adminIt was another chill Frieren Friday; just good vibes. Both the hot-spring and the Fern & Stark date preparation arcs were classic Frieren storytelling all over again. The episode started with almost nothing significant happening, like just another day in their journey to Ende.
Similar to all the detours they’ve taken so far, Episode 3 wasn’t any different. But was it any less impactful? Not the slightest. Watching episodes like this truly makes me want to transport myself to a peaceful world like Frieren’s, filled with vast landscapes and opportunities for great adventures. All because it’s told in a simple yet so powerful way.
The Frieren Hot-Spring Episode Was Just As Good As I Expected
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to the hot spring episode (for certain reasons) ever since the Season 2 trailer dropped. I knew it was going to be another peaceful detour in their journey, but no one told me there would be some level of action in it too, not the serious kind, though.
I mean, isn’t it so reassuring? Knowing Frieren is in your party, the series makes it clear every time that action will never be the central attraction of any episode. In their search for the hidden hot spring of Etwas Mountain, the surrounding area turned out to be a nest of a lizard-type dragon.
But how did Frieren, Fern, and Stark defeat it? You’d guess Stark slashed its head off with his blade again, right? Nope. Frieren just used him as bait, as she and Fern proceeded to cut its three heads off at the same time. Like, come on! Where’s the respect for Stark? That was straight-up bullying.
Frieren cries and throws a tantrum in Season 2 | Credits: Madhouse
However, let’s skip all those insignificant details for now and look at where the series truly shines the most. It was during another flashback of Stark with Eisen. Why was Stark so persistent about finding the hot spring? Because he remembered what Eisen told him as a kid, how this little (not-so-rewardful) adventure became a core memory he would never forget.
Now isn’t that so inspiring? Moments like this remind us never to miss an opportunity to do what we can in life. We can’t predict which moment might become an unforgettable chapter when we look back on it in the future.
Fern & Stark’s First Date Might Be Season 2’s Most Hype Moment
The hot spring part wasn’t even half the episode, and it was already quite philosophically heavy. But what came next could be a peak Frieren moment. Like, I can’t put into words how happy it made me seeing Stark ask Fern out on a date. Well, that wasn’t exactly intentional, but we take those.
What was Fern’s reaction? Stark imagined he was dead by then. But surprisingly (or maybe not), Fern quietly agrees to the proposal! I mean, it was already clear that she’s slowly starting to develop feelings for Stark, but she doesn’t know how to express them well. NO, it’s not the tsundere stereotype, okay? She’s genuinely confused here, and so is Stark.
Stark has convinced himself that no matter what he does, Fern is never going to accept him for who he is. Like, I get it, man. You need at least some words of affirmation to understand that others acknowledge you. But no! Would Fern do that? Never. Or maybe, she can’t.
I’ve seen many romance subplots (and even main plots) in anime, but Fern and Stark’s chemistry so far feels the most realistic. Why? Because it’s filled with flaws and misunderstandings that just hit home. And the best part is that they still care about each other deep down.
With that being said, the next episode feels like it’s going to be peak. Episode 3 was just the setup for the grand Stark & Fern date. And guess who’s helping them plan things out? It’s Frieren! That’s a little concerning, but am I still hyped? Of course, I am. In fact, anything I say would be an understatement, so let’s just leave it at that.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
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