Ragnarok is all about retelling Norse mythology in a modern setting. As the title, pretty obviously, suggests, there will be a whole-ass Norse-style war between the gods and the giants to look forward to. And it seems like that might not be too far now, all thanks to Laurits.
Those of you who have watched Ragnarok on Netflix know that Loki is reborn as Laurits. Loki is half-god, half-giant according to Norse mythology. By the end of season 2, Laurits strikes a deal with the Jutuls (corresponding to giants) and lets a serpent into the sea, a weapon destined to face Thor in Ragnarok.
If you are familiar with the mythology, you probably know how it goes at the end of Ragnarok. And if you are not, don’t fret. I will help you out. Read ahead to know more.
1. Did Loki Reincarnate As Laurits?
Laurits Seier’s notorious and trickster tendencies can be associated with Loki, the Norse God of mischief, just like how Magne is associated with the Thunder God, Thor. Laurits also seems to be gender-fluid like Loki was. He is also quite open about his sexuality, as he does little to hide his crush on Fjor Jutul.
Another trait that can associate Laurits with Loki is how he is confident and unpredictable, as it is pretty tough to decide which side he is on. Loki is well known to switch sides if the situation is not favorable to him, given how he sides with giants during the battle of Ragnarok in Mythology.
He also tends to pull ‘not-funny pranks just for the sake of his amusement, a very Loki-like behavior—which is apparent when he texts Magne, lying about their mother (Turid) being in a ‘concerning’ condition. Magne runs down the mountain, leaving Isolde alone, only to see that Turid is perfectly fine.
Laurits appears unapologetic even after Isolde’s death, which might be pointing towards the tale of Baldur’s death, and God Harmod striking a deal with Hel to revive the dead God if every being on the earth wept for him. Everything does weep for Baldur, except for Loki.
I know I’m a nerd. Could you not come at me?
2. Is Loki A Norse God Or A Giant?
Whether Loki is a God or a giant or something else entirely is something that is a very debatable question. While it is clear that his father Farbauti is a giant, the real identity of his mother Laufey is not clear.
In some records, Laufey is referred to as a goddess, while in the others, she is referred to as a giantess or some other being. However, no direct record of her being a goddess is mentioned anywhere. But since Prose Edda (the scripture describing the tales of mythology) included Loki among the Æsir tribe of gods (I have no idea why), many confuse Loki to be a god too.
Laurits is the biological son of Vidar Jutul and Turid Seier in the series due to a one-night stand. Being a son to Vidar makes Laurits a half-giant. Half-god theory is still a little in question.
But then, let’s be fair. Considering Loki’s personality, I would rather not call him a god. Loki is everything that the Norse gods are not. Moreover, there are no particular records of Loki being worshipped anywhere. BUT then again, I’m not a scholar in the field so I could be wrong. It’s just my personal opinion.
3. Loki’s Role To Bring About Ragnarok
I wouldn’t mind going as far as saying that Loki is one of the integral personalities responsible for causing Ragnarok. Let me tell you how.
After he was bound in chains made of his son’s internal organs for the death of God Baldur (or Baldr), he develops resentment for the gods. It doesn’t help his case that as soon as he breaks free from the chains, he sides with the giants for the battle of Ragnarok. He even goes as far as leading the Naglfar (the ship used by giants) to reach gods for battle.
Not surprisingly, It’s Loki’s progeny Jörmungandr (The World Serpent), that causes the Midgard (The visible land) to flood, facilitating Naglfar to sail towards the gods. Now it is clear that Loki had a pretty significant hand in bringing about Ragnarok.
This tale is recreated in the Netflix series in a slightly different fashion. Struck with grief after the death of his ‘true father’ Vidar Jutul, Laurits lashes out on Magne. Later he strikes a deal with the Jutuls and lets a serpent that he fathers and Births into the sea. A massive foreshadowing of the upcoming events of the war.
3.1 Does Loki Birth And Father A Serpent?
Loki has three offsprings with a giantess called Angrboða, and one of them Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent. Prose Edda describes Jörmungandr as a serpent large enough to encircle the earth and bite its tail. It is also said to be powerful and mighty enough to be able to challenge Thor to battle. More on this later.
In Netflix’s version of this tale, Magne spots a ‘pet’ in Laurits’ room; and by the end of the season, we see that he strikes a deal with the Jutuls in exchange for sparing his life. Laurits appears to free a serpent (Jörmungandr)—that he gave birth to after going through changes in his body due to the awakening of Loki—into the sea, while Fjor and his mother stood watching.
4. Is The World Serpent The Only Thing That Can Kill Thor?
Evidence suggests that Thor and Jörmungandr were fated to slay each other. They would eventually face off during Ragnarok, where Thor ends up killing Jörmungandr but then dies after taking nine steps because of the poison released by the serpent during their battle.
Is the serpent the only thing capable of this feat? Most likely. Thor is an immortal God who cannot be killed permanently; he will be easily reborn in the future. But there are not many things that can fatally harm Thor, considering his superhuman abilities and strength. Only Jörmungandr has ever achieved this, but he still ended up losing his life to Thor.
As to how the filmmakers will adopt this narrative into the plot of the Netflix series, we can only find out in season 3. Ragnarok season two is available for streaming on Netflix.
5. About Ragnarok
Ragnarok is a coming-of-age drama building on and contributing to the Norse mythology. Created by award winning writer, Adam Price, and produced by SAM productions, Ragnarok was launched exclusively on Netflix in 2020.
The cast of Ragnarok also includes Henriette Steenstrup, Odd-Magnus Williamson, Synnøve Macody Lund, Line Verndal, Fridtjov Såheim, Bjørn Sundquist and Gísli Örn Garðarsson.
It takes place in current day, in the fictional Norwegian town of Edda in Hordaland, Western Norway, which is plagued by climate crisis and industrial pollution caused by the factories. The factories are owned by the Jutul family, who are actually four Jötnar (giants) posing as a family. They are challenged by Magne, a teenage boy who is the reincarnation of Thor. In season 2, he is joined by the other gods, namely Odin, Freya, and Týr.
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