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
Season 3 Episode 5: “The Usurper”
Directed by Helen Shaver
Written and Created by Michael Hirst
Starring Travis Fimmel, Clive Standen, Katheryn Winnick, George Blagden, Alyssa Sutherland, Maude Hirst, Linus Roache, and Gustaf Skarsgard.
The History Channel
Air Date: Thursday, March 19, 2015, 10:00pm

Last week and this week’s episodes of The History Channel’s period drama Vikings have been crazy. Here’s my review of tonight’s episode, which is called “The Usurper.”

Details of last week’s and this week’s episodes will be recapped below, so spoiler alert!

In The History Channel’s Vikings Season 3 “Relationship Issues” featurette, series creator Michael Hirst discusses the first apparent theme in Vikings Season 3, the complicated relationships between all the couples. It explains why almost everyone is anxious to leave their homes for the guaranteed violence awaiting them in Wessex.

Watch the video below.

The actors and creator explain their interpretations in the video, while I’ve mixed in a little of my own opinions below.