Freya - The Scorned Goddess - Part Two

[@ad-guy]

Cool little side-note is that the line “No need to explain. Not to me. Not for that.” Is originally a line said by Freya to Kratos in gow4 when he tries to apologize to her for not trusting her.

[@TheShockVox]

Huh. I’m surprised, but I think I actually liked that line better before knowing that. It’s still a great line due to the context, it’s just I feel sometimes there can be too many callbacks with dialogue.

[@Drunken_Monke]

They did that a lot in this game.

[@TheAesirGod246]

Am I the only one who noticed that the first time lol

[@TheNegrodamus89]

They had a couple call backs like that from the first game. Like when Kratos apologized to Atreus in Helheim and Atreus said don’t be sorry, be better.

[@godofkarma1260]

Mug actin like he found the mcguffin

[@CJ-442]

I always took the Bear scene as Freya realizing how much her taking her revenge would hurt Atreus, and how little good it would do. In her quest for what she saw as righteous vengeance, she drove the sweet little boy with a bow she’d met in the woods to become a literal rampaging monster in an attempt to defend his father. SHE did that to him. In the same way her spell had inadvertently turned Baldur into the horrible man he became, Atreus was taking those same first dangerous steps himself. And once again, she was the cause.

[@RacingSnails64]

Good point!!! There's like a thousand emotions going through her in that scene lol

[@gamer2101]

Holy crap. Holy crap!! I never ever thought of that. I have picked these games apart, especially freyas story. I absolutely missed this. I do agree with you. She had so many emotions during that scene. It’s one of my favorite moments in the game. The voice actress for Freya did an amazing job. Now I must go back and play the game so I can pick it apart.

[@TheFallenOne0702]

I also think she sees the interaction with Atreus and Kratos and realizes that even though Kratos killed Baldur he isn't the villain here. She recognized that he does have good inside him even if he makes evil actions. She also sees the bond between father and son which makes her realize that's what she always wanted with Baldur but understands in that moment why Kratos did what he did. Throughout the game she opens up more to Kratos especially after she hears more of his side of the story. She is one of the most human characters in the whole series and I love her for it.

[@somedudewhodraws9377]

I never thought about it like that actually cuz in a way Atreus was turning into another Baldur who would go after her if she killed his father Kratos. He would be so blinded by his revenge he wouldnt care how many killed to get to her just like Kratos in his youth and his obsession with killing Zeus.

[@rottensquid]

@@RacingSnails64 Exactly. This take is absolutely spot on, but there's so much more to the scene as well, so many ways of looking at the dilemma.

[@wrtrema]

I agree that I definitely wasn't as emotionally invested in Freyr cause of his lack of screentime but for Freya I saw her honoring his choice to sacrifice himself as growth. Allowing someone she loves deeply to have agency of themselves even if it means harm or death for them Something she couldn't do for Baldur.

[@RacingSnails64]

Oh damn, good point. Did not think about that.

[@OldManSin]

It's also something more minor because of how much license is taken, but in Norse mythology Surtr is supposed to fight and kill Freyr during Ragnarok. Of course, that's only supposed to happen because he gave up his sword as part of courting his wife yet he gets it back in Asgard, so... It ultimately is a bit random, I guess. 🤔

[@tellmeaboutyourgame314]

It's amazing that this video can be so in-depth and insightful and for there still to be so much content left to comment on down here. It's a testament to the depth of the source material. Ragnarok will be able to be analyzed for generations, mark me

[@kevinstephenson3531]

@@OldManSinbreaking fate and prophecy is a theme in this game. Freyr dies but instead of dying for no reason, he dies for a purpose. He saved them.

[@Xehanort10]

Freyr and his group of Vanir rebels were some of the few characters in Ragnarok I didn't find interesting. They were just kinda there. The reveal that Freyr united the light and dark elves by getting high and falling into the Lake of Alfheim was dumb too.

[@Hollowed2wiz]

One small detail that I like is that when Freya breaks Odin's spell, her body language is the exact same as Baldur's when the spell on him was broken and he felt for the first time of his life.

[@ZephyrusAsmodeus]

And then Kratos quotes her own words back to her "No need to explain,. Not to me. Not for that." Ughhh that's so fucking good, what a scene, what a series.

[@anthonyclick893]

And she still torchers her own son knowing how it feels literally the worst mom

[@maniacalmurderer4123]

The language she uses when talking to Odin while he is constrained is the exact same as Bladurs as well

[@SnibediSnabs]

33:20 While it definitely doesn't excuse the fact that Freya abandoned her tortoise companion to die in the cold, I think it's worth mentioning that if you go back there with her later, she apologizes to him and gets Birgir (the former traveller who hangs out in Freyr's camp) to go take care of him and keep him company.

[@dominiquawharton]

I was looking for this comment. Thank you for mentioning it! I was like, “she did go check on Charli!”

[@Killgore-ip2yq]

She does, but not necessarily by choice. Kratos has to take her to Charlie. 😂

[@Gamfluent]

Charli, Fenrir,Jormugandr, this family has a knack for adopting huge pets

[@mikaelm5367]

I really do think Bearzerker Atreus is my favourite scene. I read Kratos' perspective that he would be very much allow Freya to kill him now that she's earned it, as long as he had assurances of Atreus' safety. But when Atreus transforms, he breaks out of the hold immediately because the boy is in danger. In danger not because Freya would harm him, but of following the same path of bloody raging vengeance.

[@cskyla1844]

Me too. I recently made a comment about how even if Freya killed Kratos, the cycle of vengeance would only continue because Atreus would stop at nothing to go after her. She gave him a reason to think of her as the enemy and almost JUST ALMOST made him a Kratos 2.0 despite all of his discipline and training. It’s the fact she realized what she was about to do to someone she called friend AND that they were right about her needing to be better.

[@GameLover45408]

I hope if they ever make a sequel. We can choose different types of transformation and even go hybrid; half men and half beast.

