Netflix’s Ragnarok is a modern-day reimagining of Norse mythology through the lens of a coming-of-age story. The show depicts two brothers and their widowed mother returning to their hometown of Edda, Norway. There, both brothers undergo massive transformations when their powers are awakened. Now, as a mixture of their human identities and the famed Norse gods, the characters are thrust into a conflict with giants, injustice, corruption, and an upcoming battle for which they considerably lack experience.

Danish writer, director, and producer Adam Price received praise for the reimagined gods and goddesses. Because they are written as both humans and gods, Price created what seems like an even-split duality in the characters. However, the lines between humans and gods become blurred, as do the lines between what is morally right and wrong. This unique interpretation of these age-old mythological stories is inventive, reinvigorated, and adapted for modern society while still having a strong basis in the traditional tales.

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That begs the question: how close is Netflix’s Ragnarok to actual Norse Mythology?

Magne vs. Thor

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Thor is often depicted as the great protector and god of lightning. As one of the members of the Aesir, the Norse pantheon of gods, Thor is typically thrust into intense battles to protect humanity from a range of threats, ranging from monstrous creatures to corrupt gods. His reign culminated in defeating the World Serpent and ending the events of the apocalypse (Ragnarok), thus allowing for a new age of rebirth and safety for humans. In his fierce defense of humans and the defenseless, Thor developed a rigid sense of morality and righteousness.

In stark contrast to Thor, Magne Seir (David Stakston) is represented as a shy, down-on-his-luck, downtrodden character. He and his family return to his hometown after the death of his father, Asbjørn, and it is there in Edda that Magne undergoes a huge change. He now has super strength, his poor eyesight is suddenly cured, and his senses are, by and large, heightened. As time progresses, Magne sharpens his newfound skills as a warrior, eventually controlling lightning, manipulating the weather, and wielding Mjölnir. These skills come with a price; He is drawn into conflict with the Jutul family, a group of giants that have been steadily taking over Edda and plan to bolster their reign throughout the world.

After several confrontations and, eventually, the murder of a member of the Jutul family, Magne grapples with what he thinks is the morally right thing to do versus what must happen to protect humanity in Edda. He tries to maintain his sense of righteousness in the face of the Jutul’s (and later, his brother Laurits’s) moral wickedness, struggling to rectify his identity as a brother, a son, a citizen of Edda, and a god. The inner battle that Magne faces is a departure from typical representations of Thor in mythology – where Thor would be the demonstration, the fable, the life lesson, Magne genuinely struggles to identify what’s “right” when confronted with what’s needed from him.

The rocky journey Magne has been on so far suggests that season three of Ragnarok will only be harder for him. Will he see the Jutul family as the leader of the vile Jutul industries, or what’s left of Laurits’s biological family? Will Magne protect his brother Laurits, or will he fully take up the helm as Thor and face his brother, Loki?

Laurits vs. Loki

Loki is often portrayed as a mischievous, chaotic god. He has the powers of sorcery, trickery, and in some cases, shape-shifting. Loki was adopted into the Aesir, the larger group of gods in Asgard, despite his giant (Jötnar) parentage. There, he grew close to the gods while simultaneously opposing them in most conflicts. Most representations of Loki show an unpredictable, vindictive, cunning character that often switches sides in a conflict. This representation of Loki rings true for Laurits (Jonas Strand Gravil).

He has been at odds with his family for much of the series (much like other representations of Loki in mythology and modern media). He teeters back and forth between being an affectionate, altruistic son to meddling and provoking conflict within his family, especially after learning that he is the half-brother of his brother Magne and the son of Vidar Jotul, a villainous business mogul in Edda. This confirmed the feelings that Laurits had for the bulk of the series: insecurity, feeling like a black sheep, jealousy over Magne gaining the qualities of their late father, and yearning to feel a sense of belonging that was absent in his home. After this revelation, Laurits leans into his “Loki” side. His motivations (and allegiance!) become increasingly unclear, and he seems to struggle with the inner conflict that comes with his actions and identity.

