History Channel's Vikings have shown that it has a loyal fan base that has stuck with them throughout six seasons. The likability factor of the show's main characters (whether they are protagonists or antagonists) has been a crucial part of the franchise's success and longevity. To keep these characters interesting, the writers understandably took some risks when writing these characters' stories.
That being said, there are a few plot twists in the overall story that have caused many fans to question the direction of the series. Some of the more memorable characters' storylines have stagnated as a result. At worst, entire arcs and plotlines have been completely forgotten. Without further delay, here is a list of the biggest plot twists that hurt Vikings the past few seasons.
Rollo Leaves For Paris
Rollo was always Ragnar's counterbalance. There was always a sense that he was in the background waiting for his brother to find himself in a weakened position so that he could then take what he felt was rightfully his. However, when that point came in Season 4, Rollo was nowhere to be found.
This was significant to the overall plot as it put pressure on Ragnar's sons to take a greater role, a role they were not initially capable of fulfilling. Ragnar had overcome countless betrayals but the greatest and last one should have been from his brother.
Aslaug Takes Lagertha's Position
There was just a connection between Lagertha and Ragnar that fans could relate to. They were equals in every way and one never seemed to overshadow the other. This is remarkable in the sense that this rarely happens in a show that has two main protagonists at any given moment. Yet, for almost two seasons, Vikings pulled it off.
Sadly, this was not meant to last. In Season 2, Ragnar cheated on Lagertha with Aslaug, causing her to leave Kattegat. Aslaug never grew as a character and, even though she was a part of the main cast, she always fit better in the background.
Ragnar's Inability To Rule
In Season 1, Ragnar was the up and comer. He had big dreams that were going to forever change the outlook for his people on the main stage of world colonization. Yet, starting in Season 2, Ragnar completely regressed as a character. No longer was he ambitious and he seemingly lost all interest in furthering his glory as a ruler.
Instead, he was content to lead small raiding parties to Wessex and Paris. Even though he was acclaimed as a legendary figure among his people, he never seemed to live up to that reputation nor did he have the intention of doing so.
Everyone's Obsession With Aethelstan
Aethelstan was a priest who became Ragnar's slave and then advisor. He was a knowledgeable man but wasn't a game-changer. Yet, as he wandered back and forth between Wessex and Kattegat, Ragnar and King Ecbert's obsession with him became quite maddening to the overall plot.
The only significant role to the story that Aethelstan truly had a hand in was when he fathered the future ruler of Wessex, Alfred with Julia. None of which furthered Ecbert or Ragnar's story-line in the least bit, making their fascination with Aethelstan a pointless endeavor.
Ragnar's Drug Addiction
It was clear from the beginning of Season 2 that Ragnar was fighting heavy depression but instead of facing his problems, Ragnar decided to become drug dependent. This simply didn't seem to mesh well with his overall story arc when it comes to his plan to raid Paris.
In fact, his drug dependence hindered him to the point that he was unable to lead his people during their raid on Paris and afterward. This completely weakened his position among his people and forever tarnished his reputation as a leader. It was just a clear dead-end character arc from the beginning.
Lagertha's Roles As An Usurper
Lagertha was always one of the more popular characters on Vikings. She was valiant like Ragnar but, unlike him, had a noble and fair spirit. Though after leaving Ragnar, she has made it her personal mission to usurp anyone in any land she has been in.
To start things of, she killed her second husband usurping his territory for her own. After this territory was stolen from her by Kalf, she again usurped his claim by killing him. She then attacked Kattegat usurping and killing Aslaug. For someone who claims to only want peace, Lagertha sure wars a lot.
Björn's Lustful Ways
Ragnar cheated on both of his wives multiple times throughout the show. His son Björn, at first, appeared as a child to be the anti-Ragnar when it come to this behavior but as an adult, he has proven to somehow be a hundred times more lustful than his father.
In fact, Ragnar of all people chastised him for his uncaring behavior towards the children he has fathered. Multiple children and wives he has just abandoned for no apparent reason, by the way. This wouldn't be a problem if it didn't take up so much of his story arc.
Floki's Quest To Nowhere
Floki was once one of the more memorable and popular characters on Vikings. After all, he was the right hand man of Ragnar and one of his most loyal and adamant ers. Yet, after Ragnar's death, Floki appeared to lose his place in the series.
His quest to gather colonists for Iceland has been a complete and total disaster. Making him descend into madness far away from the main story that badly needed his presence was a grand miscalculation. His character is no longer likable and instead of actually doing something important, he spends most of his time trying to sacrifice himself for his mistakes.
Lagertha's Relationship With Heahmund
When Heahmund was first captured by Ivar, it looked like he would be a weapon that could propel Ivar to win the war against Lagertha and Björn. However, their alliance was brief once Heahmund crossed paths with Lagertha, enamored by her beauty, he swore his alliegance, promising her a future together.
Sadly, Heahmund's struggle between his love for Lagertha and his Christian faith never matured before his death. His ing forces with Lagertha also, didn't change the outcome of the struggle for Kattegat, making the idea of him fighting on the side of the Vikings a moot point.
Harald Fights His Brother
Harald isn't always someone who has an important role in the main plot of the show. However, in the last two seasons of Vikings, Harald has risen to prominence. As the stakes grew higher, he soon found that he and his brother had differing opinions as to who they should follow.
Unlike, Rollo and Ragnar, Harald and his brother were the closest of kin, making their decision to go to battle with each other all the more heartbreaking. Unfortunately, their character arcs were never fully externalized, rendering their clash kind of hollow. Instead of being the show's biggest tragedy, Harald killing Halfdan without a second thought just fell flat for some viewers.