[@Nitram4392]

@@GameLover45408 I mean we know that at least the egyptian and Shinto (I think) mythologies still exist in the GoW universe.

[@GameLover45408]

@@Nitram4392 Yeah, but which they choose to pursue is the question.

[@oxygen_or_something]

​@@GameLover45408My bet is that Egypt will be next. Who knows tho, I could be wrong

[@matti.8465]

That first scene with an enraged Freya attacking Kratos and yelling his name really reminded me of the first triology of games. It's pretty horrifying seeing someone like the old Kratos from the perspective of the one that's being hunted.

[@bruhmoment1761]

That scene is so fire. Seeing kratos looking back while bailing was so funny hahaha. Dude was secretly shitting his pants and it’s awesome

[@raelric]

⁠@@bruhmoment1761 Kratos never feared Freya. To die by her hand would have been just, and he would have accepted it as such. To kill her and be rid of whatever threat she might've posed would have been easy. He no more feared her than she feared Baldur.

[@boney2982]

@@raelric kratos just really doesnt want to kill her or really fight her either he even stops on their second major fight when he realises the valkyrie he was fighting was freya and basically accepts his fate when she gets a hold on him

[@normanmai7865]

"ZOOOOS!"

[@sgt.zaitsev287]

​@@raelriche fears having to hurt her, not afraid of her. Very good take sir!

[@Link8342]

Another thing I interpreted from Freya's whirlwind of emotions was the realization that she had pushed Atreus to the breaking point, that if Kratos didn't stop him, Atreus really was going to fight her, maybe even kill her to protect his father. He had been hesitant to do any harm to her up until that point, maybe it was sinking in for Freya that she was perpetuating the cycle that Kratos had tried to break at the end of GoW4.

[@TheGodOfWarhammer]

i actually love how insightful your breakdowns are. it’s legitimately nice to see the analysis of these complex characters

[@Muekle]

100% Agree!!!!!

[@TheStraightestWhitest]

Insightful? The guy says Kratos would've beaten Heimdall without Draupnir, that Kratos is the strongest being in the entire GOW verse (he's nowhere near), and that Odin had to manipulate Thor because he was terrified of him and couldn't beat him in a fight... He also forgot that Freya's warrior spirit was taken by Odin, and that's why she didn't try attacking Kratos at the finale of GOW4. Instead he praised her character for it, showing her peaceful nature. His essays are interesting and sometimes psychologically insightful, but he is insanely uninformed/misinformed and clearly doesn't bother doing his research. He also said Freya doesn't talk about Baldur enough to know her thoughts on him, even though in Ragnarok she says ''He wasn't perfect, but he was mine.'' He is so clueless about so much in these games, and he ends up making headcanon to fill in the gaps. Sometimes that makes for a good story, but it isn't the story the devs were telling. He misattributes so much.

[@burnermansam7588]

Im actually pissed there arent more of these breakdown videos. This is the only channel that has a genuine analysis to it

[@Mr.StevenKerr]

​@@TheStraightestWhitest incel

[@tsuritsa3105]

There's a moment where Freya asks Kratos why he didn't want to fight her, and he replies "Every outcome meant defeat". I love that; it resonated with me. He had no good options; killing her would have been a loss, dying a different one. Every outcome meant defeat.

[@ivanhunter6492]

I love how Freya will never forgive Kratos for doing what he did but she grew to be a steadfast ally to him in the final fight against Odin and her rebirth was amazing to see

[@nicholascauton9648]

An excellent piece of writing interweaving real life with fiction. And because of that, it’s totally relatable.

[@demnmonkey]

I'd love to hear your analysis of Atreus and his bear transformations. By my count, each time he transformed, it was in response to heavy emotion. The first was his grief at losing Fenrir. Second was his fear that Freya would make good on her promise to torture and kill Kratos. Third was his anger at Kratos for preventing Atreus from a real choice and say so over his life. Fourth was when the Valkyries, Hrist and Mist, seemingly had he and Kratos on the ropes and he yells "Get away from him!" the instant before his transformation. The final time he changes, Atreus has fully opened his heart to the suffering of others, just like Faye & Kratos wanted and he changes to protect others, now fully in control of the transformation. My analysis is simple, to be sure, but I'd love to hear yours and anyone else's thoughts on it.

[@hartantoanggoro]

The power stems from Rage. his rage and sorrow shaped him but unlike his father, Atreus had everyone else to help him out.

[@ntfoperative9432]

@@hartantoanggoroand so just like his father he learned to master his rage, use it

[@AkweliParker]

Master yourself!!!

[@hansenjacob545]

You touched a little bit on how she feels about Atreus in this game. I just want to say a few extra things first the boat after rescuing Freyr where he's really excited it's flying and then he turns around and it's almost like he's embarrassed for freaking out like that around her and then when she turns away she smiles it kind of shows that maternal side of her. Second, Is right before Atreus leaves they hug and she basically says Kratos Atreus and Mimir are who she considers her family now after Freyr's sacrifice and she gives him the mistletoe necklace back because she realizes the true reason he wears it is because that's his " Warrior Spirit". Third, after Atreus leaves Kratos believes he has no one to be around and he closes the door to see Freya standing right there as she wanted to go to war not Kratos for most of the game and now that's over she'll see to help rebuild the realms with Kratos. Lastly, If you wait to free the first Hafgufa in Alfheim till the postgame Kratos and Freya will talk about Atreus and how Kratos raised him right and allowed him to go on his personal quest and didn't latch on to him like she did with her son. When you free the Hafgufa Kratos will say He knew she cared for him as well and she replies he is the best of us as Atreus can walk his own path and not make the same mistake they both did.

[@fatbrett]

I can't believe I forgot to talk about Freya returning the mistletoe necklace to Atreus. Thank you for mentioning it!

[@rottensquid]

@@fatbrett As you pointed out in the video, there's a huge amount of excellent character building in the dialog between characters during play. This is a perfect example. Now I regret my tendency to prioritize sidequests. This sounds like a scene worth seeing.

