REVIEW: ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ Episode 17 — “Take Care”

Following the last episode, Sein (Yûichi Nakamura) is left in a bind. His old friend Guerilla is headed in the opposite direction as the rest of the party, forcing them to part ways. However, a blizzard forces them all to wait for the weather to pass before a decision needs to be made in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Sōsō no Furīren) Episode 17, “Take Care.”

This series heavily focuses on the passage of time. Seeing how Frieren’s long life colors her perceptions of others and their actions is a central theme of the series. Episode 17 sees how time influences her companions too as Stark (Chiaki Kobayashi) and Fern (Kana Ichinose) have another spat.

While the pair require Sein’s help to patch things up, Frieren Episode 17 does showcase growth from both parties as they can identify what they did wrong and seek the forgiveness of the other. This is especially big for Fern, whose stubbornness in the past has made her far more unrelenting. This growth would feel quick in most anime.  Due to how the show highlights the passage of time, Fern’s steps toward maturity arrive at a natural pace.

Stark thinks he is in trouble because he plays a joke on Fern.  In reality, Fern’s unease comes from how she feels about Stark’s physical interaction with her in the moment. This miscommunication is interesting, as it explores a contrast in Fern’s feelings about Stark. We know that Fern trusts Stark, so, it’s surprising that she would have an issue with the innocent moment at the heart of their conflict. Her unease in Frieren Episode 17 shows how some situations can make people uncomfortable, regardless of who is present at the moment.

Once the storm passes and the party moves on, Fern falls ill due to the northern cold. As Stark and Frieren strive to care for their sick friend, we learn that Frieren has adopted the habit of holding Fern’s hand when sick. Ever since Fern was young, Frieren has always done this to show emotional support. This leads to a moment of reflection for Frieren when Fern scorns the act, stating she is no longer a child.

While Frieren searches for herbs to alleviate Fern’s cold with Stark, she explores her feelings towards Fern. The mage’s attitudes towards others have always been difficult for viewers to appreciate as they are not 1,000-year-old elves. This moment makes the character’s struggle relatable, as she comes across far less like a near-immortal elf and far more like any other parent. She acknowledges that she will probably always see Fern as a child, despite nearing adulthood. But despite her charge growing older, Frieren determines she will continue to support her.

The moment has greater depth due to the flashback to her time with the hero’s party. Himmel comforted her when she became ill and, much like Fern, she initially rejected Himmel’s kindness. Himmel changed her mind after sharing that adults need emotional support, too. This affirmation that age does not remove the need for understanding and kindness is a wonderful message.

That kindness comes through in both the skillful voice acting and the wonderful visual work throughout the episode. The cinematography encapsulates Frieren’s feelings as she and Stark search for herbs to restore Fern’s health.

Frieren Episode 17 is a quiet, thoughtful entry in the series. It takes its time delivering its messages while never feeling poorly paced. Laced with just a touch of humor, the episode gets the season’s second half going with an entry that revels in its warmth and compassion.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 1 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.