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Characters in order of appearance:

Transcript

  • Episode begins at Askeladd’s camp on Streymoy, immediately where the last one left off with Floki asking Askeladd to kill Thors*

Askeladd’s Men: Go ahead, boy. My turn next. Askeladd: Thors? The Troll of Jom. I’ve heard of him before. Are you sure it’s okay if I kill him? He’s a hero to you guys. Floki: If he were a hero, I wouldn’t have told you to kill him. He broke military law. He deserted during battle. Orders to have him executed were issued 15 years ago.

  • Askeladd drinks from his cup*

Askeladd: Hmm. I know you have strict laws, but it’s been 15 years.

  • Askeladd drinks the last drop from his cup*

Askeladd: Thanks.

  • Askeladd throws the cup to the ground, while Floki stares at him*

Askeladd: No, don’t get the wrong idea. As long as I receive fair payment, I’ll do any job. But you know, master…If you’re going to execute one of your own, one of your own should kill him. You went to Iceland, right? Why didn’t you kill him there?

  • Bjorn and many of Askeladd’s men are standing by a barrel drinking from it, as two of them watch the death of the Christian monk*

Askeladd’s Men: *laughs* This Christian monk is dead. Floki: It’s none of your business. You shouldn’t ask questions. It’s for your own good. Askeladd: Heh. Well, all right. Five extra pounds of gold, paid in advance. Then I’ll accept your job.

  • Bjorn looks into the house where Floki and Askeladd talk*

Floki: You think you have the upper hand on me. You must be confident in yourself.

  • Floki glares at Askeladd, as a spear suddenly flies between them and pierces a cloth on the wall beside them*

Askeladd: … Bjorn: Oops, sorry. It slipped. Are you okay? Askeladd: Hey. Be careful. You guys almost hit me. *laughs* Askeladd’s Men: You klutz. You drank too much.

  • Floki stares at the spear embedded in the cloth over the wall*

Askeladd: Five extra pounds of gold, paid in advance. You accept? Floki: Hmph. All right. Askeladd: *laughs* Excellent, master. You’re a great man. See you later. And by the way…What kind of a warrior is Thors? What does he look like? How does he fight? Floki: Thors is no longer a warrior.

  • Askeladd walks outside and kicks over a barrel of alcohol. Several of his men are shown sleeping while others are upset about the spilled alcohol*

Askeladd: Okay. That’s enough drinking. It’s time to work, you bastards. Bjorn. Nice spear throw.

  • Askeladd and Bjorn bump arms*

Bjorn: No sweat. Askeladd: Even Floki was in shock. Bjorn: I wish I could have seen it myself.

  • In the house, Floki rips the cloth off the wall, revealing a Jomsviking hidden behind it with a spear embedded in his chest*

Floki: Hmph. It seems he’s not a man of empty words.

  • Scene changes to Iceland, as several villagers are loading cargo onto the warship. Ylva stands outside the door of her house as Ari talks to her*

Ylva: *yawns* Ari: The time has come for me, Ari, son of Geitr, to become a man. I know. Don’t say a word. It will not be an easy journey. Ylva: *groans* Ari: There’s no guarantee that I won’t be injured in battle. But I shall return! I’ll return with a necklace I seized from England as a gift to you. Ylva: Hey. I’m still sleepy. Ari: And then will you…? Ma…Marry… Ari’s Mother: Ari. You forgot your lunch.

  • Ari’s mother appears behind him holding a bag of lunch*

Ari: Mom?! Ari’s Mother: Why are you so careless? Ari: *laughs nervously* Ari’s Mother: Make sure you share the salted herring with everyone else. I stuffed it full. Ari: Mom. Wait over there. Ari’s Mother: How can you say that to your own mother?! Ari: When I return I’ll finish what I was saying. Ari’s Mother: What’s wrong…? Ari: Wait for me, Ylva. Ylva: *exhales* Oh. They’re departing today. I hope they don’t die. Grim: Ylva!

  • Grim and Mord appear in front of Ylva*

Grim: *blushes* Do you have a moment? Mord: Wait! I’m first.

