Summary
There was a lot to be learned in this episode, and despite it being a setup for future storylines, it still held its own, managing to be both insightful and entertaining.
We recap the Crunchyroll anime series Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 6, “I Want a Horse,” which contains spoilers.
Viewers got a slight break from Thorfinn (Yuto Uemura) last week to see just what Canute (voiced by Kensho Ono) had been up to these last few years. His goal was always to become King of England, and it seems he’s finally accomplished that. Now that he has the power, it’s all about what he will do with it. Considering he and Thorfinn were not precisely on the best of terms when they were last seen together, it’s not very confident that Canute’s new status will come to benefit him in any way. As viewers, we can still hope the former ally will come around in the end.
Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 6 Recap
The episode opens with Thorfinn and Einar working hard to remove a stump from the ground. After struggling for a while, Thorfinn suggests trying a different method, but it still won’t budge. Knowing the job would be much easier with a horse, Einar wonders why they can borrow a horse for some things but not for working the land. He asks one more time to borrow a horse but is once again rejected.
Why does Einar yell at Thorfinn?
Einar considers asking Ketil for a horse directly, but Thorfinn thinks that will only upset the other farmhands more. Believing it would be impossible to work the land and plow without a horse, Einar refuses to let this go. He yells at Thorfinn, wondering why he is so unmotivated, especially knowing this is how they will buy their freedom.
Hearing them argue, an older man named Sverkel calls them over. He offers to let them borrow a horse in exchange for help with his chores, including picking rocks out of the field, chopping wood, and getting water. Thorfinn and Einar can work their land much easier with the horse they borrow.
Who is Sverkel in Vinland Saga?
After being accused of stealing by the farmhands, Einar explains that an older man named Sverkel lent the horse to them. At first, the farmhands tell him there is no one on the farm with that name, but after Einar describes Sverkel’s appearance, the farmhands realize he is referring to the “old master.” They say there is no way he could’ve lent them a horse, as the “old master” is Ketil’s father and, therefore, the most important person on the farm.
Einar is surprised to learn that Thorfinn does not know anything about farming. Thorfinn explains that no one where he is from had fields, as they often trained to be warriors. Einar can teach Thorfinn the basics of farming with a borrowed horse and plow.
Who do Thorfinn and Einar find asleep at Sverkel’s?
After awkwardly waiting in the rain for Ketil to exit Sverkel’s cabin, he invites them in to wash their clothes. While searching for the washbasin, Thorfinn and Einar discover Snake sleeping in the back.
The group enjoys a meal together, with Snake and Sverkel chastising one another the entire time. Snake explains that he does not have nearly enough subordinates to deal with the number of thieves they get. If too many people attacked at once, he’s sure they wouldn’t be able to take them on. However, with the amount of food Ketil sends the king every year, Sverkel doubts that it will happen, as the king is obligated to protect them.
Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 6 Ending Explained
After dinner, Snake leaves for guard duty while Thorfinn and Einar go. Thorfinn fondly expresses to Einar that he has learned a lot recently.
Some time passes, and we see Thorfinn and Einar’s field has grown. As they begin to plant seeds, Einar slips up, calling Thorfinn his friend, but Thorfinn tells him it’s OK, as they are friends.
Much like Thorfinn, viewers learned a lot during this episode. The dynamics on the farm aren’t as cut and dry as they seem, making for a lot more internal conflict and drama than I expected. I didn’t think we would spend this much time on Ketil’s farm, but I am enjoying Thorfinn’s story’s direction. In the first season, we watched him grow as a warrior but not much as a person. This feels the opposite, and it’s been interesting to see how his maturing has affected the story.
What did you think of the anime series Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 6? Comment below.
