‘Vinland Saga: Season 2’ Episode 17 Recap & Ending Explained: Who Wins the Fight? Thorfinn or Snake?

Welcome to the Recap and Ending Explained for Vinland Saga: Season 2, Episode 17, titled “The Road Home.” For a number of episodes, Vinland Saga has decided to become quite a prestige drama, focusing more and more on the human condition than probably any other anime series in the last five years. Episode 17 keeps proving that the writing of this show is just immaculate and should serve as an example of how to build characters and storylines that feel meaningful. Yes, the plot is simple, but the story is richer than ever.

The Road Home might be one of the most emotional episodes in the entire series, and that is something to say, especially if you have been on the road with these characters for the past few episodes. In the previous episode, Thorfinn, Einar, and Sverkel decide to help Arnheid and Gardar escape Ketil’s farm. However, a vengeful Snake will do anything in his power to stop that. The death of five of his men rests too heavily on Snake’s shoulders, and he needs to take vengeance upon Gardar. Ultimately, even Thorfinn decides to fight to defend Gardar and Arnheid from Snake’s wrath.

The following paragraphs contain spoilers for Vinland Saga: Season 2, Episode 17. Read at your own risk.

Who Wins The Fight? Thorfinn Or Snake?

The previous episode set up a fight that has been long in the making, the rematch between Thorfinn and Snake. They exchanged blows at the start of season 2, but now they will fight for real. Snake has to take revenge for the death of his men, and Thorfinn is the only thing standing in his way. Thorfinn, on the other hand, has decided to avoid violence as much as he can, but in this situation, he is being forced to fight to protect his friend Arnheid. Thorfinn takes on his signature stance, the one he used with his twin daggers.

And so, the fight between these two expert warriors begins. Thorfinn points out just how fast Snake is. Snake uses his curve sword to compensate for his range, but his speed is his biggest advantage. Thorfinn manages to get some blows in, but because he only uses his fists, he can only hurt Snake at that level. However, if Thorfinn had been armed, Snake would have died. Snake wonders what monsters were around Thorfinn to make him so strong. They both ask themselves how the other ends up on the farm, Snake as a bodyguard and Thorfinn as a slave.

However, in the end, Snake pushes Thorfinn around the arena and ends up close to the wagon where Gardar lies unconscious. Thorfinn and Arnheid beg Snake not to kill Gardar. This makes Snake angry. He asks them why he would do that. Is it because he and his men are just low-life mercenaries who cannot even use their real names because of their past sins? Why is Gardar’s life with five of his men? What makes Gardar so special? There is no answer from Thorfinn and Arnheid because there is none.

Without remorse, Snake strikes the unconscious Gardar with his sword. He wounds the man right in the heart. Thorfinn and Arnheid stand there in complete shock. They have failed to escape, and on top of that, they have failed to defend Gardar’s life. There is no mention during the episode of what has happened with Einar, who was the distraction for the escape. They all put their lives at risk, and they failed. Snake warns them that they will be punished for what they have done. However, Snakes gets struck by a bad taste surprise.

Do Arnheid and Gardar Manage To Escape In The End?

As Snake declares that both Thorfinn and Einar will be punished, old man Sverkel tries to intercede by saying to Snake he will give him his lands. However, Snake declares that he doesn’t care about the money. This goes beyond that. His speech is interrupted by Gardar, who stands up on the wagon and grabs Snake from behind. Gardar seems in a trance, and the grab seems to be about to break Snake’s neck. Snake loses consciousness, and he drops his sword. Thorfinn then tries to make Gardar stop, or he will kill Snake.

Gardar is too strong, and Thorfinn cannot stop him. It is not until Arnheid begins talking to him that Gardar releases Snake from his grasp. Snake falls unconscious on the ground, and Arnheid continues to talk to Gardar. She says that it is time for them to go home. Thorfinn notices that Snake’s attack really did some damage, and Gardar is bleeding through his heart. He will be dead at any moment. Arnheid knows this, but she keeps soothing him by painting the illusion that now they can go home and be with their son.

Gardar thanks Thorfinn for helping and asks Sverkel’s permission to take the wagon so that they can escape. Of course, the old man accepts, and Gardar and Arnheid begin traveling down the road. This version of Gardar is far from a vengeful warrior. This is the man that Arnheid once called a husband, and she is ready to make peace with him before he goes. Gardar asks about his son Hjalti, and Arnheid lies to him, saying that Gardar’s older brother is taking care of him. She says they will meet their son and be happy once more.

As Gardar is dying while riding the wagon, his mind serves him visions of a thousand versions of himself, full of regret. He remembers when Hjalti was born and how he swore to protect his family. He also remembers the moment when he decided to fight for the iron and how that moment destroyed his life. Before dying, he has one last vision where he sees Hjalti, now age six, on a swing. They look at each other and embrace, finally reunited. The wagon stops, Gardar is dead, and the last we see are Snake’s men surrounding the wagon.