Page - 116 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 06/01

SEER: Instead, one amongst you must agree to take his place tomorrow at the sacrifice. If not, then all shall fail. The gods in their anger will punish everyone, and withdraw their protection from all of us. (Whispering) No, not you. (Hard clap on the back) LEIF: Before anyone else can claim this honor, I desire to be sacrificed.31 Context In Vikings, the Vikings travel to Uppsala to bring sacrifices pleasing to the gods, in a section brimming with Christian and pagan amalgamations. Athelstan is to be sacrificed. The leader of the cult questions him about his religious integrity, and it becomes clear that Athelstan has not really given up on his god, even when his god is characterized as false and Athelstan’s heart deemed corrupt. Interpretation A Christian, even Christological narrative runs through this fragment as one person is to die for the sins of others. In this case, however, Athelstan’s sacrifice is not accepted. The scene is deliberately staged: the cult leader’s first question asks about Athelstan’s allegiance to Christ, with his subsequent questions exploring that allegiance in terms of worship. Here is found a reference to Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus in the Gospel 31 Cf. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5VoO15xWMY [accessed 27 September 2019]. Fig. 3: Film still, Vikings, S1:E8 (00:35:32). “Someday Our Gods Will be Friends” | 115www.jrfm.eu 2020, 6/1, 103–126