Welcome all, to another episode of Vinland Saga and the end of an arc! This was a tragic week, perhaps one of the most emotionally effecting episodes of the season, so we have a lot to talk about. So without further ado, lets dive in!
Of course the obvious place to start is with the centerpiece of the episode, Gardar and Arnheid. Taking up the entire 2nd half, plus being the subject of the 1st, this episode marks the end of their story. It’s a look back. On their life together, their family, their time apart. In one single sequence, completely independent of the rest of the arc, Vinland Saga manages to communicate the tragedy of their entire story. What was lost, how their own actions lead to it and changed them, their regrets and values. It was really beautiful, in a sad, tragic sort of way. The only reason it doesn’t sit as the best episode of the season for me is simply because I care more for Arnheid and Thorfinn than I do Gardar, and they have episodes more focused about them. As far as singular experiences though? This was incredible.
Getting into the details, I found it very poignant how Gardar figured out where he went wrong by the end. As his life flashes before his eyes, his time with Arnheid and Hjalti, as a slave, on the run, he was able to look back and see how he squandered his time with them. How his decision to go out to war for nothing more than some iron hurt them and lead them to where they are now. In his final moments he’s able to see that maybe, just maybe, this viking culture isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. We see it not just in his own regrets but in his stated refusal to let Hjalti go out and do it himself. He would deny his son the “Honor” of being a viking, because he doesn’t think it worth it anymore.
As for his time as a slave, it was really cool how Gardar didn’t recognize himself. Calling those on the roadside, beaten and starving, “godless wretches”. All without realizing that it was himself. And this is the real tragedy of the arc for me, beyond even Gardar’s regrets. Vinland Saga makes a point here that, sometimes, the only real escape from slavery is death. Even as they contemplate their freedom, riding out on the wagon, the guards are closing in around them. Wherever they go they would be on the run, like with Snake or Thorfinn. It’s all just another pair of bodies laid at the foundations of this broken medieval society that values violence above all.
Sadly for Arnheid, this isn’t the end for her. Or well… Not her death just yet. She gets to be captured and suffer the consequences when Kettil returns, as do Thorfinn and Einar. Now under normal circumstances this might be fine. Kettil is generally a kind man and doesn’t like to hurt people. But not only is he struggling with Canute’s bullshit, Arnheid is also his favorite, plus a few guards have died right before he needs them most. Combine that with Thorgil being a generally violent person and I could see this not going well for them. It’s possible they have some kind of physical punishment, or even death. Thought Thorfinn should be safe since Leif is asking for him.
Speaking of Thorfinn, let’s talk about him and Snake. This was just a generally cool action sequence, something Vinland Saga hasn’t given us in a while. I still loved it though. Mutual respect is always great, and watching both Thorfinn and Snake slowly figure the other out was awesome. Admitting one is faster then expected, the other is dangerous even without a weapon. The back and forth, the probing, the animation. Just good stuff. And in between the action we also got bits and pieces of history. For instance with Snake we learn he was a warrior of Miklagaard, AKA Constantinople for those unaware of the name. That means Snake is from far far away, somehow ending up in Denmark of all places as under a false name working as a lowly body guard. You have to wonder what happened to him, don’t you?
This of course follows on to Snake’s greater point of why Thorfinn is defending Gardar: Is this mans life worth all those he killed? Those of Snake’s men? Men who couldn’t even use their real name because of their past deeds, who have to live a lie to avoid being chased? It’s an interesting question from his perspective, and Thorfinn isn’t able to come up with an answer. At what point is it hypocritical to defend one man but condemn another? Or when do you have to kill to prevent greater loss of life? Of course here Thorfinn is fighting to prevent further death, so it’s not exactly the same. But it makes sense why Snake would go so far, and be so willing to just fucking stab a man lying in a cart.
So yeah, all in all a great episode of Vinland Saga. I feel like this is one of the few episodes to straight up, flat out improve on the source material. It kept all the great stuff, but the addition of the VA work, music and small added scenes really sold it for me. Makes me excited for what is to come.
