Marquis DeSade

Great production values. Good actors. Stunning cinematography. Flawed writing. New characters appearing from out of nowhere, a girl, seemingly out-of-place in a drinking spree is suddenly introduced as a major player in the politics on the show - no background is offered whatsoever, the viewer is just expected to accept it as it is sans any explanation. Ivar takes over kingdoms and armies with very little protestations from anybody - just to conveniently push the storyline.