Vikings: Valhalla aired in February 2022 with eight episodes and caught the attention of millions with its captivating cinematography, action-packed scenes, and on-point cast. Being a spin-off of the 2013 hit series Vikings and set 100 years after the exploits of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), viewers were eager to see if the new series would hold a candle to the first. But the historical drama has lived up to our expectations and knocked its ratings right out of the park with a score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The battle between Christianity and Norse Paganism was introduced in Vikings, and that feud made its way into Vikings; Valhalla. But the bad blood played a significant role in the show’s plot, aiding in the ongoing battle being the Norsemen and the English. For 100 years, many Vikings converted to the Christian belief and settled in Europe. The brave actions of Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons became stories of legends and heroes, but still, after years of living in peace with the English, all Norsemen on English land were killed by order of King Aethelred II (Bosco Hogan).

The act was later known as the St Brice’s Day Massacre and King Canute (Bradley Freegard), the ruler in the North, vowed revenge as the only payment for such an atrocity. The dispute between the English and Norsemen was effortlessly portrayed, with both sides staging battle plans, spying on the enemy, and seeking aid to fund their war. While King Canute sought to unite the North to avenge their murdered brothers and sisters, infighting was sparked among Norse Pagans and Norse Christians.

Norse Pagans vs. Christian Pagans

Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla
Netflix 

Harold Sigurdson (Leo Suter) is a Norse Christian who proudly wears a cross around his neck while still believing in Odin, the Viking God who lives in Valhalla, where Vikings believe their souls go upon dying. While Harold converted to the Christian religion of his own free will, there were others who, forced by Christian mercenaries, were told to convert, and often whenever a Pagan refused to do so, they were attacked, brutally beaten, or killed. Such heinous acts only gave some Norsemen added reason to hate the Christian God and the English, but Harold found beauty in the Christian ways and miracles while still believing the same of his Pagan ancestry.

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Another Viking, Leif Eriksson, played by Sam Corlett, more widely known for his role in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, is an Icelander who traveled to Kattegat with his sister Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson). But after meeting Harold, he felt believing in two religions was a contradictory mess. How could someone believe in the Christian god while seeking revenge against their fellow English Christians?

In episode 3, "The Marshes," a Viking publicly refused to fight alongside the Norse Christians. That Christians killed his family and are therefore his true enemy. In return, a Christian called the Pagans, Idolaters. Harold promptly silenced the upset masses with a heartfelt speech of why Norse Pagans and Norse Christians could fight as one.

That your God is Odin or Christ means nothing to me! Only your honor does! Only your courage does! This blood… It’s not my blood. It is our blood, it is Viking blood! And it will always be!”

Even after Harold’s words stroke home and successfully convinced all North men they shared the same blood and deserved revenge, hatred still prevailed among the two groups. One Viking, Jarl Kare (Asbjorn Krogh Nissen), in episode 6, recalled a childhood trauma, revealing the reason he turned to Christianity. As a child, his older sibling was sacrificed to the Pagan gods before his very eyes, and while such an act would be devastating for anyone, Jarl didn’t only convert to Christianity. He developed a hatred for Pagans so all-consuming it became the catalyst for his rage and brutality. His past trauma, while heartrending, was the true reason for punishing Pagans while using his belief to justify his cruelty and thirst for vengeance.

Tackling Differences and Finding Common Ground

Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla
Netflix

Freydis Eriksdotter’s journey across the seas was for a secret revenge vendetta. While the act wasn’t shown on screen, she revealed to Harold her tragic past that she was attacked and defiled by a Norse Christian when she refused to convert. Upon seeing the cross carved onto Freydis’s back, Harold hid his cross and offered her sympathy that she deserved her revenge against the one that wronged her.

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His romantic interest in her was long since made clear, but even viewers knew, just as Harold did, that if she discovered his belief, she'd shun him. Of course, she later discovered the truth and grew cold towards him as expected. Still, she could not ignore her feelings for him because despite being Christian, he stood up for her when she took the life of the man that scarred her body and soul. Being Christian didn’t affect Harold’s ability to admit that what was done to her was wrong, and it was made clear not all Christians are the same.

As for Leif, while his sister’s trust in the Pagan gods remained steadfast, he found himself torn after a young girl holding a cross prayed for him. Weak and waiting for death, Leif wasn't rescued by the Pagan gods or protected but was shown sympathy from a Christian girl and later saved by Harold. Despite not believing in the Christian God, he grew curious about what he'd experienced, which Harold told him Christians would call a miracle.

Harold, Leif, and Freydis, while Vikings, stood on opposing sides and were able to find common ground through an understanding that their beliefs didn’t control the loyalty or love they felt for each other.