[SPOILERS] adult Ivar has ruined this series

I’ve just started bingeing this great series and am halfway through season 5 and I just need to get off my chest how much I HATE Ivar as a character.

I’m sure this topic has been done to death by now but I really need to get this off my chest so please let me have this moment.

I’m still unsure if the character is poorly written or poorly acted but my god Ivar the Boneless is so ridiculous. The laughing, the facial expressions, the screaming... Even the way he yells “YAH” every 3 seconds when riding in his chariot, as if his horse will suddenly stop running if he doesn’t yell it. This guy is absolutely unbearable and I watch each episode hoping he’ll be killed off so I don’t have to watch him anymore.

I find the rest of the protagonists that the story lines revolve around generally well written and easy to empathize with. And with the first 3 seasons, so much work was done to tell the story of Ragnor Lothbrok’s struggles and ultimate downfall, only to hand off to this 1 dimensional character who displays the depth of a DC comic book villain.

Not to mention his rapid ascension to the throne defies all logic and belief. Are we supposed to believe that this guy goes from being an over-mothered “cripple” who’s never seen a single battle, to a battle general and then king within the space of a few battles???

He displays absolutely NO leadership qualities and no qualities that would inspire men to follow him into battle. I do not understand how the writers expected the viewers to believe that these battle hardened warriors would be so quick to submit to his leadership and rule.

When you look at groups that go into battle together, whether it’s vikings, soldiers or outlaw motorcycle gang members, they’re bonded by a sense of brotherhood, loyalty, a belief that they have eachothers backs and a sense that they’re fighting for a purpose bigger than themselves. You see this amongst the Vikings in the earlier seasons when they raid. Ragnar clearly cares about his people and their shared purpose, and the Vikings want to follow him and fight for him.

Yet Ivar is very clear that he is purely self serving and that his motivation for battle is his own revenge against Lagathar and he’s own fame. He doesn’t even try to hide it. He shows no loyalty or concern for anyone, not even his own brothers. So why are all these men willing to go into battle and face their own death for him?? It’s such lazy writing and such a disappointing turn for the series after watching Ragnor for the first 3.5 seasons.

He’s such a 1 dimensional and ridiculous character with no depth, and no motivation other than to avenge his mother’s death. He’s nothing more than a comic book villain and truly unbearable to watch. It’s so disappointing to watch much of the main storyline centre around him.