Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Season 2 Episode 3 of Loki.
This week's episode of Loki is packed with excitement. With its moments of suspense, mystery, thrill, and even some humor, the 48-minute episode delivers it all. Taking us to 1800s Chicago, this episode introduces long-awaited characters like a variant of He Who Remains, Ravonna Renslayer, and Miss Minutes. Though the pace may be slower compared to last week's episode, it serves as a midpoint in Season 2, setting the stage for intense developments in the near future.
In the Season 1 finale of Loki, fans will recall He Who Remains’ monologue where he made a promise. He stated that if Sylvie were to kill him, he would instantly return to his position of power. This week's episode of Loki fulfills that promise, as it appears that He Who Remains instructed Miss Minutes to initiate a loop and provide the official Time Variance Authority guidebook to a past version of himself. As time progresses, this variant has already constructed a version of the temporal loom. Essentially, the events unfolding in this week’s episode of Loki are responsible for the ongoing endeavors of the TVA that have spanned countless ages.
The relationships between the characters have played a significant role in Loki. The dynamics between Loki and Mobius, Loki and Sylvie, and now Renslayer and Minutes contribute greatly to the evolving storyline. Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Tara Strong deliver outstanding performances in this episode. While the series has showcased the excellent chemistry between Loki and Mobius, the focal point of this week's episode lies in the interaction between Renslayer and the ominous Minutes. Both characters possess strong leadership qualities, and it is easy for fans to overlook the fact that Minutes is merely an AI created by He Who Remains.
The moment the two characters step onto the screen, their chemistry becomes captivating. Despite occasional disagreements, both Renslayer and Minutes possess remarkable acumen and maintain a steadfast focus on the broader perspective, well, most of the time. In Season 1, fans lauded Minutes for the character's compelling design and animation. The decision to transition Minutes into a black and white appearance in this week's episode is truly ingenious and serves as a clever way for the creators to retain the visual element with timely relevance, pun intended.
Focusing on the narrative, this episode advances at a slightly slower tempo. A significant amount of time is dedicated to introducing He Who Remains’ variant, Victor Timely, and his creation of the temporal loom. It was invigorating to witness a touch of humor injected into the otherwise grave situation, as well as the chance for Jonathan Majors to demonstrate his comedic prowess. Even the pursuit scene, where Loki and Mobius search for Timely and Renslayer, is enveloped in a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of the 1800s, accompanied by a whimsical musical score and nimble camera movements.
The sets in the show are incredibly detailed, with meticulous attention given to the visual effects to accurately recreate the 1800s. Particularly, the scene at the Ferris Wheel stands out as it is engaging, thrilling, and would keep fans on the edge of their seats. The ride itself perfectly captures the essence of that era, while the situation depicted in the scene is highly captivating. It serves as a callback to the finale of Loki Season 1, where Loki and Sylvie confront He Who Remains face-to-face. This time, they find themselves once again in opposition, battling it out in a passenger car, with Timely looking petrified in the background.
Furthermore, this week's episode provides Sophia Di Martino with more opportunities to showcase the inner conflict that Sylvie grapples with on a daily basis. One memorable scene is when she is faced with the choice to kill Timely. Throughout the episode, Sylvie carries a machete and harbors a strong desire to eliminate this variant of He Who Remains. However, when the opportunity presents itself, she hesitates, and Martino's performance in that moment is truly noteworthy. Her expressions effectively convey Sylvie's internal struggle, highlighting the difficulty of deciding whether to let Timely go.
Martino shines as Sylvie, but unfortunately, Majors falls short in his portrayal of Timely compared to his mesmerizing performance as He Who Remains. Fans naturally compare Majors' acting for both characters, and there seems to be something missing in Timely's delivery. This discrepancy becomes even more apparent when comparing Majors to the rest of the cast, particularly Strong's exceptional portrayal of Minutes. Despite providing only her voice, Strong effectively expresses emotions and captures the unsettling nature of Minutes' character. Her monologue, where she reveals her deep feelings for her creator, evokes both compassion and fear. Such character development is deserving of praise.
The episode concludes with a gripping cliffhanger, leaving fans eager for what's to come next week. Sylvie forcefully sends Renslayer to the "End of Time" through a Time Door. Minutes later, he warns Sylvie that it was unwise for Loki to antagonize someone who possesses knowledge of all his secrets. Furthermore, he hints at a significant secret about Sylvie that could invoke her anger if revealed. Fans have already taken to social media to speculate whether this secret could have major implications within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ultimately, only time will reveal the validity of these theories. As the second half of the season approaches, Loki continues its momentum, keeping viewers captivated. It will be intriguing to witness the progression of events and how Timely responds within the TVA. Don't miss Loki, now streaming on Disney Plus.
Loki
Season 2's third episode is a roller coaster ride of emotions and strategies.
