Rites of Passage 

Ragnar goes on a trip of initiation with his son. Meanwhile, he thinks he has finally found a way to sail ships to the west. However, his beliefs are seen as insane so he chooses to go against the law.

Director:

Johan Renck

Writers:

Michael Hirst (creator), Michael Hirst

Stars:

Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Travis Fimmel	...	Ragnar Lothbrok
Katheryn Winnick	...	Lagertha
Clive Standen	...	Rollo
Jessalyn Gilsig	...	Siggy Haraldson
Gustaf Skarsgård	...	Floki
Gabriel Byrne	...	Earl Haraldson
John Kavanagh	...	The Seer
David Pearse	...	Svein
Nathan O'Toole	...	Bjorn
Eddie Drew	...	Odin
Ruby O'Leary	...	Gyda
Gerard McCarthy	...	Brondsted
Billy Gibson	...	Ulf
Eddie Elks	...	Olafur
David Wilmot	...	Olaf Andwend

Storyline

At a meeting to discuss the summer raids Ragnar Lothbrok urges Earl Haraldson to send his ships to the west to raid an island called England. Ragnar believes he's found a way across the open sea using a rudimentary navigational device and a sunstone. Haraldson refuses saying he doesn't believe there is anything to the west. Ragnar visits a seer to learn what the future has in store for him and is told that he should take the law into his own hands. He decides to get a new boat of his own.

---

Plot Keywords:

rite of passage | party | punishment | public humiliation | corporal punishment | 

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History | Romance | War

---

Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

Ireland Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 2013 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Norway

Company Credits

Production Co:

History Canada,Take 5 Productions,World 2000 Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the end of the first battle scene with Ragnar and Rollo standing in the field, Ragnar sees an old man walking among the dead. The old man is the god Odin, who was said to be a shapeshifter, able to alter his form in any way he liked. Odin was said to travel the world mostly as a one-eyed, grey-bearded old man with a staff, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a traveling coat.

---

Goofs

The Vikings' "Chieftain" says they will raid "Russia". Russia wasn't called "Russia" back then. Vikings called the Novgorod Republic "Holmsgaard". To the rest of Europe it was known as "Kaganate".

---

Quotes

Bjorn: Why is he smiling, Father?
Ragnar Lothbrok: [about the beheaded man] He wants to die well, without fear, to atone for his sins.

---

Connections

References The Mask (1994)

---

Soundtracks

If I Had a Heart
Written by Karin Dreijer Andersson
Performed by Fever Ray

User Reviews

lots of penitential

A brilliant first episode to a new TV show for me! With a good lead actor and a very entertaining villain. I strongly hope this show carries on at such a high level! The story line of this new show is very strong based on the story of the first viking worriers to make the trip to the west and invade England i also believe this show to be very educational when it comes to knowledge of the viking gods. 9/10