Review: Vikings – Season 1, Episode 1: "Rites of Passage"

History Channel’s Vikings, which premiered in 2013, is an epic historical drama that explores the legendary Norse hero Ragnar Lothbrok and his rise from a simple farmer to a powerful Viking chieftain. The first episode, Rites of Passage, sets the stage for the brutal, adventurous, and politically charged world of the Viking Age. This pilot episode does an excellent job of immersing the audience in Norse culture while introducing compelling characters and establishing the conflicts that will drive the series forward.

評論：《Vikings》第一季第 1 集《Rites of Passage》

歷史頻道（History Channel）於 2013 年推出的《Vikings》（《維京傳奇》）是一部史詩級歷史劇，講述了傳奇維京英雄 拉格納·洛德布羅克（Ragnar Lothbrok） 的故事，從一名普通農民成長為強大的維京領袖。首集 Rites of Passage 為這部劇集奠定了基礎，帶領觀眾進入殘酷、充滿冒險與政治鬥爭的維京時代。本集成功營造了沉浸式的維京文化氛圍，同時塑造了幾位極具魅力的角色，並建立起推動劇情發展的衝突。

Plot Summary

The episode opens in 793 A.D., introducing us to Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his brother Rollo (Clive Standen) on the battlefield. After a brutal fight against a Baltic tribe, Ragnar experiences a vision of the Norse god Odin, surrounded by Valkyries collecting the souls of fallen warriors. This mystical imagery immediately sets the tone for the show's blend of historical realism and Norse mythology.

Returning home to Kattegat, a small Viking settlement in present-day Norway, Ragnar is eager for new adventures. He dreams of sailing west, believing that rich, unexplored lands lie beyond the sea. However, his ambitions are met with resistance from Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne), the region's ruler, who insists that raids should only be conducted eastward, as they have always been.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to Ragnar’s wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), a fierce shieldmaiden, and their children, Bjorn and Gyda. Ragnar’s son, Bjorn, is on the verge of manhood and undergoes a coming-of-age ritual, signifying the episode’s title, Rites of Passage.

Determined to defy the Earl’s authority, Ragnar secretly recruits his friend Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård), an eccentric but brilliant shipbuilder, to construct a revolutionary new longship that can withstand the open sea. The episode ends with Ragnar and Rollo preparing for their secret voyage west, setting the stage for future conflicts.

劇情概要

故事發生在 公元 793 年，拉格納·洛德布羅克（Travis Fimmel 飾） 和他的哥哥 羅洛（Rollo，由 Clive Standen 飾） 在戰場上與波羅的海部落作戰。戰鬥結束後，拉格納出現幻象，看見北歐主神 奧丁（Odin） 和女武神（Valkyries）帶走陣亡勇士的靈魂。這段神秘的影像，奠定了本劇將結合歷史真實性與北歐神話元素的基調。

拉格納返回家鄉 卡特加特（Kattegat），一個位於現今挪威的小維京部落。他渴望開啟新的冒險，相信西方有富饒的未知土地可供掠奪。然而，當他向當地統治者 哈拉爾森伯爵（Earl Haraldson，由 Gabriel Byrne 飾） 提出此想法時，伯爵堅決反對，認為維京人應繼續向東進行傳統的掠奪行動。

同時，觀眾也見識到了拉格納的家庭生活，包括他的妻子 拉格薩（Lagertha，由 Katheryn Winnick 飾）——一名驍勇善戰的盾女（shieldmaiden），以及他們的孩子 比約恩（Bjorn） 和 吉妲（Gyda）。本集的標題 Rites of Passage（通過儀式）正是指 比約恩的成人禮，象徵著他即將步入戰士之路。

儘管伯爵反對，拉格納仍然秘密聯絡了他的好友 弗洛基（Floki，由 Gustaf Skarsgård 飾），一位古怪但天才的造船師。他們著手建造一艘全新的長船（longship），能夠經受住大海的挑戰。劇集最後，拉格納和羅洛準備偷偷啟航，踏上前往西方的冒險，為未來的衝突埋下伏筆。

Review & Analysis

1. Strong World-Building & Historical Authenticity

One of the most impressive aspects of Rites of Passage is how it immerses the audience in Viking culture. The show portrays their society, traditions, and mythology with remarkable attention to detail. The episode features rituals, laws, and beliefs that shape Viking life, such as the reverence for Odin, the coming-of-age ceremony for Bjorn, and the power struggles within Kattegat.

