My guess was the pecker story (for lack of a better name for it) was added 1) for Tarantino-esque shock & awe but more importantly 2) to serve Sam Jackson's character's (Col Warren) very obvious itch to kill the notorious confederate general. Too messy to do it outright, especially since Goggins' character might've…

Well said, and I agree.
The performances were excellent, and in something that I picked up (and I'm guessing Tarantino doesn't care about because he's done this in previous films) is the shoehorning of established characters to serve the plot. There's no reason why Walton Goggins' Rebel soldier character would form a…

A friend pointed out that this show has almost no light moments. For SOA, Jax had charisma and the camaraderie between the guys helped balance some of the darker moments in the show. Vikings has Floki and Ragnar himself has great comedic moments. There's almost nothing here that gives you a chance to breathe and…

Chiming in 4 months later. I don't disagree with your points, but I don't have as much patience with all this stage-setting as others do. I am fascinated by Ecbert, I like Kwenthrith, but now that they've gotten into Paris, my interest there has wained—but I'll endure it.
Problem is, I'm worried the show will drop…

Very true.
He definitely won me back after his marriage proposal; "Marry me." (stomps away). He made Ragnar look a charmer after that scene.

Bjorn only appears sensitive because Porunn is so terse.

That's pretty much what I am expecting. Verbatim.
I'll be sad if the season ends with the big "i'm not dead!" scene. The reactions from his family and the healing he needs to do with them is what is interesting me most.

I do watch Justified (it's my happy place!) and of course there was Sons.
I will miss both series so much, particularly Justified which went out on top!

I'm glad others agree, I don't want Ragnar dying in that snake pit. There are folks who expect this show to follow the sagas because it's airing on History Channel. I for one, don't care so much. I just want a satisfying story.

Kalimero, it kills me to agree, but….yeah.

I was wondering about this too. I thought the affair was put in place for a reason. It could be to splinter Ragnar and Aslaug even more than they already were. Even though I think Ragnar was already at the point of no return even before he figured out the affair.

Floki's body language is genius, I too loved the 'die, just die!!' arm swipe he gave Ragnar at the sight of his baptism. It's too bad the two best actors, Fimmel and Skarsgard will probably both leave next season. My guess is both characters will be killed off.
Or maybe they send Floki on his own voyage to Iceland,…

Good point. They've included different ways for Travis to use his physicalities; horse tricks, flips off of poles. Would be cool to see Lagertha kick someone in the face.

Best believe that is a trick.
Clive isn't that sloppy, and Fimmel is coming back.

The show is trying really hard to sell her, and I just can't.

One more episode left swanpride, hang in there :)

I think it was to so show the juxtaposition of Aslaug killing a Christian and Ragnar becoming one.

I agree with that assessment.

I am glad he shot that gun at Ava. It doesn't surprise me that he knew it was empty, but I'm glad Ava saw that he was 'capable' of doing it.
I liked Ava best when she was coupled with Boyd. Her apparent readiness to work against him bothered me, because it undermined the relationship they'd built for 4 seasons, and…

If this Boone character had come along a bit earlier, he'd have the title for best villain. He made me so nervous every time he appeared.