All hail the booze Lord! An intense yet hilarious episode of Vinland Saga this week, where we learn the wonders of Christianity, what it means to be a war-hungry idiot, and see the gorgeous face of Prince(ss) Canute. 

Japanese Original Episode Title: 賭け

Plot

Thorkell’s men have captured Prince Canute and are heading towards the main army of King Sweyn, while talking about Norse Gods, Christianity, Valhalla, women, booze, and food. They are suddenly ‘ambushed’ by Ragnar’s men and demand that they hand over the Prince back to them which Thorkell gladly agrees to, but instead of retreating, they start attacking the troops, leading to an easy victory. At the same time Askeladd and his men, who appear to be near the battlefield, put the forest on fire and let Thorfinn go and ‘save’ Prince Canute. With all the fire and smoke, Ragnar’s men are easily defeated and Thorkell lets Thorfinn take Prince Canute. Askeladd promises to swear loyalty to Prince Canute, but before taking his oath he requests to see His Highness face, which make all the men awe. 

Episode Highlights

You must not commit adultery: The opening scene of a Christian English lady covered in her bed sheets saying that they ‘must not commit adultery’ killed me. Talking about how modest they are compared to the Norse women made me realize that men have always been such pigs.  

Thor would smash Jesus with his hammer: How is this not an anime already? Maybe Saint Young Men should have a sequel and add Thor trying to fight Jesus with a hammer. That would actually be hilarious. On that note, you would think that Norse men would be excited and impressed of a God that could turn water into wine… but I guess they probably prefer beer.

Priest-sama is loyal to booze: Well, that was an unexpected turn of character for that priest. He goes crazy because he doesn’t have alcohol to drink. Then when asked, he says that he is loyal to the God that created alcohol (smoothly implying that he is loyal to Jesus without getting killed) and then if you notice him at the ending scene in the background, he is shamelessly picking his nose. He is supposed to be a man of God but he certainly doesn’t act like one. 

Thorkell is a killing machine: I mean this scene was absolutely spectacular. Heads are thrown in the air like it’s an everyday thing for him, and imagine that he is missing two fingers as well. He is definitely a Jomsvikings freak as well. 

Is Canute a Valkyrie after all? I don’t really know if Canute is a woman at this point but that would be an exciting addition to the cast, and if he is, that would make so much more sense about why he is so overly protected all the time and hasn’t said a word. The only problem with this will be that regardless of his gender everyone will want a piece of that. They have been at war for a very long time after all. 

Themes & Trivia

Einherjar: In Norse mythology, the einherjar (Old Norse literally ‘army of one’, ‘those who fight alone’ are those who have died in battle and are brought to Valhalla by valkyries. In Valhalla, the einherjar eat their fill of the nightly-resurrecting beast Sæhrímnir, and valkyries bring them mead (which comes from the udder of the goat Heiorun). The einherjar prepare daily for the events of Ragnarok, when they will advance for an immense battle at the field of Vígrior.

Comments

The conversation between Thorkell’s men about Christianity and Norse Gods was probably the best thing that has ever happened in this show so far. And after discussing about so many things that you would think would make them go to hell, they all think that they will go to Valhalla. Isn’t that bittersweet?

‘It’s just easy to make use of an idiot who is not afraid of anything.’

This is probably the best compliment that Askeladd will ever give to Thorfinn. The next few episodes are going to be very interesting to follow: we have the whole thing with Canute and now Thorfinn will be so intrigued to learn more about his father and family from Thorkell. And if I am not mistaken, I think that Thorkell was fighting alongside Thors in the first episode, so they were probably Jomsvikings buddies or something.

Vinland Saga

Summer 2019 | Anime Info | Simulcast