Laurits’s powers have yet to be fully revealed – while his character is similar to most representations of Loki, Netflix’s Ragnarok has yet to depict possible shape-shifting and sorcery abilities. In addition to that potential reveal, Netflix’s Ragnarok also showed Laurits birthing Jörmungandr (The World Serpent) and later releasing it into the sea. This is critical because The World Serpent is one of the initial triggers of the events of Ragnarok, the likely plot of season three. In addition to the release of Jörmungandr, there is a noticeable foreshadowing of significant chaos and turmoil in season three. This ultimately mirrors its instigator, Laurits, who is marked by the turmoil he feels and causes.

Harry vs. Tyr

Tyr is the god of war in Norse and Germanic mythologies – almost an equivalent of Ares from Greek mythology. His core values are centered on justice and honesty, as he is also known as the guardian of oaths in addition to the god of war. His role in Ragnarok is one of sacrifice; while not a picture-perfect adaptation, the general events of Tyr in the legend of Ragnarok are preserved. As the tale describes, the gods bound the gruesome monster-wolf Fenrir in chains after lying to him about their true motives. In an effort to convince Fenrir to let the gods place chains on him, Tyr positioned his hand in the wolf’s mouth as a show of good faith. If the gods were to imprison Fenrir – going against their promise to him – the wolf could bite off Tyr’s hand.

In a deviation from mythology, Harry (Benjamin Helstad) sacrificed his hand in the fight against Fjor (Herman Tømmeraas) so that Magne could build Mjölnir and safely escape the forge. Beyond this parallel to the tale, Harry’s character has yet to get a fully fleshed-out arc beyond agreeing to help Magne and Iman if there were to be a larger battle.

Iman vs. Freya

Freya is associated with love, beauty, fertility, and war – almost a combination of the Greek goddesses Athena and Aphrodite. Epic tales show Freya leading warriors on a battlefield, enchanting people to get her way and providing bountiful blessings to those who need them.

Iman Reza (Danu Sunth) is the reincarnation of Freya in Netflix’s Ragnarok. Like Freya, Iman possesses powers of enchantment and seduction which she uses to her benefit. She compels teachers to give her better grades and shop owners to let her go “shopping” for free. Despite the morally questionable use of her powers, Iman is one of the few characters to show Magne any kindness, acceptance, and friendship. Just like Magne’s late friend Isolde (Ylva Bjørkaas Thedin), Iman believes and supports Magne when he confesses the reemergence of mythology in their town.

Wotan vs. Odin

Wotan Wagner (Bjørn Sundquist) is the reincarnation of Odin, the King of The Gods. He is first seen in the pilot episode as an old, eye-patched, senile man in need of help. When Magne intervenes, Wotan and his partner, Wenche, mysteriously let on that they know who Magne is and why he has returned.

This representation of Odin starkly contrasts to most others seen in Norse mythology and modern media. Odin is regarded as ever-powerful and worthy of being feared, not a withering old man with little to no fight left. A similar representation is shown in Thor: Ragnarok (2019), where Odin is nearing the end of his tenure as ruler of Asgard. Like Netflix’s Ragnarok, Thor: Ragnarok depicts the “end times” wherein a majority of the gods perish in an all-out battle. In Thor: Ragnarok, that was the destruction of the planet Asgard by Surtur, a fire demon. In Netflix’s Ragnarok, it seems closer to the “end times” of man and the Norse gods.

Wotan takes on more of a paternal, mentor role for Magne/Thor as the show develops, mimicking mythology by doing so. After Wenche made Wotan a magical necklace to bring back his memories and aid his gift of foresight, Wotan/Odin became a wise god once again. His gift of foresight is the only godly power revealed so far.

Jutul vs. Jötnar

The Jötnar, also known as Jötunn, are represented in a variety of ways in Norse mythology. Where the Marvel adaptations represent Jötnar as a mix of humans, large blue creatures, and occasionally possessing supernatural powers, the Jötnar include frost giants, fire giants, mountain giants, and some born with conflicting appearances due to various partnerships throughout mythology.

Netflix’s Ragnarok shows the Jutul family as humans, but the show also uses the family as a way to represent the “old world” of warriors, gods, and the tales of mythology. The Jutul home is adorned with old weaponry, the giants drink mead, and they speak in the “old language.” It’s unclear what their specific powers are, if any, beyond marked strength in battle.

Production for the final season of Ragnarok began in April 2022. A premiere date for season three has yet to be announced, but it is speculated to be in the first quarter of 2023. Will more be revealed about the gods as Ragnarok nears?