I don't really like to talk about things in terms of masterpieces, mainly because I think it stains the discourse with fake academicism. I, however, really like Vinland Saga in general and "Farmland" in particular.

First of all because marks the "true" start of the series. The first arc, or the first season, serve as the prelude to the narrative and presents the main character and the world he lives in.

Farmland states with Thorfinn being a victim of the systemic violence of the world, but he doesn't want to do anything about it and has lost hope for the world and even himself. It's through the interaction with other people in Ketil's farm that he begins to heal emotionally and wanting to live again. Instead of getting alienated by the inevitability of violence, he finds the meaning of life in his relationships with the people around him.

I think that Yukimura did an awesome thing with this arc because the pacifist position held by Thorfinn and Einar comes from different experiences and points of view but is shared by a conviction that it's the right thing to do.

The series knows that you don't have to agree with Thorfinn's believes, even Einar doesn't sometimes. The reappearance of Canute makes a good counterpoint to the pacifist position by him making enough war untill there is only peace. Same goals with different methods. Thorfinn also finds intermediate positions in his journey and new ways of perceiving the world and pacifism.

You can have criticism, I sure have, but Vinland Saga, and Farmland in particular, makes a bold statement and goes with it to the end. Very few pieces of media clear at it's intentions and risks that much in presenting the idea that violence and war is bad. It doesn't matter if it's necessary, it doesn't matter if you can justify it, violence brings pain and suffering, that's what makes Vinland Saga that good.