Vinland Saga – 22 [Lone Wolf]

Another day, another step closer to the Vinland Saga finale. This week is pretty straight forward, as we learn more about Askeladd’s past, his reasons for what he does and what exactly is wrong with Thorfinn. So without further ado, let’s dive in.

Starting off, as I said this week was rather straightforward, as Vinland Saga seeks to clear things up. It does this by focusing in on our two lead characters, and really diving in to their issues. Leaving nothing up in the air in regards to how they feel. Whether it be about each other, their situations or how exactly they got here. For Thorfinn, this was a rather tragic event, as once again he has lost to Askeladd. Only this time there was no humor, the man didn’t even try to make it seem close. Meanwhile Askeladd really rails into Thorfinn on how exactly to kill someone you hate. At the same time detailing his life, his father and how he came to hate Vikings as he does. Even confirming to Canute just how accurate Bjorn was last week.

So to get into details with Thorfinn, Askeladd has seemingly finally had enough and just tells him upfront. The kid is an idiot, he knows all of Thorfinn’s buttons and makes a point of pissing him off every fight. The kid just has no control around Askeladd, is totally unfocused in his goal. To me this has always read as that split in his soul. The idea that he wants to kill Askeladd like a true warrior, in a duel, to be just like his father. Meanwhile he is still fixated on Vinland, which is the complete opposite of his goal to kill Askeladd. Torn between these two extremes of what he wants, Thorfinn was never truly complete as a person, and made for easy bait. As if not thinking in combat is easier than dealing with his emotions.

Meanwhile with Askeladd there was the focus on his past, he knew exactly what he wanted. Vinland Saga showed us how he plotted and planned, biding his time to do it right. He had no conflict between what it meant to be a warrior and what he wanted, because he hated warriors. He already saw them as monsters, and had no desire to be one himself. Its part of why at the end, when Canute asks Askeladd if he wants to rule, he turns it down. Because he Askeladd doesn’t want to see a warrior on the throne, hates them in fact. And he knows exactly what he is. This ties back into last episode where Bjorn made it clear that Askeladd hates himself as well. Seemingly because he has become just like his father, precisely what he wanted to avoid.

Because of all of this, you can see why I think Vinland Saga was very self explanatory this episode. Everything was laid out clearly and with intent, so there were no questions. For me, it was a great episode, though one I am struggling to find the right words to describe. So instead, I will turn this into a question for you all (great cop out, I know). Where are you at with the series? Is anyone besides me still watching, or do you also love Askeladd’s story this week? Because I know for me that, early production woes aside, Wit is doing a great job with the series and I cannot wait for the finale in 2 weeks time. I hope you are the same. See you next week!