History Channel‘s Vikings panel was great fun, not only because it was vastly entertaining but because everyone on the panel was very informative and interesting.

For those who are not familiar with the show, as it enters it’s third season here is how the press release describes the show:

VIKINGS, Season 3 is currently in production and is slated to premiere in 2015. VIKINGS tells the extraordinary tales of the lives and epic adventures of these warriors. The drama portrays the world of these Dark Age raiders, traders, explorers – not from an outsider’s view, but, through the eyes of Viking society. VIKINGS centers on Ragnar (Travis Fimmel), a restless young warrior and family man who longs to find and conquer new lands across the sea and claim the spoils as his own.

Travis Fimmel (Warcraft) continues to lead the stellar cast as Ragnar, along with Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha, an Earl and fierce shield maiden; Clive Standen as Rollo, Ragnar’s impulsive brother; Alexander Ludwig as Bjorn, the intelligent and bold warrior son of Ragnar; George Blagden as Athelstan, a young and not-so-innocent monk; Jessalyn Gilsig as Siggy, beautiful wife of the late Earl Haraldson; Linus Roache as Ecbert, King of Wessex, a man of strength, knowledge and undisguised ambition; Gustaf Skarsgard as Floki, a ship builder who designs the new generation of Vikings ships and Alyssa Sutherland as Princess Aslaug, Ragnar’s new wife.

Joining the cast for season three are Lothaire Bluteau (The Tudors) as Emperor Charles of France, a powerful man who views battling the Vikings as spiritual and earthly; Kevin Durand (The Strain) as The Wanderer, a mysterious man who is not what he seems; and Morgane Polanski (The Ghost) as Princess Gisla, the elegant, self-possessed daughter of Emperor Charles and his most trusted advisor and Ben Robson (Dracula: The Dark Prince) as Kalf, Lagertha’s trusted second in command

As was mentioned on the panel, Lagertha is a powerful woman, living in a complex and violent world.  A time that has not often been shown on television particularly is being explored and they are bringing to life locations and cultures in such vivid culture and with such beautiful effects that as you watch the show you do  not feel a though you are watching a show that uses visual effects.

Ragnar Lothbrok was a real Viking, around whom legends evolved and swirled.  A man with multiple relationships and children it is easy to understand how he captured the imagination of these storytellers and how this fantastic television show has come from the myths, stories, rumors and legends that grew out of his life.  We may never know the truth and details of the real Ragnar Lothbrok, but it is fun to imagine History Channel’s Vikings is giving us a glimpse into the time in which he lived, into the struggles of his era, the complexities and politics of his age, and all the while they are showing us the beautiful, seemingly pristine world in which they lived so long ago.

If you are looking for a show that is equal parts fight and drama, consider flipping over to History Channel and giving Vikings a try, this is an engrossing tale that keeps you coming back from one week to the next, forever curious to know who will react how, and what twist awaits you around the next bend in the plot.