Sindri's Grief: The Hole (God of War: Ragnarok) 

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Sindri in the temple was the saddest scene in the entire game. You see his grief, anger, and despair on full display. Adam Harrington would’ve easily been a second contender for best performance alongside Christopher Judge.

I think sindri saying, “get the fu*k out of my sight” is really powerful. We had never heard him really swear and it shows he isn’t really himself anymore, he’s been changed. When you never hear someone say “I love you” when it’s said it feels even more sincere. That’s kind of the same concept. Also they say people take on the characteristics of those they have lost so they won’t die, and can still be with them. Maybe he was taking on the characteristics of brok’s colorful language so that he wouldn’t die.

14:36 "A man with no direction..." Fitting, in a sad way. In retrieving Brok's soul, his brother lost his direction. Now, without his brother, Sindri has lost his direction, albeit not quite as literally. For Brok, there is no afterlife. For Sindri, there might as well be no life.

Brok:“What gets bigger the more you take away?” Mimir at the end of the game: “A hole”

Sindri was the giving tree. He gave until nothing was left. Now he has nothing and by cutting himself off he may never heal. I hope in a future game he gets better.

The scene when Sindri goes down to get draupnir, you see the light threatening to flicker out but Sindri fought to keep the light on. It was symbolic of the light inside himself.

The funny part is that not only Atreus feels guilty for Sindri, but also you as the player for only going to him only when you need an upgrade. 😐

To me, the saddest part about Sindri's grief was that he already lost Brok before when he died and managed to bring back, but after that, they had a dispute regarding Thor's hammer and broke apart, but thanks to Kratos and Atreus they managed to get back together, but in the end, he lost his brother once more, and he can't get him back this time since Brok's soul cannot go to afterlife.

Something I think is interesting is actually how Kratos responds to Sindri in the Temple: "Mourn how you wish." It brought me back to the first Norse game, when Kratos and Atreus were leaving Alfheim for the first. He said the same words then. This time though, he leaves the second part "leave me to my own" unspoken. To me, it says that Kratos has some small amount of faith that Sindri, in his own way, will eventually recognize that both Kratos and Atreus are also grieving. Whether or not he's correct, only time will truly tell.

I think the most relatable part about Sindri's character at the end of Ragnarok for me personally is that desire to keep the rage going. Grief is powerful. It's terrible. It hurts in so many unexplainable ways and its so easy to want to latch onto something, anything to avoid feeling the pain of that loss. The entire time throughout the battle of Ragnarok we see a side to Sindri that I never could have imagined. He's angry and anybody who stands in his way is threatened or killed. When him and Atreus reach Thrud, his first instinct is to raise his weapon without hesitation. This is the same man who didn't want to hold a fish. But the anger is such a good distraction and he wants vengeance so much that his bloodied hands are prepared to do the unthinkable. He even succeeds, being the person to essentially kill Odin. Even then we quickly see that there is no satisfaction. It doesn't make him feel better. It simply happened.

As someone who has gone through the same grief as Sindri, I loved how Sindri was written. Because he's right, THAT is what sorry looks like. It is a grief so great that I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

The progression of how Sindri accepts Atreus' apologies is really interesting too. First time, yeah no worries kid. Second time, you know better and I just need a bit of time. Third time, no I do not forgive you for this final transgression.

I feel like when Sindri says "this is what sorry looks like", he's referring to himself and his situation when he says this. You want sorry? This is where your sorries have gotten you to: a sorry man who has nothing left in his life but a hammer and some ore. Sindri is showing Atreus where his choices (and his own choices with Brok) have led them to.

Poor Sindri. He didn’t deserve this.

If you’ve ever lost somebody but struggled to let go, you know Sindri’s pain. The ending scenes were brutal. His face and voice acting at the funeral really topped all other characters. Masterpiece.

I love how Ragnarok's story encapsulates grief so well Some characters use their loved one's deaths to move forward (Kratos, Atreus, Freya) Some people carry on the legacy of their dead loved one's, like Thrud and Sif after Thor's death Others lash out in anger like Sindri, and sink in their suffering Grief and moving on is such a big part of the story, and I love it It's beautiful

Hate is a place where a man who can no longer stand sadness goes- Miura Black Sindri Arch

The stories these games gave us are still underappreciated. It was heart wrenching to see Brok be sent off post game. Sindri was completely scarred by the actions he had a part in progressing.