[@hansenjacob545]

​@@rottensquidWhich scene are you talking about? Is it one I mentioned in my comment.

[@rottensquid]

@@hansenjacob545 Yes, that one. I freed the Hafgufa with Atreus earlier in the game. It sounds like you found some great insight into Freya by leaving that side quest for later.

[@hansenjacob545]

@rottensquid The first Hafgufa actually has 3 sets of dialogues depending on what part of the game you're at. Atreus remains the same throughout the game but Freyas will actually change depending on if your middle of game and then the post game I mentioned above. I actually did most of the side favors with companion Freya across all my saves because clearly some missions are more aimed at you using Atreus and others are aimed at you doing them with Freya. But then there are missions that have good dialogue depending on whoever you have for example the Lyngbakr mission.

[@Entropic_Alloy]

I think Freyr's death was supposed to follow the Ragnarok myth, where he and Surtr destroy each other, and that would be fine. However, I agree that there was a lack of build up of his character with how rushed the ending got.

[@TheStraightestWhitest]

The ending was the most disappointing ending I've played in an AAA game.

[@tim.noonan]

@@TheStraightestWhitest I’d wager you haven’t played many AAA games then

[@drelezar7745]

@@TheStraightestWhitest Ok that’s a little dramatic- far from disappointing. But I do feel they could have added a little more to the ragnorok portion of the game

[@pancakes8670]

@@TheStraightestWhitest Cool, you feel good getting that off your chest?

[@rottensquid]

I feel like there's some unfinished business in Vanaheim left for the next game. I have a feeling Freyr isn't dead. But it wouldn't surprise me if he deliberately disappeared so he wouldn't have to rule Vanaheim in Freya's stead. I feel like what they were trying to get at with him is the limits of the lovable Nathan Drake-esque devil-may-care hero who wants all the glory of heroism but none of the responsibility of leadership. Freyr clearly resented Freya for leaving him in the role of leader. The line that struck me, which was in this video, was when she expresses how disappointed she is that he never came looking for her, and when he explains that he thought Odin had killed her, he had to add, "Do you know what that feels like, to have my worst words to you be my last?" It seems like a reconciliation, but he also was laying a guilt trip on her for something he did. These two games thoroughly explore various expressions of masculinity, from Kratos's "strong silent" fatherhood methods that mess up his relationship with Atreus in the first game, to Odin's "all-father" subjugation of his family, that leads to the deaths of literally all his children, to Thor's bitter subservience and Heimdall's desperation to be noticed and appreciated. I think what they were touching on with Freyr was a boyish refusal of responsibility. And since, as Fatbrett points out, it was underdeveloped, I theorize this isn't the last we've seen of Freyr. After all, if Kratos can avoid his prophecy altogether by choosing to rise above his compulsions and make better choices, Freyr could potentially subvert his own by faking his death just to avoid having to be the leader of Vanaheim. Or, ya know, if could be that Freyr, like the rest of the Vanaheim crew, is just a little underwritten. I mean, the one guy we didn't even notice before suddenly pulling a self-sacrifice move and then getting rescued, just as an excuse to open up a new section of Vanaheim felt a tad shoehorned in. Like, who even was that guy? what was the point of all that? They could have skipped it completely.

[@cursedheavy8860]

Freya, in my opinion, is the perfect way to write a strong female charecter. Unlike the "better-than-all-men" attitude a lot of movies have for said charecters, Freya is someone who is definitely extremely powerful, but tempers it with compassion, and the writers never make it so that either her or Kratos are 100% stronger than the other. Finally, the writers do a great job of writing a platonic relationship. I think many expected Freya and Kratos's relationship to become romantic, and kudos goes to them for managing to handle this.

[@alemswazzu]

Agree 💯. I am so tired of the lazy girl boss who don't need no man and is better at everything than any man anywhere. It's so cringe and it's projection of the writers.

[@Seeker_of_Truth_and_Beauty]

I will never not shudder at how blood-curdling her scream at Kratos at the opening of Ragnarok was.

[@gamer2101]

Yea. That was one hell of a scream. The actress did a great job. She definitely let it all go with that scream.

[@HectorLopez0217]

My favorite bit involving Freya is the Midgard quest of taking out the raiders that make Speki and Svanna nervous at the ends it’s revealed they’re nervous about Kratos because Atreus is the one who gives them affection so Freya tells him to give them scriches

[@RaTrooper458]

When Freyr says: "Any idea what it's like? To have your own selfishnes hurt the person you care most about" Freya immediately thinks of herself and Baldur

[@roberthawks1084]

I’m happy you talked about the scene where Krafos defends Freya from Atreus. Adding a bit of my interpretation, I also think that this is a hard realization for Freya as she is recognizing that Kratos is firm with his moral stance. It’s easy for Kratos to kill Baldur, because he will not directly face those emotional repercussions. However, defending Freya from his own son, and having to physically hold his son back; this action’s suggesting that Kratos’s family is not an exception from his moral stance. Kratos is not just hypocrite, or an animal.

[@Gabriel-oq8gs]

Well said! I personally also interpreted it as her realizing and grappling with the fact that if she wants to kill Kratos, she would also have to kill Atreus (something that she's not willing to do). Since he's made it abundantly clear that he won't let her kill Kratos without a fight.

[@serpentreed7332]

I also think another aspect is that she feels guilty. As a parallel, Freya allowed Baldur to run rampant and, rather than stopping his violent rampage, she allowed him to deteriorate as a person. Kratos as a contrast takes responsibility in this moment for his sons rampage and protects her and his own son which is something Freya could not.

[@No.1-Yellow-Wood-Sorrel-Fan]

I think Freya might be my favorite character in the whole series, and your analysis of her puts why into words perfectly.

