Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Jan 22, 2020 14:23:53 GMT
Just finished episode 7 of Season 6 titled 'The Ice Maiden'.
I can see where they got that^ title from, considering the shot that opened the episode.
It would appear I farewelled Lagertha an episode early last week, as it was this episode that served as her official 'goodbye'...and what a goodbye it was!
Firstly, let's get the non-important stuff out the way:
Harald's a cocky jerk who I hope Bjorn pays back for his betrayal.
As if we needed any further evidence of what a weirdo Oleg is, he says he wants to return to his mother's womb. Freak.
I think I liked the actress who's playing Katya better when she was playing Freydis. I think she looked better as a blonde. Still, her bathing in a hot spring was nothing to sneeze at.
As for Hvitserk...I say this every week, but can someone PLEASE put him and us the viewers out of his/our misery and OFF him already? And maybe shut down the rat-infested drug den while you're at it.
Now that all that^ is out of the way, onto the rest of the episode/the actual interesting stuff:
There were quite a few instances where I thought "Hell yes!" and "You said it!" in response to things characters said in this episode such as "Lagertha must have a great funeral." and "This must be a magnificent funeral. Greater than anything else in the memory of our folk.", and it was good to see Ubbe be mature about Lagertha's passing and not hold a grudge against her when he was left alone with her body and said, "You killed my mother. But I can still weep for Lagertha the shield-maiden." - SEE, Ivar and Ivar's fanboys/fangirls? that is how you *should* act!
Speaking of...when the snow fell and Ivar looked up/at his hand...I've read some theories that was him 'sensing' Lagertha being dead (just as Bjorn seemingly near the start of the episode). I was at least grateful we didn't see him smiling evilly, as that would've royally pissed me off. I hate the idea that some are giving him 'credit' for Lagertha's demise, saying that he was responsible in a roundabout way because he's the reason Hvitserk is all crazypants now and it was him seeing Ivar that led to his stabbing Lagertha - Ivar doesn't deserve to be 'credited' with killing Lagertha. I'm actually hoping he gets mad that he didn't get to off her himself like he'd wanted to. Even better would be if he showed some maturity and just got over his vengefulness...but this is Ivar, and he doesn't really ever mature (at least not mentally).
Some people might've been 'bored' because this episode mainly revolved around funeral...but those people can STFU, because Lagertha DESERVED this epic funeral. One thing this show excels at (apart from the 'smaller scale' battles which they did so well last episode with the 'Wicker Maze of Death' fight - they're so much better than those big CGI'd battle scenes) is the 'spectacle' of viking funerals (which one would *hope*, considering the title of the show). There was some really striking imagery throughout...though I could've done without the shot of Lagertha starting to burn.
The actors/actresses playing Ubbe, Gunnhild, Torvi and Bjorn really sold their goodbyes to Lagertha (even the young actress playing Lagertha's granddaughter did a decent job. I noticed that one of the items placed on Lagertha’s body appeared be to be the sunstone that Ragnar used on the first voyage across the sea to England. HirundoRustica , did you happen to catch what the other two items were?). The lead-up to it was also well done, I thought. When Gunnhild asked for a volunteer to be the sacrifice who'd accompany Lagertha on her journey to crossing over and pretty much EVERYONE put their hand up, all I could think was "HA! Suck that, Aslaug! You weren't nearly as loved as Lagertha!". It doesn't bode well that Torvi was willing to sacrifice herself whilst still carrying her child, though. Good on Gunnhild for pointing out the unborn wasn't able to choose (though I'm sure if it could've, it would've said, "Yes! Anything for Lagertha! She was awesome!").
Speaking of the sacrifice, it was very fitting that one who was named after Lagertha's daughter (Gyda, who died from plague, as mentioned, all the way back in the last episode of Season 1 - YAY for continuity/remembering Season 1, show!) ended up being the one. The music that satrted palying as she prepared to be sacrificed started out kinda groovy, then became quite haunting. All the music was on point this episode. Then came the Angel of Death, who was rather creepy. It's nice she gave the sacrifice a choice in how she'd die...but she could've stabbed her faster rather than doing it slowly, no?
The Godfather has got *nothing* on Vikings - ONE horse head? Phfft. Lagertha got not on a human sacrifice, but FOUR horse heads! I'm actually glad we didn't have to see the horse-slaughtering. Poor horses don't fare so well...neither do the goats...or any animal, really. Speaking of...I'd almost be wondering "Who will take care of Lagertha's cat and owl?"...but I'm pretty sure considering how much time is meant to have passed, that cat probably isn't around anymore.
Though apparently some owls 'can go upwards of 20 years'...so who who knows?
Sorry.
Getting back on topic...it's only fitting that this was the post EPIC funeral of all funerals in the show, as Lagertha deserved no less.
The ending was particularly memorable (and hauntingly beautiful) as Lagertha left her physical body, sank into the ocean, was accompanied by the Valkyries and appeared to 'shed' her various identities before finally settling on her original one as a farmer/wife of Ragnar as she joined him on the ocean floor.
The final visual of Lagertha turning to sand that washed away with sandy Ragnar was the perfect way to send her off into Valhalla.
When watching, I thought the scene might've been a nod to the Season 1 opening credits.
I always thought that^ was Katheryn Winnick in the opening credits until the first time I listened to the commentary for episode 9 of Season 1 on my Blu-rays (which I listened to again last night before watching the new episode) and hearing her tell Clive Standen (Rollo) that it in fact wasn't her.
Here's a video of Katheryn Winnick talking about Lagertha's death/funeral.
Once again, farewell Lagertha and Katheryn Winnick. You'll be missed more than I've missed anyone else in this show, as you were always my favourite (Ragnar: *hmphs*).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I think there's something in my eye (no, I'm not crying! You're crying!).