  • Mord pushes Grim out of the way*

Magni: Hey! Ylva!

  • Magni begins to run up to Ylva*

Ylva: Can you try somewhere else?

  • Scene changes to later that day as the warship begins to depart*

Mord’s Mother: Make sure you bathe on Saturday, my boy. Mord: I know, Mom. Magni: I swear on my father’s ax. I shall bring back a barrel full of gold coins. Villagers: *cheer* Villager: They’re so excited. Villager: But there’s only five of them in total. That’s not enough. Villager: Thors says that five is enough. Villager: Hmm. Well, if that’s what he says. But that’s barely enough for sailing two ships.

  • Mord, Agni, Magni, Grim, and Hakon begin to board the ship while waving at the villagers*

Villager: It’s Thors we’re talking about. I’m sure he has a reason. Mord: Hey. What were you talking about with Ylva just now? Ari: Shut up, you jackass. You stay away from her. Mord: Watch your back on the battlefield. Ari: Don’t underestimate me. I was going to say the same thing to you.

  • A girl runs up onto the dock behind Mord and Ari*

Girl: Ari. Ari: Huh? Girl: Oh…Be careful. Ari: Uh…ah. Mord: You didn’t finish. Ari: What did you say? Mord: This way.

  • Leif appears behind the girl*

Leif: Girlie. Girl: …! Leif: Are you worried about Ari? Want me to tell you a secret? Girl: What? They’re not going to battle? Leif: Shh! It’s a secret. We’re going to stop by Norway on our way to Jomsborg. Thors plans to leave the young men behind there. Thors is going to get some help from some sailors in Norway to make it to Jomsborg. I’m friends with the previous King of Norway. I have a lot of influence there. As soon as I’m done with my business, I’ll bring the young men back here. Girl: *excited breaths* Leif: Five men is the most I can bring back on my run-down ship. He won’t bring anyone to the battlefield. That’s the kind of person that Thors is.

  • Thors walks through the village looking for Thorfinn*

Thors: Thorfinn! Hey! Where are you?! Thorfinn! *sighs*

  • Scene changes back to the dock*

Girl: Excuse me, Leif… Leif: Hmm? Girl: Does that mean Thors is going to the battlefield alone?

  • Scene changes to the departure of the warship*

Mols: Ready to row?! Ari, Mord, Magni, Grim, and Hakon: Yeah!

  • Ari, Mord, Magni, Grim, and Hakon sit one the left side of the boat each holding an oar, while Thors sits alone on the right side with an oar 5 times the size of theirs*

Ari: What’s wrong with his oar?

  • Helga and Ylva stand on the coast watching the departure*

Ylva: I can’t believe Thorfinn isn’t seeing Father off. I bet he’s sill angry he got scolded yesterday. Thors: Helga! Helga: Yes? Thors: Tell Thorfinn…Well…Um…What I mean is… Helga: Yes. I’ll tell him. Thors: Ah? Hm. I’m counting on you.

  • Leif beats a drum*

Leif: All right! Depart!

  • Thors begins rowing causing the left side of the boat to lift up*

Grim: He’s so strong. Hakon: Idiot. Don’t stop rowing. Row. Row.

  • Leif, Mols, and four other men row to the left of the warship on a small boat*

Villagers: You can do it. Bring home some souvenirs. See you.

  • Scene changes to Leif’s boat and the warship in the middle of the sea*

Leif: Raise the sail!

  • Thors raises the sail of the warship and ties a rope to the mast, as Mord, Magni, and Ari sit exhausted. Hakon pats Grim’s back as he throws up over the side of the boat*

Magni: My hands are peeling. Mord: My butt. My butt. Grim: *vomits* Hakon: Hey. Hang in there. Thors: Ari. Take the rudder. Ari: *pants* Huh? Thors: Mord and Magni, adjust the mainsheet. Hakon and Grim, take the jib sheet. Ari: Uh… Thors: Are you tired? Ari: No, it’s nothing. Thors: Don’t worry. We don’t have to row any more for a while. We’re riding the current now. The ship will move on its own. Thorfinn: Does that mean we can’t turn back anymore, Father? Thors: Yeah, that’s right…Huh? Ari: Eh?! Thors: “Father”?