Costume design, set construction, and cinematography all contribute to a highly immersive world. The village of Kattegat feels authentic, from its longhouses to the rugged Nordic landscapes. The battle scenes, though not overly large in scale, effectively depict the brutal and gritty nature of Viking warfare.

2. Ragnar Lothbrok: A Charismatic Protagonist

Travis Fimmel delivers a captivating performance as Ragnar. He is charismatic yet mysterious, ambitious yet cunning. Unlike the other Vikings, who are content with tradition, Ragnar is a visionary, fascinated by the possibilities of exploration and innovation. His interactions with his son Bjorn, his wife Lagertha, and his brother Rollo provide insight into his complex personality—he is a loving father, a devoted husband, but also a man whose ambition might one day lead to conflict.

The scene where he teaches Bjorn about the "Thing" (Viking assembly) and explains the difference between free men and slaves is particularly significant, showing Ragnar’s intelligence and leadership qualities.

3. Lagertha: A Strong Female Lead

Katheryn Winnick’s Lagertha is introduced as a strong, independent warrior. Unlike the stereotypical medieval wife, she is a shieldmaiden, capable of fighting alongside men. When two men attempt to assault her while Ragnar is away, she swiftly defeats them in a brief but powerful fight scene, proving she is more than just a supporting character.

Lagertha’s relationship with Ragnar is also notable. There is a clear mutual respect and love between them, but her fiery personality and strong will suggest future conflicts as Ragnar’s ambitions grow.

4. Rollo: The Jealous Brother

Clive Standen’s Rollo is introduced as Ragnar’s loyal but deeply resentful brother. While he fights alongside Ragnar, it is clear that he harbors envy and ambition. When he makes advances toward Lagertha in Ragnar’s absence, it hints at his desire to have what Ragnar possesses—not just power, but also love and respect.

His loyalty is questionable, making him an intriguing wildcard in future episodes.

5. The Conflict with Earl Haraldson

Gabriel Byrne portrays Earl Haraldson as a ruler who is more interested in maintaining control than embracing change. Unlike Ragnar, who seeks new opportunities, Haraldson is paranoid and resistant to anything that threatens his rule. His decision to dismiss Ragnar’s idea of sailing west sets up an inevitable power struggle.

Haraldson is not portrayed as a cartoonish villain; rather, he represents the old way of thinking, creating a compelling ideological conflict between tradition vs. innovation.

6. Floki: The Eccentric Genius

Gustaf Skarsgård’s Floki is introduced as an odd but brilliant shipbuilder. He is immediately one of the most memorable characters, with his manic energy and deep connection to the gods. His introduction provides a touch of humor while also showcasing the Vikings' seafaring ingenuity. His new ship design, which allows greater maneuverability, is crucial to Ragnar’s dream of traveling west.

7. Visual & Cinematic Strengths

The cinematography in Rites of Passage is stunning. The episode makes excellent use of natural landscapes, with sweeping shots of Norway’s fjords and forests, reinforcing the raw beauty of the Viking world. The use of light and shadow during Odin’s vision gives the episode an almost mystical feel, blending historical realism with mythological elements.

8. Themes of Fate and Destiny

The episode weaves in Norse mythology and themes of fate. Ragnar’s vision of Odin suggests that he is destined for greatness, while Rollo’s jealousy hints at an inevitable betrayal. The Vikings’ belief in predetermined destiny plays a significant role in shaping their actions, making the story feel both grounded in history and larger than life.

