Summary
Although episode 10 feels uplifting, it also highlights the contrast between Thorfinn’s peaceful success and Canute’s desire for power, perfectly illustrating how war and violence change people.
We recap the Crunchyroll and Netflix anime series Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 10, “Cursed Head,” which contains spoilers.
After watching Thorfinn (Yuto Uemura) struggle with his past, viewers saw him confront his demons in Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 9. While it wasn’t easy, a former foe turned alley showed up to help Thorfinn sort through his transgressions while finally finding a way to move forward. It was a beautifully animated episode that gave both Thorfinn and viewers a sense of closure, tying up loose ends left of Thorfinn’s old life. Now that he’s come to terms with his past, it will be interesting to see what that means for Thorfinn’s future.
Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 10 Recap
The episode opens with Thorfinn and Einar celebrating as they clear the last tree on their land. As they look on in awe, Thorfinn comments that it took them more than three years to clear all the lands under their supervision.
Thorifinn asks Einar what he intends to do once free, and he replies that he does not know. He wishes he could also buy Arnheid’s freedom, but they know Ketil has no intention of letting her go.
What does Thorfinn plan to do when he’s free?
Einar asks Thorfinn if he plans to return to Iceland once he is free, and Thorfinn says he might, but he hasn’t truly decided yet either. However, he wonders if it is possible to rid the world of war and slavery.
Seeing that they have finally cleared all of their lands, Ketil tells Thorfinn and Einar he will offer them a discount, allowing them to be free as soon as they finish sowing the seeds on their land.
On his way out, Ketil asks Thorfinn and Einar to inform his father that he has left for Jenning to visit King Harald, who is ill. Before he goes, Ketil turns back, offering Thorfinn and Einar the chance to work as farmhands for him once they pay off their debts.
Also on their way to Jenning is Canute, who is traveling there by ship.
How is King Harald’s condition?
When Canute arrives in Jenning, he is greeted by Wulf, who informs him that King Harald is not in good condition. His illness has only worsened in the last month, making it hard for him to speak. Harald’s physician says the next few days will be the most critical.
As Canute grabs the children’s toy that has rolled toward his feet, he suddenly sees the severed head of King Sweyn rolling toward him instead.
As king of Denmark, when his younger brother Canute went to conquer England lent him a fleet of warships and his support in Canute’s endeavor. It seems the two have always been close and supportive of each other.
Does Harald have an heir?
King Harald does not have an heir. When Canute visits Harald for the first time, his brother struggles even to hold his hand. He tells Canute he has been waiting for him, telling his younger brother that he plans to leave Denmark for him.
As Canute holds his brother’s hand, telling him to recover soon, King Sweyn’s head reappears. He scolds Canute for lying to the very many he poisoned himself, reminding him how fond Harald always was of him and how they could’ve ruled together.
According to King Sweyn, Canute avoids the refreshments to prevent being poisoned because it’s the same method he uses himself.
As he speaks to King Sweyn’s head, Canute tries to reason with him, saying that Harald has to die because having two kings would lead to disaster and hinder him from creating a unified utopia.
Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 10 Ending Explained
In a flashback, we see Harald and Canute playing, with Harald encouraging Canute to become a more muscular man than him and their father. The episode ends with Canute staring out of his window, disappointed.
Every episode, it feels like the storytelling in Vinland Saga only gets more compelling. It’s one of the few animes where I haven’t minded a time jump or tonal shift at all. If anything, the series has only gotten better.
I can honestly say I did not see that Canute plot twist at all. Despite seeing him so little this season, his character development has been interesting. To see what’s made him into the man he is now has been as entertaining as it is shocking, especially when you remember what Canute was like during season one. I’m interested to see how the death of his brother will affect the series in the future, especially now that we know Canute is the cause of Harald’s sickness. At this point, I’m not sure what to expect, but in the best way possible.
What did you think of the anime series Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 10? Comment below.
