Vikings Why Athelstan Was Killed Off In Season 3

Vikings: Why Athelstan Was Killed Off In Season 3

Contents

Vikings has said goodbye to a lot of characters, and one of the most heartbreaking deaths was that of Athelstan. But why was he killed?

You Are Reading :[thien_display_title]

Vikings Why Athelstan Was Killed Off In Season 3

Vikings has seen a lot of characters come and go, most of them meeting their fates in violent ways, and one of the most heartbreaking deaths was that of Athelstan (George Blagden) – but why was he killed off? Created by Michael Hirst, Vikings initially followed legendary Norse figure Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his Viking brothers on their many journeys, from the beginning of the Viking era onward. The series shifted its focus to Ragnar’s sons in later seasons, making them the protagonists of the series.

Now, Vikings is in its sixth and final season, which will see Ragnar’s sons Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig) and Ivar the Boneless (Alex Høgh Andersen) pitted against one another for the future of Norway. The road to season 6 was not easy, and many characters perished in the way, among those Athelstan, aka “the priest.” Athlestan was a young Christian monk taken as a slave by Ragnar and his Viking brothers from Lindisfarne monastery, very early on in the series’ first season.

Athelstan became a fan favorite thanks to his relationship with Ragnar and his family, especially his daughter Gyda. Sadly, Athelstan was killed by Floki in season 3 – but why did Hirst decide to kill off such a beloved character?

See also  Video Games What OP Means (& When To Use It)

The Real Reason Why Athelstan Was Killed

Ragnar’s friend Floki had long distrusted Athelstan, (correctly) believing that he was lying about having given up his Christianity. This dislike was only intensified after Ragnar allowed himself to be baptized. The catalyst within the series for Athelstan’s death was that Floki had a vision of blood coming out of wood and took it as a sign that “blood must be spilt.” In season 3’s episode “Born Again,” Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) approaches Athelstan while he is praying. Athelstan, understanding that Floki is about to kill him, calmly accepts his death, saying: “Lord, receive my soul” An enraged Floki then hits him in the head with his axe, killing him instantly. It was a heartbreaking moment for Vikings fans for many reasons: Athelstan was a favorite and so was Floki, and viewers had grown fond of the friendship between Ragnar and Athelstan.

In an interview with EW in 2015, George Blagden opened up about Athelstan’s death, sharing how he was told that his character was going to die. Blagden explained that Hirst was very passionate “about not overextending character arcs,” and so he felt it was the moment for Athelstan. Most of the biggest deaths in Vikings have happened under this mentality, which is good as Hirst knows when a character has given its all and, as Blagden says in the interview, doesn’t try to make them “exist past the point where it needs to.” Athelstan’s death was very dramatic, but it did serve a purpose in the story and helped maintain him as a fan favorite by not overextending his stay.

See also  Twilight 25 Wild Revelations About Alice And Jasper’s Relationship

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/vikings-show-season-3-athelstan-killed-death-reason/

Movies -