Naughty little Vikings commentary clip because I was in a mood. 👑 Don't get me wrong, I outright ADORE what Ivan has done with King Aelle and wouldn't want to miss his heartbreaking performance that overrode the huge storytelling flaws. He somehow managed to make this sudden and complete break of character with no lead-up or explanation whatsoever still look genuine and deeply touching.
I just dislike that they withheld any scenes from us in between that would've shown how this was even possible as it insults the intelligence of the audience and also deprived us of the profound experience of fully grasping and relating to the tragic dimension of King Aelle's character.
And I strongly dislike that such a shattering and gruesome end to a life of thorough integrity despite all adversities and a deeply moving struggle with spiritual uncertainty was presented in a way that invited gloating mockery, hence undermined any respect for King Aelle's heroic sacrifice, his virtues and good intentions and even for his suffering and agony.
King Aelle deserved better, we as the audience deserved better, and Ivan deserved better for all the love and care and thought and work he had put into his character - and for all the opportunities he had to let pass while bound by this contract. The range of his performances in this show, not least in this episode, shows what Ivan is truly capable of doing. He deserved not to be wasted just to fix conceptual flaws within a few minutes of screentime, but to be given the space to show us the compelling depths and layers of his character much more elaborately. Above all, he deserved his vision to be heard, his input to be considered, accomplished and experienced an actor as he is, and the end of his character, teased and highly anticipated from season 1 onwards, to be portrayed with due care and without haste.
If you've read this far, thank you!
.
#IvanKaye #KingAelle #unfair #Aelle #HistoryVikings #KingAella #HistoryChannelVikings #Aella #historyvikingsseason4 #KingÆlle #KingOfNorthumbria #Ælle #Saxon #king #Northumbria #KingÆlla #TVseries #perioddrama #Ælla