Loki Drops Hints for Season 2's Comprehensive Overhaul in Episode 1

Article Overview

With the TVA's magic-neutralizing systems no longer in effect, Loki now possesses the opportunity to utilize an Infinity Stone from the TVA's archives in order to restore the TVA and the Time Loom.

In the event that such a feat is achievable, Loki could further employ a Time Stone to journey back in time and prevent Sylvie from assassinating He Who Remains.

According to Marvel Comics lore, the Infinity Stones are said to only function within their respective universes. However, Avengers: Endgame showcased these stones being used in a different timeline.

In seasons 1 and 2 of Loki, there were subtle hints about the restoration of the TVA and the MCU multiverse following the explosion of the Time Loom. As the Multiverse Saga progresses, Tom Hiddleston's Loki becomes increasingly pivotal to the entire franchise. Not only does the God of Mischief lead the TVA in their mission to restore order to every existing timeline, but he also faces his own challenges, including time-slipping and trying to convince Jonathan Majors' Victor Timely to cooperate despite Sylvie's threats. With the impending finale of Loki season 2, however, a new obstacle arises with the explosion of the Time Loom.

Contrary to Loki and his allies' expectations, the conclusion of episode 4 of Loki season 2 presented a disastrous outcome for both Loki and the TVA. The demise of Victor Timely and the destruction of the Time Loom resulted in temporal radiation flooding the TVA, which may reset Loki's progress or potentially regress it even further. However, there is a glimmer of hope as Loki may still retain all the valuable knowledge acquired throughout seasons 1 and 2. Specifically, two crucial pieces of information from these seasons could hold the key to restoring order.

Loki Season 2 Episode 1 Explained How Loki Could Stop The Time Loom Explosion

In Loki season 1 episode 1, it was revealed that the Infinity Stones hold no value at the TVA. Casey informed Loki that the TVA uses them as mere paperweights, showcasing their insignificance. The TVA dismisses the stones due to their lack of power compared to the wide range of time-related weapons they possess, as well as the prohibition of magic within the TVA. However, now that Loki has proven himself as a hero, the TVA urgently requires assistance. The flow of time has started to impact the TVA directly, making one of the archived Time Stones potentially Loki's best asset in restoring the TVA and perhaps the Time Loom.

The MCU's Time Stone, introduced in Doctor Strange, grants the user the ability to manipulate time, altering anything from a single object to an entire alternate dimension. If Loki can obtain a functioning Time Stone, provided he still has access to them at the TVA, he could focus on the Time Loom and return it to its original state, reinstating every organized timeline. Alternatively, Loki could use the Time Stone to travel back in time and prevent Sylvie from killing He Who Remains at the Citadel at the End of Time. Although Wong previously warned about mishandling the Time Stone and its potential to harm reality, it is plausible that Time Stones have fewer adverse effects outside the regular time-space continuum.

Why Loki Might Be Able To Use The Infinity Stones Now

Using a Time Stone at the TVA poses a problem due to their automatic magic-nullifying system. This prevented both Loki and Sylvie from using their sorcery against the capturing TVA agents. However, during the chaos in the TVA in Loki season 2 episode 4, Miss Minutes' deactivation disabled the defenses against magic. Although time was limited before the Time Loom's explosion, Loki and Sylvie regained access to their magic. This opens up the possibility of using Loki's magic and the TVA's Infinity Stones to resolve the situation.

However, it remains uncertain if the Infinity Stones will work outside their original universe. In Marvel Comics, these stones typically lose their power outside their designated reality. Despite the temporary absence of the TVA's magic defenses, the Infinity Stones might prove useless. Nevertheless, in the MCU, Avengers: Endgame demonstrated the successful use of a different set of Infinity Stones from an alternate timeline. The Avengers borrowed and utilized all six stones in their present timeline without any adverse effects when returning them to their original universe.

If Loki manages to obtain a complete set of Infinity Stones and exploits the deactivated systems of the TVA, he would possess an additional weapon in addition to his yet-to-be-harnessed time-slipping abilities, his extensive knowledge about He Who Remains and the TVA, one of the TemPads he could retrieve from his allies, and his own magical powers. Irrespective of how the God of Mischief successfully restores the TVA and the Sacred Timeline, maintaining the readiness of the TVA's magic-neutralizing systems to be shut down in case of emergencies in a potential third season of Loki could potentially prevent similar catastrophes in the future. New episodes of Loki are released every Thursday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Loki, I am thrilled about the hints dropped in Season 2 Episode 1 regarding the comprehensive overhaul of the series. The introduction of the Infinity Stones as a potential key to averting the Time Loom catastrophe adds an exciting new element to the storyline. The idea that Loki could harness the power of the stones to restore the TVA and prevent Sylvie from assassinating He Who Remains is intriguing and opens up a realm of possibilities for the future of the show.

The exploration of the Infinity Stones' capabilities beyond their respective universes, as hinted at in Avengers: Endgame, adds depth to the mythology of the MCU. It raises questions about the limitations and potential of these powerful artifacts and how they might impact the multiverse. The implications for the Multiverse Saga are significant, as Loki's role in restoring order to the timelines becomes even more crucial.