Summary
In this episode filled with tension and suspense, viewers get a much-needed look into Thorfinn’s mindset and meet several new interesting characters who feel like they will be important to the story.
We recap the Netflix and Crunchyroll anime series Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 3, “Snake,” which contains spoilers.
Episode 2 gave viewers a better look at Ketil’s farm and just what sort of situation Thorfinn (Yuto Uemura) has landed himself in. While it doesn’t seem like the worse place to end up, it’s clear not everyone on the farm is as fair and understanding as Ketil (Hideaki Tezuka) appears to be. Although Einar (Shunsuke Takeuchi) encouraged Thorfinn to take a stand, it wasn’t until the end of the episode that those words actually seemed to get through to him. Whether or not Thorfinn chooses to do something immediately or bide his time will be interesting to see how he decides to navigate things from here.
Vinland Saga season 2, episode 3 recap
The episode opens with Olmar and the farmhands from last week, Fox and Badger. They take him to a fighting ring near their fortress to get him drunk, immediately regretting the idea when he becomes loud and belligerent. He accuses them of being useless and challenges them to a fight, only to break into a tantrum when they easily best him.
Olmar’s Breakdown
Olmar finds himself to the point of tears over the fact that no one around seems to respect him as a man, despite being 17. Fox advises that Olmar try killing someone, as it is a right of passage that should boost his confidence. Since he is a beginner himself, they suggest he kill someone easily and point him in the direction of where Thorfinn and Einar are sleeping.
Thorfinn’s Nightmare
As Einar gets ready for the workday, he hears Thorfinn struggling in his sleep. He seems to be having a nightmare, but when he cannot remember what he was dreaming about, Einar tells him it’s best not to dwell on it. Still, the dream leaves him feeling uneasy, as if it’s something he should remember. Just then, the mysterious blonde woman who was traveling with Ketil appears, leaving Einar flustered once again.
Who is the mysterious blonde woman Einar likes?
After a brief exchange near the water well, the blonde woman introduces herself as Arnheid. He also introduces himself, mentioning that he’s from England despite his fluency in the Nordic language. She says that, like him, she is a slave. However, she is Ketil’s personal maid.
The Summoning
After learning their names, Fox and Badger request that Thorfinn and Einar come with them. When Einar inquires about their swords, Thorfinn explains that they are bodyguards who live on the farm. They are led to the fighting ring from the previous night, where Olmar is waiting for them with a sword. Fox explains that this is a coming-of-age moment for Olmar and asks that they let the young master kill him.
Does Olmar attack Thorfinn and Einar?
Although Fox and several other guards try to coax Olmar into attacking Thorfinn and Einar into attacking Thorfinn and Einar, Einar ends up charging him first. He yells at Thorfinn to get Ketil, but instead, Thorfinn stays behind and offers himself as a sacrifice. He says if somebody needs to be cut, it can be him and asks that they allow Einar to go back to work.
Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 3 Ending Explained
After saying that all men are afraid to die, Fox uses his sword to slice at Thorfinn’s chest. Despite getting cut multiple times, Thorfinn does not flinch once. From a distance, a dark-haired man watches in awe.
Thorfinn wonders why he should be afraid of dying, as nothing good has come from his living. Fox slashes off the tip of his ear and threatens to take his eye if he does not act scared. However, as he lifts his sword, the dark-haired man yells for Fox to stop. We learn then that the dark-haired man’s name is Snake, and he seems to be the leader of the guards. Snake immediately punches Fox before demanding the other men explain what is going on.
Even when there are no major fights or reaction sequences in an episode, Vinland Saga still manages to pull you in and continues the story without feeling like filler. The buildup to seeing Thorfinn’s first battle is slow but satisfying as we see his character has obviously matured since the previous season. Still, he seems a bit lost without Akeladd to focus his anger on, but it’s interesting to see how years of training have still influenced his character in this new situation.
The show’s ability to introduce new characters is both smooth and exciting, as it’s clear most of them will have significant parts to play as the season goes on. I wasn’t sure what this new chapter would mean for Thorfinn or the series, but I have not been disappointed so far. He needed to progress and grow beyond revenge, and it’s more compelling to watch him slowly find himself than it would’ve been to skip past it.
What did you think of the anime series Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 3? Comment below.