[@greekoutcast]

Im surprised not a lot of people have noticed that when Kratos stops Bear Atreus, is the same situation Freya was in with Bauldur, but Kratos having raised a better son, is able to stop him

[@lord_man_king]

He wears the mistletoe because it reminds him to be better...not because it's his "first real victory" hearing you say that with such confidence even though in-game dialogue explicitly stated differently, gave me INSANE whiplash because your character analysis videos are otherwise really really really good. Damn that hurt lmao.

[@annaaquitaine4225]

I always thought it was both. Things like that can be loaded in complicated ways

[@mattsully2238]

Can we just acknowledge the phenomenal voice acting here. Freya's screams just rend my soul

[@Gehrmanthefirsthunter7247]

7:34 Something about that sharpening of the blade, those tired eyes, and that momentary almost spacing out for a fleeting moment is the scene that stuck with me the most of the norse games (never played the greek ones, I should). That look and almost mindless demeaner just stuck in my head.

[@scotttrail522]

"I've had to live lifetimes with those last, awful words I said to you. And idea what that's like? Knowing that your own selfishness hurt the person you cared about the most?" Little does Freyr know, that his sister actually DOES know what that's like. . . as she cared more about her wants and needs for her son to be safe, never once thinking to ask her son what he wanted.

[@acgearsandarms1343]

I think that’s what really got to her later in the search for the Norns. Her nightmare of herself killing that phantom of Baldur. She watched herself be responsible for his death in the worst way. “No one kills my son… BUT ME!” Worst part, it’s true.

[@scotttrail522]

@@acgearsandarms1343 And the fact that she remains silent upon learning that he's right, that their situation was parallel to her and Baldur. . . She focused so much time worrying over protecting Baldur, wanting for him to never die by casting that spell over him. . . that she never asked what HE WANTED. By never letting him make his own decisions, even before/after she cast the spell on him. . . it was HER that killed him. Sure, Kratos did snap his neck. . . but it was Freya's refusal to let Baldur make his own decisions, the fact that she did the spell WITHOUT HIS CONSENT-- which is the worst kind of mother/son betrayal (to me, at least)-- that killed him. It's like the fight between Tom Holland's Spider-Man and Wilem Defoe's Green Goblin: "I may have struck the blow. . . but you-- YOU killed her." Similar to Kratos killing Baldur: he may have struck the blow, but it was Freya that killed him.

[@acgearsandarms1343]

@@scotttrail522 Who’s right? The phantom?

[@scotttrail522]

@@acgearsandarms1343 Freyr. Oh, and the Norms.

[@acgearsandarms1343]

@@scotttrail522 Sorry, the wording made me confused.

[@sanngbarzenji1329]

The lack of resolution in Freya really reminds me of Katara from ATLA, when she goes to murder her mothers killer, while Aang is trying to preach forgiveness. In the end she doesn't kill the man but she doesn't forgive him either. And it's especially meaningful, when you think about Aang's words earlier in the episode: "It's easy to do nothing, but it's hard to forgive" That line stuck with me throughout Freya's scene

[@cskyla1844]

14:00 I think it’s also because she realizes that even if she kills Kratos, Atreus would stop at nothing to get that exact revenge too and the cycle would truly never end. If she killed Kratos, Atreus would go and try to find and kill her as well. If he killed Freya and Freyr somehow found out, Freyr would kill Atreus. If Atreus died, Ragnorak would commence or the Huldra brothers would stop at nothing to do the same back. It’s an endless cycle once killing starts. It always leads to vengeance.

[@corneliahanimann2173]

Maybe also like, a pinch of Kratos saying that she used to be their friend, a first reminder of who she was.

[@alejandro__Rodriguez1995]

am I the only one who thinks that these type of games/stories have an insane artistic value? I would even go as far as putting them next to all time classics such as the godfather for example

[@peeposadboy]

I don’t understand how people can be so disappointed with Ragnarok’s story. I mean yeah, it’s by no means perfect. But the rushed bits can all be forgiven because the arcs that happen in this story is fucking amazing. Honestly better character arcs than a lot of movies.

[@tristandaries1129]

I think Freya is the perfect way to write a strong female character, she’s a mother who tried her best, and her son is her whole world, but she isn’t some crying helpless mother. After Baldur died, she devoted her life to claiming vengeance on the killer of their child, something typically written for men, and is still compassionate and caring, while being one of the strongest characters in the game

[@manganiaco]

There is something about Freya that astonishes me in this game. Every character is incredibly well done, well polished, very high quality, well acted main characters. But where all these characters are very rich in quality, they achieved something else with Freya. She feels like a person inside a game.

[@rebekahj9085]

Freya's voice actor did an amazing job making us feel the raw emotions she was going through

[@darthskele]

Freyr's death is also meant to be a fulfillment of an arc for Freya's character. Here's why: Freya stole Baldur's life from him through the immortality curse. She took away his agency in order to selfishly protect him from death. She learns that she should have simply allowed him his freedom even if it would have potentially costed him his life, because at least then she would have potentially maintained a relationship with him. She would have respected his choices, and that would have made all the difference. With Freyr, she is presented with this emotional quandry again. "Do i save his life at the expense of his own free will? Do i do what i can to save him, consequences be damned?" Freyr wanted to be an effective leader, to be the one to make the sacrifices necessary for his companions who look to him for guidance. His decision to stay behind to fend off Ragnarok was his decision, and she, presented with the choice of saving a loved one at the expense of his freedom to choose was being tested once more. In the end she leaves him to his own devices, respecting his agency, his freedom to choose. When Atreus sees her again during the epilogue, she even notes that she "had to let [her brother] make that choice. It was his to make." This moment serves the dual purpose of having both of them reach their logical conclusions as characters. Freyr gets to make the responsible and devastating decision to lay his life on the line for people who have done the same for him for so long, while Freya learned to allow her loved ones to make their own decisions even at the potential cost of their lives.

[@ysgramornorris2452]

At 9:08, notice the light from the fire. At first it's orange and warm, then as soon as Atreus mentions Odin, Freya throws something in the fire and it turns blue and cold. Reflecting, of course, her mood swing at the mention of her ex-husband.

