Vikings: Every Season Ranked Worst To Best

Season 5A had the tough job of being the first season without the presence of Ragnar Lothbrok, and for the most part it succeeds. Focusing on the brotherly conflict escalating creates a parallel to Ragnar and Rollo. Sibling rivalry has always been a core theme of the show, and the writers do a good job of juggling all the brothers and showing their motivations and traits inherited from their father. Ivar really feels like the protagonist of the season after proving himself a capable commander in the battle for Wessex.

A consequence of this, however, is that Floki becomes completely sidelined. He is so disconnected from the story and feels like he would be better served as a mentor figure for the sons - something that would show how far his character has come, from the conflicted boat builder to a refined, wiser individual.

Floki misses out on all the action taking place in England as Aethelwulf desperately tries to rally against the pagans, and we are introduced to Jonathan Rhys Myers as Bishop Heahmund. This then nicely introduces the second parallel of the season between Heahmund and Ivar, who echo Ragnar and Athelstan, albeit more volatile.

Season 5A is the best of the post-Ragnar seasons, and the parallels it creates pay homage to the characters that came before.