  • Thorfinn suddenly pops out of one of the barrels on the ship*

Thors: Thor…?! Thorfinn? You… Thorfinn: You can tell me later.

  • Thorfinn rushes to the side of the ship, before peeing into the sea*

Thorfinn: I made it…

  • Thorfinn looks out at the open sea*

Thors: You naughty…! Thorfinn: Father! Thors: Uh… Thorfinn: It’s the ocean! Thors: Heh.

  • Scene changes to Askeladd’s camp. Askeladd and Bjorn stand at the coast and talk while Askeladd’s men load cargo onto their two warships*

Askeladd: This job is suspicious. Bjorn: Hmm? Why? Askeladd: Floki is hiding too many secrets. He’s lying about the execution order for Thors. I’m almost certain of it. Bjorn: Then why…? Askeladd: It’s an assassination. Maybe it’s a personal grudge or something. But I’m sure he cooked this up all on his own. Bjorn: Who cares? It doesn’t change the fact that you’ll get paid for killing him. Askeladd: Why do you think he didn’t use one of his own men? Bjorn: Because that’d be going against orders. He’d get his hands dirty. Askeladd: Well, that could be true. What if he’s afraid of a loss? A loss so large that he won’t be able to explain it to his boss. Bjorn: An entire Jomsvikings unit? Just to get one washed-up soldier? That’s crazy. Askeladd: *chuckles*

  • Thorfinn is shown climbing up the mast of the warship to escape Thors*

Thors: Hey. Come down from there, kid.

  • Thors grabs Thorfinn before revealing his backside, and begins spanking him*

Askeladd: I want to get a look at this guy. “The Troll of Jom.” I hope he’s a fun guy.

  • Scene changes to that night, as Thors’ warship and Leif’s boat sail through the dark waters. Thorfinn sleeps on Thors’ lap, Ari holds a rope connected to the mast, and Mord, Grim, Hakon, and Magni sleep*

Ari: *yawns* I can’t even see the stars. I can’t see anything. Which way are we heading? Leif: Thors! The wind changed a bit. Slightly to the right. I’ll lead. Follow me.

  • Leif stands on his boat and shouts to Thors, while Mols sits behind him*

Thors: Got it! Ari: Haa…Amazing. How can Leif sail through the sea like this without getting lost?

  • Ari kneels by the side of the ship and looks down at the light reflecting off the surface of the water*

Thors: Ari. Ari: Huh? Thors: Don’t stare into the sea at night. It’ll pull you in. Ari; *gulps* Hey, Thors. What is it like on the battlefield? I heard you fought in a lot of battles. Tell us some stories. I want to cut off some general’s head, so I can become a real man too! Thors: *amused exhale* I see. My daughter likes strong men. You have a tough job ahead. Ari: *blushes* Well, what can I say? You can tell. Thors: Are you in love with Ylva, Ari? Ari: Yeah, I like her. She’s cute. Thors: *amused exhale* She was born while I was still in the Jomsvikings army. She was my first child.

  • A newborn Ylva is shown crying on a bed beside Helga. Thors picks her up with one hand and rubs her head with his fingertip*

Ylva: *wails* Thors: …! You’re so loud.

  • Two doulas stand by Thors, expressing shock at how he’s holding the newborn Ylva*

Thors: Do all babies cry so much? Doula: Thors. Don’t hold her like that.

  • Thors places the newborn Ylva on the bed beside Helga*

Thors: Give me a boy next, Helga. The leader wants a boy. Thors (Narrating): My wife Helga is the daughter of the leader of the army. It was a difficult birth. She looked pale.

  • Thors walks to the doorway*

Helga: Thors. Give her a name. Thors: Name her as you see fit. I’m busy. We’re about to go on a campaign to Norway.