評論與分析

1. 出色的世界觀建構與歷史真實性

本集最出色的地方在於它成功地 塑造了維京人的世界。劇中對 社會制度、傳統習俗與信仰 的描寫細膩且貼近歷史，例如維京人對奧丁的崇拜、比約恩的成年儀式、以及卡特加特內部的權力結構，都為劇集增添了強烈的真實感。

服裝設計、場景佈置與攝影運鏡都增強了這種沉浸感。卡特加特的村落景象，從長屋（longhouse）到崎嶇的北歐地形，都讓人感覺仿佛置身於維京時代。而戰鬥場面雖然規模不大，但仍然展現出維京戰士 殘酷、直接且血腥的戰鬥風格。

2. 拉格納·洛德布羅克：魅力十足的主角

Travis Fimmel 的 拉格納 充滿魅力。他既神秘又聰明，既有野心又懂得權謀。與其他維京戰士不同，拉格納是一個 具有遠見的開拓者，對探索與創新充滿興趣。他與比約恩的對話場景，特別是當他向兒子解釋「廷格（Thing，維京議會）」的運作時，展現了他過人的智慧與領袖魅力。

此外，他對家人充滿愛意，但同時我們也能感受到，他的 野心可能會成為未來衝突的根源。

3. 拉格薩：堅強的女性角色

Katheryn Winnick 飾演的 拉格薩（Lagertha） 是劇中最引人注目的女性角色之一。她並非典型的中世紀妻子，而是一名 盾女（shieldmaiden），能與男子並肩作戰。當拉格納外出時，兩名男子試圖侵犯她，她卻憑藉高超的戰技將他們打倒，展現了她的獨立與強悍。

她與拉格納的關係也充滿張力。雖然兩人彼此尊重，但她的 強烈個性與戰士精神，意味著當拉格納的野心擴張時，他們可能會產生衝突。

4. 羅洛：充滿嫉妒心的兄弟

Clive Standen 飾演的 羅洛（Rollo） 是拉格納的忠誠戰友，但同時也是一個 充滿嫉妒與野心 的男人。他一直活在拉格納的陰影下，這點在他試圖 接近拉格薩 時表露無遺。他的忠誠成疑，讓未來的劇情發展更加值得期待。

5. 哈拉爾森伯爵：代表舊時代的統治者

Gabriel Byrne 飾演的 哈拉爾森伯爵（Earl Haraldson） 是一個 強硬但守舊的領袖。他極力維持權力，對拉格納的創新思想感到威脅。他的存在象徵著 舊時代的統治者，而與拉格納的衝突則反映了 傳統與革新的對立。

6. 弗洛基：瘋狂的天才造船師

Gustaf Skarsgård 飾演的 弗洛基（Floki） 是劇中最具個性的人物之一。他古怪、充滿狂熱，與船隻有著某種神秘的聯繫。他的出現 為劇情增添了幽默與瘋狂元素，同時也讓人看到維京人在航海技術上的創新能力。

7. 視覺與攝影

本集的 攝影風格極具電影感。劇組巧妙運用 北歐自然景觀，透過 壯麗的峽灣與廣闊的森林，營造出維京世界的壯闊與原始氣息。此外，奧丁幻象的場景透過光影與特效，完美融合了 歷史與神話元素。

8. 命運與預言的主題

維京人對 命運的信仰 貫穿整部劇集。拉格納的幻象暗示他注定會成為傳奇，而羅洛的嫉妒則預示著未來可能的背叛。這種 命運與宿命的交錯，讓故事更具史詩感。

Final Verdict

Rites of Passage is a strong and compelling pilot episode that successfully sets the tone for Vikings. It establishes its world with rich historical detail, introduces complex characters, and lays the foundation for future conflicts. Travis Fimmel’s Ragnar is instantly charismatic, Lagertha is a strong and independent female lead, and the political intrigue within Kattegat promises plenty of drama.

While the episode is slow-paced at times, focusing more on world-building than action, it effectively hooks the audience with compelling storytelling, beautiful cinematography, and a fascinating glimpse into Viking culture.

Rating: 8.5/10

最終評價

Rites of Passage 是一集 極具吸引力的開場劇，成功塑造了豐富的世界觀與角色關係。儘管節奏較慢，側重於劇情鋪陳，但其 出色的角色塑造、視覺美學與文化細節，讓它成為一部值得追看的歷史劇。

評分：8.5/10