Watch a preview of Vikings episode 8 "Sacrifice" from History Channel.

Vikings (History Channel) is raiding a television near you, and posting huge ratings while doing it. In last night's Vikings episode 7, "A King's Ransom" three Viking ships sailed upriver towards the very heart of power in eastern England: the Royal Villa of King Aelle. Ragnar Lothbrok has come looking for ransom in exchange for peace. However, King Aelle has a different plan in mind for these northern heathens.

Though Vikings on History Channel is filled with blood and violence, the Michael Hirst show demonstrates themes of strong familial bonds. Vikings follows the warrior farmer Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) as he ambitiously travels West to discover new civilizations, winding up in conflict pretty much everywhere he goes.

Along with Fimmel, the Vikings cast includes Gabriel Byrne as Earl Haraldson (Usual Suspects), Gustaf Skarsgard (The Way Back) as Ragnar's inventive ship builder friend, Katheryn Winnick (Bones) as Ragnar's fierce wife, Jessalyn Gilsig (Glee) as Haraldson's gorgeous wife, and many more.

Watch the remaining two episodes of the breakout nine-part series from History Channel. The extraordinary lives of the Dark Age raiders was picked up for a second season as well, so Vikings fans never fear.

Tune in to Vikings episode 8, "Sacrifice" on History Channel, Sundays at 10/9c.