This was a very profound analysis. But what really struck me was your editing skills: At 11:06, the way you cut together all the videos showing all the moments where Sindri supported Atreus and Kratos. You then start from when Atreus first apologized to Sindri in 2018 God of War, eager to forgive Atreus. Then, you see the resentment slowly build as Sindri struggles to forgive Atreus as easily for attacking him. Finally, the tipping point when Sindri outright refuses to accept Atreus’ apology and orders him to leave his sight. Such a beautiful yet harrowing display of Sindri’s downfall and how he slowly became lost in his rage and grief.

Mimir figuring out the answer to the riddle here makes so much more sense and it has way more impact now if you think about it...

Thank you for covering this. Sindri's story was beautifully and masterfully crafted in these two games; his tragedy is palpable and cuts extremely deep. He didn't deserve that pain, that loss, that grief, but that's what makes the story feel so real; that rawness brings me to tears.

When Sindri teleported with Brok in his arms was a tough scene. 10/10

glad you touched on sindri projecting his own guilt, i've seen a lot of people overlook or just not articulate that but it's so clear to me that he does blame himself and what he has robbed brok of and is looking for someone to put that on

This is really profound dude. Not only do you have an incredible sense of storytelling and amazing analytical ability, the way you string it all together in your video blew me away. The use of music, sequences like the one at 11:06 where it goes through all of the reasons why Sindri feels the way he does, and the obviously large amount of research you have poured into this are all super impressive. Also, your emotional understanding of the characters and of people in general really was the backbone of this entire video. You painted each character in their own light and gave respect to their own reasonings for their actions, not clearly stating one person as in the wrong over the other. Instead just showing how it affects one another and why it happens. Overall, this video blew me away and reopened the hole in my heart from this game that I thought I had patched. Now a seemingly simple riddle is starting to make more sense to me, why you cant get rid of a hole by trying to rip it apart and take pieces away. The hole just keeps getting bigger until it consumes you. Grief is a hole.

I appreciate your take. But i'd diverge on a few key points. Sindri is the giving tree as a NPC. View him through that filter, as the main characters as the protagonist. He even says it himself. He's given everything, until there's nothing left. He doesn't blame Atreus. He blames Kratos. The look he gives at the end tells you that. The hanging thought is "How is it you, you killer, you slayer, you destroyer, you monster get to have your happy ending while we whom have never done wrong by you or anyone else must pay the ultimate price of giving it all in your service ?" He thinks Kratos should have been the one who tried to confront Tyr. He probably believes that Brok took the death meant for Kratos in the prophecy. Kratos didn't die, so someone else had to. But more importantly than anything else, Sindri is a reminder that others too must bear consequences of the choice the player makes. In a brilliant stroke of masterful storytelling on par with 'the shadow of the colossus', this game has made NPC's emotionally relevent to gaming storytelling again. Will any of us going forward playing any other game look at our NPC crafters w/o remembering what happened to Brok? I know I wont. I'm also convinced that the painted prophecy at jotenheim, and again in the last prophecy board where Kratos learnes he's venerated now as a builder god? That mysterious armored figure in the background. That's SIndri. Unlike Freya he will not be dissuaded. He will come to try and kill Kratos. He will also probably succeed. I cannot imagine a more dangerous opponent than a Tony Stark of the Norse universe. Because no one else knows kratos's limitations and vulnerbilities better. When the person who's made you strong, who personally made the armor you depend on wants you dead, you're probably dead.

Kratos understands how he feels more than anyone about losing a brother and a family😔

The thought of Faye laughing at Brock’s jokes. Lol

Finishing this game makes me feel so empty I didn't even wanted to finish after losing brok he and sindri both were the light in a decaying and unforgiving world at the end the people of the 9 realms are now free but the cost was too great. But this is why I love this game it helped with my grief and the hole will always be there I just need to keep moving and keep my loved one in my memory. But is a hole no matter how much I try to fill it or cover it, it will be there.

