Though one of the worst Rotten Tomatoes scores in the MCU, the mixed criticism does not take away Thor's moving storyline about acceptance, forgiveness, and self-discovery. In some sense, these Thor movies have their Shakespearean influence, in which important and, at times, tragic events impact a character arc, which is referenced again - whether the fourth Thor film will be the last or not.
Although Thor bears the primary focus of these callbacks, plenty of other characters also get their dues. From old friends returning to mourning the loss of those who have ed, Thor: Love and Thunder explores the characters in a more emotional light. Even with the barrage of jokes, Taika Waititi does attempt to maintain the emotional core set up in Thor: Ragnarok.
Jane and Thor's Old Friends
The movie's beginning shows Jane and Thor reuniting with some old friends on-screen. After being away on Age of Ultron.
On Thor's side, he not only catches up with Valkyrie but also Lady Sif. Although Valkyrie has the screentime, Lady Sif's warning about Gorr sets off the whole movie. The old friends are there to showcase that both Jane and Thor are not as alone as they think they are.
Valhalla
The theme of death is present throughout the entire movie, starting with Gorr burying his daughter. The Necrosword only exists to keep him alive for the sinister goal of killing all the gods. Rapu, his former patron god, even tells him that there is no afterlife.
In contrast, Jane is also cursed by the very hammer that makes her feel alive. In truth, the magic of the hammer actually makes her condition worse, but her bravery against Gorr earned her a spot in Valhalla. Valkyrie and Thor reference Valhalla constantly, and it's clear both are ready to die in glorious battle. Seeing as both still grieve all of the losses they've sustained over the centuries, it's not hard to sympathize.
New Asgard
After only a brief visit and a hidden easter egg during Avengers: Endgame, Thor finally revisits New Asgard. It has gone from a simple fishing town to a highly successful tourist destination. The people all flourish, and New Asgard remains proud of its history, but thankfully, not restrained by it like Thor and Valkryie are.
New Asgard represents what both Thor and Valkyrie secretly need. Asgard itself was destroyed, but its people remain. Despite all of the tragedy, they managed to recover and become a prosperous town. By the end, both Thor and Valkyrie have embraced their past, not as a source of pain but as a source of strength - much like New Asgard does with its own history.
Heimdall's Legacy
This is the first Thor movie wherein Heimdall is not a major character. After all, it's hard to be a major character if they're dead. Still, his legacy lives on through his newly revealed son, Astrid, or as he prefers to be called, Axl.
Heimdall's son serves much the same duties as his father did, as a way for Thor to see where the dangers lie. Axl rallies to comfort the children that he's been kidnapped and is the de-facto leader in the absence of an adult, like how Heimdall was the same with the Asgardians during their escape from Hela.
Gamora's Death
At the beginning of the movie, Peter Quill comforts Thor through his depression. With this universe's Gamora gone, and the other Gamora seemingly having left without even a goodbye, Peter is left to pick up the pieces. Still, with the Guardians, he finds strength, and that advice is what he gives to Thor.
Gamora's death and the absence of her alternate sows the seeds for what Peter's goals are likely to be for the major Love and Thunder question about her whereabouts and the guardians' next venture.
Jane and Thor's Relationship
Jane and Thor have been away from each other for over eight years. The movie does a callback to the happy times they spent together in previous movies. New scenes are added, however, that give further context to their eventual breakup. As with many breakups, the reasons were surprisingly simple, Asgardian Avenger stuff aside.
Both of them were simply too busy to spend time with each other. Each ing day just seemed like a façade for the both of them, and they remained insensitive to the stress they caused each other. It's only when they have to face their potential demise that both Thor and Jane appreciate what they've lost.
All The Loved Ones Thor Has Lost
The movie's intro has Korg basically go down a list of all the friends and family Thor has lost throughout the franchise. In fact, a major theme of the movie is Thor - despite losing weight and having a "purpose" with the guardians - looking for the "love" that only the people he has lost could give him.
Even when he finally meets Jane again after their breakup, it's a short and bittersweet reunion. Jane is only able to move around thanks to Mjolnir's power, but using it also drains her strength. Still, Thor's decision to spend his last moments with Jane, instead of fruitlessly stopping Gorr, is what ultimately saves the universe.
The Shattered Mjolnir
The shattered Mjolnir is the personification of Thor's character arc. Hela didn't just destroy Mjolnir, he also destroyed what Thor believes himself to be. Years later, Thor has seemingly moved on and used Stormbreaker to great effect. That is until Jane, with a restored Mjolnir, meets him once more.
Although the "weapon love triangle" gets comical, it perfectly represents his character arc. His "new self" (Stormbreaker) struggles to reconcile with his "old self" (Mjolnir). But like Mjolnir itself, Thor finally "reforms" after his final meeting with Jane. Though both he and the hammer hold scars, they are also strengthened by them, as evidenced by Mjolnir's unique new abilities.
