Ragnarok – Season 2 Episode 3 Recap & Review

Power to the People

Episode 3 of Ragnarok Season 2 begins with Magne overcome with rage and confronting Ran. He promises to kill her but Iman follows, stopping him from doing something he’ll regret.

That evening Magne has another dream, this time directing his attention toward Mjolnir and making his weapon ready for the fight against the giants.

In the morning, Laurits shows off his healing powers to his brother. Magne is shocked, believing that he’s “one of them” until his brother promises he’s still on his side. In order to prove his loyalty, Magne tasks Laurits with joining him to forge the hammer.

Magne believes the fire Wenche referenced before is burning inside the Jutuls’ house and this is what holds the key. He wants Laurits’ help to break in and help make the hammer. Just incase there were any doubts over who Laurits is (there aren’t), Laurits speaks to Erik about Loki’s past and how he was the first trans person in history.

Meanwhile, the polluted water from Jutul Industries serves as a welcome distraction from the supernatural occurrences around Edda (which we know are caused by Magne and co.) Protestors gather outside the gates against the company as an old God suddenly resurfaces. This comes in the form of Wotan, who puts on Wenche’s necklace and immediately changes his demeanor. It’s now apparent that this guy is Odin.

Laurits plays both sides of the game, finding out crucial information while defying Magne and visiting Vidar behind his back. When he returns home, Laurits shows his brother the key he managed to obtain. It’s just what the trickster God would do, and it plays into Magne’s hands nicely.

Anyway, the pair head over that night and try to forge the hammer. Magne holds it in the fire and watches as the orange flames hungrily lick up the metal. However, Vidar’s return prompts new problems for the boys to deal with. He notices Magne in the house, who demands he hand over the hammer. Realizing they’ve both deceived him, he demands both teens leave.

When they head home, Mr Exposition himself (Erik) is there and he discusses stories about dark elves, Loki and the blood brothers. Erik pays specific attempt to Loki’s powers, and how he is, in essence, half-Giant and half-God. This is something we’ve known for a while but it’s reinforced here too.

Back at the care home, Magne heads over as Wotan greets the boy, calling him son and revealing himself to be Odin. Laurits is there too but Wotan tells him to leave given he’s half-giant and a supposed traitor. Without much of a choice, Laurits leaves as Wotan tells Magne that his blind eye can see far and they have work to do.

There certainly is work to be done. “We don’t have a Planet B” chants begin outside the gates of Jutul Industries as all our characters join in rather than actually focusing on this supposed war. Gry and Fjor are there too, along with Laurits and Magne.

Laurits is clearly starting to grow disillusioned with all of this though. Fjor steps up with a megaphone, talking passionately about his family’s woes and how they need to make changes.

When Vidar leaves the factory, he picks up Laurits and they drive up to the Jutul household. Further woes befall our characters as Gry’s father is rushed to hospital. He’s just downed a whole bottle of pills and unfortunately he passes away.

Back at the Jutul residence, Vidar approaches Laurits with one of the old weapons, questioning his son and telling him he won’t tolerate treason. Magne shows up and manages to stop him, holding the giant back long enough for the two to duel. It doesn’t last long though, as Magne bests Vidar and kills him. He watches as the man’s eyes turn white and he dissolves completely. Vidar is dead.

The Episode Review

Well, that’s a shame. The one antagonist in this series that’s actually been a compelling force has now been killed off, leaving lots of question marks over the direction of this show going forward.

This supposed war between the Gods and Giants has felt more like a playground squabble in truth, with the patriarch now passing, Fjor switching sides and Saxa disillusioned with her family and seemingly flirting the line between good and evil. All of this culminates in a show that lacks a compelling arc to actually make good on what promised to be a decent second season.

Instead, there’s more teen drama on the horizon, with lots of environmental issues brought to the foreground. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, it also distracts from the urgency of this supposed war.

This episode marks a turning point of sorts, leaving the door wide open for where this one may go next but also a danger that it could end up becoming a real disappointment.