"A hole, it gets bigger, the more you take away".

My guy, you made a bang up video and that super cut where Sindri is explaining to Atreus gave me chills. You got a new subscriber.

After losing my Granddad not too long ago, I was able to relate to Sindri's pain. I spent ages trying to find Sindri straight after the funeral. I wasn't thinking right because obviously of course anyone needs to be alone but I just felt really bad for him. I asked my friend; "Where is Sindri? I can't find him anywhere." but she just replies; "He's gone." and that was it. It just felt really strange for it to be left like that. Most characters got the end they needed or wanted except Sindri. :(

Sindri is an amazing character. This story was so well written and I'm now a god of war fan.

Sindri is literally "the giving tree", 'enough said.

On Brok's funeral I think Sindri knew exactly what he wanted to say to Kratos. Yet he also knew it was pointless. It wouldn't bring Brok back. He realized also that Kratos knew. And everyone would have to live with that. So he decided to leave because he wanted to be left alone. But Sindri's rage at the death of Brok is pretty focused. He doesn't tries to fight Trud when Atreus says she's a friend. He's entirely focused on killing Odin and that's what drives him. The difference between Kratos and Sindri's rage because of their loss is that Kratos wouldn't have cared on the slightest. "She's in the way? Either she evades or I chop her to pieces". No "she's a friend" would've made young Kratos care on the slightest for whom he killed on his rampage.

this hit me hard; Brok was awesome as a character; kind of straying a little from the story driven campaign with his conversations and funny cussing. But i feel even more for sindri. As someone who's lost someone after 5 years of giving your all; a breakup may not be as major as death but the pain; that part of you that is gone and you will never get back; is still the same.

Gods, "Brok's Lament" is such a powerful piece of music. After completing the game and listening to the OST, I put it down for a bit. I came back, started a new game, and when I heard bits of "Brok's Lament" early on, I had to stop. The emotions I felt during the funeral, watching Brok's death break Sindri, the IRL memories that those scenes dredged up. People like to say that games aren't art. Art makes you feel something. This game. That song. That makes me feel something. I just have to hear the first few notes of the hurdy-gurdy and I feel all that again. I've been working on my second playthrough little by little. Brok reminds me, not just in his death but who he is, of an old friend. A friend that I lost many years ago. In fact, his death anniversary will be here in a few days time. I think that I will play "Brok's Lament" for those of us that survived him. Sorry if that got rambly. Emotions are not always easy to put to words/text.

this game made a over used riddle of a hole to one of the most saddest hard hitting quotes i have ever experienced, when i herd mimir figured out brocks riddle at the end while sindri walked away, it was like i just got punched in the heart.

Grief is proof you loved, and no matter what, how much it hurts or how you deal with it, whether you hurt yourself or others because of it, sadly that is still proof of that love. You loved so much, cared so much, you will grieve just as much if not more as proof. And no matter what it makes of you, even that should be cherished. You loved. That is beautiful even if its only shown in loss, it is real and should always be cherished. its also something i don't think those who haven't experienced it can truly understand, enough empathy and games like this, stories like this, that show it in every facet help one learn it or give a guide on how to deal with it, but unless you've held a loved one in your arms as they died, its hard to FULLY understand. People can empathize, but its not wholly the same. Seeing this with Sindri reminded me of the one i loved and lost, and it hurt, it hurt so much... and i think it'll always hurt when i see a scene like this cause i'll always be brought back to looking into her eyes as they faded... but she lived a good life, and i loved her wholly, i felt the rage and pain and saddness, but i don't push it aside, or on to others. i cherish it, its proof i loved her, and proof i CAN love others just like her. Its saddening to see Sindri degrade but it is a path some take, i just hope if he shows up again he's learned that, learned he can love the others as he did Brok.

