Summary
This episode will keep viewers on the edge of their seats with the way the tension slowly builds toward the end. It lays the perfect foundation for the drama of the next episode while still keeping things exciting.
We recap the Crunchyroll and Netflix anime series Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 21, “Courage,” which contains spoilers.
Nothing went as expected last week as Ketil (Hideaki Tezuka) not only lost the war, but Thorfinn (Yuto Uemura) and Einar (Shunsuke Takeuchi) lost Arnheid (Mayumi Sako) as well.
No one is ever relatively safe from all the unnecessary violence, and with that in mind, it seems Thorfinn has had more than enough as he sets off in search of Canute (Kensho Ono).
While there’s no doubt Canute will remember Thorfinn, as he would hardly be the man he is today without him, whether or not he has any respect left for the warrior-turned-slave will likely dictate just how well this conversation goes for Thorfinn.
Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 21 Recap
The episode begins with Canute’s men cleaning up the bodies from the battlefield after the fight. Floki asks if his men can take over the homes on the farm, but Canute refuses, as he knows the minute he allows that, the soldiers will begin pillaging.
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Meanwhile, back on the farm, Ketil’s people do their best to save the injured with little success.
Does Ketil’s family decide to surrender?
When Canute gives Ketils’ family a chance to surrender, his son Olmar agrees, saying he does not want to see more people suffer. Although Thorgil tries to convince him to change his mind, Olmar refuses and stands by the decision to surrender.
Thorfinn does not get to speak with Canute. When Thorfinn attempts to speak with Canute, he is rejected by Canute’s men. Even after Canute learns it is Thorfinn who has come to talk to him, he refuses to see him.
Who is Drott?
Drott is a large soldier in Canute’s personal guard and the main person keeping Thorfinn from seeing Canute.
When Thorfinn realizes Canute’s men are betting on his ability to last in a fight against them, he joins the bet on the condition that if he wins, they will allow him an audience with Canute.
Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 21 Ending Explained
Einar attempts to convince Thorfinn not to engage in the bet or the fight, but Thorfinn refuses. He says that he cannot imagine leaving before being able to repay his debt with all the people on the farm who helped him, like Snake and Pater. The episode ends with Thorfinn standing before Drott, preparing to withstand 100 punches to win the bet.
Despite saving the real action for the end, this was quickly one of the most dramatic episodes of the season. It was easy to feel the tension and unease that seemed to be consuming everyone on the farm, from Ketil’s fallen soldiers all the way up to Canute himself. While the war may be paused, it clearly isn’t over yet, as Canute’s men grow restless for their spoils.
READ: Vinland Saga Season 2 Review
They’re almost more terrifying now that viewers are getting a glimpse of what kind of people they are than they were on the battlefield.
While I have no doubt Thorfinn will be able to win this bet, it will be interesting to see if Canute continues to refuse an audience with him. I doubt he will be able to hold out for long.
What did you think of the anime series Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 21? Comment below.
