Rollo' keep his promise to his new-found allies in the French and defend Paris against his brothers forces or will his loyaltybe an issue ?Who will be victorious ?Another riveting series that will have you totally absorbed in it's spectacle as it unfolds on your t.v screen....So much intrigue, so much betrayal.......and of course a large-dose of action sequences (many of which are as usual pretty graphic)I know it has become fashionable to split last-books in two parts for many of the big-screen movie-series, but, have to say, a littlesurprised that a TV series has been approached in a similar fashion, though it has to be said, as with earlier Vikings series, this doeshave 10 episodes, perhaps because of the loose-ends the series left it was felt there should be a part 2 ??So many unresolved issues left outstanding, can't wait for the second half of season four to surface (hoping it's not a long wait).....So Much Unfinished BusinessThe unrest between the King of Wessex and indeed The King of Northumberland now festering.....A possible challenge for 'Ragnar's' throne ?Will 'Rollo's' loyalty's remain in Paris ?Who will prevail ?Special Features -Audio CommentariesThe Transformation of RolloThe Viking Seafaring ProwessThe Sons of Ragnar - Bjorn - Ironside - Ivor the Boneless - Ubbe - Hvitserk - Sigurd - Eric and Agnar.

Very strong fare with bloodshed in plenty, as ailing Ragnar strives to remain supreme. Again his sights are firmly on Paris, which his estranged brother Rollo vows to protect. Meanwhile Ecbert, King of Wessex, has eyes on Mercia.Cue for changing alliances, treachery, devastating battles, not to mention matters mystical.Certainly not for the squeamish or the easily confused, it sometimes hard to follow exactly what is going on. (A "previously" to start off the season would have been very helpful indeed.) An impressive cast works hard to make us care for characters not very likeable (it often a matter of indifference who wins yet another deadly confrontation). As ever, weird Floki particularly makes his presence felt, he rightly made to suffer for what he did in Season 3. It is Rollo who steadily gains sympathy, a bonus explaining how much he has become a man transformed.Again impressive action sequences, not least a mind-boggling new method of transporting ships.The season's Part 1 has ten episodes, two with commentaries. Part 2 is available and Season 5 commissioned(For those also following "The Last Kingdom", it is worth noting Ecbert's young grandson is Alfred.)Overall? A convincing portrayal of brutal times and clashing beliefs, it cause for relief not to have been living then.

I've now seen Season 4 part 2 via prime, but can't wait for the August release. After a low-budget but excellent season one, this series has exploded. Well acted, great (and fairly accurate - I was a medieval historian at uni) superb action. Utterly Brilliant. Like Game of Thrones for real. Vies to be my ultra fav box set collection, and each series just gets better. The scenes of the siege of Paris in 4.1 have not been bettered, even by luminaries of the big screen such as Ridley Scott.

I bought the three original series for my husband as he enjoys this genre, but I found I became intrigued with the history aspects of it. I have slowly become dis-enamoured of the main character Ragnar and some of the other characters have slipped morally, but it makes for interesting entertainment and I want to see what happens next. His first wife is the queen of the show for me and certainly more honourable than many others.I eagerly await what the future series brings for her.

Was Dissapointed because of a faulty disc 1, got in touch with Amazon and within 2 days they had sent another copy free gratis to replace the faulty copy, So very very happy bunny. I think the series slowed down at this point because they had to bring Paris into the equation. but i'm looking forward now to part 2 in a few month to complete the collection, Incidentally, anybody who loves vikings will also love "The Last Kingdom", Thanks for the quick response Amazon!!!

I hate this ploy of releasing a season in two parts to only issue the full season later at not much more than the part season.

Vikings is a series of films that will keep you wide awake because of it's thrilling plots and the cast are fantastic.

Vikings continues with all the great storytelling and action that has made this such a success.