The Vikings sequel series, Vikings: Vahalla is set for a 2021 release date - although this is dependant on pandemic-related filming delays, of course. The new series, which takes place 100 years after the original, promises to be just as big a success as Vikings - as long as it creates characters as complex and nuanced as the original.
From Ragnar and his sons to Athelstan and Ecbert, each character has multiple huge scenes that define their character - that sum up their personality and driving force. For characters with the most development, like Ivar and Ragnar, it can be difficult to find one single scene that sums them up from start to finish, but these are still some of the most iconic in the series.
Gunnhild Dives Into The Water
Gunnhild is the epitome of a shieldmaiden - powerful, unyielding, a warrior with true principles. She is also driven largely by her love for Bjorn during her time on the show, and she is one of the strongest Queens of Kattegat. When Harald intends to force her to marry him after Bjorn's death, she chooses to dive naked into the ocean and swim out to drown rather than do so. It's a moment that fits her perfectly - her strength, her connection to the Viking way of life, and her love for Bjorn.
Aslaug's First Meeting With Ragnar
Aslaug has a long and complicated history in Kattegat, as Ragnar's second wife and the mother to his sons - but her most iconic moment is one of her earliest, when she shows up to her first meeting with Ragnar. Aslaug striding forward with a half-eaten apple and a dog at her side is truly iconic, as Ragnar meets his match in wits. Of course, her character was fairly quickly relegated to wife and mother, but this moment was a phenomenal one to launch her time on the show.
Athelstan Teaching Ragnar To Pray
Athelstan's relationship to his god and to Ragnar are the things that define the Viking monk in the series, so the moment that they combine is easily one of his most iconic.
His clothing is more Viking than monk, be he and Ragnar kneel to pray to the Christian gods. It sums up a lot of their relationship, but also how Athelstan is finally finding peace as both Viking and Christian (especially as he is killed soon after).
Ivar Screaming In The Rain
Ivar has a huge number of iconic moments in the series - and one of the most incredible characters arcs. Seeing him declare himself a God, in dramatic face paint, or fly with the Rus, or the moment of his death are all incredible. However, this moment, where he is alone in an epic battle, covered in blood and screaming, undaunted, into the rain probably sums him up best. It shows his rage and his determination, his warrior spirit (and a tendency to take that violence too far), and a refusal to be limited by his physical condition. It may not be a pleasant moment, but Ivar is not a pleasant character.
Torvi Kills Erlendur
Torvi also goes through a lot of changes over the course of the show, and manages to be a wife, a companion, a schemer with Lagertha, a protector, a lover, and of course, an incredible warrior and shieldmaiden. However, the scene where she shoots Erlendur with his own crossbow is incredible, and it combines all these traits of hers in a single shot. Torvi proves, in this scene, that she is a ruthless warrior, but also that she is driven by a desire to protect. In this case, it was to protect her son and her lover, but she is also driven by a need to protect Kattegat, and fights in its defense.
Ubbe Drinking With Lagertha
Ubbe, more than any of his brothers, is a diplomat and a peacemaker. Unlike Ivar and Sigurd, he doesn't hold a grudge for his mother's death for long, and recognizes the value of working with Lagertha, not against her.
In this, he is very like his own father, and seeing him sitting with Lagertha, drinking and making alliances, is reminiscent of Rangar sitting with Ecbert. It's a scene that shows how Ubbe is not like his brothers, and the side of his father that he represents.
Floki Speaking To Ragnar's Coffin
Floki, like so many other characters, is defined in large part by his relationship to Ragnar - a relationship that became increasingly complex and convoluted when Athelstan came into the picture.
When Ragnar is faking his death, Floki has an incredibly powerful moment at the side of his coffin, where he says "I hate you, Ragnar Lothbrok. And I love you with all my heart". It's a moment that connects to the intensity of the character, the duality, and the willingness to be more emotional than most. Ragnar may not have truly been deal, but this scene sums up Floki incredibly well.
Bjorn Fighting A Bear
While Bjorn may be defined by his travels, and his adventures, or by his many loves, no fan can forget the scene where he fought (and killed) a bear with his bare hands. (And after, followed up by killing an assassin!) This scene is visually stunning, of course, but also creates an incredible impression of his skills as a warrior - something it would be difficult to do in battle, where it would be harder to make Bjorn stand out. It also shows his self-reliance, his need for isolation and exploration, and his sheer grit.
Ragnar's Debates With Ecbert
These scenes are the most iconic for both Ragnar and Ecbert - as they debate Gods, life, war, and Kingship for hours over wine. These conversations happen more than once, too, which is part of what makes them so powerful. They are a benchmark for where the characters are, where their beliefs are, and how the events of their lives have changed them. And, of course, they connect the two kings that are so alike, despite their obvious differences.
Lagertha Killing Aslaug
The moment that Lagertha chooses to leave Kattegat (and Ragnar) rather than stay with him and Aslaug is an incredible one, but from there, her return to power shows who she is even more. In her long journey back to being Queen of Kattegat, though, one of her best moments is when she kills Aslaug. On the surface, it is one of hundreds of her scenes as a warrior, but it is more than that. Lagertha is also shown to be unforgiving, manipulative, clever... and yet sometimes still driven by her emotion. Her moment to kill the woman who took everything from her connects all of this - and of course, is incredibly satisfying for Lagertha fans.