Should I watch Last Kingdom or Valhalla?
As an avid gamer and entertainment buff, this is a question I‘m often asked to weigh in on. Both historical dramas transport viewers back to medieval England during the Viking invasions, but deliver markedly different experiences. Here’s my in-depth take on which show you should prioritize first in your viewing journey!
The Last Kingdom: A Character-Focused Drama
Adapted from Bernard Cornwell’s beloved Saxon Stories novels, The Last Kingdom emphasizes the personal odysseys of its core cast. We witness Saxon nobleman Uhtred evolve from a Viking captive to a fierce warrior defending Wessex.
What I find most compelling is the intricate dynamics between characters. Uhtred grapples to balance his Saxon bloodline with the Viking upbringing that shaped him, all while fighting for validation and his ancestral home. The show’s measured pace allows these emotional arcs to breath. Compared to the breakneck tempo of Vikings: Valhalla, The Last Kingdom leisurely pulls us into its grounded 9th century setting without sacrificing exhilarating combat either!
Critic consensus: With near perfect scores across its five seasons, The Last Kingdom clearly resonates thanks to the authentic world building and themes of destiny/redemption woven into its characters’ journeys.
Vikings: Valhalla – Lavish Battles and Set Pieces
Picking up over 100 years after the original hit series, Vikings: Valhalla chronicles famed explorer Leif Eriksson and his bold sister Freydis, as they traverse new lands while becoming entangled in conflicts back home.
Where Valhalla delivers is through its adrenaline-fueled pacing between electrifying clashes. Our leads journey west, discover North America, then quickly confront rival Vikings – all within the first three episodes! The violence here is unrelentingly gory, which depending on preferences, can be a pro or con.
While critical reception is more mixed than The Last Kingdom’s consistent acclaim, there’s no denying Valhalla’s entertainment value as a flashy, easily digestible binge for action junkies.
The Verdict: The Last Kingdom First, Then Valhalla
For viewers craving emotionally resonant storytelling anchored in cultural history, I strongly advise starting with The Last Kingdom and its legendary figures like Uhtred who defined England’s formative years.
Fans lusting after lavish visuals and gruesome combat will get their fill by diving into Vikings: Valhalla next. It’s lighter on nuanced drama but introduces famous Vikings in a style that’s easy to binge.
Honestly you can’t go wrong either way! But if I had to choose one to start with, I found The Last Kingdom more rewarding in the long run thanks to the depth of its characters over five amazing seasons. Yet Valhalla still deserves a watch afterwards too for the exotic locales and gritty action!
Let me know which one you decide to dive into first. Whether it’s Uhtred’s eventful saga or the blazing exploits of Lief and Freydis, both series are bound to scratch that medieval action itch! Skål friends!
