The Vikings, a historical Game of Thrones

The Vikings on the History Channel is halfway through its fourth season and is currently one of the best shows on television.

It follows a Viking tribe led by Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his wife Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) the King and Queen of Katacat. The show depicts the drama of Ragnar’s pillaging of France and England.

The most enjoyable part of this show, for me at least, is the fact that the show is based on historical facts. At first it seems unrealistic that in the pre-middle ages, a Queen would have the same power as her husband, or that women could be enlisted as warriors. However, upon watching some of the sister documentaries of the series, historians prove that the Vikings were advanced for their time when it came to gender equality. They examine ancient burial grounds of female soldiers who were entombed with their shields and swords and the other things they would need in the afterlife.

Aside from the drama that goes with Kings, war, and the fight for glory, The Vikings also shows a wide variety of characters who have well-developed personalities and emotions. For example, Lagertha is the Queen of Katacat, a mother, a divorcée, and a warrior who takes absolutely no B.S. from anyone. She completely defies the expectation one would have of an ancient queen, who would have never fought, never gotten a divorce, and would have never had as much power as her kingly counterpart.

Though these actors are less well-known, they still have the skill and emotion necessary to portray the strong, dirty, braided people with true depth and development. I doubt this will be the last we hear from Travis Fimmel and Katheryn Winnick.

The Vikings is perfect for those who enjoy Game of Thrones and/or my fellow history buffs, or simply the people who enjoy tangible characters and extraordinary writing.

The Vikings is in its fourth season and airs new episodes Wednesdays at 9 pm on The History Channel.