Warning: This article contains spoilers for episode 5 of Loki season 2, titled "Science/Fiction." Marvel Studios has given Tom Hiddleston's character, the God of Mischief, a significant power upgrade during Loki season 2. This upgrade has the potential to reshape the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and make a controversial plan even more plausible. Loki, the Disney+ series, has showcased a massive transformation for Hiddleston's character, turning him from a villain to a prominent and powerful hero in Phase 5 of the MCU. In episode 5 of Loki season 2, titled "Science/Fiction," the God of Mischief receives an upgrade that allows Marvel Studios to revisit previous storylines and characters in the MCU effortlessly. In the season 1 finale, Sylvie, played by Sophia Di Martino, kills He Who Remains, the initial variant of Kang the Conqueror portrayed by Jonathan Majors, and causes the multiverse to unravel by disrupting the Sacred Timeline. This event leads to the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. However, in season 2 of Loki, the protagonist and his allies in the Time Variance Authority face new challenges that threaten reality. As Loki learns how to overcome these challenges, he unlocks a remarkable new power that could potentially bring recent MCU theories to fruition.
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Loki Controlled His Time-Slipping Power In Loki Season 2
After the finale of Loki season 1, Hiddleston's God of Mischief was plagued by a condition known as "time-slipping," which forcefully transported him through different time periods. In the premiere of Loki season 2, titled "Ouroboros," Loki joined forces with Mobius (played by Owen Wilson) and the character known as Ouroboros (played by Ke Huy Quan), also known as OB, in an attempt to find a cure for his time-slipping. However, this condition resurfaced in episode 5 of Loki season 2 due to the explosion of the TVA's Temporal Loom. During this time-slipping ordeal, Loki encountered the original versions of his TVA allies, including A. D. Doug (played by Quan) and Sylvie, who helped him comprehend and gain control over his newfound ability. Utilizing his time-slipping powers, Loki was able to reverse the negative effects on his friends and subsequently traveled back to the TVA.
During the climactic finale of Loki season 2, episode 5, Loki skillfully employed his time-slipping abilities to undo the spaghettification of his comrades. He then harnessed this power to swiftly return to the TVA before the Temporal Loom's ruin. The remarkable feat of traveling through multiple branching timelines and diverse eras, such as the 1962 Alcatraz, 1994 Pasadena, 2012 New York, and 2022 Cleveland, suggests that there may be no boundaries to Loki's temporal exploits. This not only establishes him as a formidable new protagonist in the epic Multiverse Saga, but also lends credibility to an increasingly popular MCU theory.
Loki Can Collect Past MCU Heroes From Throughout History For Avengers 6
As the MCU's Multiverse Saga progresses, there is speculation surrounding the potential return of past MCU heroes in Marvel Studios' upcoming crossover events, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. In Avengers: Secret Wars especially, it is anticipated that not only previous MCU heroes but also characters from non-MCU Marvel film franchises will make an appearance. With Loki's newly acquired ability to manipulate time, it presents a promising opportunity to incorporate these heroes into the current continuity of the MCU. By utilizing time-slipping, Loki could gather heroes from different eras, prior to their demise or retirement, including the iconic Iron Man, Black Widow, and Captain America played by Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff, and Steve Rogers, respectively.
Iron Man and Black Widow made sacrifices in Avengers: Endgame, while Captain America retired in the past. If Loki were to travel back in time or across different realities in MCU Phase 6, he could replicate the Avengers' previous adventure. Following the events of Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, the surviving Avengers undertook the Time Heist in Avengers: Endgame in 2019. This involved them journeying through MCU history to gather the six Infinity Stones and reverse the devastation caused by Thanos. In a similar fashion, Loki can embark on a mission to assemble prominent and powerful past superheroes to join the fight against Kang the Conqueror.
Why The Original MCU Avengers' Return Is Possible
Marvel Studios is considering the possibility of bringing back the original Avengers team, including Iron Man and Black Widow, for a new movie. While rumors have circulated about their potential return, a recent report by Variety suggests that Marvel may have plans beyond just cameo appearances. Although Marvel Studios has not yet made a firm decision, the idea of reuniting the original Avengers lineup for a future crossover project in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has generated controversy. This would involve reuniting Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Chris Evans with their Avengers family for an exciting new adventure. It is worth noting that bringing back these actors would come at a significant cost for the studio.
The authenticity of Variety's report has been challenged, including by Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige. However, it is highly likely that these characters could still make a comeback, especially considering the significant backlash Marvel Studios has received. Bringing back the original Avengers team has been suggested as a bold move that could potentially address the ongoing issues at Marvel Studios. Despite the controversy surrounding the report, Loki season 2 may have presented the perfect opportunity for these past heroes to return. This development could raise expectations for the line-up of Avengers: Secret Wars, making Loki season 2 arguably the most important project in the Multiverse Saga.
New episodes of Loki are released every Thursday at 6pm PT/9pm ET on Disney+.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am incredibly excited about the potential implications of Loki's newfound power surge. The ability to time-slip and gather past heroes from different eras opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for the MCU. I can't wait to see how Loki uses his new powers to shape the events of Phase 5 and beyond.
I also appreciate how Loki's character has evolved over the years. He started out as a villain, but he has gradually become a more complex and sympathetic figure. I think this transformation is a reflection of the changing attitudes of Gen Z towards superheroes. We are less interested in clear-cut good vs. evil stories, and we are more interested in characters who are flawed and relatable. Loki is a perfect example of this type of character, and I think he will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.