I can see where they got that^ title from, considering the shot that opened the episode.
It would appear I farewelled Lagertha an episode early last week, as it was this episode that served as her official 'goodbye'...and what a goodbye it was!
Firstly, let's get the non-important stuff out the way:
Harald's a cocky jerk who I hope Bjorn pays back for his betrayal.
As if we needed any further evidence of what a weirdo Oleg is, he says he wants to return to his mother's womb. Freak.
I think I liked the actress who's playing Katya better when she was playing Freydis. I think she looked better as a blonde. Still, her bathing in a hot spring was nothing to sneeze at.
As for Hvitserk...I say this every week, but can someone PLEASE put him and us the viewers out of his/our misery and OFF him already? And maybe shut down the rat-infested drug den while you're at it.
Now that all that^ is out of the way, onto the rest of the episode/the actual interesting stuff:
There were quite a few instances where I thought "Hell yes!" and "You said it!" in response to things characters said in this episode such as "Lagertha must have a great funeral." and "This must be a magnificent funeral. Greater than anything else in the memory of our folk.", and it was good to see Ubbe be mature about Lagertha's passing and not hold a grudge against her when he was left alone with her body and said, "You killed my mother. But I can still weep for Lagertha the shield-maiden." - SEE, Ivar and Ivar's fanboys/fangirls? that is how you *should* act!
Speaking of...when the snow fell and Ivar looked up/at his hand...I've read some theories that was him 'sensing' Lagertha being dead (just as Bjorn seemingly near the start of the episode). I was at least grateful we didn't see him smiling evilly, as that would've royally pissed me off. I hate the idea that some are giving him 'credit' for Lagertha's demise, saying that he was responsible in a roundabout way because he's the reason Hvitserk is all crazypants now and it was him seeing Ivar that led to his stabbing Lagertha - Ivar doesn't deserve to be 'credited' with killing Lagertha. I'm actually hoping he gets mad that he didn't get to off her himself like he'd wanted to. Even better would be if he showed some maturity and just got over his vengefulness...but this is Ivar, and he doesn't really ever mature (at least not mentally).
Some people might've been 'bored' because this episode mainly revolved around funeral...but those people can STFU, because Lagertha DESERVED this epic funeral. One thing this show excels at (apart from the 'smaller scale' battles which they did so well last episode with the 'Wicker Maze of Death' fight - they're so much better than those big CGI'd battle scenes) is the 'spectacle' of viking funerals (which one would *hope*, considering the title of the show). There was some really striking imagery throughout...though I could've done without the shot of Lagertha starting to burn.
The actors/actresses playing Ubbe, Gunnhild, Torvi and Bjorn really sold their goodbyes to Lagertha (even the young actress playing Lagertha's granddaughter did a decent job. I noticed that one of the items placed on Lagertha’s body appeared be to be the sunstone that Ragnar used on the first voyage across the sea to England. HirundoRustica , did you happen to catch what the other two items were?). The lead-up to it was also well done, I thought. When Gunnhild asked for a volunteer to be the sacrifice who'd accompany Lagertha on her journey to crossing over and pretty much EVERYONE put their hand up, all I could think was "HA! Suck that, Aslaug! You weren't nearly as loved as Lagertha!". It doesn't bode well that Torvi was willing to sacrifice herself whilst still carrying her child, though. Good on Gunnhild for pointing out the unborn wasn't able to choose (though I'm sure if it could've, it would've said, "Yes! Anything for Lagertha! She was awesome!").
Speaking of the sacrifice, it was very fitting that one who was named after Lagertha's daughter (Gyda, who died from plague, as mentioned, all the way back in the last episode of Season 1 - YAY for continuity/remembering Season 1, show!) ended up being the one. The music that satrted palying as she prepared to be sacrificed started out kinda groovy, then became quite haunting. All the music was on point this episode. Then came the Angel of Death, who was rather creepy. It's nice she gave the sacrifice a choice in how she'd die...but she could've stabbed her faster rather than doing it slowly, no?
The Godfather has got *nothing* on Vikings - ONE horse head? Phfft. Lagertha got not on a human sacrifice, but FOUR horse heads! I'm actually glad we didn't have to see the horse-slaughtering. Poor horses don't fare so well...neither do the goats...or any animal, really. Speaking of...I'd almost be wondering "Who will take care of Lagertha's cat and owl?"...but I'm pretty sure considering how much time is meant to have passed, that cat probably isn't around anymore.
Though apparently some owls 'can go upwards of 20 years'...so who who knows?
Sorry.
Getting back on topic...it's only fitting that this was the post EPIC funeral of all funerals in the show, as Lagertha deserved no less.
The ending was particularly memorable (and hauntingly beautiful) as Lagertha left her physical body, sank into the ocean, was accompanied by the Valkyries and appeared to 'shed' her various identities before finally settling on her original one as a farmer/wife of Ragnar as she joined him on the ocean floor.
The final visual of Lagertha turning to sand that washed away with sandy Ragnar was the perfect way to send her off into Valhalla.
When watching, I thought the scene might've been a nod to the Season 1 opening credits.
I always thought that^ was Katheryn Winnick in the opening credits until the first time I listened to the commentary for episode 9 of Season 1 on my Blu-rays (which I listened to again last night before watching the new episode) and hearing her tell Clive Standen (Rollo) that it in fact wasn't her.
Here's a video of Katheryn Winnick talking about Lagertha's death/funeral.
Once again, farewell Lagertha and Katheryn Winnick. You'll be missed more than I've missed anyone else in this show, as you were always my favourite (Ragnar: *hmphs*).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I think there's something in my eye (no, I'm not crying! You're crying!).