REVIEW: ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ Season 2 Episode 3 — “Somewhere She’d Like”

Frieren Season 2 Episode 3, “Somewhere She’d Like,” sees the Frieren (Atsumi Tanezaki, Rising Impact), Fern (Kana Ichinose, Darling in the Franxx), and Stark  (Chiaki Kobayashi, The Summer Hikaru Died) take a detour on their journey to visit a hidden hot spring. Also, Stark and Fern prepare for what may be the most daunting challenge they’ve yet to face: a date. 

The opening search for an elusive hot spring in Frieren Season 2 Episode 3 showcases all the charm and casual fun that the show’s slice-of-life segments are famous for. The small hurdles the party overcomes, along with a larger one in the form of a hydra, all play out with a unique, whimsical chill. Evan Call’s (Violet Evergarden) familiar soundtrack plays up the search wonderfully, adding a little final touch to the proceedings. 

Along with once again retracing an adventure that the Hero’s Party went on before them, Frieren Season 2 Episode 3 uses its opening adventure to highlight something important: how something not being worth doing can make it worth doing. 

Frieren Season 2 Episode 3 relishes in its charm and slice-of-life atmosphere.

While the view is great, Stark revels in experiencing something he’d heard about as a child from Eisen, but the massive effort it takes to find the hot spring has the party questioning by the end whether it was actually worth it. But, much as Eisen alludes to Stark, the ridiculous nature of the journey is the reward as much as the thing itself. The memory they will look back on and laugh at can be worth the price you pay to build it. 

This harks back to episode one. As the Hero’s Party reminisced about their journey, all they could talk about was Hieter’s drunkenness, Frieren’s propensity for getting trapped by Mimics, and other “truly awful memories.” Yet, the heartfelt laughter that accompanies each of these awful memories displays their great worth to those who experience them.

Beyond its opening farcical quest, Frieren Season 2 Episode 3 sees the party eventually arrive at a town with a real hot spring. As Frieren soaks the weariness of the road away, Fern soon becomes agitated with nothing to do. Feeling pressured by her to come up with something, Stark asks Fern to go on a date with him. Fern agrees, leaving Stark with a serious problem. 

A date presents a perfect moment for awkwardness.

Much like the dog who finally catches the car he chases, Stark doesn’t know what to do on a date now that he is going on one. With no one else to turn to, Stark reaches out to Frieren for help. This turns out to be a shockingly good idea. 

Highlighting how far its protagonist has come, Frieren leads Stark on an exploration of the city, pointing out things Fern might like and aspects of her personality Stark will want to keep in mind as the date unfolds. The level of mindfulness towards her surrogate daughter Frieren shows here, speaks volumes about how much she has grown as a person since those early episodes. 

Frieren Season 2 Episode 3 sets up the next step in Stark and Fern’s grand adventure.

Despite her awareness being a striking moment for fans, what is likely to hit even harder for many is Frieren’s inability to accept Stark’s praise for knowing Fern so well. Frieren dismisses his applause, directing the success towards Heiter and what he taught her all those years ago. That she can’t see the merit in committing them to memory and acting on them when needed feels as real as anything. 

The shared anxiousness that both Stark and Fern exhibit as they anticipate their coming date continues to cement their burgeoning love as some of the most realistic and grounded you can find in anime. The way the show presents their anticipation and trepidation for the upcoming event makes both feel relatable. 

Frieren Season 2 Episode 3 sets up the next step in Stark and Fern’s grand adventure. It does so with grace, gentleness, and a sprinkling of humor. All coming together to make a wonderful setup for what’s next. 

Frieren Season 2 Episode 3 is streaming on Crunchyroll.

Previous Episode | Next Episode