[@spectreshot8536]

Danielle Bisutti deserves SO much more credit. Yes, Christopher Judge was and IS amazing, but this performance of Freya in both games? Just as great.

[@shmo7708]

You're one of the most thorough yet clear reviewers I've found in a long time. You pick apart characters and their relationships in insightful, intricate ways but it's always well structured and enjoyable to follow along with. You have the characteristics of a great educator and storyteller. I'm sure you'll blow up in no time.

[@GameLover45408]

Yeah, but he did get something's wrong in his research.

[@shmo7708]

​@@GameLover45408 saying this without actually pointing out the supposed errors means nothing

[@GameLover45408]

@@shmo7708 Take the Heimdall video for example. He commented how Heimdall went on his own in the mission with Thrud and Atreus in Helheim when in truth he was tasked by Odin to carry out a certain mission. Which was mentioned at the early start of the...I would say journey ? Something like that.

[@robertphillips213]

Hear, hear! You have my like!

[@rink4816]

I will never understand how this channel is still so small. I personally think Brett makes some of the best video essays on KZbin.

[@burnermansam7588]

There isnt that much debate in the comments either. Im sad 😞

[@lorinop]

43:00 Frey's death is, I think, to keep a continuity from the original myths where Frey dies stopping Surt because he doesn't have his sword. In this case he has his sword but is against a much stronger enemy.

[@necfreon6259]

Makes sense it’s a shame they didn’t do much with with his character as much as they could have still an amazing game with a shockingly fantastic story but sometimes less isn’t more and I fear this is one of those times

[@respect_zy]

@@necfreon6259 Lets hope a norse prequel game to ehance these characters, especially freyr and surtur

[@DieEineMieze]

It's too late for that, if nobody really cares about a character while he is still alive, you bet nobody cares after he is dead and the story at an climax.

[@respect_zy]

@@DieEineMieze I mean ppl would definitely want a Thor dlc so you can put them in that and flesh them out. Ppl would play just to play with Thor wielding mjolnir so I think it would work

[@DieEineMieze]

@@respect_zy the discussion is about freyr

[@nulspace3782]

Love this. Your insights are so strong. If I can make a request… can you make a video about GoWR and masculinity? I think this game really challenges and articulates a lot of modern myths about what is masculine and by proxy what Is it to be a man? And these depictions in game are not limited to male gender. Freya is a great example of exemplifying both the worst and best of these traits and even the self actualization of coming to terms with her own self destructive behavior and a desire to change. Something a lot of men struggle with today. Kratos too in this regard, but freya reminds us this kind of behavior is not limited to any gender and is a broader human problem.

[@KhoaLe-jm4sv]

Kratos in these 2 games is what true masculinity looks like

[@shivarampersaud6799]

@@KhoaLe-jm4sv I'd disagree. At least in God of War 2018, Kratos is a reflection of toxic masculinity. The way that he bears those burdens, hides his suffering, his past, in an attempt for a better future is an example of that. Not so much the means, but the result. It has a hugely negative impact on not only himself, but on his son as well. In Ragnarok, especially towards the end, I'd agree with you. He is closer to true masculinity. Being strong and capable, but also open with others. As for the video idea on masculinity, I couldn't ask for anything more. It's something I and many others are struggling with. And for it to be broken down in a well constructed way would be something that would resonate with a lot of us.

[@Hunk666]

@@shivarampersaud6799 Short question: does female toxicity exist?

[@teeby2037]

@@Hunk666yeah

[@theotheagendashill818]

​@@Hunk666 Toxic feminity is having an overly high sense of empathy as well as envy which results in biased perception and hatred towards those who are perceived as oppressive, such as straight white men. If you look at the facts, straight brown men and straight black men are more oppressive, but toxic femininity makes you equate power with evil and weakness with good, due to which straight white men are being perceived as evil while "worse" groups of people such as the muslims are given a pass because they're perceived as weak and therefore good...

[@nihilsnake4017]

The lady who plays Freya (I cant remember her name) but her acting is amazing, especially in that scene when Kratos calms down Atreus when he turns into a bear and you can just see the build up of anger and pain all building up to a scream, god tier acting (see what I did there? 😂)

[@DLibera]

Danielle Bisutti... I love her. :)

[@rottensquid]

A staggering performance, and one that had me in tears many, many times. But it's weird, a lot of her in-game incidental conversations are delivered very stiffly. Maybe it was a different director handling that stuff. But it's like she's a different actor.

[@stephengrigg5988]

​@@rottensquidthose probably weren't mocap and were just line readings. Maybe she needs more context to fully understand how she's supposed to be reacting. If the quality is up and down 9 times out of 10 it's the directors fault

[@cursedheavy8860]

@@rottensquidI suppose that all of the voice actors don't need to be as emotional in-game rather than cutscenes (and i think doing actions and speaking changes your voice).

[@J_CtheEngineer]

Bisutti’s ability to convey grief and anger through performance is so masterful it causes me physical pain every time I experience it.

[@Comicbroe405]

You're last analysis of her was brilliant & made me realize a lot of thigs I missed from GoW 2018. I loved her arc in GoWR & excited for you to tackle that.

[@ponchowizard5182]

21:41 I think Kratos said exactly what Freya needed to hear at that moment. He realizes how he has wronged her and acknowledges it and that validation helps her begin to heal.

