Vinland Saga S2 - Episode 4

In this episode of Vinland Saga, the focus is on Thorfinn's "awakening." The opening scene shows Snake, a mercenary, delivering a blow to Thorfinn to test his survival instinct. Thorfinn blocks the strike, suggesting that despite his refusal to value his own life, he still retains the instinct to protect himself.

The true awakening comes after a night of restless anxiety, during which Thorfinn has a nightmare of being strangled by Einar. Earlier, Thorfinn had revealed to Einar that he was a Danish warrior who raided villages and killed soldiers and civilians. Einar, whose family and life were destroyed by Danish warriors, attempts to kill Thorfinn in the middle of the night. However, he realizes that Thorfinn is not responsible for the world's suffering and instead takes his hand to wake him from his nightmares.

This interaction between Thorfinn and Einar takes up most of the episode and is significant in its simplicity. Thorfinn has lived a life of violence and lost his self-worth, but in Einar, he finds someone willing to accept him as he was and is, without harming him.

Throughout the episode, the theme of "awakening" is handled in a nuanced and poignant manner, challenging the belief that killing makes a man and emphasizing the importance of empathy and human dignity. The episode ends with Thorfinn simply saying, "Thank you, Einar," to express his gratitude for Einar's understanding and compassion.