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    Canonfire :: View topic - HBO's Vikings
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    HBO's Vikings
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    Adept Greytalker

    Joined: Aug 14, 2006
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    Mon Mar 11, 2013 6:50 am  
    HBO's Vikings

    So... anyone watching it? What do you think?

    Joe / GG
    www.greyhawkgrognard.com
    GreySage

    Joined: Sep 09, 2009
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    From: SW WA state (Highvale)

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    Mon Mar 11, 2013 2:35 pm  

    Joe,

    You read my mind. Wink I was wondering the same thing (along with its predecessor, "The Bible").

    To answer you, YES. I am watching it!

    -Lanthorn
    Apprentice Greytalker

    Joined: Feb 05, 2013
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    From: Deep within the Fellreev Forest

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    Mon Mar 11, 2013 2:47 pm  

    I've been watching and enjoying Vikings .
    Like anything on the "history" channel, I'm always pleasantly surprised when they actually get any of the history right.
    I watched a little of The Bible as well. I always enjoy watching caucasians portraying non-caucasians in a "historic" retelling of mythology.
    But again, lots of bright lights and pretty colors moving on the picture box.
    GreySage

    Joined: Jul 26, 2010
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    From: LG Dyvers

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    Mon Mar 11, 2013 6:40 pm  

    Unfortunately, I don't get the History Channel. Are they offering it on their website for online viewing?

    SirXaris
    GreySage

    Joined: Sep 09, 2009
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    Mon Mar 11, 2013 6:47 pm  

    I know it will be coming out for sale at some point, if not already.

    -Lanthorn
    GreySage

    Joined: Oct 06, 2008
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    From: South-Central Pennsylvania

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    Thu Mar 21, 2013 6:59 am  

    Hmm. Thought is was on the History Channel. Confused

    Finally saw a couple of episodes. Unfortunately, I must agree with this assessment:

    http://spectator.org/archives/2013/03/12/history-channel-gets-vikings-p

    I would have expected better from an entity calling itself the "History" Channel. In truth, I was hoping for more of a "documentary" type feel, but Hollywood couldn't even stick to basics -- Earl? The Vikings were not the Anglo-Saxons of England. rolleyes

    Anyway, glad you guys are enjoying it, but I'm disappointed and won't be watching any more episodes.
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    Apprentice Greytalker

    Joined: Feb 05, 2013
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    From: Deep within the Fellreev Forest

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    Thu Mar 21, 2013 3:32 pm  

    It's TV, M.S! Ya can't expect anything great. I don't. But I enjoy it when they give history a try. When they present anything past a Kirk Douglas-type show about the Northmen, I figure it's worth a watch.
    But then I love to laugh too! And there were some hoot-worth moments!
    (But not as many as in the Bible show! I mean, a show about a Semitic region in which only Caucasians are the actors? Priceless! I'd expect nothing less than a blonde/blue Jesus from Hollywood.)
    GreySage

    Joined: Oct 06, 2008
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    Thu Mar 21, 2013 4:48 pm  

    bugsy wrote:
    It's TV, M.S!


    True, but that's also where you and I (and a lot of others) disagree. You see, it's the History Channel!

    I dislike the fact that an entity calling itself "the History Channel" is showing programs that are taking place now . . . like "Swamp People." It's not "the History in the Making Channel."

    If "the Comedy Channel" were showing the Vikings, I'd expect nothing less and therefore wouldn't bother to watch the first episode. But I have certain expectations of the History Channel.

    But that's alright. Hollywood never fails to disappoint me.

    As to the program "the Bible," that you mention: Never saw it and wouldn't bother watching. People who know nothing about the Bible, or its message, have no business making a show about it anyway. I despise calculated ignorance.

    FYI, all humans are descended from three men, the sons of Noah. The Jews, Chinese, Asians, et al, come from Noah's first born, Shem, "White men" come from his second son, Ja'pheth, and "Black men" and "Arabs" come from his third son, Ham.

