Vikings Season 1 Episode 8
Play Now Vikings Season 1 Episode 8 “Sacrifice”
As Lagertha is unable to conceive another son, Ragnar takes his family and followers to the temple at Uppsala to attend a great rite to the Æsir and Vanir. He pledges fealty to King Horik, who charges Ragnar with an embassy to Jarl Borg, a rival encroaching on Horik’s lands. Siggy chides Rollo for not paying attention to his own advancement and sleeping with other women. Priests question Athelstan, now in norse garb, about his faith. Athelstan denies Christ three times. They discern that despite his claims, he has not renounced Christianity, and they declare him unfit to be sacrificed to the gods. Leif, Ragnar’s follower, volunteers in Athelstan’s place for this single honour and is sacrificed by King Horik at the climax of the rite together with eight other men and numerous animals.
The traditional pilgrimage to Uppsala to thank the gods brings a torrent of emotions for Ragnar, Lagertha, and Athelstan.
Creators: Michael Hirst
Director: Johan Renck
Star Cast: Katheryn Winnick, Alexander Ludwig, Gustaf Skarsgård, Jessalyn Gilsig, Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Gustaf Skarsgård, Gabriel Byrne, George Blagden, Donal Logue, Alyssa Sutherland
Producer (s): Keith Thompson, Steve Wakefield
Cinematographer: John S. Bartley
Music: Trevor Morris
Production House: World 2000 Entertainment, Take 5 Productions, Shaw Media, Corus Entertainment, MGM Television, History Channel, Screen Ireland
Original network / Official Sites: History Channel
Release Year: 21 April 2013 (USA)
Runtime: 44 min
Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: Ireland, Canada
Language: French, Arabic, Greek, Ancient, English, Old English, Norse, Latin