[@gherbo150]

My god. I’ve watched every single one of your videos at least 20 times each. (Besides this one, yet). I’m diagnosed with severe anxiety disorder and manic depression, so I don’t get outside in public much. It takes a lot out of me, even when I’m in a safe place by myself I have trouble being comfortable and sleeping. I have lots of time to watch and read what I want, and during that time I’ve never come across a KZbin channel I like so much. Absolutely stellar character deconstruction of Freya, and all the other characters you’ve made videos on, particularly Odin, Heimdall, and Thor. Keep it up please, they truly help my mental health situation and definitely help me to sleep. Thank you for all the effort you’ve put into this channel man. It makes a real difference in my life and I hope that makes you proud of what you’ve created. Kudos 🙂👍🏼

[@lamthaiphuc4510]

Dam hope you coped with your condition better now

[@shagarumedic]

Props to Freya’s actress for nailing the role in every scene she’s in

[@natoriousthehopeful2786]

I have been waiting for this video: Freya's character arc from scorned avenger to leader of her people (and the shield maidens) is one of the best parts of Ragnarok. Great job, Brett 👍

[@PacifistDungeonMaster]

Freya has to be one of my all time favorite characters in any videogame. I connected with her in a way I rarely experience in videogames - with her struggle to escape the fallout of an abusive relationship and to find more of herself beyond the trauma.

[@honorarydarkness1300]

The scene with Freya and Freyr getting along again carries equal emotional weight (just a different kind). As a brother myself, I naturally don't want my sibling relations to suck.

[@Noaher256]

One more thing from the opening fight from her, when Atreus shouts “we’re not your enemies”, Freya just shoves him to the side and goes right for Kratos instead of say bumping him off of the sled or hitting him. Shows she’s careful enough to not hurt Atreus too badly.

[@13yngn88]

I think it’s funny everytime he says he only wants to show a small clip of the scene Buh ends up playin the whole thing lol

[@jorgerincon6874]

13:20 as I see it, she doesn't really cared Kratos defended her, by this point she would already realized Kratos was going easy on her. It's more about actually realizing that by killing Kratos the cycle would continue, Atreus would be as angry and resentful as she is right now and that is what got her, seeing Atreus rampaging cause she was going to kill Kratos

[@ydoumus]

When I first saw how they portrayed Freya in GoW games is how on point they were with her. She had that powerful goddess feeling to her, yet they also managed to make her absolutely stunning.

[@tyrantravealpha]

Freya's actress absolutely KILLS her role in both games.

[@TheThe-1326]

Another proof of her character development would be after defeating Gna. Freya offers her a choice to reconcile but Gna rejects it, she respects that and gives her a quick death. For me it is a great parallel to Baldur story where she didn't give him any kind of choice and just forced her will on him. Even if she gave Baldur a choice, she would still thought only her resolution would be the best in any situation like any overprotective parent would think.

[@jorgebersabe293]

The bosses faced by them represent aspects they have to overcome in their journey: -Thor is the man Kratos used to be: A destroyer feared by his pantheon while being used as a slave in an attempt to please an abusive parent. -Gná is Freya's anger, selfishness and desire for revenge made manifest: Ultimately, Gná is obsessed with avenging a person who clearly saw her as a useful tool and acted as Queen of the Valkyries. -Hrolf Kraki is Mimir's biggest failure: Hrolf murdered Aldis (who was a friend of Mimir) and took Lejre for himself and made it a wasteland after being driven to insanity by the rage he felt towards Aldis for killing his father and raping his mother.

[@ianburgess9141]

Jesus that scream at the beginning was haunting

[@scamrasc]

Freya's actress is so phenomenal. Mocap is hard in video games but fuck, she translates EVERY single emotion in nuance. She's insanely talented. (Side note: the scene seeing Kratos calm Beatreus I feel is also her seeing him being a genuinely dearly loving father to a child, a son. It's probably one of the softest scenes of Kratos being his most tender and nurturing. He's selfless and enraptured with tending to Atreus's well being, physically mentally and emotionally. By seeing him with his son she's not just seeing the representation of what she doesn't have but she's seeing blatant love displayed in front of her....and she displayed multiple times she could not bring herself to harm atreus. Even though he is not innocent in Baldur's death, he is still a child and for her he is a HUGE representation for her of what her ideal of a parent HAVING a son is. He's a place holder for Baldur in a sense. And she witnesses Kratos, in throwing himself in harms way to protect Freya, fully embodying the role of the dear loving parent she longed to be, and probably felt something witnessing him be the father she likely longed for Odin to be. I always viewed it as being his display of fatherhood here that was ultimately what broke through to her)

[@km1dash6]

Let's not forget that Freya is a war god in addition to a god of love and fertility. She was the queen of the valkyries and leader of her pantheon. War and death are as much a part of her nature as love and fertility. It's not uncommon for love and war to be united in one deity, and I think it adds depth to her character. She was obsessed with loving her son, the life of the forest, and saving animals. Now she is obsessed with battle. She wants to fight Kratos, and later Oden. From a meta perspective, she hasn't changed.

[@the-Rebel-Mage]

freya after the valcorie fight gave kratos the sound of forgiveness screaming and then scilence

[@Takejiro24]

CAAAARL!!!!

[@CrazyInsaneBiscuit]

I forgot how good of a scene Kratos and Freya was. He doesn't say he's sorry. Just that he realizes the choice wasn't his to make.

[@maddan9086]

