Vikings: Every Season Ranked Worst To Best

8. Season 5B

Season 5B stands out like a sore thumb in an otherwise solid line-up of television. It's biggest weaknesses lie in the writing, and many decisions made during this season lack direction. Paternal lineage is used for two separate plot points that do not take the story anywhere.

Magnus, the so-called son of Ragnar, is introduced only to be unceremoniously killed off without contributing anything to the plot. In an even more bizarre turn of events, Rollo finally returns only to proclaim he believes Bjorn - a character who has always been Ragnar's eldest son - is actually his son.

This decision feels even more out of place when you factor in Rollo has just aided Ivar in ousting Bjorn from his home, although he does have a knack for betrayal at this point. Rollo may come to regret his decision, however, as Ivar goes from being a ruthless antihero whose cruelty stemmed from his disability, to an absolute tyrant without any real agency. When Ragnar told him to “be ruthless”, he meant towards Ivar’s enemies - not his own people!

Thankfully, these odd writing choices don't seem to be affecting anyone in Wessex. Alfred and Heahmund get some of the best moments of the season as the young king treading in his grandfather's footsteps and the warrior bishop struggling with his faith, respectively.