Unveiling Loki Season 2: Decoding Mysteries of the Sacred Timeline, Temporal Loom, TVA Evolution, He Who Remains, Time-Slipping & Beyond

Summary

The Time Variance Authority (TVA) was established by He Who Remains with the purpose of ensuring the stability of the Sacred Timeline and curbing the emergence of branching realities. Any variants that veered off the established timeline were apprehended and eliminated.

He Who Remains, a variant of Kang, is responsible for the creation of the TVA and the Sacred Timeline. His objective in establishing the TVA was to safeguard against the emergence of additional Kang variants and the potential outbreak of a second Multiversal War.

The killing of He Who Remains by Sylvie resulted in the destabilization of the Sacred Timeline and the subsequent formation of the multiverse. This significant event is set to have a profound and long-lasting impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, influencing upcoming projects such as Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Marvel Studios' Loki has brought a plethora of fresh ideas and concepts to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) through its two seasons on Disney+. This expansion of the franchise on the small screen has allowed for the exploration of new Marvel lore. The story kicks off after the 2012 version of Tom Hiddleston's Loki escapes during the Time Heist in Avengers: Endgame, only to be captured by the Time Variance Authority (TVA). This sets him off on a thrilling solo adventure that unveils a whole new world within the MCU. The first season aired in Phase 4, with the second season continuing the story in Phase 5, premiering in October 2023. Along with Loki's journey, the show introduces fresh characters, advanced technology, and game-changing ideas that deeply impact the MCU.

While Loki's primary focus is on the mischievous Asgardian God himself, the series also has ramifications for the larger MCU. Although the TVA has not made an appearance in any other Marvel Studios project as of yet, the first season introduces new characters who will play significant roles in future endeavors. Notably, the primary antagonist of the Multiverse Saga is introduced through Loki, and this villain will have a crucial part in upcoming projects like Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. Given Loki's complex placement within the MCU timeline and the abundance of new concepts it brings to the table, it can be overwhelming. Thus, here is a detailed breakdown of all the lore elements introduced in this beloved Marvel Studios series.

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Who Formed The TVA & What It Does (& Why)

Believed to be created by the cosmic Time-Keepers initially, it was later unveiled that the Time Variance Authority (TVA) was actually devised by He Who Remains. He Who Remains established the TVA as an organization responsible for maintaining the stability of the Sacred Timeline. The diligent workers of the TVA ensured that any variants deviating from the Sacred Timeline, potentially causing a separate reality, were apprehended and subjected to trial, leading to the elimination or pruning of the branching timeline from existence.

What Is The MCU's Sacred Timeline?

The establishment of the Sacred Timeline took place under the authority of He Who Remains, following his triumph in the Multiversal War against his more sinister alternate versions. To bring it into existence, He Who Remains meticulously eliminated all other timelines, choosing only one to be preserved, while simultaneously constructing the TVA to ensure its stability. As He Who Remains upheld the Sacred Timeline from the Citadel at the End of Time, the diligent workers of the TVA carried out his directives on the ground, eradicating any potential variant threats and serving as the enigmatic dictator's loyal agents.

Who Is He Who Remains & What Is His Connection To The Wider MCU?

In the finale of Loki season 1, Jonathan Majors made his debut as He Who Remains. He was introduced as the inhabitant of the Citadel at the End of Time and the creator of the TVA. It turns out that He Who Remains is actually a variant of the MCU's Kang the Conqueror, who we first saw in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Having battled with his other variants - the Council of Kangs shown in the mid-credits scene of Quantumania - He Who Remains established the Sacred Timeline and the TVA to ensure that no alternate realities could develop enough to allow new Kang variants to emerge, thus preventing another Multiversal War.

What Happened When Sylvie Killed He Who Remains?

Miss Minutes' Role In The TVA

Sylvie, played by Sophia Di Martino, in the role of a female version of Loki, accomplished her lifelong mission in Loki season 1 by killing He Who Remains. This momentous act had a profound impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He Who Remains had dedicated his existence to upholding the Sacred Timeline, effectively eliminating free will. However, Sylvie's murder of him resulted in the unraveling of the Sacred Timeline and the subsequent creation of the multiverse. The ripple effects of this event are significant and have influenced subsequent MCU projects such as Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Undoubtedly, the consequences of this event will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the MCU.

