I recently watched the series Ragnarok on Netflix. I am sucker for mythology – be it Indian, Greek, Norse or any other. I think the show does a great job in depicting how the Norse mythology would play out in today’s world and what role Gods and Giants would have in it.
Typically, we tend to see Gods as good and Giants (anti-Gods) as bad, but the show highlights that this separation between Gods and Giants is more nuanced than Good vs Bad. Giants represent Chaos and Gods represent Law and Order. And, in our lives we need both chaos and order.
It reminded me of Dr. Jordan Peterson’s books “12 rules for life” and “Beyond Order”. One might argue, that a good life is lived on the edge of order and chaos. Too much order and you may not have any progress. Too much chaos and you might go insane.
All progress actually comes from chaos, and the show depicts that quite aptly by showing Giants as a family of Industrialists who are generating jobs, providing employment but also polluting the environment and poisoning the water without the regard of lives or the planet.
There are instances where show further blurs the lines between Gods as good and Giants as bad. Some Gods use their powers for nefarious purposes e.g. getting free stuff or beating up people. While Giants use their influence to bring about positive change such as Women Empowerment
Lots of other interesting parallels between the Norse Mythology and modern world, with Thor losing his powers, Loki giving birth to the Midgard Serpent (a tapeworm). But show also disappoints at times.
Overall an interesting show, worth checking out if you haven’t already.