History Channel has been the must-watch network this spring with ratings giants Vikings and The Bible. Ushering in a new era of scripted TV, History Channel is excited and encouraged by Vikings success.

Episode 5, "Raid" featured Ragnar's home and farm being destroyed by Earl Haraldson as a result of a village seer telling the local chieftain Ragnar aimed to kill him. Ragnar knows he must find a way to win his freedom back. As a Vikings viewer it seems inevitable Ragnar's freedom will only be guaranteed with Haraldson's death.

Episode 6, "Burial of the Dead" features a duel to the death between Ragnar and Haraldson. Each is given their choice of one weapon and must fight for their right to live free.

Headed up by writer Michael Hirst, who has worked on similar medieval adaptations such as Elizabeth, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Tudors and most recently, Starz' short-lived sword and sorcery series Camelot, Vikings is a 10-episode miniseries filled with "imaginatively choreographed battles that emphasize individual points of view, strategies and ruses rather than mindless, graphic slaughter."

Though Vikings does seem primarily about fighting, it's also about friendship and family bonds. The love between Ragnar and his wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) comes across as affectionate and warm. The prisoner monk Athelstan (George Blagden) also provides an interesting dynamic as his Christian principles clash with the Vikings' pagan culture.

Tune in this Sunday for Vikings Episode 6, "Burial of the Dead" at 8/7c on History Channel to find out if Ragnar lives to see another day.