One VERY IMPORTANT detail that I cannot believe was omitted from BOTH of these videos is that Freya's "warrior spirit", the capacity for violence itself whether it be for self-defense or willfully harming another was literally torn out of her by Odin. THAT'S why in GOW4 she didn't try to harm anyone. She literally COULDN'T. Only during the time between GOW4 and 5 did she recover that piece of herself and was struggling to reintegrate that back into her mind and soul. She said it herself when Atreus tried talking sense into her. "I am FAR from whole!" But when she reappears in Valkyrie form, she's more or less completed that process and is once again a force to be reckoned with. WHY such an important detail was overlooked I cannot fathom. Also, I will never be convinced that she ever had a chance in Hel (see what I did there?) in killing Kratos. Despite his holding back against her, she will never be his equal in combat. The only one who stood a chance was Thor, who was actually prophesied to kill him. Only reason he got out of that one was because he finally realized what the Norns were telling him. That Fate is what we make for ourselves, and in order to break "Fate", we must start to make different choices, and to "be better". Freya (finally) became better at the end of GOW5. Although it was a rough road getting there. Oh~! One final note I'd like to say that REALLY bothered me about Freya's character was her seeming inability to accept personal responsibility for her decisions. Most of the time it felt like she was projecting this "it's always someone else's fault" mentality. She blames Kratos for her son's death, but it took visiting the Norns to realize that she wrote that ending herself the very moment she violated her son with that curse that put him into a state of perpetual near-sensory deprivation. Which has been used as a form of torture IRL. Her brother? She blamed him for "abandoning" her, yet she never bothered to get her facts straight until they actually spoke, learning that he was under the mistaken impression that she was likely dead. Heck, there's even a codex entry of the current "Valkyrie Queen" addressing that in her journal. So yeah, while that part of her character grated on my nerves because of that, the devs did gangbusters with complexity and depth. Ah~! Minor note: if memory serves me right, Freyr died in the original Norse myth of Ragnarok, so it's conceivable that the devs took that factoid and simply adapted it for their game. Although I will freely admit that's just speculation on my part. Anywho, for any who made it to the end of this long post, thanks for reading to the end. Take care out there and have a safe and Happy New Year~!

[@rybaneightsix5085]

11:55 God almighty that blood thirsty scream of a raging witch was absolutely perfect.

[@Jay-cy3wt]

I thought that the delivery on 25:05 from Freyr was some pretty damn good acting. And the realization on Freyas face. The soundtrack, everything. A very well done scene.

[@aecusregen4614]

Man, the world of video essays has gotten so much better for me sense I discovered FatBrett and Jacob Geller

[@Agent_ghost75]

I like how Kratos was ready to fight Freya again 😂😂😂

[@aidbotwoody939]

The one thing that makes me sad about ragnarock is how the mythology they used started to clash heavily with the story they wanted to tell towards the end of the game and I think that everything to do with Surtr including Freyr's death is the most apparent; the myth felt more like a checklist than a part of the story in the final battle and they got a little fast and loose with the actual myth in ways that felt like they were trying to shortcut having to work in the complex beats required to tie it together and give it emotional weight

[@getoffthegames89]

I think they decided halfway through development to only make one game, originally it was going to be a trilogy, so I feel like what happened is they squished the “second game” down. Which regardless of how squished the second half of the games story arc felt was a good choice in my opinion. I’m not too sure a third games Gameplay would have been different enough to be a blockbuster like what they ended up doing.

[@anthonynorman7545]

​@@getoffthegames89 that's a good point

[@IGotKitFistoed]

*I binge watched your GOW videos back to back over a couple of days ago after playing through GOW 4 & 5 back to back. Your vids are very interesting & detailed, along with being absolutely captivating. I know this one is gonna be another banger 🔥 keep them coming! When GOW 6 drops in 2045, i’ll be looking forward to your breakdown!*

[@Hollowed2wiz]

GOW 6 will probably drop between 2026 and 2028 though. But I agree with you on every else, this is truly great content.

[@QwertySparrow]

I really love all of your character analysis of the GoW characters. Not only do you go into their psychology but also their arcs in the the story and how those characters affect other characters

[@greghawkins59]

Just realised how incredibly cool it'd be to have a co-op mode of these 2 games. Having player 2 getting to play as whoever the companion is in each mission

[@banosja]

Just finished a replay of GoW and Ragnarok. I spent every cut scene with Freya just wishing I could give her a hug. She's just suffered through so much! Love the vids! They're helping with my post-game depression.

[@inyourwifi]

I love how Kratos knew exactly what to tell Freya in his apology. And that he didn't say verbatim "I'm sorry" because he's not. Being sorry implies that he would've done something different. Freya is a force for good, and deserves to be alive. But the way he acknowledges everything she's feeling in that moment with only a couple of sentences felt so cathartic. That moment always warms my heart. Brilliant writing.

[@beoreon1]

I believe Freyr staying behind and dying is mostly a reference to his fate in the original mythos. Among many other gods Freyr was prophesied to die at Ragnarok because he didn’t have his magical sword. Only in the game, he DOES have his magical sword. His choice to remain behind and die for the chance that others might live is both a fulfillment and subversion of prophecy. It’s also a great sign of personal growth, as in many stories he’s depicted as someone who has good intentions but tends to flee when the going gets tough. In the game he dies as a hero, making a great sacrifice for the sake of others, rather than dying an arbitrary death due to a set of unfortunate circumstances.

[@Sigurdr78]

First I learn I don’t have to attend a 6 hour meeting from 11 pm to 5 am, now I see that FatBrett has uploaded another video essay. Today just keeps getting better and better! Thanks again, big guy!!

[@siegmayer1550]

I think that Freyrs death happened because that is exactly what happens in the myths, he dies while trying to stop Surtur from killing everyone.

[@georgewolstenholme672]

I think part of her mercy in the final moment is that Odin has been beaten. He's in the marble, he can't hurt anyone anymore.

[@Whitebeardtheking9]

Yeah, the makers of GOW 4 and Ragnarok deserve all the praise they get. They created a story I hold in the same light as RDR 1+2.

[@ChuggleDBuglGames]

I honestly kind of love that such a powerful scene is hidden behind a side quest. In that scene Kratos needs to be a friend to Freya and what better way to be a friend then to give time and energy away from your own goals to help them.

[@PacificBird]

Her finally letting go at the end reminded me of Mimir's "tis you who carries her still!" story

[@JustPokey]

Nothing quite like finding a brand new video essayist with a huge backlog of quality content to make a long workday disappear. Excellent videos, and here's your sub. Thanks!

