This article contains spoilers for Episode 2 of Season 2 of Loki.
In another mischievous episode, Loki showcases his powers in a new light, satisfying fans. The second episode of Season 2 focuses on Loki and Mobius' mission to find Sylvie, who is located in Broxton in 1982. However, the most captivating moment of the episode is when Tom Hiddleston's character briefly reveals his villainous instincts, seen through the twinkle in his eyes.
Marvel Studios has put in tremendous effort to completely transform Loki's character. The remarkable character development in Season 1 is still a hot topic among fans. Loki, who was previously portrayed as a villain, now finds himself assisting the Time Variance Authority, behaving more like a typical hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, some fans felt that Tom Hiddleston's portrayal of Loki had lost its spark. Fortunately, this week's episode manages to reignite that spark, if only for a short period, as the God of Mischief briefly returns to his mischievous ways.
The episode starts with Loki and Mobius in the 1970s on Earth, attempting to locate X-5, also known as Brad Wolfe, a renowned Hollywood actor. As X-5 attempts to flee, Loki employs his powers to thwart him. What begins with a striking green orb quickly progresses to Loki skillfully using manipulation to immobilize X-5. To restrict his movements, Loki's own shadow takes on the appearance of his iconic suit from previous MCU films, a sight that is deeply familiar to fans.
This scene serves as a potent reminder of the persona he once embodied and the ease with which he can regress into his former self. While he remains aligned with the TVA, Loki seems unfazed by employing a touch of magic to achieve his desired outcome. This not only adds an electrifying dimension to his character but also resurrects the captivating charisma that Hiddleston infused into the role. We witness this very essence when Loki and Mobius successfully apprehend X-5 and bring him back to the TVA.
When imprisoned in a cell and questioned by the duo and Hunter B-15, X-5 successfully irritates Loki and forces him to confront the "terrible, awful things" he has committed throughout the years. While it's uncertain if Loki's subsequent actions are genuine or an attempt to coax X-5 into admitting guilt, his immediate return to his notorious behavior and his description of his newly restrained demeanor as "holding something back" will undoubtedly thrill fans of Loki. The way he ominously looms over X-5 and exudes a menacing presence is reminiscent of how the variant of Loki in the MCU used to conduct himself.
The trend continues later in the episode when Loki acquires a torture device and employs it on X-5 to obtain the information regarding Sylvie’s whereabouts. This scene serves as a reminder to fans that Loki still possesses his mischievous nature and is not merely a conventional hero on the Sacred Timeline. While the series has made efforts to convince fans of his transformation, it is almost necessary to demonstrate that Loki can revert to his old ways and reclaim his former title if required. Although he has changed from the individual who previously caused chaos in the MCU, his instincts remain intact.
However, this week’s episode does not entirely discard Loki’s character development. When Mobius loses his composure during a conversation with X-5, it is Loki who intervenes and attempts to console him by recounting a regrettable situation he faced. The story involves his invasion of New York City which was depicted in The Avengers, where he attempted to employ the Mind Stone on Tony Stark but failed, leading him to impulsively throw him off the building. Loki acknowledges his loss of control and admits that emotions can sometimes overpower us. This highlights the internal struggle Loki confronts as he endeavors to abandon his former villainous self and truly embrace heroism. The fact that he is striving to protect the entire multiverse speaks volumes.
The Sylvie-Loki reunion is another captivating aspect of the episode. What sets it apart is the show's refreshing approach of not immediately delving into their romantic storyline, but rather continuing to develop the overarching plot. As Season 1 concluded, the rift between the two characters appears to have significantly grown. Despite both being Loki variants, they possess distinct identities that stand on their own. However, when X-5 discloses General Dox's intentions to eradicate the diverging timelines, Sylvie promptly joins forces, both figuratively and literally, with Loki to thwart her plans. Dox exudes an eerily similar malevolence akin to Thanos as she eradicates numerous branches, ultimately resulting in the loss of billions of lives.
It is crucial to acknowledge the camaraderie forged between Loki and Mobius. The once malevolent adversary, responsible for subjecting an entire city to the clutches of extraterrestrial entities, has now formed an unlikely bond with a human. Their partnership as crime-fighting compatriots continues to captivate audiences since the show's inception, and their witty exchanges never fail to amuse fans.
The final scene of the episode fails to deliver the intended emotional impact. Despite witnessing the erased timelines and cosmic failure, the TVA employees, who have been involved in the organization's atrocities for eternity, suddenly find themselves affected. This newfound empathy stems from their realization that they are all variants and had lives prior to joining the TVA. Are these wiped lives only valuable now?
As Episode 2 unfolds, Loki accelerates its storyline, fully immersing itself in its captivating narrative. With only four episodes left in the season, the series maintains its pace and focuses on the larger goal of saving the multiverse. However, the episode still finds moments to slow down and delve into the character development and progression. This delicate balance allows for both the exploration of the main timeline and the necessary attention to the branching storylines. The TVA might benefit from taking cues from Loki's writers on how to handle their own predicament.
Loki is now streaming on Disney Plus.
Loki
The second episode of Loki's Season 2 offers a glimpse of the God of Mischief and the way he used to be prior to becoming the variant that he is now.
