Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Episode 14) – Privilege of the Young
Fern is angry with Stark for not getting her a birthday present. Both Sein and Frieren think she’s overreacting, but that doesn’t do anything to reduce the anger. Could this be the end of the party?
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Episode 14) – Privilege of the Young
What happened?
Luckily, Sein knew how to handle this situation. It must be hard for Frieren to be travelling with two children… or was it three children? Anyhow, he went to the market and found a purse to buy Fern for her birthday. Then, he explained that boys aren’t as concerned with birthdays and anniversaries. Fern pointed out that she bought him a present, but did she really? She took him to pick a present. Sein pointed out that almost nobody would turn down a present if someone was offering to buy it there and then. Had she not got him anything, he wouldn’t have really noticed. He told her to make up with him and go get a present together. She did. And they did. The whole time Frieren had been spying on them from the rooftops, which was something that Sein noticed.
They sat and watched as Fern and Stark wandered into the market. Sein found it odd that Fern was accepting advice from him over Frieren, however, she told him that he probably reminded her of Heiter. Sein couldn’t begin to compare himself to such a great priest. However, Frieren told him about Heiter’s drinking and how he was always hungover. That reminded Frieren of the time she was talking to Heiter about how he had grown up since they finished the quest. He pointed out that his mind was still the same as when he was a child. However, children look to adults for emotional support so he had to pretend to be an adult. Frieren felt the need to pat him on the head as a reward, which he found surprisingly rewarding.
After Stark took Fern around the market for three hours trying to pick something she would like, they left for the next town. A travelling merchant was kind enough to give them a ride in his carriage. That gave them all a chance to unwind. Frieren noted that the bracelet Stark had given her was very similar to the ring Himmel once gave her. Their discussion was cut short as a winged demon picked up the carriage and flew away. If they didn’t act soon, it was likely to throw them at the floor and then feast on the remains…
What did you think?
And we are back with the assault on our emotions. I loved the moment with Frieren and Heiter where she patted him on the head. That was incredibly touching, however, a lot of what Heiter said resonated with me. He mentioned how his mind had hardly changed since he was a child and that he was simply pretending to be an adult until he could make it as an ideal grown-up. Basically, he’s faking it until he’s making it. I often find myself looking at others and wondering how they went from children to adults. What is it that made them become so mature while I’m still in love with cartoons and comic books? So, the idea that they might be faking it too is quite reassuring. Will I ever become an ideal grown-up? Probably not, but I’ve read studies that suggest the more childlike your mind is the longer you can live. Why should we give up the things that we enjoy to become more like “adults”?
On top of that, there were more moments where we got to see what a monster Esien was. He was practically invincible which made it funny when Frieren naturally assumes that all warriors are like that. I loved the symbolism behind the pattern on the bracelet that Stark got Fern – Endless Love. I loved how it was the same as the ring that Frieren picked out when Himmel asked her what she wanted. She appeared to pick it without thinking but once Himmel saw it he knew it was perfect, whether she knew or not. Of course, when she asked Fern about her bracelet, it was clear that Frieren knew all along. And Fern was also pretty angry that Stark offered to buy her something else. Typical tsundere!
What have you learned?
I love how a single character can change the entire dynamics of a group. For the longest time, Fern has been like the mother of the group with Frieren taking on the role of spoiled child. Stark came in and that seemed to give Frieren more of an adult role while Fern reverted to a girl again. Then, Sein joined the party and he’s like a voice of reason, which is hilarious given that he’s just another corrupt priest. His talks with Stark make him seem like the understanding uncle who’s got your back and can sympathise with what it must have been like shopping with Fern. He was able to help Fern see sense in the senseless actions of a teenage boy.
He even seems to bring the best out in Frieren, reminding her of the past as she reminds him that she’s probably the oldest woman on the planet to help with his older lady fetish… Anyhow, what I’m saying is that Sein has been a great addition to the cast and I hope he sticks around for a while at least. Everyone seems to be better for his inclusion.
And finally, did Himmel propose to Frieren in the past? It may not have been official, but he knew what that ring symbolised and so did she. Her face at that moment was not her usual emotionless expression. I can’t believe that they just threw that in there and then ran away.
Other posts in the series
- Season One
- Episode 1 – The Journey’s End
- Episode 2 – It Didn’t Have to Be Magic…
- Episode 3 – Killing Magic
- Episode 4 – The Land Where Souls Rest
- Episode 5 – Phantoms of the Dead
- Episode 6 – The Hero of the Village
- Episode 7 – Like a Fairy Tale
- Episode 8 – Frieren the Slayer
- Episode 9 – Aura the Guillotine
- Episode 10 – A Powerful Mage
- Episode 11 – Winter in the Northern Lands
- Episode 12 – A Real Hero
- Episode 13 – Aversion to One’s Own Kind
- Episode 14 – Privilege of the Young
- Episode 15 – Smells Like Trouble
- Episode 16 – Long-Lived Friends
- Episode 17 – Take Care
- Episode 18 – First-Class Mage Exam
- Episode 19 – Well-Laid Plans
- Episode 20 – Necessary Killing
- Episode 21 – The World of Magic
- Episode 22 – Future Enemies
- Episode 23 – Conquering the Labyrinth
- Episode 24 – Perfect Replicas
- Episode 25 – A Fatal Vulnerability
- Episode 26 – The Height of Magic
- Episode 27 – An Era of Humans
- Episode 28 – It Would Be Embarrassing When We Met Again
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If I understood correctly, Frieren didn’t understand the meaning of that symbol at the time Himmel put the ring on her finger, and she claimed that Himmel did not know it either. Of course, we can guess that Himmel really did know, and Frieren was the slow one here. And now we have to wonder what happened next with Frieren and Himmel, considering that we already know where things went.
From the way Himmel reacted after she picked it, I’m quite certain he knew. Whether Frieren knew at that time or not is fairly unclear. She commented to Fern about it at the end which tells me she knows now. What happened next is the big question. Given that Eisen wanted her to go on a quest to speak to Himmel once more, I feel like something happened that is unresolved.