War Sailor is the story of working-class sailors who become involved in World War II and must continue to live with their involvement in it long after the conflict has ended. It was written and directed by Gunnar Vikene and is essentially a retelling of the plot of his 2022 feature film of the same name.
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The three-episode limited series offers a humane account of the conflict from various perspectives in a non-sequential format, with a primary focus on the friendship between Alfred Garnes and Sigbjorn, aka Wally, two friends who are trapped aboard a merchant vessel in the Atlantic Ocean when the fighting breaks out.
When their loved ones are far away in the Norwegian city of Bergen, where British bombers mistakenly destroy primary schools and civilian residences, Alfred and Sigborn are on board the ship with Hanna, Braathen, Monsen, and Aksel. Both the sailors and their loved ones are unaware of each other’s health.
Does Aksel Survive?
On the wide sea, the war claims numerous lives. The crew members perish one by one. Containers sunk. Wally and Alfred barely make it, but not without a price. Their ship sank, leaving them stranded with Aksel severely injured. Alfred is compelled to go against his better judgment and kill Aksel by strangling him. Aksel eventually passes away and is sent to the depths.
Why Does Alfred Run Away?
There is a delay in all forms of communication. After being eventually saved and transported to Canada for medical attention, Alfred learns that his family was killed in the bombing of Bergen. Likewise, Alfred’s family learns that his ship is sinking.
As Wally recovers and locates Alfred’s family, Alfred has a mental collapse in light of what he has previously experienced and the thought of having nothing to return home to.
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Does Alfred Reunite with His Family?
At some point, Wally effectively takes over Alfred’s life by residing with and taking care of Cecilia, Alfred’s wife, and their kids. He starts to feel things for Cecilia. He questions whether to divulge Alfred’s current location after learning it.
Yet Wally keeps his promises. As was demonstrated at the start of the series, he is able to locate Alfred in Singapore and persuade him to return to a world that neither he nor it recognizes. Even his grown children fear him.
The major sadness of War Sailor is that both Alfred and Wally end up enjoying the lives that the other wants; Alfred lives to be an old man knowing that his closest friend longs for his wife, and vice versa. Nonetheless, life continues on whether we like it or not. The two are still shaped by the battle, its legacy permanently carved into their visage, even as old men who have long since moved on from the conflict.