What happened to Vidar in Ragnarok? Character arc explored

Netflix's Ragnarok series caught the attention of viewers with its up-to-date adaptation of Norse sagas wrapped in modern problems and a supernatural thriller. One of its interesting characters is Vidar, a patriarch of the Jutul family and an influential antagonist who has a story as mysterious as it is full of confrontation and twists. Vidar is central to the series' exploration of the conflict between humans and giants and the destiny that is related to old myths. Fans frequently wonder what happened to Vidar, if what he was doing was really the truth, and how this man in his story fits into the bigger picture.

Interestingly, what makes Vidar such an interesting character of the show is the combination of both mythological and human features personified in the character. He is a catalyst for most of the action in the town of Edda, whether it be corporate exploitation or family drama, and the ties he has with other characters, such as Magne and Laurits, add empathetic weight to his situation.

However, the end of Vidar’s journey is surrounded by some ambiguity, and some of the hints that audiences are piecing together point to his true fate.

What happened to Vidar in Ragnarok?

Vidar Jutul is the formidable head of the Jutul family, a strong clan of giants posing as human beings who are involved in poisoning their surroundings and stripping the town of its natural resources. It is also shown that he is the biological father of Laurits, furthering the layers to his place in the familial dynamics and mythology of Ragnarok.

Vidar’s story in the series includes sinister deeds, such as his confession to the murder of Isolde, a significant environmentalist whose passing sets off a lot of the conflict. This evil aspect of Vidar serves as his ferocity and brutal attitude, particularly in his fights against Magne, the main character of the show, who embodies Thor reborn. Vidar defeats Magne at the start of their battle, which escalates into a clash. But when Magne brings down lightning, the two go down, and Vidar remains lying still on the ground.

Ragnarok Season 2 dispels the ambiguity: Vidar is not killed by the lightning; however, in Episode 3 (Power to the People), Magne kills Vidar by impaling him on an Old World axe while protecting Laurits. News of his death spreads throughout the town of Edda in the following episode, and it is clear that the giant patriarch has been killed this time.

When Vidar dies, a chain of events is triggered that causes those left in the giant family to rebalance their authority and focus upon the new dangers, making it clear that the central action focus has shifted.

Thematic significance and the character arc

The character Vidar can be interpreted as a fallen giant who strives to secure control and heritage both in the real world with the family business and in the supernatural world with his giant ancestors. His cruel treatment, such as poisoning the land and killing rivals such as Isolde, bears evidence to his readiness to defend power at all costs.

Nevertheless, because he is tied to the mythological figure of Vidar, who is typically referred to as the silent avenger and who survived Ragnarok, his portrayal in the show is more nuanced due to the fact that he is a tragic villain in an unbreakable cycle of retribution and atonement rather than a hero.

Vidar is also instrumental in the family relations that form the basis of most of Ragnarok. The fact that he is the father of Laurits exposes important aspects regarding his son’s fighting within himself and his loyalty issues compared to Magne, who has chosen the hero route. The interdependent destiny of Beowulf and Grendel is reminiscent of the Norse ideas of destiny and family and enemies of gods and giants.

Trending

Ragnarok is a Norwegian fantasy drama series that premiered on Netflix. It is a combination of Norse mythology with both environmental and social commentary.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback