Ep 1. East vs West

In season 2 of the widely popular historical comedy television series Norsemen, the opening episode "East vs West" takes viewers on a thrilling journey that keeps them on edge from start to finish. Set in the era of the Vikings in the late eighth century, the series explores life in the Viking society from diverse perspectives, encompassing everything from the daily routines of the villagers to the complex dynamics of their social hierarchy.

The episode opens with the residents of the peaceful Norwegian village, which survived the attack of the merciless warrior Orm and his Arctic crew, as they prepare for a celebratory ceremony to symbolize their unity. At the same time, however, Ketill Flatnose, the Jarl of Vestlandet, is making his way to the village, and it becomes clear that he has an ulterior motive. He desires to build an alliance, uniting the two villages from opposite ends of Norway in order to face the threat of a powerful invading force from the east, which is illustrated through the villagers witnessing several gory signs of their destructive nature.

In the face of this impending threat, tensions arise in the village as pre-existing power dynamics are challenged. Olav and Arvid, two warrior brothers who fought alongside Orm but had a change of heart in the previous season, must decide whether to pledge their allegiance to the Jarl or maintain their loyalty to their own village. Arvid shows hesitation in joining other villages due to his beliefs and continues to put Olav in precarious positions.

In the midst of all this, the conflict between Orm and the title character Rufus, a Roman slave who was taken captive in the raid on Lindisfarne during the first season, continues to play out. Rufus is now the commander of Orm's slave army, and while Orm tries to maintain power in the village, Rufus’ tactics for persuasion are subtle and diplomatic, slowly earning him respect and power.

With Ketill's offer to join hands ensuring survival, the villagers require a solution to the regime, the question of control over resources, and who is to be tasked with militant decisions. Characters such as Earl Varg, Orm and Arvid become essential in that process of negotiation, each offering their own insight and opinion. Earl Varg is interested in taking matters into his own hands and contrasts Orm's more diplomatic approach. While reluctant to consider Ketill's proposal, it is apparent that he must convince the rest of the villagers that it is the only way to overcome the invaders.

The episode moves through various subplots, creating a potent brew of humor, action, and drama. Its landscape is dotted with impressive folklore, treasures, and customs, blending Viking and Roman culture together. The villagers' entertaining tendency to suggestably switch between their usual barbaric angle to speaking Latin, English, and Norwegian for dialogue creates several hilarious moments.

The compelling storyline culminates in a well-filmed sequence, with the last few frantic minutes keeping viewers glued to their screens. Norsemen season 2 episode 1 "East vs West" manages to maintain the quality of the previous season, and thus sets high expectations for the rest of the episodes to come. It demonstrates the superb writing, outstanding acting, and breathtaking cinematography that make Norsemen a must-see for anyone seeking light-hearted historical fiction. The season will surely keep fans of the show satisfied.