@Robert – All will be revealed in time. Especially when they finally confront the villain. I thought about doing a (very wordy) “what’s going on” episode but decided to keep with my original strategy of letting the pieces of the puzzle slowly trickle out to the reader (otherwise, I risk possibly spoiling the ending).

Things to note so far:

Hod has destroyed everyone in Hel’s realm and is attempting to kill off all the Valkyries. In some folk tales and legends, one of Val-halla’s “heavenly” qualities for warriors is that they can fight and kill each other off (as the Einherjar prepare for Ragnarok) and the Valkyries will raise them again each morning.

Hod’s forces in Hel’s realm are constructing something and they have big plans for Balder.

As we just found out, Arazel was ripped through time to give them the magical power they need to get through the shielding around Hod’s citadel (which they’ve apparently tried and failed before).

Signs of Ragnarok: Loki breaking free of his chains and leading the giants into battle against the gods. He was chained up after “tricking” Hod into killing Balder, which he was apparently framed for in our storyline. Another sign of the start of Ragnarok is Fenrir breaking free of his bonds. Also, there is Jormungandr rising from the depths and poisoning the sky. Note that earlier, Hod had his staff keeping a close eye on Loki and Fenrir, so his plan obviously has something to do with Ragnarok.