sons come to blows in season 5 of ‘Vikings’

There is a call, a pull deep within that longs for a time of exploration and expansion, with oars moving quickly through foreign waters, seeking out the next adventure or new-found home with blade and axe in hand.

Since 2013, fans have heeded this call vicariously, becoming followers of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel, “Warcraft: The Begin ning,” 2016), whose heroic actions saw him expand the Vikings’ reach far beyond the Nordic seas. What happens, however, when power is shifted — when sons who have ex acted their vengeance must now decide what is the next best move for their people? Perhaps the an swer is mere days away, as “Vi kings” returns for season 5, Wednesday, Nov. 29, on History Channel.

“Vikings” began as an ambitious project from series creator Michael Hirst, who longed to traverse the thin line between fact and fiction when it came to Viking lore. Ragnar is the perfect example of this duality, for his legacy as a fierce ruler and war rior is still the topic of much de bate, as is his personhood, for some believe him a mere legend. The series has seen Ragnar go from an honorable son and earl to the eventual but reluctant king, accom panied by his closest friend, Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård, “Kon-Tiki,” 2012), and wife Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick, “The Dark Tower,” 2017). Ragnar ac quired more land, another wife and increased his lineage, and now five key sons are set to become promi nent figures in the future.