The explosive moment that fans have been anticipating in Season 2 of Loki has finally arrived. Since the season began, the temporal loom has been unstable due to the events of the Season 1 finale, leading to discussions about the potential demise of everyone in the Time Variance Authority. While the latter is yet to be confirmed, this week's episode of Loki saw the loom become completely overloaded, resulting in a massive explosion.
The events leading up to this moment have been unfolding over the past three episodes of the season. The story has been progressing slowly as Loki and his newly formed team have been tirelessly working towards finding a solution. With the demise of He Who Remains at the hands of Sylvie, an imminent threat to the TVA has become inevitable. Fans had hoped that Victor Timely could assist in saving the TVA and the multiple timelines. However, there may be larger plans in motion for the future of not only the TVA but also the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, with many fans speculating that it has just been reset.
The conclusion of Season 2 in Loki's fourth episode leaves viewers on the edge with a jaw-dropping moment. All hopes of rescuing the heart of the TVA are shattered as Timely, who is revealed to be a variant of He Who Remains, is completely destroyed by the radiation emitted from the loom. In the final scene, the loom collapses upon itself, emanating an intensely luminous light that seemingly consumes everything in its path. The fate of the mischievous God of Mischief and his ragtag team remains uncertain: either they fell victim to this cataclysmic event, or they possess some magical means of survival.
Prior to the imminent end of time, there have been numerous moments in the episode that have sparked theories among fans. It is widely believed that the most recent episode of Loki deliberately reset the timeline in the Multiverse, possibly paving the way for a new storyline in future phases. Initially, Kang the Conqueror was being set up as the primary antagonist for upcoming phases in the MCU. However, due to the controversy surrounding Jonathan Majors and his assault accusation, uncertainty looms over the actor's future in the MCU. The latest episode of Loki has left many fans questioning whether the studio has chosen to take a different direction altogether.
In the second season's fourth episode of Loki, Ravonna Renslayer and Miss Minutes emerge as potential villains. The episode begins with Miss Minutes revealing that Renslayer was an integral part of He Who Remains' grand plans, although he instructed Miss Minutes to erase all of Renslayer's memories. Throughout the years, Renslayer continues to carry out He Who Remains' "dirty work," but it appears that he desired sole control over the Time Variance Authority (TVA). Following this revelation, Renslayer comes to the realization that she herself was the one who "commanded the army," perhaps indicating that she no longer requires the presence of He Who Remains or Timely by her side.
This particular scene strongly implies that Renslayer may emerge as the primary antagonist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, surpassing Kang. Together with Minutes, they devise a compelling plan to join forces and reclaim control over the TVA. Minutes continues to exhibit her disruptive behavior, serving as a reminder to fans that she remains the most unpredictable character in the series. The purpose of this episode is to highlight the growth and development of both Renslayer and Minutes as characters. It is evident that Marvel Studios excels at crafting narratives, although occasionally falling short of expectations.
It is unfortunate that Renslayer and Minutes' magnificent plan is short-lived, and the speculation among fans about Renslayer becoming the major antagonist of the MCU comes to an abrupt end. Following O.B.'s reboot of the TVA's systems, Loki and Sylvie gain the ability to utilize their powers within the TVA. Sylvie uses her magic to enchant X-5 and eliminate Renslayer. Meanwhile, Minutes ceases to function, once again reminding fans that she was merely an artificial intelligence and not a formidable villain.
In Episode 2, the fans are provided with a different perspective of the incidents that occurred. While traveling through time, Loki witnesses various visions, including one where he sees Sylvie in the TVA. This scene is repeated later in the episode, but the current Loki prunes his future self and assures Sylvie that everything will become clear. This creates an evident time loop where Loki is protecting his past self. Although the episode concludes without providing clarity, it is possible that the next two episodes will address the questions regarding Loki's visions and provide answers to fans.
With Renslayer and Minutes no longer in the picture, attention is once again focused on Timely. However, his death due to radiation raises the question of whether it has ended the time loop that Minutes had created to make Timely the next He Who Remains. Furthermore, if the loom has collapsed, it could signify the termination of all branched timelines and the extinction of all He Who Remains variants as seen in the end-credits scene of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Does this mean that Kang is no longer a part of the MCU? And if so, does it imply that all the characters in the MCU have been eradicated?
While some may argue that resetting the entire Multiverse within a TV series seems unlikely, it's important to note that the concept of the Multiverse was first introduced in Season 1 of Loki, and Kang was also introduced in the season finale. This highlights Loki's significant role in the ongoing MCU storyline. Therefore, it's not unreasonable to consider the possibility of Loki being responsible for resetting the Multiverse it initially introduced to MCU fans.
The latest episode has a much faster pacing compared to the third episode, pushing the storyline forward in leaps. Previously, fans had only heard about the imminent threat, but this week's episode turned it into a reality, potentially affecting all MCU timelines. However, it's worth mentioning that this remains speculative as the episode itself does not confirm this aspect. O.B. repeatedly warns his team about the potential consequences of the collapse, but he never addresses the impact on the larger universe.
It remains uncertain where the Sacred Timeline will go from here. Nevertheless, the explosive episode of Loki has definitely sparked discussions among fans, who eagerly await the next episode to find answers to their questions.
Loki is streaming on Disney Plus.
Loki
The fourth episode of Season 2 of Loki offers further character development for Ravonna Renslayer and Miss Minutes, and ends with a massive cliffhanger.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I am thrilled with the recent developments in the Loki series. The fourth episode of season 2 delivered a game-changing climax that has left me eagerly anticipating the next installment. The explosion that occurred as a result of the overloaded temporal loom has set the stage for a monumental shift in the MCU, and I can't wait to see how it all unfolds.
The revelation that Victor Timely is a variant of He Who Remains adds an intriguing layer to the story and raises questions about the future of the TVA and the multiverse. I am particularly interested in seeing how the events of this episode will impact the upcoming phases of the MCU, especially in light of the controversy surrounding Jonathan Majors and his assault accusation. Will Kang the Conqueror still be the primary antagonist, or will the studio take a different direction?
Overall, I am very excited about the future of the Loki series and the MCU as a whole. The writers have done an excellent job of crafting a compelling narrative that keeps me invested and engaged. I can't wait to see what happens next!