Very well done. Thanks for outlining all the emotional nuances, including Sindri’s guilt and his use of anger to distract him from the enormity of the grief. An aspect that wasn’t mentioned here is the line Sindri says when he arrives in Asgard. Paraphrased, Atreus/Kratos ask “Where’s the army?” and Sindri responds “No more dwarves will die today because of Odin.” He’s referring to Brock yes, but also to all the unnamed dwarves who suffered under Odins subjugation. We see a little of this earlier when Odin travels with Atreus to check in on their weapon building and demands they are done “by the deadline” and also Mimir’s narration in Svartalfheim. That cultural and societal grief is another layer of anger and pain, adding to the hole.

He needs a hug

“Loss can do things to a man.”

"you want sorry this is what sorry looks like"

Sindri was the gift that kept on giving with no consequences towards the people he was giving to (Kratos) and (Atreus) and in the end, all that giving he did with no thanks whatsoever led to him losing everything. In the end, Sindri was the only one without a happy ending after Ragnarok. In the first game when brok was talking about the fact that Ragnarok was coming and that it's the end times it got Sindri very nervous with good reason cause little did he know that Ragnarok would be the day his world would be shattered he deserved so much better but hey "you play a beautiful game but sometimes, in the end, you still lose"

Sindri...I see a lot of myself in him. The amount that he loves, how much he gives, and his relationship with Atreus reminds me a lot of myself and how deeply I myself love, and give. But it hurts seeing it in a character I feel so connected to and love. He didn't deserve this. He was a good man that gave so much for the people he viewed as worthy and what did he get for it? The loss of his brother that's slowly breaking him.

I truly felt sorry for Sindri at the end of the god of war ragnarok game. When you first play the game Sindri is still his germaphobic self and has a close relationship with Atreus, while on better terms with Brok. You would have never thought that Sindri would be broken by the end. While Atreus yelling at Sindri in god of war 2018 did really start the downward spiral of their relationship, it is when Atreus accidentally hurt Sindri physically that their relationship really starts to fall apart. Sindri trusted Atreus enough to tell him about Brok's first death and how he brought to bring back, yet over the course of god of war ragnarok, his relationship with Atreus deteriorates. When Brok died for the second time, denied of an afterlife, it finally breaks Sindri. It does make sense for him to be angry with Atreus, but Sindri shouldn't blame Atreus for what happened to Brok. Odin tricked everyone and was the one who killed Brok. Sindri was the one who previously resurrected Brok without fully resurrecting his soul, which denied Brok an afterlife when Odin killed him. Atreus does take some responsibility for not listening to sound advice when he had the chance, but Odin deserves most of the blame. I think that deep down Sindri knows that it's his fault that Brok is gone for good, but his grief makes him lash out at Atreus. What happened to Sindri is a direct showing of some of the main themes of god of war ragnarok. That actions have consequences, and that sometimes you cannot fix the consequences. Sindri plays his part in ragnarok and ultimately gets his revenge by destroying Odin's soul, but revenge doesn't make him feel any better, and he's left with even less than before. It is really sad that Mimir solved Brok's last riddle through what happened to Sindri. What gets bigger the more you take away? A hole. What happened to Sindri is sad, and there's no telling if Sindri will get better or worse. He was a character that didn't deserve it.

Sindri is genuinely the best, I love and loved his Arc.

I honestly thought there was going to be a scene where Kratos gives Sindri the Draupnir Spear. Something like "A great blacksmith blessed this weapon so that it may be put down when it's job is done. Now, it's job is to protect you." or something like that. Would've been cool, but I guess it'd undercut how bitter Sindri's story in the games ended.

**sees the title** Well, I wasn't expecting to go on a feels trip, but here we are.

the most fucked up thing Atreus did to Sindri was not attend Brok's funeral

I'm curious that Atreus was able Fenrir back with only one of his soul pieces. I wonder if the reason Sindri couldn't get Brok's last soul piece because it wasn't in the Lake of Souls? They never said what was the accident that happened in the forge. If they were working on something magical in nature it could have been put in an object, like Fenrir's soul piece in Atreus dagger? It's a long shot, but It would be nice to see Brok's come back maybe in a different body. 👍

I was on the verge of crying throughout this entire thing.. You're a wordsmith, man. Subbed.

Beautifully well-spoken!!! Please continue to fill the world with your wisdom, insight, love & wonderful commentary...🔥👍🏾👍🏾💛💚💙

“now what have i got? not even my family.” most heartbreaking delivery in game

Such a solid breakdown of the character and the way the story changes him. Thanks.

