Having circulated on our radar for a little while, we finally decided to take the plunge and start "Ragnarok". Though the occasional budget stretching special effect breaks the illusion a little, for the most part the show is an interesting way of weaving aspects of Norse mythology into a contemporary environmental story.
Magne (David Stakston) moves to the small Norwegian town of Edda, with his brother Laurits (Jonas Strand Gravli) and mother Turid (Henriette Steenstrup). Almost upon arrival Magne feels different, stronger, faster and no longer requiring his glasses. Awkward at school, he becomes friends with Isolde (Ylva Bjorkas Thedin) who, in her spare time, is rallying against the factory of the wealthy Jutul family, which is the major source of employment in the area but which she believes is poisoning the towns water supply. When circumstances set Magne against the Jutuls, it harkens back to an impossibly old feud, that may be about to come around again.
Its interesting to think about what I'd think about this show if it was produced in England. I'm not sure I'd be so positive about it, but the fact that it's Scandinavian, and has subtitles, does perhaps give it a veneer of plausibility to the UK audience. That said, at six episodes - it certainly doesn't outstay it's welcome, doing little more than setting up the conflict that will be at the shows heart. Indeed, the ending is quite abrupt, so I'm glad I can carry on with the second season relatively quickly.
The performances are good, and the story so far has been enjoyable too. I'm concerned about the show running itself into the ground, as I feel that this needs to be one with a definitive ending, probably at the end of the second or third season. But so far, so good.