The Surprising Demise in Season 2 of 'Loki' That Will Shock You

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for Loki Season 2, Episode 4.

The Big Picture

In Loki Season 2, Episode 4, titled "Heart of the TVA," a significant plot twist occurs with the revelation that Renslayer, rather than He Who Remains, takes on the role of the main antagonist.

However, Renslayer's coup is short-lived as she quickly gets pruned from the timeline. Nevertheless, the upcoming episodes may shed light on the extent of her involvement and unravel her story further.

The destruction of the TVA does not necessarily spell the end, as the show has proven that death is often temporary in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The latest episode of Loki, titled "Heart of the TVA," was a game-changer in many ways. Despite their relentless efforts to prevent the Time Variance Authority's demise, Loki (played by Tom Hiddleston), Mobius (played by Owen Wilson), and Hunter B-5 (played by Wumni Mosaku) ultimately found salvation in Victor Timely (played by Jonathan Majors), one of the variants of He Who Remains. Timely endeavored to repair the loom that held the Sacred Timeline intact, but tragically dissolved in the process, seemingly taking the TVA down with him. This development added to the already twisted narrative of the episode, with the cataclysmic consequences of the TVA's annihilation and a coup led by Ravonna Renslayer (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) to regain control of the organization. Additionally, the resolution of Loki's time loop, which directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead have effectively utilized in their previous works, brought a satisfying payoff.

But halfway through "Heart of the TVA," a major twist occurs. In an attempt to prevent Miss Minutes from hindering his plan to repair the Temporal Loom, OB (Ke Huy Quan) deactivates the TVA's safeguards, granting Loki and Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) access to their magical abilities. In a surprising turn of events, the God of Mischief takes control of Hunter X-5 — also known as Brad Wolfe, or Zaniac (Rafael Casal) — and forces him to confront Renslayer. The ensuing battle is brief but impactful, as X-5 prunes Renslayer from the timeline, seemingly erasing her existence. Within an episode rife with unexpected developments, this twist stands out as one of the most significant, especially considering the circumstances surrounding it.

Loki, known as the God of Mischief, ventures out from his brother's shadow and sets off on an exciting journey unfolding after the events of "Avengers: Endgame."

Starring Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Richard E. Grant, this superhero series is categorized as TV-14 and spans across two seasons. Produced by Disney+, the show offers a thrilling experience for viewers.

‘Loki’ Positioned Renslayer As the Next Villain

Image via Disney+

"Heart of the TVA" begins with a surprising revelation: Ravonna, who worked as one of He Who Remains' generals in the multiverse war, actually helped form the TVA. However, her memories, along with the rest of the TVA workers, were wiped by her command to Miss Minutes. Angry and seeking control, Renslayer took over the TVA but was quickly pruned by Loki-possessed X-5. This twist subverts expectations, as Renslayer and Miss Minutes become primary antagonists instead of He Who Remains. The source material, where Kang and Ravonna were married, influenced this plot development. However, Renslayer's swift pruning after her coup may leave some unsatisfied. Yet, with two episodes remaining in the season, Loki has shown that appearances can be deceiving. Executive producer Kevin Wright hints that Renslayer and Miss Minutes may still have a role to play in future events, as their knowledge of getting time and reality back on track is questioned. In the genre of Loki, death is rarely the end.

Loki is available for streaming exclusively on Disney+.

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