Vikings: The Real Vikings (by historychannel)

The Takeaway:

  • The Vikings raped and pillaged with a sense of morality.
  • They respected women (in their full-blooded, rapey sort of way).
  • They left their DNA all over the world (but they must have mopped up afterward, because they were preoccupied with being clean and, of course, with presentation).

Which is not to say that I don’t love the show! I do. But in real life, I might not have enjoyed a chance viking encounter, holding as I do to a somewhat higher standard of respect for women).