Vikings: The Complete Third Season (2015/MGM/Fox Blu-ray Set)

Picture: B+ Sound: B+ Extras: B+ Episodes: B

I'm a big fan of Game Of Thrones and the like, so I really dig Vikings which is a gory and intense look at what life would have been like back in those times. The show boosts incredible production value down to details in costumes and props, great actors, and really makes you feel like you are being transported to the past. This involving, three-disc Blu-ray set is a perfect way for you to get into the show at your own leisure with incredible sound and picture quality that dwarfs any other presentation, continuing here with The Complete Third Season (2015).

The series centers around the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok: the greatest hero of his age and tells the saga of Ragnar's band of Viking brothers and his family as he rises to become King of the Viking tribes. As well as being a fearless warrior, Ragnar embodies the Norse traditions of devotion to the gods: legend has it that he was a direct descendant of Odin, the god of war and warriors and it shows in his fierce commitment to battle and leadership.

In Season 3, he is now King of his people, leading them to the shores of Essex all the way to the city of Paris, but Ragnar better watch his back from King Ecbert, the wise and ruthless ruler of Wessex, who made the promise of a lasting friendship, might threaten his plans of peace and prosperity. In the endless clash between religions, Floki grows even more suspicious of Athelstan, always torn between his God and the Norse Gods, making a call that might lead to a point of no return between him and Ragnar.

Season Three is comprised of ten episodes which include Mercenary, The Wanderer, Warrior's Fate, Scarred, The Usurper, Born Again, Paris, To The Gates!, Breaking Point, and The Dead. The show stars Travis Fimmel as our lead, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Jessalyn Gilsig, and Gustaf Skarsgard amongst others.

Presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and a powerful, lossless DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 track, Vikings comes to life on your home entertainment system and blows away its original broadcast on television, HDTV, et al, and is a series of sets fans and critics continue to rave about. Here, you can again see why.

There are tons of great features here including:

Blu-ray Exclusive: The Guide to the Gods - An interactive exploration of the various Gods in Nordic mythological lore, which include: Odin, Thor, Loki, Frigg, Baldr, Hel, Freyja, Freyr and Njordr.

Blu-ray Exclusive: Extended Versions of All Episodes

Athelstan's Journal (Parts 1 & 2): Provides insight into the character of ''Athelstan,'' as he seeks answers about his direction in life and seeking the honorable path.

Heavy is the Head: The Politics of King Ragnar's Rule

A City Under Siege: Creating and Attacking Paris

Audio Commentary on ''Born Again'' and ''Breaking Point'' featuring Michael Hirst and Linus Roache

Extended & Deleted Scenes

Special Features also from the DVD version:

Athelstan's Journal (Parts 1 and 2)

Heavy is the Head: The Politics of King Ragnar's Rule

A City Under Siege: Creating and Attacking Paris

Deleted Scenes

Fox and MGM have done a great job here with solid extras and an incredible presentation on Blu-ray. The show continues to impress and I can't wait to see Season 4!

- James Harland Lockhart V

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