Vinland Saga season 2 episode 8 opens with Thorfinn experiencing a haunting nightmare where he confronts a terrified family, including a young boy he recognizes as Einar. As he tries to understand the dream, Thorfinn feels like he has forgotten something significant and unsettling. Later, while working on the farm, Thorfinn opens up to Einar, revealing that Askeladd, the man who killed his father, was a cruel Danish warmonger, and that he hated him for eleven years. However, he never got the chance to avenge his father as another man killed Askeladd before he could. Thorfinn is now struggling to deal with the aftermath of his long-standing hate and feels empty without it, unsure of what he should do next. Sverkel, who joins them later, teaches them how to catch fish and advises Thorfinn to start learning things one step at a time, as anything can fit inside an empty person, and it’s better for him to be empty if he wants to be reborn.

After coming from the sea Einar and Thorfinn discovering that their wheat field has been trampled and destroyed. Einar is devastated and angry, but Thorfinn reminds him that they have no proof that the retainers did it. They report the incident to Pater, who investigates the field and promises to report to Ketil. Later, Einar and Thorfinn confront the retainers, and things turn violent. Einar’s face contorts with rage as he steps forward, raising his fist to strike the retainer who insulted his farming. But before he can deliver the blow, Thorfinn springs into action, his hand flashing out with lightning speed to land a solid punch to the retainer’s jaw and attacks one of the retainers, and the others retaliate by attacking both him and Einar. The episode ends with Thorfinn falling down the same fissure from earlier in the episode.

Vinland Saga season 2 episode 8 is a gripping exploration of Thorfinn’s internal turmoil as he struggles to come to terms with his father’s death and his unresolved hatred towards Askeladd. The dream sequence effectively sets the tone for the rest of the episode, and the pacing is well-crafted, with the narrative smoothly transitioning between Thorfinn’s dream, his conversation with Einar, and his fishing lesson with Sverkel. The dialogue is thoughtful, with Sverkel’s words providing a sense of hope and possibility for Thorfinn’s future. Overall, this episode is an engaging and poignant character study of Thorfinn’s emotional journey towards self-discovery and redemption.