The Ultimate Marvel Mystery: How 1 Hidden Loki Character Sets the Stage for the Future MCU

Summary

Ouroboros, the new character introduced in the Loki season 2 premiere, is the head of the TVA's Repairs and Advancement department and holds crucial knowledge about the TVA.

Ouroboros, the name derived from the ancient Greek symbol of a snake consuming its own tail, implies a potential narrative development in the MCU concerning the perpetual cycle of existence, mortality, and rejuvenation. The recurring motif of repetition showcased by Ouroboros, as well as Loki's entanglement within his own loops throughout the series, insinuates the cyclical nature of time and its potential significance in the impending multiversal conflict and a prospective reset within the MCU.

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for the first episode of Loki season 2. In the premiere, a significant new character is introduced who will play a vital role throughout the season. Portrayed by Academy Award-winning actor Ke Huy Quan, Ouroboros is introduced as the head of the Repairs and Advancement department in the TVA. Interestingly, Ouroboros is the only TVA employee who hasn't had their memory wiped, marking them as an important figure. Additionally, with Ouroboros being the author of the TVA guidebook, they possess a deep understanding of the inner workings of the organization.

Not only is Ouroboros a crucial character within the TVA, but their presence may also have implications for the future of the MCU. Similar to how the ending of Loki season 1 revealed important aspects of the franchise's multiverse, Ouroboros' name references the ancient Greek symbol of a snake consuming its own tail. This symbolizes the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, potentially hinting at a future plot point in the MCU.

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Loki Season 2's OB Hints At The MCU's Reset

Symbolizing the everlasting cycle of time, an image portraying a snake devouring itself signifies the inevitability of all time being a continuous circle. While time functions differently within the TVA, the presence of the Ouroboros hints at the possibility that the TVA, and even the entire MCU, will eventually succumb to this cyclic phenomenon. As the MCU embarks on its new chapter known as the Multiverse Saga, the events witnessed in Loki thus far offer tantalizing glimpses of an imminent multiversal conflict. With Kang the Conqueror poised to emerge as the paramount threat, parallels to the initial war are bound to surface in the forthcoming battle.

The first multiversal war, initiated by Kang and fought among his variants, resulted in the creation of the TVA and the Sacred Timeline. Presently, any timeline deviating from the Sacred Timeline faces destruction, possibly foreshadowing the outcome of the Multiverse Saga’s war. It is likely that Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret War will culminate in the establishment of a new dominant timeline, which may not necessarily be the MCU’s original Earth-616 universe.

The introduction of the multiverse concept in the upcoming Avengers films presents an ideal opportunity for Marvel to reset the MCU. Following the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga, the MCU can bring closure to Earth-616’s story arc and introduce a new universe. This new universe may include familiar Marvel characters, but resetting the MCU would require starting their narratives anew. The presence of O.B., symbolizing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, hints at the possibility of an MCU reset that could prove advantageous for the franchise.

How Loki Uses Repetition To Hint At Time Being A Cycle

Repetition is a prominent theme in both the Loki series and the character himself. As the God of Mischief, Loki is known for constantly tricking others and switching sides for his own benefit. His brother Thor has repeatedly experienced Loki's cycle of betrayal and loyalty. Loki's tendency to cheat death and his recent encounters with the TVA have only intensified the state of repetition in his life, as he has already been pruned twice.

In episode 1 of Loki season 2, the motif of repetition is effectively used as a storytelling device, particularly in O.B.'s introduction scene. When Loki time-slips into the past, his conversation with O.B. is portrayed side by side with Mobius' present-day conversation. This repeated exchange creates real-time memories for O.B., highlighting the significant impact of the time cycle. It is worth noting that this occurrence of repetition is particularly meaningful, as it involves Ouroboros, a character symbolizing the cyclical nature of time and life.

Ouroboros will definitely have a significant role in the future episodes of Loki season 2, delving into the deeper significance of his representation. His symbolism of time as a cyclical cycle could play a key part in the upcoming multiversal war in the MCU, offering Marvel a chance to reset the franchise. Given how a reset could bring about a fresh direction for the MCU after all these years, O.B.'s secretive setup may hold even more importance than initially perceived.

Catch the new episodes of Loki every Thursday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.