Vinland Saga Episode 7 Review: Normanni

Jabba the Hutt made a cameo as a Frankish General and it seems like Thornfinn will be running like Naruto from now on. The scene of Askeladd’s men running down the hills while carrying their ships on their back is probably the most metal thing I have seen lately.

Japanese Original Episode Title: 北人

Plot

While the King of the Danes halts his attacks for the winter, Askeladd and his men try to find some place to raid before the change of season. They end up in France near the Loire River, where there seems to be a conflict between the Franks, and Askeladd decides to take advantage of the situation to steal their gold and treasures. Thorfinn is sent as a messenger, but this time he has a bigger purpose, since Askeladd told him that if he brings him the General’s head he will accept his challenge to a duel.

Thorfinn lets the Frankish General know about Askeladd’s offer to help them and he accepts on giving them half of the rewards if they manage to take down the enemy’s fort. Being pretty apparent that they couldn’t infiltrate from the front gates, Askeladd and his men take their ships and carry them on land in order to pass with ease the intense currents and waterfalls that surround the fort. Next morning, when the Franks begin their attack, they reach the battlefield and sail their ships inside the fort’s port-side which gives them an easy win. Stealing every treasure and slaughtering every soldier, Thorfinn manages to cut down the General’s head and Askeladd accept his challenge for a duel which will probably take place as soon as they escape from their Franks’ pursuers.

Episode Highlights

Vikings are so metal: First of all, their thirst for blood is so unsettling. Couldn’t invade any more villages in England? It’s okay, let’s just go to France. I was at a loss for words when I saw them running down the hills with the ships on their backs. I mean what kind of beast warriors are they? And if they are that strong, I can’t begin to imagine the levels of power that Thors had. This is absolutely crazy. No wonder why they make such good mercenaries. That’s it, from now on in all the strategy games I play, I will always choose the Norse powers.

Thorfinn, it’s your turn: He has grown so much and in such a wrong way. He is basically a killing machine at this point. He is fast, agile, and strong. He is even able to hold up to three weapons at the same time, which was briefly showcased in the scene where he slaughters all the soldiers on the walls and cuts down the General’s head. Papa Thors is crying, Thornfinn, can’t you hear his plea?

Themes & Trivia

Sweyn Forkbeard: Sweyn Forkbeard was king of Denmark from 986 to 1014. He was the father of King Harald II of Denmark, King Cnut the Great and Queen Estrid Svendsdatter. In the mid-980s, Sweyn revolted against his father, Harald Bluetooth, and seized the throne. Harald was driven into exile and died shortly afterwards in November 986 or 987. In 1000, with the allegiance of Trondejarl, Eric of Lade, Sweyn ruled most of Norway. In 1013, shortly before his death, he became the first Danish king of England.

Loire River: The Loire is the longest river in France and the 171st longest in the world. With a length of 1,012 kilometres (629 mi), it drains an area of 117,054 km2 (45,195 sq mi), or more than a fifth of France’s land area, while its average discharge is only half that of the Rhône.

Comments

‘Who cares if we just lose a kid that is following us?’ Askeladd, is trying a little bit too much to look like he doesn’t give a shit about Thorfinn but I can see right through him. He likes the kid and he knows that Thorfinn is a valuable asset at this point. I highly doubt that he will just duel him and let him go away. I also doubt that any of them will die in the duel (at least not now) so Askeladd, give this lad some love; he deserves it.

It’s a dragon!

I don’t know about you, but even if I knew deep inside that what I saw moving on that mountain was not a dragon, I would have been so scared with the idea that there are some Vikings in the woods that are thirsty for blood and carry around their ships on their backs. I will say it once more: Vikings are so goddamn metal.

NEXT TIME: End of the sea