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.

Oh Oncers, it feels like it’s been so long. In case you need a refresher: Peter Pan unleashed a curse on Stroybrooke that sent everyone back to the Enchanted Forest except Emma and Henry. They were given new happy memories courtesy of Regina. Also, Rumple (seemingly) sacrificed himself to kill Pan and save everyone. One year later, Hook showed up at Emma’s apartment door to tell the Miss Swan her family needed her. She kneed him in the groin. All set?

Starting one year ago in the Enchanted Forest. Phillip meets a pregnant Aurora for a picnic but they’re interrupted by purple clouds billowing towards them. When the skies clear, all of Storybrooke’s citizens have magically appeared. A despondent Snow says, “We’re back.”

Our World, One Year Later. A very posh looking Emma arrives for a date with her Billy Bob Thorton lookalike boyfriend. After dinner, he excused himself for a moment and Hook snags his seat. Emma still isn’t buying his story about the Enchanted Forest and all that but he does correctly guess that she has some niggling doubts about her life, her parents, etc. He gives her an address where she can find answers to those questions.

An incredible thing happened in “Dark Hollow” on this week’s Once Upon a Time. There was actual progress toward the goal of finding Henry. Things literally happened instead of just more stagnant set up. The plan to get off the island after rescuing Henry is set, Emma makes a choice between her suitors, Ariel proves surprisingly useful and much more fun than in her titular episode, and we learn who Pan is keeping locked up in a wooden cage. Also, Belle and Storybrooke remain awesome and far more interesting than the Neverland lot. So let’s swoop in to “Dark Hollow…”

Just five days ago in the Once universe, Belle said goodbye to her true love. This scene it’s just as touching as the first time. I miss this pairing so much. While she tearfully watches the Jolly Roger disappear, the rest of the town runs up to celebrate having been saved. Belle shuts them up by saying Greg and Tamara took Henry and producing the cloaking spell for the Blue Fairy to examine.

On the road to Storybrooke, a red convertible carrying some Hipsters approaches. (Seriously, that’s not the beginning of a joke.)

I have to tell you Oncers, I’m starting to worry about our magical show. We spend yet another episode in Neverland and seem to get very little accomplished once again toward the goal of rescuing Henry (who doesn’t even appear in “Ariel” though that might be an improvement really). We do however get confirmation yet again that Regina is the best character (and actress) on Once and that Rumple hasn’t completely lost his ability to put together a deal or a plan. Oh and of course, there’s Ariel, whose flashback story is really somewhat pointless until the plot at then end calls for her.

So we start in the old Enchanted Forest where Snow White is running away from Regina’s guards.  She skids to a halt at a cliff overlooking the ocean but then takes a daring leap into the waters where she is recued by a red-headed mermaid, Ariel.

In Neverland, Regina is pushing Emma to concentrate to use her magic. Ms. Savior doesn’t want to use her anger as a trigger, which makes sense since she was about to use love every other time but she apparently doesn’t remember that. See, Rumple, this is why they need you. The Queen is disgusted with Emma’s reluctance, saying, “You’re such a pathetic waste of ability.” This fires up Emma’s temper and the campfire she was trying to magic.

Regina is pleased while Emma’s parents are trying not to be too mortified. They get a nice bit of distraction from Hook who, in a show of surprising honesty, tells them about Neal. While the men agree that not telling Emma until they’re sure about Neal’s alive or dead state, Snow feels uncomfortable lying to her daughter. Personally, I think she should embrace this opportunity to make up for missed chances to lie to her kid about things like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.