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TV Media Weekly | November 25 - December 1, 2017 By Kat Mulligan TV Media T here is a call, a pull deep within that longs for a time of exploration and expan- sion, with oars moving quickly through foreign waters, seeking out the next adventure or new-found home with blade and axe in hand. Since 2013, fans have heeded this call vicariously, becoming fol- lowers of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel, "Warcraft: The Begin- ning," 2016), whose heroic actions saw him expand the Vikings' reach far beyond the Nordic seas. What happens, however, when power is shifted — when sons who have exacted their vengeance must now decide what is the next best move for their people? Perhaps the an- swer is mere days away, as "Vi- kings" returns for season 5, Wednesday, Nov. 29, on History Channel. "Vikings" began as an ambi- tious project from series creator Michael Hirst, who longed to tra- verse the thin line between fact and fiction when it came to Viking lore. Ragnar is the perfect example of this duality, for his legacy as a fierce ruler and warrior is still the topic of much debate, as is his per- sonhood, for some believe him a mere legend. The series has seen Ragnar go from an honorable son and earl to the eventual but reluc- tant king, accompanied by his clos- est friend, Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård, "Kon-Tiki," 2012), and wife Lager- tha (Katheryn Winnick, "The Dark Tower," 2017). Ragnar acquired more land, another wife and in- creased his lineage, and now five key sons are set to become promi- nent figures in the future. The quest to expand is never easy, and season 4 proved this. Predictions came to pass, battle lines were drawn and the leader- ship of the Viking people was once again left fractured, the uni- ty Ragnar sought to achieve knocked asunder. The chaos of last season's finale has made season 5's premiere highly anticipated. Everything that has come to pass during the past four seasons means little now that a war between brothers is under- way. It is a war that echoes across the waters, with Lagertha's rule also under threat and the seer's vi- sion ever weighing on her mind. One of her sons will kill her, so the seer claimed, but will the answer be an obvious one, like Ivar (Alex Høgh Andersen, "A War," 2015), or someone she cannot anticipate? Meanwhile, while brothers feud, one son of Ragnar seems deter- mined to further the Viking con- quest. Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig, "Final Girl," 2015) will finally trek to the Mediterranean this season, with trailers hinting that a desert storm or two lurks in his future. Another Viking is also off to ex- plore, though he has chosen to let himself be led by the gods. Floki's destiny awaits him on some for- eign shore, as early clips show that he will make contact with land, though where he'll find himself re- mains one of season 5's most well- guarded secrets. This year's San Diego Comic- Con was ever the hotbed of discus- sion for what awaits fans this sea- son in "Vikings." As noted, Floki's character arc is at the top of many cast members' minds, particularly that of the man who plays the role. While discussing Floki's future with Entertainment Weekly, Skarsgård reflected on the weight of multiple sorrows that have led to his char- acter's surrender. According to Skarsgård, "Floki has definitely lost everything" and "submits [him- self] to the will of the gods." Skars- gård notes that "this world is not for [Floki] anymore," and that he must go so that he can find "some sort of meaning to live again." As a character with a rich history, his is a journey that is arguably the most anticipated to watch unfold when the series restarts this November. While other historically based series have struggled to maintain their momentum, "Vikings" seems to have captivated audiences worldwide. Much of this, no doubt, is due to the exquisite craftsman- ship of the narrative, thanks to cre- ator and writer Hirst, who is re- nowned for his attention to detail on historical projects. Films such as "Elizabeth" (1998) and "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" (2007), along with the beloved series "The Tu- dors," speak to the devotion Hirst has to depicting key historical events with a nice serving of dra- matic flair. The research involved, the intricacies of the costumes and settings, and every aspect of pro- duction is selected to ensure that the words and historical details are as closely adhered to as possible. When it comes to "Vikings," Hirst told Entertainment Weekly that "the show has grown in the same way the Viking age grew," which was essential in that "it's about real things, it's about real people." The success of historical dramas such as "Vikings" lies, for Hirst, not necessarily in the beauti- fully depicted battle sequences or the in-depth historical lore, but in the sheer fact that "in some ways, all of our lives were actually touched by Vikings and Viking cul- ture." The series speaks to a univer- sal longing to be connected to an- cestry, therein finding a sense of place and of self. The waters will get deeper and the waves bloodier, as the wars be- gin between brothers and a queen. If season 4 holds any clues for what comes next, only more heart- ache and treachery can await the sons of Ragnar. Unknown lands will be discovered and dire prophe- cies perhaps fulfilled as season 5 of "Vikings" returns Wednesday, Nov. 29, on History Channel. Katheryn Winnick as seen in "Vikings" A family fractured: Ragnar's sons come to blows in season 5 of 'Vikings' 2 | Cover story A/Grindstone Charley's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" GVC Mortgage 5 x 2"

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