Not that the historical drama series “Vikings” on the History Channel is airing on the same timeslot as the HBO hit series “Game of Thrones” but it seems the producers and showrunner of the History Channel show would rather play it safe than risk losing a good portion of its audience.
After all, if critics and viewers would look at it in detail, “Vikings” and “Game of Thrones” have the same feel in terms of settings and locations, gory fight scenes, as well as a bit of how it weaves the drama and politics into its storylines.
However, in terms of compelling plotlines and global popularity, “Game of Thrones” is miles apart from “Vikings” which is why it is only appropriate for the latter to step back rather than go on a head-to-head collision with the former.
Thus, it no longer came out as a surprise that Season 4 of “Vikings” went into its midseason break just days before Season 6 of “Game of Thrones” premiered on HBO on April 25.
Since “Game of Thrones” Season 6 shall only have 10 episodes, it is likely to wrap up in the middle of June.
Reports have it that the midseason premiere of “Vikings” Season 4 on History Channel is slated in July, short of saying actually that the TV series will just let the ‘big storm,’ in terms of TV ratings, pass before it returns to the small screen, notes Crossmap.
Brother versus brother
In fairness to “Vikings” Season 4, its spring finale episode that aired on April 21 was an excellent one.
Entitled “The Last Ship,” the 10th episode of the TV series saw Charles executing Roland and Therese in Paris while her daughter Gisla says her prayers for Rollo, who faced off with the Vikings once again.
The Vikings and the Franks battled on the river with the Norse men getting the upper hand early by defeating the first fleet of French warships.
Eventually, it came down to the long-awaited battle between Rollo and Ragnar, brother versus brother. Although it was expected that Ragnar would win the battle with Rollo easily, he did not and the match came to a stalemate. However, the Franks were able to win the battle forcing Ragnar and his men to retreat back to Kattegat.
Not the end yet
While it has been reported before Season 4 of “Vikings” that it will feature the death of Ragnar, played by Travis Fimmel, it seems that that the end is still far for the King of Kattegat.
The reports then were anchored on the fact that actor Travis Fimmel has decided to move to the big screen for the movie “Warcraft” and has decided to give up his work on the small screen.
However, “Vikings” Season 4 is already at its midpoint, yet Ragnar is still very much alive. Though he seems weakened already compared to his state during the first three season of “Vikings” where he seems like an indestructible warrior.
In a recent interview, series creator Michael Hirst revealed that Ragnar’s story on “Vikings” is nowhere near the end. He added that it may eventually come out to viewers as the story of the rise and fall of a hero, notes Design & Trend.
Hirst also disclosed that some of his best work and that of Travis will come in the second half of Season 4 so viewers should watch out for it because they have not seen the last and best of Ragnar yet.
The showrunner said that Travis has been absolutely amazing on the journey of Ragnar and he will be more powerful than ever in the second half of Season 4. Hirst also disclosed that in addition to getting even with his brother Rollo, Ragnar still has to go back to England and confront King Ecbert again after the destruction of the settlement.
But if history would be the basis, it will actually be King Ecbert who would cause the death of Ragnar so the latter’s return to England might already spell the end for the King of the Vikings.