Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 20

From Helheim with Love

Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 20 was exactly what I expected it to be — another phenomenal episode. Just like Episode 19, Episode 20 had a bit of everything that makes Vinland Saga such a good series. And this week, I want to start off by discussing the action.

Action hasn’t been that big of a part of Season 2, so far. At least, not when compared to all the action in Season 1. But, that’s kind of the point. Season 1 was all about building up Thorfinn’s war experience, which he now regrets.

Season 2 is more about how Thorfinn comes to terms with the horrors he committed in the past. And, it’s also about Thorfinn learning just how weak of a person he actually is. He may have been fearsome on the battlefield. But, he can’t change the world and save people on his own.

Anyway, all that’s to say we’re back to some action. And the action starts off with Thorgil attacking Canute and his guards. Surprisingly, Thorgil almost assassinated Canute right here. He cut down both of the guards and broke Canute’s sword. But, in the end, he had to flee without finishing the job.

Now, Thorgil’s actions in this episode appear to line up with what we see of him in the OP. The main difference is that he’s actually wearing armor in battle in the OP. But, the actions of Snake and his men are very different in the OP and the series.

In the OP, we see Snake and his men moving as a unit as Snake cuts down enemies at the front. In the series, we don’t see that. Snake still cuts down some enemies. But, it’s so he can protect his men who are losing.

The Dead and the Wounded

Speaking of Snake’s men, Badger is among the wounded at the end of the battle. He lost a hand. But, that’s actually not that bad when you consider he was up against a member of the King’s Guard.

It’s also two of the King’s Guard Snake kills to save Badger. I would have liked to see Snake go up against a member of the Jomsvikings. But, I’ll take what I can get. And, these are the only two “guests” we see engaged in actual combat.

The other one of Snake’s men we have a name for is Fox. He doesn’t engage in the fighting because he’s too afraid. And that’s not because he’s weak. He’s killed 13 men and considers himself proficiently strong. The thing is, he knows he stands no chance against these opponents. I don’t blame him for that.

After saving Badger, Snake calls for his men to retreat — and Ketil’s rag-tag soldiers follow suit. At this point, Ketil is injured by one of the King’s Guard and left to die on the battlefield by the enemy. But, Snake comes to his aid after the King’s Guard are called back to defend Canute from Thorgil.

Not all the dead and wounded are on the battlefield, though. Away from the fighting, Arnheid finally succumbs to the wounds Ketil inflicted on her. This is something I expected to happen (as of Episode 19). Before last week, I thought Arnheid and Einar would end up together.

However, as I explained in a comment on last week’s episode review, Arnheid’s death makes sense. Her death is yet another blow to Thorfinn. How can he save hundreds, thousands, or millions from war if he can’t even save a single woman?

A Land Free From War

The part of the episode I would say was the best is the very end. Thorfinn deciding to speak to Canute and attempt to put an end to the battle was the best part. This is Thorfinn’s character growth in action.

Right now, Thorfinn has a chance to prevent more bloodshed. If he didn’t take this chance, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. How could he say his goal is to eradicate war if he didn’t even try to stop this battle? This is a battle that’s realistic for him to stop.

Is Thorfinn actually going to succeed here? It’s tough to say. Canute lost some men and he also really wants Ketil’s land. So, it’s unlikely that he’d leave without getting something from this expedition. And Ketil isn’t going to hand over either himself or his land.

However, I do see one possible way for the battle to conclude in a way that appeases both sides. And Thorgil is the key. You see, Canute said something interesting after Thorgil’s assassination attempt. Despite this betrayal, Canute wants Thorgil to serve under him once again. He sees the value in a man like Thorgil.

So, it’s possible that Canute would agree to leave Ketil’s farm alone in exchange for Thorgil. And while Ketil may not want to take that deal, I think Thorgil would. Once he has assurances that Ketil’s farm will be left alone, Thorgil has no reason not to rejoin the King’s Guard.

I also feel like Thorgil would want to rejoin Canute’s forces. He mentioned that Canute has gotten stronger and is a commander worthy of cutting down. I’d imagine this also makes Canute a commander worthy of being followed. Thorgil respects strength. That’s something Canute has.

Conclusion

What do you think of Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 20? Were you expecting more from Snake and his men in the battle? Did you think Arnheid was going to survive? And will Thorfinn be able to talk Canute into retreating from the farm? Let me know in the comments.

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My review of Episode 21 is available now.