Even for someone who hasn’t played this game the emotion expressed from Sindri at 12:03 is crystal clear and very moving

I have never been this emotional for a character in a game

Mad respect for brok thought, not only did he gained Kratos' respect he also stood up for Atreus.

"What gets bigger the more you take away? A hole"

AMAZING! Dude you killed this video. I am a huge GOW fan but this video really made me get cold chills in the way u presented it. Also u have a good storytelling voice! Keep it up!

The thing I love about this game is how Sindri's fall doesn't feel forced, but something building from issues stemming from the previous entries (and from our expectations as gamers as a whole.) Atreus and Kratos didn't think much about the support from the Huldra brothers, as we did as they were our upgrade station, but they were feeling characters and you could feel the growing consternation with Sindri throughout the series. We continue to take him for granted until Sindri loses his brother (the one thing he needed in his life) and the dam breaks. When he tears into Atreus at Tyr's Forge over his brother's body, it is like he's also going after us for taking him and his brother for granted for all this time. That pseudo-bridge to get to the player is what elevates the writing in this game to masterclass levels.

A nugget of beauty from WandaVision relevant here: "What is grief, but love enduring?"

Really enjoyed this. Thank you. Looking forward to new game plus to experience it all one more time.

I really love your videos, the story telling and your understanding of the human mind is inspiring to me

My guy, the moment I’ve been following you for a long time and though you upload a bit rarely, I am always looking forward to your words. The words you choose the way you narrate and the perspective you represent for these characters I swear man. Whenever I see your vid pop in my recommendation I immediately stop everything, grab a pair of headsets, sit back and just listen. Awesome video as always man

Great vid, Sindri in the temple letting it all out was some of the best acting I've seen & heard in a game gets me close to cry & the music is perfect too

The funeral scene is one of my favourite in the game. The way Sindri staggers away at the end reminds me of how I felt after I began to first process the death of my father and his absence; the void where he once was that would mark my life forevermore. Though I hold a more hopeful view about a portion of that scene then I think you do. When we see Sindri round on Kratos, meet his gaze and see the anger subsequently drain from him, I choose to believe that Sindri’s anger was not simply exhausted in that moment, but that he saw understanding within the eyes of the Ghost of Sparta. Understanding, compassion, and a willingness to be hated if that is what Sindri needed. I don’t think Kratos is a stranger to what Sindri is feeling, and there is something to anger being seen and recognized without judgement, outwardly validated and accepted by someone who understands, something that can ease it, and maybe, just maybe, allow healing to occur.

that montage juxtaposed with his final speech to Atreus annihilated me all over again. I'm... not crying..... it's just some smoke, that's all........ the post-credits scene and the incredibly powerful music is so painful I can't even hear it without getting misty. I feel like I betrayed a family member. For two whole games, I always hated how we never truly thanked Sindri, for how much he made our lives easier, and hearing him say we only ever took and took and took... he was right. All along, he was right. I hope somehow, in some way, we can truly atone.

Damn, what an amazing video-essay.

Hi, listen to this video a lot then be in god of war reminds of my grandpa. I miss him. Lost dose things to a man…

1:42 seriously got me looking up French words 😭 even the transcript is like "what he said"

Tragically beautiful. Thank you for this video💕

“Fear the man who has nothing left to lose.”

Honestly, Sindri through these games seems to be going through the grieving process the whole time. The first game and even most of Ragnarok he’s in the denial and bargaining stages. He denies Brok’s death to the point of bringing him back from the dead. When they reunite at the end of the game he does whatever he can to keep Brok with him. After Brok’s second death he passes into anger, and after the funeral he’s entered the depression stage. Idk if these are out of order, but this isn’t a step by step process after all.

I think, if they take the story in the direction of Atreus and Sindri reuniting, with Sindri finally willing to open up again... I'd like for Sindri to take the first step and apologize for lashing out at Atreus like he did following Brok's death. And then, to mirror the first game, have him ask: "Will you forgive me?" And to have Atreus then, obviously, respond with: "Already have."

