Babalooie

It's ok, Dancer. We're all a little shaken by this episode. I am pretty sure that you can read Twitter without joining.

DHDancer, I was not referring to this episode as being hilarious, as I did not see it before it aired. I was referring to a promo video on History Channel Vikings Twitter page from yesterday, entitled The City of Love Will Never be the Same. The video was humorous.

"Money makes the world go around." They don't even try to hide that it's all about the iTunes sales. I hear Blake mention it often.

Awesome video on Facebook and Vikings on History Twitter. Neither site would allow me to copy and paste. Go and watch it either place, and don't miss the hilarious ending. Hide your baguettes, hide your beret, hide your brie!

I can only guess that Helga's presence will be crucial in the Ragnar vs. Floki grudge match throwdown. She holds the confession secret and will possibly be pushed to reveal it when she tires of Floki's madness. Hate to see a Skarsgard exit the show. Interestingly, here's the younger brother Valter as an extra. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBcT9a8VEAAe1E2.jpg

1. I thought that Viking simply means Pirate. 2. Could this King Charles be Charles the Simple? He sure acts like it.

Welcome, Damiano.

Can't get this out of my head since they're in France now. Classic.

Why does Floki get two spots in the Power Rankings? Good acting by Gustaf Skarsgard. Not everyone can play crazy. Is Ragnar setting him up, or just getting him all worked up so he will build the boats and contraptions? Poor Helga. By the way, did you know that Torvi is played by the younger sister of Maude Hirst, who plays Helga? They look just alike, so I looked on IMDB for verification.

Captanne, oddly enough, Gustaf Skarsgard, who plays Floki, is the only main character actor who is a true Scandinavian. I would hope that he has some insight into the character. He did say that he read volumes of Norse mythology in preparation for this role. I have stated previously that his movements seem serpentine to me, along with the hissing of some words. Just read that his nickname is Orm, which means snake. It will be very interesting to see what Ragnar will do in retribution for Floki's act. I very much would have liked to see the scene where Athelstan was found. Who found him? What was Ragnar's first reaction to his death?

One question, why do Fimmel and almost all the men on this show speak in a tone that is only a few decibels above a whisper. Maybe it's a cultural thing. I had an elderly Danish man living next door for a few years. He spoke softly, too, unlike us loud Americans.

In season 1 I loved Floki because he was comic relief to me in a strange way. Now, I don't know what to feel, because although I love the actor Gustaf Skarsgard, Floki has gotten too dark. A few tears were shed at the end of this episode. I wonder if George Blagden wanted out as Jessalyn Gilsig (Siggy) did? I see on IMDB and he has made three shorts and the TV series Versailles. Sad. I'll miss you, Priest. Let's go ahead and nominate Travis Fimmel for an Emmy for that last scene with the cross.

I know Stellan from "Mama Mia" (music nerd). Bandella, the genealogy is a nice, inexpensive hobby through ancestry.com. It will be a sad day for me when we lose Floki or Ragnar, but as someone connected with the show said, people don't live forever.

I found this on some blog called Mandolin Cafe. It is from January 24, 2015. "Now that Coffee is six months along, the couple have already picked out a few favorite potential names and are starting to convert Thile’s music room into a nursery." That would put the birth of her real baby in April.

Does that mean that the winner's name appears two posts up? Hmmm.

Regarding my ancestry link to Ragnar and Ivar, who knows at what point factual records gave way to lore? They had no written records other than runes. All I know is that in my line the names following Ragnar and Ivar were still Scandinavian, but their places of birth were listed as Dublin. This was in the 900's and 1000's, which makes sense chronologically. This was on my mother's side. In checking again while writing this post, I have found that on my father's side I have Ragnar, King of Sweden and Denmark and his son, Sigurd Snake in the Eye. Following them in that line, the places of birth began to be France. I guess that means I'm inbred from 11 centuries ago???? Many of us probably are. :) Either way, this show has been fantastic for renewing an interest in history. Can't wait for Paris.

Regarding Floki, he's a Skarsgard. Can't go wrong. Yes, sometimes he is Gollum and sometimes he is like a panther. Often I see him as serpentine, even hissing his words. I compare him to a Christian or Muslim fundamentalist. Very extreme in his beliefs. I think that Gustaf Skarsgard is a very private person. No twitter page himself, as also with Travis Fimmel, only fan pages. I keep up with Clive Standen, Katheryn Winnick, and George Blagden for little hints or photos from the filming. I would love to read any interviews with him discussing what/who he based the character on. Post a link if you know of one.

Did anyone else think that Porrun's scar looked like a Nike swish or a 'V' for Vikings?

I am assuming that Rollo is the bear and he will be present at the wedding of a princess because he will be marrying a Norman princess.

I always have to watch this show twice with close captions in order to take it all in and understand the accents. Floki with his sing-song inflections and the seer with his mumbling are the most difficult to understand to me. My Great-grandpa Ivar didn't seem to be comfortable with GG-pa Ragnar, did he?

Once again, an annoying wife in the Detroit episode. You know, the one with the husband who was afraid of basements who acted like he couldn't stand her, either. Her voice had that irritating vocal fry, as so many of these wives on this show seem to have. Do they all watch too many Kardashian episodes, or what? I was not impressed with that new build house at all, but liked the one that was chosen.

Why was the show already a repeat after just coming back on Monday? Is Friday always a repeat?

laredhead, if I remember correctly, he was either an architect or architectural student.

The harp player with the architect husband in Japan got on my nerves with her whisper-voice and unusually long neck. The houses were beautiful and I would have been happy with any of them.

PityFree, Aslaug probably is supposed to look haggard from all of those disturbing visions and all of the children she has to take care of. Typical housewife.