    A lot of Jews today are "white looking," but they are not of the black race, so . . . What exactly is the problem? They didn't use Orientals to make the movie? rolleyes

    In other words, Bugsy, the Jews are "cousins" to the yellow skin peoples of the world, not the brown, or black skinned peoples. Wink

    And, incidentally, it was Ham's son Canaan who was the special recipient of "the curse." He was father of the Canaanites -- the guys Samson and company used to beat up on. They lived in what is now, err . . . Palestine -- not Africa. Happy
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    Grandmaster Greytalker

    Joined: Jul 09, 2003
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    From: Tennessee, between Ft. Campbell & APSU

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    Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:08 pm  

    bugsy wrote:
    ...But then I love to laugh too! And there were some hoot-worth moments!
    (But not as many as in the Bible show! I mean, a show about a Semitic region in which only Caucasians are the actors? Priceless! I'd expect nothing less than a blonde/blue Jesus from Hollywood.)

    -As for hair or eye color, generally not bloned/blue, but Hebrews genrally were Caucasians.
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    From: Deep within the Fellreev Forest

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    Wed Mar 27, 2013 11:50 am  

    Wow. All human are descended from 3 men...of different races? Interesting theory.
    So many of this planet's problems come from adherance to and fundamentalist following of the three versions of that book. That's my theory.
    But as to TV, it's fuelled by money and money alone, so what is the motivation to be historically accurate for them? The already have a market that will tune in, and that's all advertisers care about.
    I think that to get the masses to watch history, they must dramatize history, and that's a very easy way for the facts to fly out the window. at the rare moments that I watch TV and find a factual documentary or an accurate history program, I am pleasantly surprised. That's a rare occasion.
    Which is why I find myself watching almost no TV these days.
    Adept Greytalker

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    Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:01 am  

    Mystic-Scholar wrote:
    Earl? The Vikings were not the Anglo-Saxons of England. rolleyes


    Since they're speaking English, I don't see any issue with using the English term "Earl" instead of the ON jarl, any more than I would expect them to use the word haf instead of "sea".

    Joe / GG
    GreySage

    Joined: Oct 06, 2008
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    Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:21 am  

    To each his own.

    However, neither the "Old Saxon" Erl nor the "Old Norse" Jarl originated in what we, today, call the English Language. Thus, since both survive in today's English, why can't they more accurately use Jarl?

    "Old Saxon" Erl (modern "Earl") = "Man."

    "Old Norse" Jarl = "Chieftain."

    Both equate with the continental European "Count," from the Latin comes.

    All three words mean relatively the same thing -- today -- and all three now exist as part of the English language. The Norse word haf, however, does not survive as part of the English language. Therefore, I must reject your use of it as an example.

    There's no reason they cannot say "Jarl" rather than "Earl" while making the series. It would be more "accurate" in spite of any thoughts to the contrary.

    In any event, I gave my reasons why I do not care for the series. I can dislike the series for whatever reason I consider valid. My opinions do not influence "your" likes and dislikes, so why do you think your opinion should influence mine?

    To me, your opinion is not "more important" than my opinion, nor is your opinion more valid . . . and vice versa. So we agree to disagree.

    I was not trying to influence "you" into not liking the series.
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    Grandmaster Greytalker

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    Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:02 am  

    bugsy wrote:
    Wow. All human are descended from 3 men...of different races? Interesting theory...


    -Well, technically one, if you think about it. The rest are a combination of Y gene mutations:

    http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/humanmigration.shtml

    ...and mitochondrial DNA. Don't forget the ladies! Wink

    bugsy wrote:
    ...So many of this planet's problems come from adherance to and fundamentalist following of the three versions of that book. That's my theory...


    -The Aztecs used to rip out people's hearts and eat them to keep the sun going. The "Old Religion" of Europe used to strangle and drown people to keep the crops growing. The sacrifices stopped, and the world's done fairly well. If the price is flood stories, I take it. Wink Laughing
    Adept Greytalker

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    Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:37 am  

    Mystic-Scholar wrote:
    My opinions do not influence "your" likes and dislikes, so why do you think your opinion should influence mine?

    To me, your opinion is not "more important" than my opinion, nor is your opinion more valid . . . and vice versa. So we agree to disagree.