[@spnsman1]

Her wail when she grabs the Boulder, sparing Kratos, will always give me chills

[@yanisxerri9854]

I’m watching thise stoned and i am in aww of you ability to perfectly breakdown a character to their very core in such an elegant manner, please never stop making videos. I genuinely couldn’t think of a single reason you would get an single dislike on you videos

[@WRL13]

finally. I was waiting for part 2

[@daroldbivens1081]

Love this Analysis! Only thing I would have added was some post game content, where Kratos/Freya fights the final Valkeri (the absolute toughest boss in the entire game). If you beat her, Freya tries to show mercy and say that she relates to feeling of revenge, the warmth of its flames, but that it will bring no peace. The Valkeri tells Freya to finish what she started, Freya says “yes sister,” and lays her to death. To me, this scene is an epilogue that really cements the payoff of Freyas character arc. This is the one time in the game where we see Freya openly acknowledge her regret of following a path of revenge, trying to steer someone else away from it. We see her become that ultimate version of herself in this scene.

[@hansenjacob545]

I also think that the Gna fight is a really core part of her narrative. As she tells her revenge will never bring back what she lost and how wronged she was by Freya. In the end she can't forgive her and Freya fails to reach out to another person she wronged and she couldn't fix their relationship just like with Baldur at the end of 2018. This is also a very important part because her and Kratos were able to figure things out and start a new friendship.

[@jorgebersabe293]

Exactly: Gná is Freya's anger, selfishness and thirst for vengeance flying back to kill her.

[@connormagee9858]

I think freyrs death, giving up everything, is meant to mirror what freya did in marrying Odin. He truest understands and forgives his sister for making the necessary choice of abandoning her people. The only flaw with that being that there was no indication he hadnt done that already

[@darknesswave100]

Freya imo is probably one of the best characters in this entire series. She's so complex as a character and she goes on an emotional roller coaster throughout both games. Like the scene where Kratos jumps in front of her to stop atreus and he calls her his friend. The wide range of emotion you could see was masterfully animated and acted. Then later on after he helps her free herself from the spell Odin placed on her she says something to him and he says No need to explain. Not to me. Not for that. That line was one from Freya in the first game. They come full circle into a place of understanding. Kratos was genuine when he apologized to Freya for killing baldur. He wasn't sorry he did it. He was sorry that he took that choice away from her as his mother because he knows that if the shoe was on the other foot then he wouldn't want somebody to make that choice for him. One of the best parts of the game for me personally is when Freya and Kratos are alone and she tells him he wouldn't be able to understand what she went through with baldur but then he says yes I do. You can feel her voice tremble when she realizes Kratos had another child before atreus. Then to help Freya understand him better he talks about Calliope, which by the way, he never mentions in the first game. That's how much he wanted her to get it. He lost a child and it was his fault. Just like Freya lost baldur and it was mostly her fault

[@rebekahj9085]

There is a bit post game where she does infact go back to Chaurli and apologizes for abandoning him. He obviously is quite upset with her. BUT she convinces Biergi to come live at her home in her stead after he confides that he wishes to retire somehwere quiet. Cool little bit i found to be very comforting for poor Chaurli

[@x-modulator4067]

Great video! She had a lot of character growth in this game and I hope they keep her around in the future games. I think they could probably do some interesting things with her character and her relationships with other characters later on. You did a great job breaking down the changes she goes through and I’m glad to see more videos

[@elfang0r]

@AeqiW,,z SS saw aaqxxe BB qne q w .os SS swe@we we Qag za Aw xs

[@x-modulator4067]

@@elfang0r Is my furniture meant to be swearing at me in a Samuel L Jackson voice after I read this

[@ED11169]

Ooh yes another Freya video

[@beansnrice321]

Oh man, that scene with her pulling the sword was so powerful!

[@HimynameisAdan]

Been patiently waiting for this

[@JustinesMic]

freya is one of my most favorite characters, so it makes me so happy to see thorough analyses giving her character the thought and care she deserves 💗

[@NidoKnight]

When Freya is using that spell choking Odin and she says “Bow to your Queen” it lowkey gave me some chills. I swear I’ve heard that line somewhere before.

[@ronalddavis1243]

God your narrative analysis videos are so informative yet entertaining and captivating,keep up the good work! Also do you plan on doing anymore sonic game reviews ? Your secret rings review was hilarious

[@FriendBe]

I love these videos.

[@Master_Haith]

I love this guy’s content

[@mackthisarrowhearth295]

I think it would be the most satisfying if Freyer actually survived offscreen, and joins Kratos in exploring other reigns and kingdoms. Freyer would be a really fun contrast to rough and serious Kratos, will help him in loosen up and make new connections, maybe even face Sindri.

[@Retro_WrathX13B]

Great 2 parter. Truth be told; I wanted to see a Baldur video, having dealt with well-intentioned saboteur parents, but I wasn't sure there was enough there for a full video. But since you mentioned it, I'm looking forward to it

[@kalin666]

They're not just voice actors, all of the scenes are mocap live performances.

[@elricmon2099]

I really love these God od War character analysis. While I loved the game all the way, these videos gave me a new appreciation for incredible storytelling. I noticed I felt a certain way about some characters, and your analysis made me figure out the exact details that made me feel this way. Keep up your great work!

[@stephentwest]

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this video, and it did not disappoint! Part Two of 'Freya - The Scorned Goddess' dives even deeper into Freya's character and provides an insightful analysis of her motivations and growth throughout the God of War games. I was particularly impressed by how this video explores Freya's relationship with her son, Baldur, and how it shapes much of her character arc. The analysis of her struggle with motherhood and her attempts to protect her son from harm were both poignant and thought-provoking. The video also did an excellent job of examining how Freya's experiences with Odin have shaped her character and fueled her desire for revenge. Furthermore, the video's exploration of Freya's connection to the Vanir and her role in Norse mythology added another layer of depth to her character. I appreciated how the video highlighted the ways in which Freya defies traditional gender roles in Norse mythology and how her character subverts expectations in compelling ways. Overall, this was a fascinating and insightful analysis of one of the most complex and interesting characters in the God of War games. The video's detailed analysis, clear presentation, and engaging commentary made it a pleasure to watch. I can't wait to see what other characters or topics this channel explores in the future. Great job!

[@marvindavis4580]

Your videos renew my appreciation for these characters and their story archs