Thor Odinson is one of the longest-tenured Avengers in the Thor: Love and Thunder finally dropping on Disney+ in September, fans are looking back on Thor's long and eventful journey in the franchise.
Of all the Avengers' stories in the MCU, Thor's character arc has been one of the richest, with plenty of major moments that changed the god of thunder forever. Even so, several events in particular proved the most formative for Thor.
Being Cast Out
During the early scenes of the first Thor film, the eponymous god of thunder was a far cry from the hero that fans know and love today. Brash, arrogant, and lacking reverence for life, Thor nearly decimated an entire civilization in his rage, prompting his father Odin to strip him of his powers and cast him out of Asgard.
Though this initially seemed to be a great fall for the mighty Thor, the Norse god would soon learn how important this event was for him. He learned his lesson on Earth, finding love and respect among humanity. It was this event that inspired his heroic side as he learned what true power really looks like.
Meeting Jane Foster
During his time on Earth, Thor came into the companionship of Dr. Jane Foster and her friends. He would spend the next few days with them, which would come to alter the very course of his future as he came to fall in love with Jane.
Though their relationship would be a turbulent one, Jane was truly the love of Thor's life. There was far more to their bond than mere attraction, for they each aided the other in their growth. And, though Thor would eventually lose Jane forever, the lessons he learned by her side would never be forgotten.
Loki's Betrayal
He and Loki may have had their differences, but Thor always loved his adopted brother. This made his pain all the greater when it was revealed that Loki had betrayed Thor and Asgard. While it would appear that Loki died soon thereafter, fans know that the god of mischief would go on to be one of the MCU's greatest villains.
Loki's betrayal sobered Thor as he realized that he had lost the one person he had been closest with during his long life. He would spend years attempting to break through to Loki, never giving up on his brother. The two would reconnect years later, just in time for Loki to be killed at the hands of the Mad Titan Thanos.
ing the Avengers
In the years following his redemption, Thor would a group of mighty Earth-bound heroes to form the Avengers. Though he initially wanted no part in this superhero team, ing their ranks would prove to be one of the most important decisions of Thor's life.
Thor quickly came to love his fellow Avengers like family, leaning on them in the darkest days of his life. Over a decade after the team's conception, Thor is one of the few remaining of the original lineup and may still Avengers: The Kang Dynasty crossover film.
Frigga's Death
Though Thor found a new lease on life following his return to Asgard and the formation of the Avengers, he would fall in dire straits again when the Dark Elves attacked Asgard in Thor: The Dark World. During the attack, Frigga, the queen of Asgard and Thor's mother, was killed by the mutated elf Kurse.
This event was undoubtedly one of the worst things that ever happened to Thor, as he was forced to watch his mother die an early and violent death. Even Loki proved to be shaken by the event, leading the two brothers to unite once more against a common threat, bringing an end to Malekith and the Dark Elves.
Odin's Death
Thor's life changed forever at the onset of Ragnarok when he finally rediscovered his father Odin on Earth. During their ensuing conversation, Odin revealed that his firstborn, Hela, was returning before ing on to Valhalla, leaving Thor's plain of existence forever.
Though they had not always seen eye-to-eye, Thor had a great iration for his father, always striving to be like him. After Odin's death, it became Thor's responsibility to lead Asgard to safety, finally attaining the honor of kingship that he had so long feared to hold.
The Destruction Of Asgard
After confronting Hela, it became clear to Thor that he would not be able to defeat her. Taking the advice of his deceased father, Thor allowed for the vehement god Surtur to be released, destroying Asgard and Hela in one fiery battle.
The destruction of Asgard was a bold move for Thor, and the right one, but it led to a period of uncertainty for the surviving citizens of the once-golden city. Eventually, Thor and the Asgardians would founded the city of New Asgard on Earth, which would usher in the next era of their civilization, for better or for worse.
The Infinity War
Thor's life changed forever at the arrival of Thanos, who sought to attain all six Infinity Stones and wipe out half of all life in the universe. During his conquest, Thanos killed half of the remaining Asgardians, including Loki and Heimdall, then proceeded to slay fifty percent of the universe's population as Thor watched in defeat.
The Avengers made many mistakes in the fight against Thanos, but none greater than Thor's decision not to behead the Titan when he had the chance. The god of thunder would spend the next five years mourning his mistake and blaming himself for the Avengers' defeat. Falling into a horrible depression, Thor would only find solace in the reversal of the Decimation and final death of Thanos five years later.
Reuniting With Frigga
Even years after her death, Frigga haunted the mind of her son, who never truly got to say goodbye to his mother. He would achieve a level of closure long thereafter, however, when he was reunited with Frigga during the Time Heist of Avengers: Endgame.
Thor's final conversation with his mother did wonders for rejuvenating the hero that he had once been. Having long lost his way, Thor found his path once more in the wise words of Frigga, who encouraged him to be who he was, rather than who everyone else thought he ought to be.
Adopting Love
Thor: Love and Thunder may not be the best-received entry in the Thor franchise, but it still tells a remarkably heartfelt story about love, friendship, and family. After grappling with Gorr the God Butcher over the fate of the gods, Thor convinces his enemy to foster love and not hate. Gorr manages to resurrect his daughter, Love, using a wish from Eternity, leaving her in Thor's care as he finally dies.
In adopting Love, Thor finally found the calling that had so long eluded him. With Jane gone, Love became Thor's closest loved one, accompanying him throughout the galaxy on his mission to protect those incapable of protecting themselves. While there still may be many more stories to tell involving Thor in the MCU, his adopting Love may prove to be the most poignant to his long and engaging character arc.
