Frieren is back here again. Time passed by, and I didn’t even realize I almost missed this episode! But hey, I finally had the time to watch it. Although I’m glad to watch this anime, we picked up on a sad note.

Sein is facing a dilemma. On one hand, I can see he’s actually enjoying his time with Frieren, Stark, and Fern. Well, aside from being the occasional peacemaker between the two youngsters. On the other hand, he has to pursue Gorilla. It’s his original goal, after all.

However, he can take his decision later, because apparently a vicious snowstorm comes in. We all know what happened to Stark the last time they traveled in such a condition. So, they spend more time in a town, and it seems like this episode is even calmer than usual.

A Peaceful Snowstorm, Relatively

Bad weather sure is a mood killer.

Don’t you hate it when you had planned something, and it turned out snowing so heavily outside? Or, in my case, it’s raining so intense it puts Niagara Falls to shame. Yep, their deadpans sum up the situation really well.

So, the party gets to spend their time and enjoy whatever the town has for them. Frieren pretty much always hangs out around the weird magic shop.

Stark and Fern seem like they do the heavy lifting on chores and groceries. While Sein, well, let’s say old habits die hard.

Stark And Fern’s Quarrel

She’s poutier than ever.

Just when you think everything’s going to be fine, Frieren suddenly stops by the bar, looking for Sein’s help. Apparently, we got ourselves another lover’s quarrel.

It all began after Fern was out getting some groceries. She was just being a bit of a troll, and put her cold palm on Stark’s cheek. But then, when Stark returned the favor, guess what happens? Fern turns into a meat bun again.

Her reasons for being mad are so menial when it comes to Stark. But, we have to remember that they practically have never hung out around people their age.

I love Sein’s reaction to Stark and Fern making up with each other.

Not to mention, Stark grew up in a very high-pressure warrior society, like Sparta, maybe. Meanwhile, Fern is a war orphan raised alone by an elderly priest. So, none of them has a normal childhood.

So, I think it’s a given they’d have difficulty communicating with each other. Saying this party is full of awkward people isn’t wrong, it turns out.

Sein Is What It Feels Being Dragged Into Adulthood In A Nutshell

“Just be together already!” Couldn’t be closer to the truth.

Shortly after, Sein comes in and talks to both Stark and Fern. Throughout all of their talks, I feel like Sein is the perfect couple therapist for these two. I know, he is basically the corrupt priest 2.0. But, he actually is a good mediator for this party.

However, I think we can all agree with what he says right after. After all this time, at last, there is someone who says what we’ve been thinking. Seeing two overgrown teenagers like Stark and Fern having a fit against each other can feel ridiculous. Just make up and be together already!

Drink up my guy. After all these unpaid therapist jobs, you deserve it.

Heck, what did Frieren do when these two children fought before we had Sein? I guess she just slept it off, yeah, I think that’s accurate.

To be honest, I can relate so much with Sein. He might be the most relatable character so far, even more than Frieren and her love for long-term procrastination. Frieren actually feels the same way about Sein. When she met him for the first time, she actually hated how similar they are.

A Goodbye To Sein, A Real One Now

We must bid Sein a farewell.

Well, sadly, this episode is the last time we’re together with Sein. I hope he will make more appearances in another episode, though. Heck, I hope he runs into Monk Kraft accidentally, and makes Kraft feel nostalgic for a while. You know, because Kraft’s partner was also a priest.

Before parting ways with Frieren and the kids, there’s something that I notice about Sein. He recalls that they, as a party, rarely spend time together.

Frieren would either sleep, eat, or visit a magic shop. Stark usually trains by himself. I think Fern spends her time mostly reading by herself. And Sein? He’s out at the pub with the locals.

I really hope we get to see him again in future episodes.

This scene, even though only a split second long, adds up to his final goodbye. It makes their time together feels too short, and should’ve been longer. I guess this is what happens when we don’t really socialize with each other, even in our own group or family.

We only notice them the moment they’re going away. I think this is the big message in the whole anime too. Frieren regrets taking her old party for granted, and she realized it only after Himmel’s death.

