Travis Fimmel is definitely the standout on Vikings, however Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, George Blagden and Alexander Ludwig have all had moments to shine throughout the series. This cast truly delivers some of the best performances on television. That moment in Season 2, when Ragnar says goodbye to his deceased daughter kills me every time. It's a masterclass in acting.

Michael Hirst is one of the most influential writers of historical fiction in the business. His film Elizabeth, was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture in 1998. He went on to create, executive produce, and write every single episode of HBO's The Tudors. As with that series, Hirst is the sole writer on HISTORY's Vikings, which is no small feat.

At its heart, Vikings is a family drama. Ragnar Lothbrok was not just a legendary Norse hero, but he fathered many famous sons. We have already met some of them on the series including Bjorn Ironside (pictured here), Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, and Ivar the Boneless. History tells us that Ragnar's sons avenged his death by invading England with a Great Heathen Army.

Ragnar's first wife, Lagertha, was a real life Viking shieldmaiden. These strong women fought alongside the men in battle and were considered equals on raids. Viking women were respected in Norse society and could inherit property, request a divorce and more. Lagertha goes on to become Earl after her abusive husband's demise and Aslaug handles Ragnar's affairs when he is gone raiding. The women on the series are often times more interesting than the men, which is rare for a TV show like Vikings.

It's well known the Vikings became rich off raiding, pillaging and human trafficking. Needless to say, the Anglo-Saxons and other settlements they attacked did not go down without a fight. As Ragnar's legend grew, so did his army leading to the epic battle sequences we now see on the show. The Vikings first landed in England with one ship, this season they return with hundreds.

Throughout the series, we learn about Viking customs including the fact they did not wear horned helmets. Viking tattoos held meaning for them, usually in honor of the God's Odin, Thor, Frea and others. It's fascinating to watch Viking traditions painstakingly recreated for the series. When Ragnar and his men dine with King Ecbert in Season 2, the differences in customs are quickly evident.

The series has managed to find a nice balance between the pagan and Christian beliefs of the time. Michael Hirst explores Viking sacrifices - animal and human alike - as well as the corruption commited by the Christian's in Gods name. The writing does not feel biased at all. We witness wedding ceremonies for both religions and even get a feel for the conflict between the two religions via ex-monk Athelstan.

Vikings films in Ireland and the scenery is simply majestic. The seaside village of Kattegat was built specifically for the series and the shots of the mountains and rivers are glorious. From what I've read, 70 percent of Season 1 was filmed outdoors.

I enjoy Game of Thrones as much as the next guy, but there's something special about a series based in reality. The characters on Vikings lived, they walked the Earth and left behind an incredible legacy. Major events in the series, like the raid on the monastary at Lindisfarne, and this year in Paris, are well documented. Sure, this is a ultimately a drama and we can't know exactly how things went down, but Hirst & HISTORY have done a great job of bringing the Viking Age to life.