On Thursday, February 19, Vikings returns to the History Channel for a third season and it’s going to be a whopper. Until then, here’s a bit of info to help get you ready.

While awaiting the land he’s been promised by the English, Ragnar (Travis Fimmel), the “farmer who made himself a king,” turns his warriors towards the supposedly impenetrable city of Paris. Ever a warmonger, the new King can’t resist sieging the city and proving the strength and legend of his Norsemen. Family continues to play an important role for Ragnar, with his son Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) searching for his own place, his brother Rollo (Clive Standen) firmly at his side, and his former wife Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) now allied with him too.

Four new characters will join History’s hit scripted drama this season. Harbard (Kevin Durand), whose arrival has been dreamt of by Queen Aslaug, Siggy, and Helga, will turn up suddenly and have a profound effect on the three women. Kalf (Ben Robson) is Lagertha’s ambitious and perhaps duplicitous second in command. Emperor Charles of France (Lothaire Bluteau) will face off with the Vikings though he views the battle as spiritual, and his daughter, Princess Gisla (Morgana Polanski), may possess more courage and resolve than even he.

If you’re looking to catch up or just get a refresher, seasons one and two of Vikings are available on Amazon and Hulu. Check out the extended trailer for the new season after the break.

Getty Images/Ethan Miller for HISTORY

At the end of season two of Vikings, Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) took the title King of the Danes by force when he and those loyal to him defeated King Horik. Now Ragnar is set on conquering England and even France as the HISTORY series continues to serve up epic battle scenes for viewers.

In one of the most shocking announcements at San Diego Comic-Con 2014, the cast revealed a major character would die this season. They were quiet as to who would get the axe (literally, most likely) but teased a major battle in Paris. Season 3 is bringing Alexander Ludwig’s Bjorn Ironside into the battle even more as he joins his father and uncle, Rollo (Clive Standen), in claiming new lands. Ragnar and his brother are finally moving forward together after nursing a strained  relationship for much of the last season.

Click through for more, including a sneak peak at season 3. After the break.

Vikings is having a moment. Season one of History’s series became the #1 new cable series of the year. A massive Viking’s Interactive Waterway at San Diego Comic Con let face ships on the water. The show’s panel brought in a room full of ravenous fans, many in Vikings costumes or gear. Then attendees were rewarded with a special sneak peak at the highly anticipated season two of the historical drama.

Will Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) survive? Skarsgard hinted that Floki may pop up in the second episode too but wouldn’t say anything further. But one thing we know for sure, this is not the same band of warriors we met last season.

The season one finale signaled a distinct change for Ragnar (Travis Fimmel), his family and his Vikings. Rollo (Clive Standen), switched his allegiance to Jarl Borg over Ragnar, pitting him directly against his brother, who continues to represent King Horrik. Back at home, Ragnar’s wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), saw their daughter succumb to the deadly plague that wiped out most of the village. While his village mourns, Ragnar is tearing his family apart even further by beginning an affair with the sultry Princess Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland), who now believes she is carrying his son.

We’re really getting into History’s new scripted series Vikings. And really, what’s not to like?

It’s gritty realism is only matched by the power of its great ensemble cast. Plus, hacking and slahing is always a fun way to pass the time. Well, watching it is at least.

A brand new episode airs this Sunday and to get you prepared, we’ve got several previews for it to share with you today. In the episode, which is entitled ‘The Raid”, “a seer reads Earl Haraldson’s future and tells him that Ragnar Lothbrok searches for his death. The unanswerable question is whom do the gods favor more?

As a man willing to defend his power and status to the death, Haraldson intends to take precautionary measures. Ragnar, his home and farm burned by the Earl is hurt but hidden safely away. He must now choose the path that will lead him back to his freedom.”

Sounds good. Check out the new epside Sunday at 10/9C on History Channel. Take a look at the previews after the break.

As we told you before, we’re very interested in History’s upcoming show Vikings. It seems to have all of the elements we love in a show.

Action, drama, swords and epic heroes and villains, Vikings looks to be a fun and entertaining way to spend sixty minutes. And now, to get you ready for the show’s premiere, we’ve got more previews and whatnot for you to enjoy.

But before that, here’s some tidbits about the premiere episode:

Our story begins in 8th century Scandinavia where Ragnar Lothbrok is a warrior and a farmer who dreams of finding riches by bucking the tradition of raiding to the east. Ragnar has been working in secret on a project that will turn the Viking world on its head. But first Ragnar must convince the leader of his community, the powerful Earl Haraldson, who is none too happy to share in the renown that this journey could bring to Ragnar if it’s successful.

Vikings Premieres Sunday at 10/9c on the History Channel. Check out the videos after the break.

Looks like Hostory Channel is trying to capture a bit of that Game of Thrones and Spartacus magic that HBO and Starz have. In truth, we don’t mind because their upcoming show, Vikings, actually looks pretty good.

We’ve got a few preview clips from the show to share with you today. In them you’ll get “a taste of the intense drama” the show will bring. The next two previews introduce some of the main characters: “the warrior shield maiden, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) and the ruler, Earl (Gabriel Byrne). One, fighting for what she believes and the other fighting to hold onto the power he can’t stand to lose.”

The last clip is, well, you’ll just have to watch it. Vikings premieres 3.3.13 @ 10/9c on History Channel.

It should come as no surprise to regular readers of this site but in addition to movies, TV, comics, tech, games and all things geek, we also love cars. So, when we can combine two of our loves, like TV and cars, we are, of course, even more ecstatic.

You can probably guess, then, how we feel about a little BBC TV show called Top Gear. That’s right, we love it. With that in mind, then, how do we feel about the US version of Top Gear which airs on the History Channel and is hosted by comedian and car buff Adam Ferrara, champion rally and drift racer Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood?

Well, um, it’s complicated.

We tried to like it. Really, we did. We want to like it. We want it to succede because the world needs more fun, entertaining shows about cool cars on TV. Sadly, it just isn’t very good.

Let’s face it, Clarkson, May and Hammond are a tough act to follow and the US version has a long way to go. Still, we won’t give up on it just yet.

Neither will History Channel, it seems. Top Gear USA’s ratings for the second season improved greatly over the first to an average of 1.9 million viewers per episode. As a result of that increase, the network plans to extend the season with eight new episodes and is already in production on them at a secret location outside of Los Angeles, CA.

Ok, it’s actually in Irvine, but don’t tell anyone.

The new episodes are set to premiere in 2012 but as yet we don’t have a firm date. We’ll let you know when we do.

February is in full swing, so I’m taking a break from freezing my butt off in upstate NY and conjugating Spanish verbs to bring you this month’s TV Digest. With all the snow that’s been plaguing the US and the winter movie slump in full swing, it’s great to have some excellent tv to watch. Look no further than here, dear readers, as I’ve got everything you need to check out on the tube in February.

Top Shot (History Channel)

Those of you who read my TV Digest regularly will know I’m not too big on reality tv. But man, I LOVE Top Shot. 16 contestants, including expert sharp-shooters, award-winning rifleists, and former U.S. miliary from around the country compete for $100,000 and the coveted title of Top Shot.

The show is a blast to watch every week, between the history you get about each rifle and challenge, the skill exhibited by the competitors, and of course the usual reality tv drama. Top Shot airs on the History Channel Tuesdays at 10.