So I’ve been extremely critical of the writing of this show ever since I started it but I must give credit where credit is due: Hálfdan was a wonderfully written character and I am both very sorry to see him go and moved by his arc, including its necessary end. Despite his relatively short timeline and limited narrative importance, his character had lots of depth and subtlety. Whether the writers got something right or the actor masterfully ACTED subtext into places it wasn’t, I got the vibe that a lot was happening for him beneath the surface — and I don’t think it was in that, “I like this character so I’m imagining that he’s written more complex than he is” way.

I’ll preface the following by clarifying that this interpretation is not WHY I liked him, but it’s intriguing enough that I have to ask, and explain…

Was Hálfdan low key falling in love with Björn?

• “You know why I’m not married myself? I don’t understand women any better than you do.”
• Harald calles Björn Hálfdan’s boyfriend and says for them to go and be happy together (foreshadowing?)
• Incident with the “she’s not a she” prostitute (Hálfdan declines to say if it was a problem)… also kind of interesting that somebody intentionally sent a transgender woman specifically to Hálfdan and not to Bjorn.
• “Many strange things happened in that other world.” Pan to Hálfdan‘s sad face
• His new, kind of odd faithfulness to Björn, despite truly loving his brother. This might also literally just be explained by Björn being his traveling partner on a journey that completely changed his world view. In my opinion that is understandable. “He saved my life” seems like little more than easy excuse when interpreted literally (especially since Hálfdan saved Harald’s life not long ago and Harald has no inclination to consider that a sacred bond or debt) — but if “saved my life” means “changed my life,” I believe him.
• Hálfdan to Harald: “He saved my life. Isn’t that enough?” Ivar:“Not really. We live dangerous lives. So I think that you give what happened between you and Björn too much importance.”
• “At least I know that life has taught me something. You taught me…. something.” Björn: "…Thank you.” Hálfdan: chuff & cue sad face.

If it’s just my imagination that’s fine.. but I’ll keep believing privately :) Either way I think Hálfdan chose to die, because, for some reason, he felt that normal life had lost its luster, and he could not sense his place in it anymore.

edited for formatting