Jul i Valhal (Christmas in Valhalla) is a Danish Julekalender that first aired in 2005. It is inspired by Norse Mythology, though it takes some liberties.
It is about two kids stumbling upon the cave in which Loki was chained and setting him free, accidentially starting Ragnarok. When they realize what they've started, they go to Valhal and try to prevent it from happening.
Jul i Valhal Provides Examples of:
- Arbitrary Skepticism: Every once in a while, Jonas or Sofie will express doubt about something related to the myths, even though they've clearly seen proof of their existence.
- Jonas, who has at this point seen Loki's magic work, mocks Sofie for believing the myths about Ragnarok.
- While looking for Fenrir, Sofie refuses to believe her grandmother's dog could be hundreds of years old, despite having been to Asgard, Hel and Jotunheim and seen many impossible things at this point.
- Camp Gay / Camp Straight: Heimdall is simply camp, with no actual mention of his sexuality either way. He's played by a gay actor.
- Disneyfication: The Norse gods are not nearly such big jerkasses as in the myths and the Fenris wolf is Ragnhild's dog and pretty gentle.
- Distinction Without a Difference: In the song "Loki's Rhapsody": "I'm not bitter nor angry, I just really want to hurt everyone".
- Easily Forgiven: Despite Thor stating early on that he'd crush in the skulls of anyone who let Loki free, once Jonas and Sofie actually tell the gods about what they did, the gods are very understanding.
- Fiery Redhead: Thor has red hair and a temper to boot - as is usually the case in modern Scandinavian depictions of him.
- Flirty Stepsiblings: Sofie and Jonas, although they actually become step siblings at the end of the series, and from that point, they seem much more platonic. However, it's strongly hinted from an early point in the series that Jonas' father and Sofie's mother will end up with each other, so the trope is still in play to some degree, but should be called "Flirty soon-to-be stepsiblings".
- Horrible Judge of Character: While Sofie never really trusts Loki and is quick to question his statemnts, Jonas trusts him easily and even believes him when he says he'll stick around after Jonas frees him.
- Manipulative Bastard: Loki, who easily manipulates Sofie and Jonas into removing his chains.
- Opposites Attract: The old-fashioned forest guard Asbjørn and the aggressively modern business woman Tove are set up to become involved from the very beginning. There's even a song about it:Asbjørn: "Rural comfort. Look! A big and beautiful deer, standing there!"Tove: "I think I'm wasting my time; life is short, far too short for a deer."
- Sadly Mythtaken: Aside from the general characterisation of the gods being Disneyfied and often wildly inaccurate (with Heimdall and Idunn in particular taking several levels in dumbass), Loki also refers to himself as "one of Odin's proud sons" early on. While the idea of Loki as an adopted son of Loki is not solely the realm of Marvel, but can be found in an early translation of Lokasenna as well, the actual sources provides no reason this should be the case. In the same poem, Loki refers to having mixed blood with Odin long ago, and so Loki's status as part of the Aesir family is based on a brotherly relation with Odin rather than a parent-child one.
- Workaholic: Tove's first priority is her work and she has been moving all around the world for years for it.
