Some people watch Vikings for the action. Others, for the complex politics and gripping storylines. But what ends up gluing most fans to the screen are the relationships built and destroyed over the course of the show. And when it comes to a show like Vikings, where brutal Norse warriors are the main characters, things tend to get complicated.
There were plenty of relationships developing right before our eyes as the show went on. And some of those relationships were beautiful, wholesome, and made fans root for the characters. But there were others that got some people falling to their knees and praying for it to just stop. So let's take a look at the five most unhealthy relationships in Vikings, and five that filled hearts with joy.
Wholesome: Ragnar & Lagertha
Kicking off this list is everyone's favorite couple in the history of Vikings and perhaps even of television as a whole. Ragnar and Lagertha were the love of each others' lives. They ed each other through thick and thin, and there was a strong friendship underneath the epic love as well.
What possessed Ragnar to do what he did with Auslaug, many still don't understand. Prophecy doesn't seem like good enough of an excuse. But that was the reality of the times, and even though the two weren't endgame, their relationship was near perfect.
Unhealthy: Ivar & Freydis
A case could be made for the fact that anyone who'd to associate with Ivar would be entering an unhealthy relationship. His madness was his defining trait throughout the entire course of the show, so it's no wonder he would make a horrible partner, friend, parent, and pretty much anything that requires empathy.
Freydis was dealt a really bad card. When you marry a raving lunatic, you're not in for a good time...and the poor woman ended up being chocked by him. As far as unhealthy goes, this relationship takes the cake.
Wholesome: Rollo & Siggy
What was so great about Rollo and Siggy's relationship? It was the way she saw him. Because it's always very easy to judgment on someone we don't know based solely on the actions we witnessed. At the time, Rollo was the odd one out, the traitor, the drunk, the useless.
Siggy actually loved Rollo for he was, and she saw just how far he could go. Even though they didn't last, this relationship was a bright star in a world that often tends to be so tragic.
Unhealthy. Ragnar & Auslaug
When you base a relationship on prophecy, chances are, you're not going to get a very relationship out of it. Ragnar was so obsessed with having his sons and prophecies that he could not control, he married Auslaug and broke Lagertha's heart.
The worst part is that he didn't even care that much for Princess Auslaug. He just wanted to set his fate in stone, and it cost him true love and a boring relationship that wasn't nurtured or interesting to watch.
Wholesome: Astrid & Lagertha
On the topic of fiery love, we have to mention Astrid and her adoration for Lagertha. Astrid would sail the seven seas for Lagertha and bring her whatever she wanted from the journey. Ragnar might have been the love of Lagertha's life, but Lagertha was the love of Astrid's life.
Their affair was short-lived but intense and magnificent in its own particular way. It was too bad Lagertha choose ambition in the end, because these two had everything to craft one of the most beautiful stories in the whole series.
Unhealthy: Ubbe & Margrethe
This one just doesn't make any sense. Yes, all of Ragnar's sons seemed to have a thing for Margrethe, and they all had a lot of fun together back in the day. And yet, Ubbe was the one who freed her from slavery and ultimately took her as his wife.
But there's was no love there. She clearly wanted his brother, and Ubbe never seemed very enthusiastic around her. At times, the energy between the two was outright miserable. This relationship was a miss.
Wholesome: Ecbert & Lagertha
While Lagertha made some incredible decisions where love is concerned, as we saw with Astrid and Ragnar, others were just plain sad. But the bond that developed between her and Ecbert was perhaps one of the most touching on Vikings.
This relationship seemed more mature and wholesome than others we saw on the show. They ed, ired and cared for each other in a very loving way. Definitely some of the most smile-inducing couples!
Unhealthy: Bjorn & Porunn
Bjorn is notable for making some very questionable choices in the love department. And perhaps one of the most puzzling of all was the one he shared with Porunn, mostly because there didn't seem to be anything there. She had her life figured out, and she knew exactly who she wanted to be.
When it came to showing affection for Bjorn, she just didn't seem into it. In the end, even though she gave him a child, Porunn ran away to presumably never come back - and that was the end of that.
Wholesome: Floki & Helga
Floki and Helga are simply the most wholesome couple in the entire universe of Vikings. They loved each other dearly, and even though they were unmarried for many years, they remained faithful to each other, and eventually built a beautiful life together.
It's still heart-warming to look back at the happy moments these two shared. Unfortunately, it ended with Helga's untimely death. But that will never take away from such a wonderful bond.
Unhealthy: Rollo & Ragnar
Surprisingly enough, the most unhealthy relationship on Vikings was not of a romantic nature, but rather, a fraternal one. Yes, brothers fight and there's always some competition between them, but Rollo and Ragnar took it to a whole other level.
Rollo never got over his jealously and ended up betraying his brother several times. They fought hard against each other, and on opposite sides, too. But it did make for some fantastic television!