Marvel’s Cinematic Universe is filled with layered stories and complex characters, one of whom is Odin, the former king of Asgard.
While we’ve seen Thanos’ relentless pursuit to collect the Infinity Stones, not many know that Odin, Thor’s father, once embarked on a similar quest long before the Mad Titan.
Odin’s Earlier Reign and the Quest for Power
During Odin’s early rule, depicted in “Thor: Ragnarok,” we discover a different side to the wise king we thought we knew.
Alongside his daughter Hela, Odin used to conquer the Nine Realms.
This era, marked by conquest and the pursuit of power, is subtly hinted at in Thor: Ragnarok.
The real extent of Odin’s power likely came from the Infinity Stones, which could explain the ease and extent of his dominion.
This suggestion comes from Hela’s reaction to the Infinity Gauntlet in Odin’s vault, implying a deeper familiarity with the true Stones.
The stones on the Gauntlet are not the formidable Infinity Stones we all know, they’re just some shiny jewels.
Therefore, when Hela calls the Gauntlet fake, it’s just partly true.
The Gauntlet is evidence that Odin had once collected the Infinity Stones before Thanos did.
In the Guardians of the Galaxy 1, there is a scene when the Collector shows how the Power Stone was used in the past by Eson the Searcher.
This suggests each stone may have been used by each Celestial, and Odin possibly acquired these stones from these formidable beings, except the Reality Stone, which is buried in a distant world and later found by Jane.
What Odin Did to the Infinity Stones
Odin’s initial use of the Infinity Stones was not merely for conquest.
After realizing the destruction and moral decay his actions wrought, Odin decided to end his and Hela’s reign of terror.
However, Hela wasn’t in the same boat as Odin, so he imprisoned her, fearing her ambition, and scattered the Infinity Stones across the universe to prevent further misuse.
Each Stone’s hiding place was carefully chosen to both conceal and protect it from potential threats.
The Soul Stone, for example, was placed on Vormir, a location requiring a sacrifice of love for its acquisition, by Odin.
Odin recognized the stone’s immense power and potential for abuse, prompting him to devise a condition that only the most resolute and self-aware individuals could meet.
The heartbreaking scene where Thanos sacrifices Gamora to obtain the Soul Stone might seem like a simple fulfillment of this condition, but it also hints at a deeper connection to Odin’s own protective magic.
The subsequent appearance of colorful beacons right behind Thanos (in a brief moment of 1:37 of the video below) resembling the Bifrost suggests Odin’s direct influence in creating a portal-like safeguard, tying Asgard’s mystical technology to the stone’s security measures.
Another poignant use of the stones was in Asgard itself—Odin supposedly used the Soul Stone to grant Heimdall his extraordinary ability to see every soul across the realms, you can see the same orange in Heimdall’s eyes and the Soul Stone.
Odin may have used the power of the Mind Stone for his own purpose, if you notice the energy beam coming out of Odin’s staff (2:08 of the first video), you will know it’s the same one on Vision’s head, or from the Destroyer.
Last Words
The revelation of Odin as the mastermind behind these cosmic safeguards reshapes our understanding of the MCU’s narrative, highlighting his significant yet understated impact on the events that unfold in Infinity War and Endgame.
As we delve deeper into Odin’s history with the Infinity Stones, we gain a richer appreciation for his role in shaping the pivotal events of the MCU.
So, what do you think about this hidden chapter in Odin’s legacy?
Was the old king right to scatter the stones, or did this decision inevitably lead to Thanos’ cataclysmic quest?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!