Watchin' it for the priest...

Athelstan is one of the only characters I like on this show. His journey as a character becoming more assertive, expanding his horizons, trying to parse his feelings on paganism and his own Christianity make for good drama and a compelling arc. He's also kind, considerate, but brave and reasonably wise, too. He's a little meek, but that's changing (I'm just starting in on season two).

Contrast Athelstan with most of the other main characters and they're a bunch of bullies and pricks. Rollo waffles and whines, Haraldson was one of the worst leaders I've seen, the vikings in general aren't very compelling. The main guy, Ragnar, is a pompous ass with a smug smirk all over his face all the time (very slappable) who mostly bullies people. He's got very little finesse and rarely uses the intelligent approach.

His wife (Legartha?) is cool, I guess.