Bingeing Ragnarok

I don’t often binge watch series. Its something I struggle with. I struggle to keep concentration, especially with long series and long episodes. And then I forget, and come back to it, but I can’t remember what happened.

One series I did binge watch recently was Ragnarok. It was on Netflix, a Norwegian show about a guy who turns out to be a reincarnation of Thor and has to fight a family of giants, save the day and the world, and also complete his A-levels at the same time. And I loved it.

It was right up my street, and it was clear it was Norwegian, and that the producers loved mythology as much as me. The title cards at the start of each episode were written in Norse, detailing sections of mythology, and I have a feeling they were taken from Snorri Sturlusons epics, given the main town being called Edda. That was one thing that made me smile, a little nod to the myths, and that anything could happen. It had great music and beautiful scenery, and I was hooked within about five minutes. It had characters from Norse mythology, and little motifs like hammers and thunder, and with the eagle. The sense of mystery worked really well, what with certain characters being rather cryptic. And I loved how it was a celebration of Norway, what with the culture and language, and actors that were clearly from Norway, with the way they spoke, the syllables rolling naturally. It had some terrific action on mountains and tension between Magne and the Jutuls. But above all, it was about people. Their flaws. Their strengths. Their emotions. You really felt for them, even Vidar at times.

And one of my main loves was Magne. This awkward, short sighted, dyslexic bundle of kindness, large but sweet and who had a fidget bracelet. None of this stopped him from becoming a god. None of this stopped him from saving the day. And it was wonderful to see this acceptance, and inclusion. There were many scenes where other teachers and students helped him out, with reading or spelling. And this was continued, with sexuality and gender, everything was accepted and inclusion, no discrimination about anything. Which is another reason why I loved it, and why I will always love myths. For in a world where seers turn to eagles, giants roam the mountains and a monstrous wolf wants to devour the moon, anything is game, and disability or sexuality is never such a big deal.

It was only two series. I did wish there was more. But it ended on a high note, nothing more to say. I binge it, watching the show in two weeks, which is rare, and loved every minute. I might even watch it again.