This review of “An Empty Man,” the eighth episode of the Crunchyroll anime series Vinland Saga Season 2, includes spoilers.
The second episode of Vinland Saga season two revealed a lot about Ketil (voiced by Hideaki Tezuka). He is still a good man, but it appears that his true character and what people perceive of him are completely different. Although Thorfinn (Yuto Uemura) and Einar (Shunsuke Takeuchi) may benefit from his kindness, Ketil’s more cutthroat son, Thorgil, may prove to be problematic in the future. It’s unclear how he’ll respond to Thorfinn and Einar, but spectators can only hope he doesn’t get hostile.
Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 8 Recap
The episode begins with Thorfinn dreaming of a younger version of himself pursuing Einar’s terrified family in the middle of a nightmare. Though he makes an effort to halt himself, he falls through a faulty floor. Corpses seize hold of Thorfinn’s arms as he tries to climb out of the trenches, dragging him down before he awakens screaming.
When Einar awakens, he informs Thorfinn that he is currently experiencing another nightmare. For once, Thorfinn can only recall a little portion of his dream. Then, Einar informs him that Thorfinn mentioned the name “Askeladd” while he was sleeping.
The other farmhands start to grumble after observing how much Thorfinn and Einar’s wheat harvests have expanded, claiming that it is unfair that both enslaved people and farmhands are permitted to work the land.
Thorfinn confesses to Askeladd being the person who murdered his father while at the farm and tells Einar about him. He tells Einar about spending 11 years pursuing Askeladd into combat in an effort to seek retribution, but failing to succeed. Thorfinn can’t help but feel like he has overlooked something, despite Einar’s assurance that his heart likely needs some time to fulfil all of its promises. Afterwards he acknowledges that even though he no longer despises Askeladd, he still misses him.
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What Does Sverkel Teach Thorfinn and Einar to Do?
Thorfinn and Einar learn how to use a net for fishing from Sverkel.
What Does Thorfinn Ask Einar About Humans?
Thorfinn queries Einar about whether people may change as they head back from the shore. In response, Einar says he thinks it is possible because Thorfinn is presently “changing for the better.”
What Happened to Thorfinn and Einar’s Wheat?
As Thorfinn and Einar return to their wheat field, they discover that it has been damaged and that the plants’ roots have been removed. Einar quickly realises that the farmhands are responsible for this and departs to get them. Instead of employing force against a man who is a free man, Thorfinn stops him, and they alert Pater, who promises to launch an inquiry.
What Does Einar Tell Thorfinn About Arnheid?
Thorfinn is informed by Einar that Ketil is unable to obtain independence since she is so devoted to Arnheid.
Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 8 Ending Explained
Thorfinn and Einar come across the farmworkers as they traverse the property. Thorfinn tries to stop Einar from attacking them as the free men insult them. Even so, Einar goes to assault the main adversary, but Thorfinn gets there before and stops him. The two groups then start fighting, and as Thorfinn loses consciousness, he experiences scenes from his past.
I didn’t anticipate Thorfinn and Einar to be the powerful team they have become when this season initially began. I really like how, as the season goes on, they both develop, with Thorfinn being the more composed and logical of the two while Einar grows weary and prone to irrational outbursts. It’s interesting to watch how Thorfinn responds to Einar’s fury now that he has gained some maturity, even if Einar still manages to maintain his composure most of the time.
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It was a great touch that this episode featured a little bit more action. Although there haven’t been many battles this season, it’s still entertaining to see Thorfinn put his skills to work occasionally. I hope that doesn’t bite him too hard later on.