His death has such an impact on her, that the anime always uses his passing as a time reference. I guess this is also how Sein feels about Gorilla. Well, for now, it’s been great Sein. See you later.

The Walk To Äußerst

We continue with only the trio.

The group is now reduced back to just three people. Frieren, Stark, and Fern have to continue their journey without Sein. The scale of how far these big cities are apart is intense.

I think Fern has been traveling with Frieren for about four years now, and it has been a year for Stark. Yet, they’re still far away from their final destination, Aureole.

Also, it gives a better context on why we can’t just stop by the city of Tur to look for Gorilla as a group. That city is probably weeks or months away from where they’re now. Furthermore, they don’t ride horses. We know they pay for carriage sometimes. But, for most of the time, they just walk and take things slow.

A Long Walk Needs A Medic, After All

A long walk in the snow can take a toll on your body, after all.

The first thing that I worry about with Sein’s departure is we essentially lost our private healthcare. He also might be among the talented priests out there too, remember when he got a snake’s poison out of Stark?

Not to mention, when he became the key player in saving a town from a fly trap on steroids. So, it’s kind of a big trouble when Fern gets a fever in this episode.

Prior to meeting Sein, I guess what they always did was practically just wait for anyone sick to get better on their own. For instance, when the three experienced their first snowstorm together, Stark actually collapsed.

Frieren is confirming Fern’s condition using Sein’s book.

When you can just slap a big warm guy like Kraft for Stark to get better, you don’t do that to Fern, do you? Although, I bet some fans would volunteer, of course.

Luckily, Sein left some notes and his book for Frieren. With it, she can sort of diagnose and make sure it’s just a regular fever Fern is having, and thankfully it is. I still think it’s curious, though. It’s interesting that they separate demon-derived magic from a priest’s magic.

You’re Always Be A Baby

Frieren holds Fern’s hand

Thankfully, there’s a remote village that Frieren had visited in the past. However, the village is now reduced to only a kind woman and her cattle. The lady lets Fern rest in her place, while Frieren and Stark look for the herb based on Sein’s notes.

Along this short search, I can’t help but think Frieren is being a real grandma here. She just keeps talking about how fast Fern has grown and how short Fern was compared to Frieren.

I think it’s funny no matter how dense or clueless Frieren is, the urge to talk about the kid you took care of still prevails. Now we know, we’ll also get that urge, no matter what our how opinion on it.

I love the face she makes when she’s cooking Fern’s meds.

We might refuse that kind of treatment from our parents or grandparents at first. At first, Fern also refuses when Frieren tries to hold her hand, just to ease up the pain from the fever.

She might feel embarrassed that Frieren is treating her like a small child. However, It’s just Frieren trying to be caring as much as she can. After all, Frieren is not the one who came up with the idea that holding the hand of a sick person can make their illness easier.

Himmel Is Frieren’s Source Of Love Language

How could you say no when this man offers to stay by your side? Both literally and figuratively.

Frieren’s handholding brings us back to one of her flashbacks. These bits are one of the anime’s strong points. By looking at the past from Frieren’s current perspective, we get more of her backstory, but also how she probably changes throughout time.

Apparently, Frieren got the idea of holding hands from Himmel himself. One time, Frieren was the one who got a fever. While Heiter and Eisen were working on her medicine, Himmel stayed with her.

The handholding turned out to be a habit that Himmel got from his mother. Whenever he was sick, his mother would accompany him, hold his hand, and try to make him feel less lonely.

Himmel held Frieren’s hand when she got sick too.

I love how Frieren picks up Himmel’s gesture. In my opinion, it’s not just a way for Frieren to remember Himmel. But, it also shows she learned a bit more about empathy through him. Frieren and Himmel’s romance is a rather unique take on love.

I think it’s fascinating how a one-thousand-year-old elf learned about love and emotions because of a thirty-something-year-old man. Usually, we get something like A Sign Of Affection, which has the bread and butter of a love story. However, putting a dead man as the love interest brings out a nostalgic and heavier emphasis on regrets and reminiscence.

https://seinenrider.com/2024/01/10/farewell-to-sein-for-now-frieren-beyond-journeys-end-episode-17-review/

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