Not strong enough to let go. What a great realization.

Mimir “A hole, gets bigger the more you take away”

Keep up the great work! Stay blessed 🙌

Now this made me think that one part of the game that you can throw a snowball at Sindri. And man, I'm SO glad I chose not to throw it. That would've added the salt to injury.

Very beautifully done. I wish Sindri had a better ending than what he got

I lost my brother too. I love Sindri because of his hate to everything and everyone.

I just love that way you talk ❤

As a oldest brother I feel the same way if I lost my bro.

Man listening to this makes what happened to sindri 10x worse. He gave and gave and protected Atreus just for Atreus to cost him his brother who he lost before

another god of war vid? my night has been made.. Hope you keep em coming. A vid on thor or the whole odin family dynamic would be lovely

A hole is also, depressingly, the answer to Brok's riddle.

so good to see your upload on my timeliness and 💕💕 may your work recieve more views and supporters for you deserve it 😊 thank you

Sindri was the motherly figure that Atreus needed. Freya somewhat picks up that role later but she is going through her own grieving process. Sindri deeply cared for Faye, consider that Sindri was about to throw hands with Kratos in the first game over Faye's axe being in the "wrong" hands, so my bet is that he was overly giving to Atreus en memoriam for Faye.

"Now... Only one, remains."

I hope when Atreus gets his spin off game, one of his arcs would be to give Sindri peace (like finding brok's soul and leading it to alfheim)

I see this video knowing I haven't watched a sages rain video in a while and see the hole. I know what the hole is I practically live there. But I can't watch rn caus ngl in a happy mood and I know this will make me wanna cry so into the watch later you go.

Due to Sindri unable to let go when Brok died the first time, Sindri doomed Brok to oblivion for eternity. Never to reach Valhalla. Sindri couldn't cope living without his brother hence he traveled to Alfheim to retrieve his soul, however his was overwhelmed by the souls of the dead that he failed to get Brok's 4th soul piece and for his actions got shunned by his people and unable to see his brother in Valhalla should he and Brok die. Sindri feels guilt for his actions. Atreus was very close to Sindri in Ragnarok and even got some weapon upgrades, loot, knowledge and advice but didn't had the means or time to payback Sindri's kindness. The moment Brok died the second time Sindri completely changed. Now filled with anger, resentment, sadness and vengeance and took it out on Atreus and Kratos. Showed no hesitation to kill Odin after Atreus sealed Odin's soul. Brok's funeral shows Sindri completely broken, unable to relate with anyone, empty and shut his world down. Knowing fully well that his actions not only cost Brok to the afterlife, he can never go back to his own kind after being shunned. Sindri will die alone with no one by his side and pushed away the people who wants to help him grief properly. A horrible fate that is far worse than death.

The world would be a better place if everyone had a friend like sindri

Seeing Sindri grieve for Brok was really well done and sad. Even though they had a rocky family dynamic they managed to mend the broken ties they once had all thanks to Kratos and Atreus. The fact that Atreus was the one who helped fix them yet due to the events of Ragnarok was blamed for Brok’s demise thanks to bringing Odin to their doorstep (even though they were all fooled) added more to the heartbreak. It was rough seeing Brok die seeing as I enjoyed hearing his complaints, jokes, and him being himself overall. RIP the Azure Vulgarian.

Girls: I can't believe he didn't cry during the titanic. Do men even have feelings? Men:

Another thing i noticed, Sindri has lost his direction after he lost Brok, just like Brok.

There are two kinds of pain in this world, the one that hurts and the one that changes you...

Just my thoughts, considering the first games. Kratos was practically alone for his journey, facing the gods and fates. His conquest of revenge was in solitude and filled with constant betrayal by those who wanted to ally themselves with him. So, playing these two new games where we see kratos actually getting people that genuinely care and support him and to see it taken away in an instant, well it hurt and now seeing sindri act the way he does hurts even more.

First Kratos, and now Sindri? Sage's Rain knocking out of the park! Small request, would you consider to cover one of my personal favorite parts of this game, that being Atreus' story?

11:07 This montage showing what Sindri did to them and while mentioning it hits hard