English Dub Review: Vinland Saga: “For Lost Love”

Overview: After an altercation with one of Canute’s (Josh Grelle) men, Olmar (Ben Balmaceda), Ketil (Doug Jackson) and Thorgil (Earl Baylon) come to a shocking discovery regarding their visit.  

Our Take: The unexpected nature of how Canute’s plan spirals out of control is compelling in shaky twists and turns, but also what it does for Olmar. Canute’s usually a step ahead of the game, however, Thorgil’s savagery is a shocking wrench thrown in his scheme. Thorgil’s harsh definition of honor is shocking in its brutality, but also in how it contrasts Olmar. 

Olmar’s first kill is gripping in the horror that sets in, even with a scummy soldier, who belittles and ridicules. The decision he makes in the face of violence and a deadly, commanding older brother will be intriguing. His ordeal also shines a light on how barbaric Thorgil can be in his petty reasoning for murdering someone.

However, Thorgil’s wits on the battlefield also reveal Canute’s plot to pin Olmar’s murder on Ketil to take his farm. A tense conflict is set up between the King’s military and Ketil’s faction with Thorgil leading the charge. To his credit, Thorgil’s ideals are complex in honoring Leif’s agreement for Thorfinn, in exchange for smuggling them, proving he’s more than a savage stereotype. And with Leif aiding them, a reunion thrown in the midst of a war promises for engrossing developments to come.