Scenarios

I woke up at 8 in the morning, just to see my dash filled with this GIF

I’m one of the people who freaked out by this.

Wow, just wow.

Moving on, I somehow noticed something on Snufkin.

His hand is on his shoulder,  showing some anxiety or something. And his face shows that he’s looking sad or hurt.

And Snufkin was sitting on a boat…

…which is what the ensemble cast used in Episode 2 - The Fire Spirit.

Scenarios

If the GIF happens at the beginning, then that scene is probably the one where Snufkin feels upset about a volcano erupting. Or perhaps, this is the scene where Moomintroll convinces Snufkin to come with them to the island. Looking at the episode picture itself, it looks like he feels reluctant, almost had the same facial expression from the GIF.

If it happens during or in the climax, and if we followed the Comet in Moominvalley storyline, he must have been also sad about the ocean disappearing because of the threat. It might be debunked because of that certain blue spot in the GIF. A possible worse case scenario was that Snufkin did something wrong (again), such as abandoning the Fire Spirit and he regretted it. So, Moomintroll cheers Snufkin up and the two searched for the Spirit. Snufkin must have done that because something within him feels uncomfortable and he just burst into anger, like what happened in The Spring Tune with Teety-woo. 

If the post happens at the ending of the episode, this is probably where Snufkin reflected on what he did in saving the Fire Spirit. For example, he actually missed the Spirit. I have a hunch that the volcano and the Fire Spirit is connected, the eruption happened when the Fire Spirit is separated from the volcano. Think of the “Chicken Little” movie. C.L stumbled upon a baby alien, then an alien invasion happened because of the said alien went missing. So it might happen the same thing, and it’s up to the cast to return the Fire Spirit where it belongs. Moomintroll comforts Snufkin and beckoned the vagabond to come with him in going home. Cue the GIF hand holding scene, then the end credits roll.  

I’m not entirely sure if this is episode 2 since the next eight episodes weren’t shown yet, but looking at the third episode, the hunch is strong.

Also, look back at Snufkin’s ending speech in Snufkin and the Park Keeper. 

“I almost start to enjoy the responsibility.”

The whole episode itself is like a contrast of his personality. A vagabond who likes freedom is (probably forced) to take responsibility such as taking care of the woodies. The Spring Tune has the part where he interacts with someone who not only admires him, but also reminded him of a certain friend… That somehow makes Snufkin uncomfortable since he’s not ‘ready’ to go back.

And in this episode, it’s now ‘saving moominvalley’ or some sort. Might be good for a character study of him.