  • A Jomsviking walks into the doorway*

Jomsviking: Thors, the ship will soon depart. Thors: Okay. I’m coming. Helga: Thors! Give this child a name. Thors (Narrating): I’ve been with her for 15 years, but that’s the only time I’ve ever seen Helga mad.

  • Scene changes back to the present*

Thors: Ylva was my mother’s name. It came to me all of a sudden. Now that I think about it, that’s when it started. That’s when I started to get scared of battle. That’s why I ran away. I bet my old war buddies would curse me if they knew. Ari: … Leif: Hey! I can see the Faroe Islands!

  • Scene changes to later that morning as Thors, Leif, and company approach Streymoy. Thorfinn wakes up*

Thorfinn: *yawns* Father! Father! Thors: Hmm? Ari: Huh? Thorfinn: Are we in England?! Did we arrive in England?! Leif: No. Wrong answer. These are the Faroe Islands. They’re in the middle, between Iceland and Norway. Our journey will be easier if we rest here for a bit. There’s a village beyond this cove. Let’s get some water there. And we can trade too. Thorfinn: Huuh. Ari: Are you planning to come along, all the way to England? Thorfinn: Yeah. Thors: Get ready to row! Magni, Grim, Mord, and Hakon: *groan* Ari: *groans*

  • Leif rhythmically beats a drum as he and Thors sail into the cove*

Leif: Come on, hang in there. Hakon: I wish we didn’t have to do this. Magni: My butt hurts.

  • Leif suddenly stops beating the drum as he looks out toward the village*

Thors: Hmm? What’s wrong, Leif? Leif: Something’s wrong. Thors: What’s wrong. Leif: I wonder what’s wrong. Something feels different from the last time I was here.

  • Thors looks up towards the cliff faces on either side of them, noticing several rocks falling from the side of the cliff*

Leif: I see. It’s the number of houses. The number of houses decreased. Thors: Let’s turn back, Leif. I have a bad feeling about this. The terrain’s bad too. Grim: What? Mord: Are you serious?

  • Leif begins beating the drum again as they row back to the entrance of the cove. One of Askeladd’s men peers over the cliff*

Askeladd’s Men (Helmet and Braids): Hey. They’re going backwards. Askeladd’s Men (Ponytail and Green Shirt): Did they notice us? Askeladd’s Men (Blonde Beard and Red Shirt): They’re good. Askeladd’s Men (Brown Hair and Thin Mustache): They’re very careful. They might be strong. Askeladd’s Men (Helmet and Braids): They’re too close, but it can’t be helped. I don’t care if the ships get damaged. Do it.

  • Four of Askeladd’s men push tons of wooden and stone rubble into the entrance of the cove, blocking Leif and Thors’ exit*

Leif: Ah…Our exit… Askeladd’s Men (Helmet and Braids): Take that.

  • One of Askeladd’s men kicks the last piece of wood off the cliff*

Askeladd’s Men (Ponytail and Green Shirt): Great. They’re caught like rats in a trap. Leif: Thors! Everyone! Are you okay?! Thors: Is everyone okay?! Magni: Y…Yes. Ari: We’re okay. Thors: They will fire arrows. Cover your head with your shield.

  • Hakon holds a shield above his head*

Hakon: *frightened noises* Thors: Leif. How’s the damage over there? Leif: We’re okay! The ship is fine and everyone is okay!

  • Thors looks toward the end of the cove and the village*

Thors: They’re coming. Whoever’s behind this trap is in the back of the cove. Ari: The back?

  • The sound of a beaten drum echoes out within the cave, as two warships sail into view*

Ari: Pirates? Magni: Ah?

  • Several archers aim down at Thors and Leif’s ships*

Mols: These pillars are from a house. We’re completely blocked. Leif: They got us. Magni: Maybe they’ll spare our lives if we surrender. Mord: How do you know?! Ari: They won’t spare our lives! If they catch us, they’ll sell us at the slave market. Get ready. T...T...This is nothing.

