Vikings
Season 3 Episode 8: “To The Gates”
Directed by Kelly Makin
Written and Created by Michael Hirst
Starring Travis Fimmel, Clive Standen, Katheryn Winnick, Alexander Ludwig, Alyssa Sutherland, Maude Hirst, and Gustaf Skarsgard.
The History Channel
Air Date: Thursday, April 9th, 2015, 10:00pm

Before the Vikings 3.8 “To The Gates” review, let’s recap last week. There will be minimal spoilers, but still tread lightly!

Last week on Vikings 3.7 “Paris,” it was all about prepping for the attack on Paris, despite Ragnar Lothbrok’s (Travis Fimmel) complete devastation at losing his best friend Athelstan (George Blagden). Ragnar doesn’t know that Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) killed him. Or does he? Ragnar puts Floki in charge, which Floki handles with as much awkwardness as we’ve come to expect from him. Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) and Kalf (Ben Robson) clash as expected. It’s more from her side than his. King Ecbert (Linus Roache) sends Aethulwulf (Moe Dunford) to go control Queen Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey) in Mercia, but she surprises him with crazy bravery and a surprise – Ragnar’s child. I cannot wait until Ragnar finds out about his child and Athelstan’s.

Vikings 3.8 “To The Gates” review: This episode was almost one giant war movie from beginning to end, that will leave you with your heart in your throat for an hour minus commercials (what are commercials?). I don’t know how much I can say about this episode without giving stuff away. The camera pulls away and whether it’s really 1,000 extras and massive constructs or CGI or the magic of miniatures, there has not been a battle of this scale on the show ever. They had commands on all fronts. And it works! I personally thought “shield wall!” and yelling while running with pointy things were their only war strategies, but they have upped their bloody game.

Being a fan who cares about fellow fans, I cannot say too much, but here are some short teasers:

– The princess proved to be the true ruler of Paris in the thick of battle while her father whimpered on his throne.

– There’s a lot of gore and a lot of death and a lot of near death.

– Look for the very interesting interactions between Lagertha and Kalf interspersed throughout the episode.

– Ragnar uses Athelstan’s cross like a talisman.

– Ragnar: “If I was him, I’d worry less about the gods, and more about the fury of a patient man.”

– Floki. That’s it. just Floki.

Are there really only two episodes left?

Vikings airs Thursday nights at 10pm ET on The History Channel.

Image Gallery

Videos

Vikings: Season 3, Episode 8 – Preview

Don’t miss a brand new episode of Vikings on Thursday, April 9th at 10/9c on HISTORY.

Vikings: Recap: “Paris” (S3, E7)

Watch highlights from Vikings Season 3 Episode 7, “Paris.”