Set in 8th-century Scandinavia, the story follows Ragnar's ambition to sail west across the uncharted ocean to find new lands, a vision that puts him at odds with the local leader, .

: Ragnar Lothbrok, a farmer and warrior, defies his local leader, Earl Haraldson

A common sentiment in the fan community is that Season 1 feels more personal and grounded than the later, larger-scale "battle seasons":