First Impressions:
An upgrade in several ways to what came before, the second season of "Vikings: Valhalla" captured the bloody life and time of Vikings, and didn't colour too far outside the historical lines when doing so.
The show also boasted praiseworthy detailing, exceptional performances, and emotion-packed moments. It will make any Viking fan appreciate what the team did with this next leg of the journey.
Story Analysis:
Beautifully recreated 'olden lands' that once belonged to Vikings and Byzantines weren't the only wonders that awaited me in "Vikings: Valhalla" season 2. Elegant pacing, diligent characterization, admirable music, and remarkable acting all added up to a superb sequel.
They did not waste time picking up where events left off in the first season. Olaf Haraldsson was captured and being taken to Kattegat to face Forkbeard's justice. Leif Eriksson was on his trail to fulfil his own agenda. Meanwhile, Freydis Eriksdotter and Harald Sigurdsson were branching out their own character arcs. And London was boiling with political uncertainty.
The individual character arcs of Leif Eriksson (ghosts of his past, opium addiction, Mariam) and Freydis Eriksdotter (pregnancy, prophecy, purpose) were amazing to watch. They were grappling with so much and still seeking their own path and purpose in the world. I personally felt their characters received the best attention this season.
Olaf Haraldsson (cunning, playing the long game) and Harald Sigurdsson's (ambition, seeking justice, making risky allies) storylines were gripping and held great promise. Plenty of suspense revolved around those two. I felt much the same about what they did for Emma of Normandy (besieged, conflicted), Earl Godwin (dark agendas, silent schemes), and Mariam (wisdom, romance, loss) this season.
Hair-makeup and costume design were great. Stunts were remarkable. VFX and editing were amazing. Art direction and set decoration were superb. Musical scoring was outstanding. Cinematography was engaging. Screenplay was great. Direction was admirable.
Final Notes:
From opponents like the Pechenegs to a perilous trip to Constantinople, not to forget a whole bevy of new characters, season 2 was shaping up to be quite entertaining. It also delivered some great action sequences and political intrigue.
Though this season was relatively slower and contained comparatively less action compared to the first one, it nevertheless entertained. A bold and crisp storyline with captivating characterization added to its enduring worth, enough to make me want to see more in the next season.
I was surprised how much the writers revealed and yet how much they still had left to do so. Such clever screenplay coupled with diligent direction made season 2 of "Vikings: Valhalla" enthralling till the end.
All in all, this season sailed steady. It came packed with historically re-imagined and dramatized Viking-era elements as well. More than a few meaningful and heart-wrenching moments further bejewelled season 2 of "Vikings: Valhalla".
An upgrade in several ways to what came before, the second season of "Vikings: Valhalla" captured the bloody life and time of Vikings, and didn't colour too far outside the historical lines when doing so.
The show also boasted praiseworthy detailing, exceptional performances, and emotion-packed moments. It will make any Viking fan appreciate what the team did with this next leg of the journey.
Story Analysis:
Beautifully recreated 'olden lands' that once belonged to Vikings and Byzantines weren't the only wonders that awaited me in "Vikings: Valhalla" season 2. Elegant pacing, diligent characterization, admirable music, and remarkable acting all added up to a superb sequel.
They did not waste time picking up where events left off in the first season. Olaf Haraldsson was captured and being taken to Kattegat to face Forkbeard's justice. Leif Eriksson was on his trail to fulfil his own agenda. Meanwhile, Freydis Eriksdotter and Harald Sigurdsson were branching out their own character arcs. And London was boiling with political uncertainty.
The individual character arcs of Leif Eriksson (ghosts of his past, opium addiction, Mariam) and Freydis Eriksdotter (pregnancy, prophecy, purpose) were amazing to watch. They were grappling with so much and still seeking their own path and purpose in the world. I personally felt their characters received the best attention this season.
Olaf Haraldsson (cunning, playing the long game) and Harald Sigurdsson's (ambition, seeking justice, making risky allies) storylines were gripping and held great promise. Plenty of suspense revolved around those two. I felt much the same about what they did for Emma of Normandy (besieged, conflicted), Earl Godwin (dark agendas, silent schemes), and Mariam (wisdom, romance, loss) this season.
Hair-makeup and costume design were great. Stunts were remarkable. VFX and editing were amazing. Art direction and set decoration were superb. Musical scoring was outstanding. Cinematography was engaging. Screenplay was great. Direction was admirable.
Final Notes:
From opponents like the Pechenegs to a perilous trip to Constantinople, not to forget a whole bevy of new characters, season 2 was shaping up to be quite entertaining. It also delivered some great action sequences and political intrigue.
Though this season was relatively slower and contained comparatively less action compared to the first one, it nevertheless entertained. A bold and crisp storyline with captivating characterization added to its enduring worth, enough to make me want to see more in the next season.
I was surprised how much the writers revealed and yet how much they still had left to do so. Such clever screenplay coupled with diligent direction made season 2 of "Vikings: Valhalla" enthralling till the end.
All in all, this season sailed steady. It came packed with historically re-imagined and dramatized Viking-era elements as well. More than a few meaningful and heart-wrenching moments further bejewelled season 2 of "Vikings: Valhalla".