    I was not trying to influence "you" into not liking the series.


    Why are you getting so defensive? I never said you should like it, nor did I say anything about the relative value of our opinions. I just responded to your specific criticism.

    Sheesh. Take a breath.
    Apprentice Greytalker

    Joined: Feb 05, 2013
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    Thu Mar 28, 2013 5:08 pm  

    I certainly hope that my opinion did not imply a devaluation of your opinion. That was never intended. I hope we can swap opinions here without giving offense.
    As a Pagan, I am the last person to devalue another's opinion. Many of the practices of my faith seem very silly indeed to others! I believe that there are many, many paths to reach the Truth.

    Love, sunshine and granola!
    bugs
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    Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:34 pm  

    Nobody answered Xaris, and maybe he found it already, but full episodes are available online at http://www.history.com/shows/vikings. They even release the next weeks episode online the day after the episode which airs on TV. I'm enjoying it. I didn't expect too much, so I've been pleasantly surprised at the quality. As far as historicity, the stories about Ragnar are mainly folklore anyway, plus it's a TV show, so it doesn't bother me if it's not "accurate."
    GreySage

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    Fri Mar 29, 2013 7:47 am  

    Thanks smillan_31! Happy

    SirXaris
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    Fri Mar 29, 2013 9:08 pm  

    No problem, brother. I hope you like it. The opening scene has some hokey special effects, but don't be put off by it. The story and characters are pretty engaging.
    GreySage

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    From: LG Dyvers

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    Tue Apr 02, 2013 3:57 pm  

    I've been catching up on the Vikings episodes online, thanks to smillan's link and find it an interesting story.

    I appreciate the historical references (Northumbria, Lindisfarne Abby, etc.). I think it is very interesting, and good for the tale, that they made the Earl's wife a Jezebel.

    The only thing that irritates me, so far, is the love triangle between Ragnar, his wife, and his 'brother'. I really hate that tripe. It ruins otherwise good stories, in my opinion. Evil

    SirXaris
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    Tue Apr 02, 2013 4:20 pm  

    SirXaris wrote:
    The only thing that irritates me, so far, is the love triangle between Ragnar, his wife, and his 'brother'. I really hate that tripe.


    Just another "chick flick," my friend. Wink Evil Grin
    GreySage

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    Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:12 am  

    I like that Cuthbert was given a cameo and that Athelstan will have a large part in the movie. Reminds me a a series of books I read recently, though they are an historical fiction account of the history of the British Isles during the same period.

    The series is titled, The Saxon Stories. It begins with The Last Kingdom and is written by Bernard Cornwell.

    SirXaris
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    Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:50 pm  

    That's a great series Sir X! I got hooked on Mr. Cornwell's Sharpe series. (That was also my introduction to Mr. Sean Bean, one of my favorite actors, as well as the famed 95th Rifles) Every Cornwell series makes fun reading, and he's covered everything from the ACW to the Saxon times with equal respect and entertainment value.
    GreySage

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    Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:09 pm  

    bugsy wrote:
    I got hooked on Mr. Cornwell's Sharpe series . . .as well as the famed 95th Rifles . . .


    Yep! Got the entire series, I love it! I re-watch them all the time. Wink
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    GreySage

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    From: LG Dyvers

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    Sun May 12, 2013 9:24 pm  

    Well, I'm getting more and more frustrated with the extent to which this shows potential is being wasted on soap opera-like drama. To whit:

    Jarl of Gotland - "I had to kill my brother because he betrayed me."
    Rollo - "My brother wouldn't betray me."
    Jarl of Gotland - "So, why don't you betray him and be my trusted man?"
    Rollo - "Sure. Why not?"

    Just rolleyes

    I don't know what else to say about that kind of idiocy. Mad

    SirXaris
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    GreySage

    Joined: Oct 06, 2008
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    Thu May 16, 2013 8:35 am  

    For those of you who may be interested:

    http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/05/16/teenager-rare-viking-era-find-metal-detector/?test=latestnews

    Enjoy!
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    GreySage

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    Thu May 16, 2013 8:45 am  

    Nice link, Mystic! Happy

    SirXaris
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