Ragnarok: S1 Netflix ~ Non-Spoiler Review

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🇳🇴 Ragnarok 🇳🇴

Ragnarok (2020-) ~ Netflix S1~ S1: 6 episodes 42-48 min. Norwegian with English subtitles, English dubbing also available. Drama, fantasy, mystery. 15 Cert U.K.

Writers:

The Danish writer Adam Price (Ride Upon the Storm, Borgen) is both creator and writer of this show. Other writers include: Simen Alsvik, Emilie Lebech Kaae, Christian Gamst Miller-Harris, Marietta von Hausswolff von Baumgarten and Jacob Katz Hansen.

Directors:

Mogens Hagedorn & Jannik Johansen

The name Ragnarok:

In Norse mythology Ragnarök is a series of events, including a great battle, foretold to lead to the death of a number of great figures (including the gods Odin Thor, Týr, Freyr, Heimdallr and Loki) natural disasters and the submersion of the world in water. After these events, the world will resurface anew and fertile, the surviving and returning gods will meet and the world will be repopulated by two human survivors.

Premise:

In the small, fictional town of Edda young people are forced to respond to climate changes. The ice caps are melting at an accelerated rate that no one has anticipated. People go through long periods of drought. The winters are too warm. More and more frequently, there are bursts of extreme cold weather. All sorts of extreme weather conditions. The world is changing, and some might claim that we’re heading towards a new Ragnarok. Unless someone intervenes in time…

Cast:

David Stakston as Magne Seier

Jonas Strand Gravli as Laurits Seier

Herman Tømmeraas as Fjor

Theresa Frostad Eggesbø as Saxa

Emma Bones as Gry

Henriette Steenstrup as Turid Seier

Gísli Örn Garðarsson as Vidar

Synnøve Macody Lund as as Ran

Bjørn Sundquist as Wotan

Handy hints:

The Jotul family (Fjor, Saxa, Vidar and Ran) are actually Jötunn: frost giants and giantesses posing as a family. A bit of knowledge about Norse mythology, especially the main gods (especially Thor and Loki) and their attributes is handy.

Review:

At first sight this TV show seems to be “teen” and rather typically “High School” but then it becomes increasingly apparent that what the writers are doing is using that as a basis initially and then playing with it. These are not all “ordinary” teens, although many of the issues they face are typical: being the outsider, not being one of the “in crowd”, being too cool for school, indulging in substances and excesses, first love… and rejection, dealing with sudden death and bereavement.

Written through this is the overt theme of the destruction of the environment (our own “Ragnarok”), and in this respect this show is a clarion call.

We also have the interweaving of Norse beliefs throughout, with the characters themselves, and what they get up to. If you know something of Norse mythology then you will “click” quite quickly as to who certain characters really are. Watch out, for instance, for the agent of chaos, side swapping, cross-dressing Laurits and, of course, it is no coincidence that the name Magne means “fierce warrior”. Another aspect that excited me was hearing Old Norse being spoken by some characters.

There are solid performances throughout in this show which has a lot of young, upcoming talent.

Music and Cinematography:

The music by Halfdan E (Borgen, Badehotellet/Seaside Hotel) is an excellent feature as is the top class soundtrack which is perfectly chosen and well-placed, often acting as a segue way between scenes/locations.

The cinematography by Philippe Kress is outstanding. The natural landscapes and locations are simply beautiful and there are some stunning examples of aerial photography.

There are some truly amazing special effects and stunts in this show!!

Ragnarok has been renewed for another season, and I for one am looking forward to its arrival. Adam Price has done it again!

Official Netflix Trailer: