Vikings: Valhalla recently released on Netflix, and fans are really loving the new series. It's a sequel to the original Vikings series, taking place 100 years after the events of the first show. Valhalla has already been able to improve in a lot of areas where the original series struggled. This is partially due to it airing on Netflix, but it's also thanks to the strong base established by its predecessor, Vikings. Being able to use the original show as a template allows the new series to make assumptions and require less exposition.
Vikings: Valhalla follows the story of a man from Greenland called Lief Erickson and his sister Freydis. They are seeking revenge for past wrongs, but both of them end up discovering much more about their place in the Vikings' world. While Freydis explores a spiritual journey, Lief is carving out a name for himself as a cunning strategist and brave warrior. The events of the show move fast, and Lief and Freydis hurry to keep up while they find out how much different the Vikings of Norway are compared to those from Greenland.
While the original show was loved by many fans, some feel the Valhalla is already starting to surpass it with just its first season. One reason for this is the production quality. The fight choreography, costume design and sets were all good in the original show, but having this series on Netflix allows for a higher level of production. This goes a long way in elevating the show over its predecessor. When the entire production feels cleaner and more well done, it helps the show stand out from everything else. Vikings: Valhalla has fantastic fight scenes, the costumes look better, and the sets feel like they exist on a much larger scale.
The show is also able to rely on the lore from the original series. Vikings did a lot of work to teach people about Norse culture and religion. It spent much time discussing different gods and how they affected society at that time. Valhalla benefits greatly by being able to assume that many people already have this knowledge because they watched the first show. This allows the new series to move its own story along at a better pace, without being bogged down by a lot of cultural exposition. It can also build on this knowledge base, using the events of the previous show to help explain or explore new events. This helps the show feel like it's truly part of a world, as opposed to a simple standalone show.
Vikings: Valhalla is off to a fantastic start. With the series moving to Netflix, it was able to make some big production improvements and offer some impressive fight scenes, while using the lore from the original to streamline its new story. These changes all help Valhalla develop its characters and tell their story in much better ways than before.
To follow the adventures of Leif and Freydis, watch Vikings: Valhalla, now streaming on Netflix.