As far as the overall production goes, the pilot was well directed, has a nice country setting, and great cinematography. Casting and performances are excellent, and it's good to see John Carroll Lynch and Ragnar Lothbrok's wife in Vikings, Katheryn Winnick. I'm hoping this series doesn't have too many melodramatics mixed in with soap-opera romances, and sticks to the story at hand. The ending was certainly a surprise and leaves an entirely new dynamic from the initially perceived plot-line. I'll adjust my review and rating if need be as the season progresses. So for the pilot, it's an 8/10 from me.