Vinland Saga 2x15
Added 2024-08-24 16:03:18 +0000 UTCComments
Yeah, exactly. Yukimura knows how big of an ask it is for people to completely let go of violence, he more than anyone. He will have thought about it for a good 20 years on the daily by now. As SWS said, never does he simply voice the ideal from a modern viewpoint, pat himself on the back, and call it a day. He always contrasts multiple facts of the thematic material against one another, raising questions as he does, where he invites the audience to find their own conclusion. Like you said, the placement of the dialogue here specifically is perfect. Besides what I had already said in my comment, it emphasizes that the proverbial sunshine of Vinland is something which has to be achieved *in spite of* the storms of Norse society. It reinforces how big of an undertaking it would be to achieve it. All these things make the story feel so incredibly grounded in its messaging. I don't think it ever falls into being preachy, as every aspect of every theme is always presented in tandem with each other. Whether it be something simple like child Thorfinn disagreeing with his father, or something more complex like Askeladd's struggles to find Arthur.
Erjon Sejdijaj
2024-08-28 11:57:18 +0000 UTCLove that analysis. I think it is also telling that Yukimura chose to place that dialog in the midst of the "storm" brought about by Gardar. It's an acknowledgement that the Vinland ideal is constantly beset upon by the challenges of the world we live in. Is there a Vinland whose sun can outshine the temerity of the storm? How does a dedication to peace interact with those committed to violence? The show is raising these questions even as its pushing us toward an ideal. I really appreciate that mix of both idealism and groundedness that push and pull against one another
Michael Uebele
2024-08-28 02:12:32 +0000 UTCI love the scene with Thorfinn and Einar so so much. Even if there are dozens of better scenes in the show, especially in the seasons to come, this scene is essentially the "thesis statement" of the show. While it's definitely been hinted at and talked about before, the author finally reveals the first concrete glimpse about the endgame of the story, and the core theme of, said bluntly, "a world without violence" - a kind of societal ideal. What I would like to highlight is the way in which it is presented, and how it expertly accompanies the message it want to convey. This moment started being setup in episode 13 really, with everyone sharing a nice meal on a bright autumn evening. Thorfinn seems a changed man, both him and Einar are about to be free, and Snake is in high spirits despite his paternal figure collapsing. Things in this moment are nice and sunny for all involved. Even Arnheid allows herself a moment of levity. Then, Gardar enters the scene, bringing dark clouds with him. He is a character who basically embodies the Norse tradition itself, being both someone who carries it out and is a victim of it in the same breath. The arrival of, what I'll call this "embodiment of Norse society" is the reason the sun quickly leaves the happiness of these characters, and before long we're right in the thick of another conflict. His mere presence continues to further ignite things as quickly one of Snake's men is killed. The dark clouds continue to quickly eat up more and more sun, until all that remains is a thick, penetrating storm. A storm from which Arnheid had for better or for worse "escaped" from, now she must again walk right through the middle of. This is also why the panel of her walking out with that bucket is so powerful, at least to me. She chooses to walk right into the storm of Norse society, just for the small chance to maybe see her old husband again. Obviously, it wasn't to be. Arnheid, probably against her better judgment, and probably still clinging to the small hope that she had, freed Gardar who subsequently killed four more of Snake's men. It is no surprise that this is where the storm's intensity peaks, with Snake swearing that he *will* kill that man - justifiably, as many would conclude. This is where we cut away to Thorfinn and Einar however, still hiding from the rain. As they talk more and more about the world, about violence, and about peace, the rain slowly begins to let up more and more; until finally, upon reaching the conclusion of a utopia on Vinland, the sun is out and shining brightly again. It is through the idea of Vinland, and through the dream that the two share, that they finally manage to escape from the storms of Norse society, and the cyclical dread which is borne from it. Perhaps they can finally seek a way into a better future, one where the sun is always out and there is no storm to escape. To me it is just another example of what makes the storytelling in this show so impactful. Yukimura knew that this moment would be one of the most important ones in the show, so he went above and beyond to not only convey the themes in the words the characters were saying, but also in the environmental storytelling of the weather representing the society and dread which they're trying to escape in the first place. And just for good measure he gave us a payoff to the conversation Thorfinn had with the slave girl in season 1. It's just another example of a perfect scene, which does everything it's meant to do, with a little extra just for good measure. I originally also incorporated a larger thematic discussion with all the arcs in this comment, but it's already too long lol. I might still do that for one of the last episodes though.
Erjon Sejdijaj
2024-08-25 18:24:32 +0000 UTCSverkel said "Even if you wait out the storm it can leave scars behind". He was telling her with his story (as she was already halfway out the door to leave) that whatever choice she makes may not go how she thinks and will probably end up reggreting. No one can predict the outcome of volatile situations like that. He said it to make her feel less guilty about what she was already going to do. I think what a lot of people seem to not realize with this episode is that the reason Arnhied left was becuase she knew that if she didn't she would of thought about it and regretted it for the rest of her life. That is still her husband who she obviously still cares about. But we are told all that doesn't matter becuase they're slaves. Gardar is behaving how most adult men would behave after being ensalved and abused for many years. But he left his home and lost a battle so...I guess that means it's justified? And him lashing out isn't? Thorfinn and Einar aren't 'true' slaves. Gardar and Arnhieds experience is closer to the experience of most slaves. Just complete disempowerment and abuse.
Willem Dafoe
2024-08-25 04:30:27 +0000 UTCI love your line that it is honourable but short sighted. Its like when Byron said to thorfinn about Thors, "he really was strong, but he was naive".
daragh faro
2024-08-24 19:07:44 +0000 UTC