  • Ari shakily draws his sword*

Ari: There’s only two ships. Thors: Stop, Ari. They’re experienced. They’re not just some farmers working as pirates in the summer for some extra cash. You’re no match for them. Thorfinn: Father…

  • Thors pats Thorfinn’s head*

Thors: *deep breath*

  • Thors walks to the back of the warship*

Ari: Thors…

  • Thors opens up his chest and grabs his sword, wrapping it around his back. Thors grabs his knife and squeezes the sheathed blade in his hand, before handing it to Thorfinn*

Thors: Thorfinn. Thorfinn: Huh? Thors: Use it only to protect yourself. Understand? Only when you really need it. Ari: A…Are you going to kill them?! You are going to kill them! A…All right! I’m going to kill them! Thors: Stop saying “kill” so lightly.

  • Bjorn places a yellow-spotted, red mushroom in his mouth and begins to chew*

Atli: Ah! Torgrim: Bjorn. That mushroom… Bjorn: One, two, three…eleven, twelve…and one kid? What? Is that all? Hey! Askeladd! Askeladd: Hmm? Bjorn: Is it okay if I take care of them? It wouldn’t be fun if all of us went after them at once. I’ll go see how good the Troll of Jom really is.

  • Thors suddenly jumps off his warship*

Askeladd: Okay. They look like they want a fight too. Bjorn: What?

  • Thors lands on the front of Bjorn’s ship*

Atli: Ah?! Askeladd’s Men (Black Bandana and Green Shirt): Y…You bastard! Torgrim: W…What’s wrong with you? Where did you come from?!

  • Torgrim swings his axe down towards Thors, who slams the back of his fist into Torgrim’s cheek, knocking him to the ground unconscious*

Atli: Brother! Askeladd’s Men (Yellow Hair and Blue Cloak): He’s good. Atli: Take this!

  • Atli charges at Thors with his sword drawn. Thors elbows Atli in the face, knocking him to the ground unconscious. Three of Askeladd’s men charge at Thors with their weapons drawn. Thors punches the first in the cheek with his left hand, before slamming the back of his left hand into the second’s cheek, then slamming the palm of his right hand into the third’s cheek, knocking them all to the ground unconscious. Two more of Askeladd’s men charge at Thors, as the sounds of strikes, falling to the ground, and weapons clattering can be heard*

Bjorn: Tch! Askeladd: *laughs*

  • One of Askeladd’s men is shown falling to the ground before Thors, whose fist is seen at where the man’s midsection was*

Askeladd: You’re good…Troll of Jom.

  • Episode ends*

Episode Rating

Story & Pacing (9.8/10) – A Slow-Building Tension That Explodes Into Action

  • The first half of the episode is a methodical build-up
    • Askeladd’s cunning is on full display as he subtly outmaneuvers Floki and accepts the assassination job.
    • Floki’s hidden Jomsviking being killed emphasizes that Askeladd isn’t just a mercenary—he’s incredibly dangerous and perceptive.
    • The farewell at Iceland is touching yet melancholic, reinforcing that Thors' journey is not one of glory.
  • The second half is pure suspense
    • The moment Thors and Leif realize the village in the Faroe Islands is off, you can feel the trap closing in.
    • The cliffside blockade is masterfully executed—showing how outmatched Thors’ group is, yet emphasizing his unshaken composure.
  • The final scene is one of the best in the entire series
    • Thors single-handedly obliterates Askeladd’s men in a fight that is as brutal as it is elegant.
    • The fact that he doesn’t kill a single person makes it even more impactful—he dominates them without breaking his code.
    • The final shot of Askeladd smirking, clearly impressed, is the perfect cliffhanger.

