Hogun The Grim - Blog Posts
The warriors 4 aren't friends
This is something that I addressed in my fanfic https://archiveofourown.org/works/62259737/chapters/159281697, but I decided to post this opinion here in hopes to make a small discussion. (This a ramble, so everything might be all over the place. Sorry.)
I don't think the warriors 4 are actual friends. (I'm only talking about the MCU versions.)
First of all, their personalities might clash. Hogun, the quiet one. Fandral the ladies man, Volstagg who eats, and Sif... is a girl? Sif is smart(?). Has black hair? Obviously, that's not their only defining traits, but it's their most memorable ones because that's how they are portrayed. I understand that a lot of friend groups are like this, but when I look at the warriors 4 I don't see that same charm of "Oh, they enjoy each other's company and get along really well". If anything, they can barely stand each other, especially when tension is high. Now I know that's a tough claim to make considering I came to that conclusion based on this deleted scene, but it would make their dynamic more interesting.
I believe/theorise that the only reason they are friends is because of Thor, and their dislike for Loki. If you take Loki out of the equation they won't really have anything else to stand on friendship wise even with the warrior thing. Being Thor's friends I'd assume they are all from high ranking families, so were kinda pushed to be together anyways. Hogun for more diplomatic reasons, and going with the Frigga being a Vanaheim war bride theory, might also have something to do with her or is connected to her. Not sure about Volstagg, Sif or Fandral, and I don't care about them as much. So much is poured into these three by the fandom that I can't be asked to think of anything.
Despite sources saying that Sif and Hogun both despise Loki the most (Hogun even more), I first interpreted them as arguably the most tolerant of Loki, Hogun especially. Hogun is the most respectful towards Loki even if his opinion of Loki is clear. Whereas Volstagg and Fandral pick and choose when they want to be allies. They have both defended Loki, but do not hesitate to go on the bandwagon of threatening him and such. Also, "Silvertongue turned to lead?" They're bullies. The fact that you can't tell whether or not they are going to be your enemy makes them more dangerous. In other words, they're both kinda fake.
In a deleted scene Loki, Hogun and Sif are in a black haired trio. You'd think that Loki would be directly next to Thor and away from the other warriors, but instead there's a big distance between the brothers. Why is Loki standing directly next to two people who clearly hate him? Is Hogun Thor's spy or something? Is that why he's so observant?
I grew up thinking Hogun was the smart one, but his friendship with Thor would sometimes blind him from his own intellect. When they end up in Jotunheim he's the one that says "We shouldn't be here." to the others. Loki was the one who made sure they would be rescued should something go wrong, so they're the only ones with a brain cell it seems. It kinda makes me wonder why Hogun hangs out with them besides the warrior thing. He isn't so jolly, or loud, or spunky, or hungry, or even too eager (blood thirsty/prideful). He's observant and is dragged along for the ride, kinda like a certain someone. I think this is the MCU's fault when it came to writing his character, but he's kind of just there.
Another insight on Hogun, I believe he's only expressive with Thor. Everyone sees Hogun as this figure that embodies silence and restraint, and maybe even lacking emotion, but I can picture Thor not having that same view on him.
LOOK AT HIM! He's avoiding eye contact! He's all shy!
(I'm going to be real with you guys, the main reason I care this much about Hogun is because he's played by Tadanobu Asano. That's Kakihara.)