Miss Minutes, voiced by Tara Strong, serves as the anthropomorphic clock mascot of the TVA. Although limited information is available regarding Miss Minutes' origins in the MCU, it was disclosed that she directly served He Who Remains and might have been brought into existence by the Kang variant. Miss Minutes serves as a gentle guide to new variants within the TVA and offers support to the organization's more experienced staff members.

What Is The MCU's Void?

First introduced in Loki season 1, the Void serves as a desolate realm located at the culmination of time. It is the final destination for all the entities that the TVA prunes. Since matter cannot be eradicated completely, instead of eliminating alternate versions or obliterating timelines, the TVA employs Time Sticks and Reset Charges to transfer the matter to the Void. Within this mysterious realm, a colossal creature known as Alioth, resembling a storm cloud, engulfs any organic material while the manmade substances derived from erased timelines gather in vast makeshift cityscapes. The Void is also rife with numerous MCU Easter eggs, embodying references to the illustrious pages of Marvel Comics.

Why Variants & Timelines Are Pruned

To prevent the dreaded second Multiversal War, which he claims is an unavoidable consequence of allowing his countless variations to thrive, He Who Remains ordered the elimination of any variants that could lead to the rise of Kang. These individuals and their respective timelines were effectively wiped out, banished to the Void at the edge of time, where Alioth awaited to consume them. This ensured that there would be no further incarnations of Kang the Conqueror, as the Sacred Timeline dictated that He Who Remains was the sole variant. However, this is no longer the current situation.

Who Are The Workers In The TVA?

Loki's Time-Slipping Explained

The workload of the TVA was too much for He Who Remains to handle alone. Therefore, he filled the organization with variants from various timelines. Instead of being removed, these variants had their memories of their Earth lives erased and were assigned specific roles within the TVA. The Minute Men, represented by Wunmi Mosaku's Hunter B-15, served as the militia, while Owen Wilson's Mobius M. Mobius acted as an Agent. High-ranking members of the TVA included Judges like Gugu Mbatha-Raw's Renslayer and Liz Carr's Gamble, as well as Generals such as Kate Dickie's General Dox. In addition, there were also lower-level staff members like Eugene Cordero's Casey.

In "Ouroboros," the first episode of Loki season 2, a new concept called time-slipping is introduced. This concept involves Loki being forcefully and uncontrollably transported through different points in time - the past, present, and future. While the TVA claims that time-slipping is impossible for anyone within their jurisdiction, Loki manages to time-slip to three different timelines within the TVA in the season 2 premiere. The exact mechanics behind Loki's time-slipping haven't been fully explained yet, but it is speculated that it may be linked to his previous exposure to the Sacred Timeline and his conversation with He Who Remains in the finale of season 1.

What Is Loki's Temporal Loom?

Who Is OB & Why Is He So Important?

The Temporal Loom made its debut in the premiere of Loki season 2, serving as a monumental apparatus capable of intertwining raw temporal energy with physical timelines. While its exact purpose remains uncertain, there is speculation that this contraption might be responsible for enabling He Who Remains to separate the Sacred Timeline from the multiverse. The Temporal Loom plays a vital role in assisting Loki with his time-slipping affliction. However, in a future timeline he traverses, it is revealed that the Temporal Loom is in a critical state, hinting at the potential for a catastrophic impact on the TVA.

Ke Huy Quan made his debut in Loki season 2 as Ouroboros, also known as OB. Within the TVA, OB serves as a solitary member of the Repairs and Advancements Department. He is responsible for the creation and repair of all technological devices within the organization, making him an indispensable figure. Surprisingly, very few are aware of his existence. Unlike his colleagues, who have their memories periodically wiped, OB's memory remains intact. This suggests that he retains knowledge of countless centuries within the TVA that others have long forgotten.

Why Time Doesn't Matter In The TVA

Just like the Quantum Realm in the MCU, time is said to have no meaning within the TVA. As a result, human variants can be enlisted as workers in the TVA and continue working for centuries without aging. The TVA operates beyond the usual laws of time and space, although the exact location and timeframe remain largely unknown. By utilizing TemPads and Time Doors, the TVA's workers are able to travel across various points in human history to uphold the Sacred Timeline. However, the precise understanding of time within the TVA in Loki remains uncertain.