Character Development (10/10) – A Perfect Episode for Thors and Askeladd

  • Thors – The Ultimate Warrior of Peace
    • Thors cements himself as one of the most compelling protagonists in anime history.
      • He completely outclasses everyone—even the legendary Askeladd is caught off guard.
      • His belief in not killing is emphasized beautifully. Even when overwhelmed, he knocks out enemies instead of slaying them.
      • His love for Thorfinn is so real and human. The scene where he gives Thorfinn his knife and warns him to only use it for defense is brilliant foreshadowing for what’s to come.
      • His regret over war and his past is deeper than ever. His flashback about Ylva’s birth is one of the most emotional moments in the series.
  • Askeladd – The Calculated Opportunist
    • Askeladd’s intelligence and pragmatism shine through.
      • He immediately senses Floki’s deception and realizes there’s more to this assassination.
      • Instead of questioning it, he uses it to his advantage and raises the price.
      • His reaction to Thors’ strength is perfect—he’s amused, not threatened. He’s clearly playing the long game.
  • Floki – The Coward in Command
    • Floki’s manipulative nature is emphasized.
      • He doesn’t even try to fight Thors himself—he hides behind schemes and mercenaries.
      • The fact that he’s paying Askeladd to do this shows he fears Thors, even now.
  • Thorfinn – The Naïve Child About to Face Reality
    • Thorfinn’s excitement for war is heartbreaking.
      • His belief that fighting makes a man strong is completely at odds with his father’s wisdom.
      • The moment he sneaks onto the ship shows his determination—he wants to see battle.
      • His admiration for Thors is at its peak here. His reaction to the open ocean is pure innocence.
      • This makes what’s about to happen even more tragic.
  • Bjorn – The Battle-Hungry Berserker
    • Bjorn finally steps into the spotlight as a fighter.
      • His eating of the berserker mushroom hints at the monstrous fight to come.
      • Unlike Askeladd, he’s not a strategist—he just wants a good fight.
  • Leif Ericson – The Wise, But Powerless Guide
    • Leif’s foreshadowing about Thors leaving the young men behind is brilliant.
      • He knows Thors has no intention of taking them to war.
      • However, he can’t protect him from Askeladd’s trap.

Action & Tension (10/10) – The Best Combat Scene Yet

  • The ambush is masterfully done.
    • The cliffside blockade immediately puts Thors in a no-win situation.
    • The arrows raining down on them shows how truly trapped they are.
    • The close-up on Thors’ face as he realizes they’re in trouble is chilling.
  • Thors’ counterattack is breathtaking.
    • His raw strength is terrifying—knocking men unconscious with his bare hands.
    • His movement is fast, precise, and completely in control.
    • The fact that he doesn’t draw his sword is incredible storytelling. He dominates without taking a single life.
    • The way he blitzes onto Bjorn’s ship instantly shows just how much of a legend he truly is.

Themes & Symbolism (10/10) – A Clash of Ideologies

  • "A warrior doesn’t need a sword."
    • Thors embodies the idea that true strength is not needing to kill.
    • His fight against Askeladd’s men is a direct rejection of the Viking ideal of battle and death.
    • This foreshadows everything to come with Thorfinn’s arc—he will spend years trying to unlearn the lesson his father already knew.
  • Fatherhood & Legacy
    • Thors’ attempt to shield Thorfinn from war is at the heart of this episode.
    • His gentle moment with Thorfinn before the ambush is a tragic reminder that this is the last time they will ever share peace.
  • Honor vs. Cunning
    • Floki represents dishonor and deception.
    • Askeladd represents opportunism and strategy.
    • Thors represents the ideal warrior—pure skill, no killing.

Final Verdict: 9.9/10 – One of the Best Episodes in the Series

  • ✔ Strengths:
    • Incredible build-up and payoff.
    • Thors is at his absolute peak in terms of character depth.
    • Askeladd’s intelligence and cunning make him an amazing antagonist.
    • Floki’s cowardice is perfectly written.
    • Thorfinn’s innocence makes the coming tragedy all the more heartbreaking.
    • The ambush and ensuing fight are brilliantly animated and choreographed.
    • Themes of strength, honor, and fatherhood are masterfully interwoven.
  • ❌ Weaknesses:
    • Almost none. The pacing is slightly slow at the start, but that’s necessary for the payoff.

Final Thoughts: This episode is near-perfect, setting up Vinland Saga’s most defining moment. Thors’ last stand is one of the greatest displays of strength and morality in anime history. The tragedy, action, and character work here are simply flawless.