History's Vikings first came out in March 2013. Six seasons and over seven years later, the show's final episode, "The Last Act", aired on December 30, 2020. By the time the finale rolled around, most of the main characters were already dead. Since Björn, Lagertha, Halfdan, and other legends weren't featured in the episode, it's no wonder it got an average rating of 7.8 on IMDb.

RELATED: Vikings: 10 Behind The Scenes Secrets Only True Fans Know About

The finale was highly divisive. On the one hand, it managed to tie a lot of loose ends but did so in a rushed and unconvincing manner. The writers managed to effectively re-visit all the important Vikings themes in those short 49 minutes: war, religion, family, death, and transformation. Some characters didn't end up where the majority of fans would want them to, but at least they got a chance to say a proper goodbye to all of them.

Perfect: The Final Battle

Ivar the Boneless fights to his death in the final battle against Alfred

For a show that featured so many iconic fight scenes, it's only fitting to have a battle in the finale as well. Ivar's people faced Alfred’s Saxon army, and they lost.

The fighting sequences were shot masterfully. Just like in the first few seasons, the audience really got to see the action from up close, sometimes in slow motion. The carnage was cut with emotional flashbacks to sentimental conversations Hvitserk had with Ivar.

Not Perfect: Hvitserk's Conversion

Hvitserk denounces the worship of Norse gods in front of King Alfred

Since the show aims to be historically accurate, the writers didn't have a choice but to have Hvitserk convert to Christianity.

After successfully slaying countless Christians on the battlefield and proving himself to be just as much of a fighter as other sons of Ragnar, it was a bit disappointing and counter-productive to see him renounce his gods. Hvitserk always lived in his brothers' shadows, and many fans felt it was his turn to lead the Vikings as his father did before him.

Perfect: Ubbe Completed Ragnar's Dream

Ubbe and Othere discuss the future of the Golden land

"The Last Act" starts with Floki reuniting with Ubbe and the rest of the Norsemen in North America, the land of endless opportunity. After talking to Floki about his sadness, Othere and Ubbe had a heart-to-heart.

Ubbe said that he believes that he had found what his father had set out to find when he first sailed west from Kattegat, and in that sense, he completed Ragnar's dream. The old man suggested that they should leave the old ways behind, otherwise this new land would end up the same as the one they abandoned.

Not Perfect: Where Was Rollo?

Rollo rides his horse in Vikings

Among the most unpopular opinions about Vikings on Reddit is how the show dealt with Rollo. While most fans didn't care for him by the time the series finale came along, many were disappointed by his absence.

RELATED: Vikings: 10 Things That Make No Sense About Rollo

Then, there is a minority of Rollo's fans that think it's actually a good thing he wasn't featured in the finale, since the show managed to butcher everyone else's character arc.

Perfect: Ivar's Death

Ivar cries in Hvitserk's hands as he dies in Vikings:The Last Act

Ivar was without a doubt one of the least likable characters on Vikings, but in his final moments, he redeemed himself. He walked into the battle, knowing he'd die.

He saw how tired his brother Hvitserk was and sacrificed himself to save his life. Likable or not, the scene of Ivar's death was incredibly emotional. As he was breathing his last breaths, he admitted to being afraid.

Not Perfect: The Fighting Abruptly Stops After Ivar's Death

The battle ends after Ivar dies on Vikings

While Ivar's death was satisfying from an emotional point of view, fans think that his execution and the moments that followed could have been much better. First off, he was repeatedly stabbed with a small knife by a frightened boy, which was a disappointing way to see a god-like character pass away.

As soon as Ivar died, the fighting on the battlefield came to an abrupt end. Since it was the very last battle, Vikings could've given fans a better sense of closure.

Perfect: The End Of The Golden Viking Era

The indeginous people in North America in Vikings

If there is one point that "The Last Act" successfully hammered home, it's that the sun is setting on the golden age of Vikings. Not only did they lose the fight against the Christians and so lost considerable power, but the finale also hints at the Norsemen losing their spirituality and culture. For example, Ubbe also didn't want to perform the blood eagle on one of his men and thus guarantee his entrance to Valhalla.

RELATED: Vikings: 5 Best Decisions Ubbe Made (5 Worst)

Instead, he slit his throat, showing him mercy. Their priorities have clearly shifted since season 1! In Kattegat, the Viking culture and religion are still very much alive as the queen is essentially a witch. However, they are no longer the formidable force they once were. Rather, they are one of the last Viking strongholds and surely to be swallowed up by other forces as time marches on.

Not Perfect: The New Rulers Of Kattegat

Ingrid Elected Queen of Kattegat

Speaking of Kattegat, the finale cannot be deemed perfect if there is no Lothbrok in Kattegat. Instead, it was Ingrid who became the queen of Kattegat. She only joined the show in season 6 and was considered a minor, unimportant character.

In the first episode of Vikings, Kattegat was established as their home. Throughout the seasons, it expanded and upgraded. Having Ingrid rule the people of Kattegat fell a bit flat, but it did poignantly imply that the age of Viking heroes is definitely over.

Perfect: The Final Conversation Between Ubbe & Floki

Floki and Ubbe talk on the beach in Vikings

The final scene of Vikings takes place on the beach in North America. Floki's character arc reached a satisfying end. He started out as a fervent believer in the gods and then underwent a long, tumultuous transformation, which was getting really hard to watch by the time he reached Iceland.

Ultimately, he gave up on trying to understand the mystical ways of god and recognized himself as "an ant, toiling on the forest floor. I see only the leaf above my head. That leaf brings me some relief from the sun." Their final words broke the third wall - they wondered whether this was the end.

Not Perfect: No Valhalla Scene

Vikings mythology Valhalla explained

Vikings only rarely showed glimpses of the afterlife. For example, when Lagertha died, the valkyries took her to her underwater grave. But what fans wanted all along was to see their beloved characters in Valhalla, drinking and having fun.

As the finale ended, they had to give up their season-long hopes to ever see Ragnar, Björn, Halfdan, and other legendary Vikings characters in the mythical hall of Odin.

NEXT: Which Vikings Girl Should You Date, Based On Your Zodiac?