"Way for the show to twist history by cherry picking it." I agree.
Let me say, again, that I enjoy this show but I feel it is a "re-imagined" version of the vikings. I saw that interview with Michael Hirst and he implied that the vikings were somehow more progressive in their views of women and more benevolent to slaves. In fact, under Roman law, slaves had rights. Their masters had to respect their marriages and could get into legal trouble for abusing them.
The vikings were not the most technologically or socially advanced people. The were aggressive raiders,traders, and explorers. We find them so interesting because they were the last great non-Christian people of Europe. There is a suppressed part of us we see in their gods and traditions.
A real great question would be why they became so introspective after the "viking age". We certainly don't stereotype them as aggressive today.
Great show. Looking forward to Thursday's episode.