Unveiling the Truth Behind Ravonna Renslayer in 'Loki' Season 2

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

The Big Picture

In Season 2 Episode 4 of Loki, everything changed as Ravonna uncovered her involvement in assisting He Who Remains in obtaining power and establishing the TVA, only to have him retain it solely for himself.

Ravonna's fate seems sealed as she is pruned out of existence at the end of the episode. However, her story is far from over. He Who Remains' (Jonathan Majors) enigmatic words have left us puzzled for weeks, but in "Heart of the TVA," the fourth episode of Loki Season 2, everything becomes clear. This episode, much like Season 1's fourth episode, serves as a game-changing mid-season cliffhanger. Before chaos ensues across time, we finally witness the revelation that Miss Minutes (Tara Strong) had promised to share with Ravonna. As expected, Ravonna's reaction to the secret is far from pleasant.

Loki

Loki, the God of Mischief, steps out of his brother's shadow to embark on an adventure that takes place after the events of "Avengers: Endgame."

Release Date June 9, 2021Cast Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Richard E. GrantSeasons 2Studio Disney+

Did He Who Remains Create the TVA With Ravonna Renslayer?

In the Season 2 premiere of Loki, a startling discovery is made. Loki comes across a mysterious recording of He Who Remains and Ravonna engaged in conversation. This revelation raises countless questions, as it completely upends our understanding of their relationship. Initially, it seems implausible, as up until the Season 1 finale, Ravonna, like everyone else at the TVA, believed that the Time Keepers controlled the TVA and the creation of the Sacred Timeline. They were completely unaware that He Who Remains was orchestrating events behind the scenes, let alone that he existed.

So when did this conversation take place? Time is uncertain within the TVA, but to provide some clarity, the conversation occurred in the past. Miss Minutes provides a holographic playback of a previous event to Ravonna, revealing that He Who Remains and Ravonna were once acquainted. We witness Ravonna, before she became Judge Renslayer, wearing the uniform of a TVA Hunter. She stands alongside He Who Remains at The End of Time, gazing out of a window. He Who Remains comments that "it" is almost ready, to which Ravonna responds, "A utopia at the end of time." Clearly, they have had a close working relationship for a significant period, and if their comic book counterparts are any indication, they may have even had a romantic relationship as well. This conversation leads up to the line heard on the tape, where He Who Remains expresses his pride in ruling alongside Ravonna. Finally, we are given a glimpse of what comes next.

Ravonna initiates a Time Door, inviting He Who Remains to return to the TVA. This revelation confirms that He Who Remains was once present at the TVA, evident by the statues/busts we observed. It suggests a likely collaboration with the analysts and hunters. He Who Remains instructs Ravonna to wait for him, as he proceeds to summon Miss Minutes. He instructs her to activate "Protocol 42," without explicitly explaining its nature. However, similar to Star Wars' Order 66, the implications are clear. Miss Minutes possesses the ability to erase the memories of anyone at the TVA, following her master's orders. Despite silently expressing remorse, He Who Remains appears unconcerned about his unilateral decision to gain complete control over time.

'Loki' Season 2 Reveals Ravonna Did All the Work for He Who Remains

Image via Disney+

The video shocks Ravonna, but Miss Minutes has more truths to reveal. She informs Ravonna that she was the one who led the army in the war against the Kang Variants. Thanks to her, He Who Remains was able to maintain his position. He tricked Ravonna with the promise of ruling together and then erased the TVA's memory to keep all the power for himself. Ravonna had no knowledge of her leadership role in the war and continued to carry out He Who Remains' orders while he ruled from The End of Time.

This revelation about Ravonna's involvement in He Who Remains' empire undermines the story he told Loki and Sylvie about his rise to power. It also exposes the cunning nature of this Kang Variant. While it's possible that Miss Minutes may be embellishing or twisting the facts to provoke Ravonna, it seems quite believable given his title as "He Who Remains."

Following the timeline, it can be inferred that Ravonna attained the rank of Judge immediately after He Who Remains executed Protocol 42, possibly as a token gesture of sympathy, granting her a mere semblance of authority. With the belief that their purpose is to serve the Time Keepers, there would be no suspicion of He Who Remains relying on Ravonna and the TVA's efforts until two mischievous gods emerged on the scene.

What Happened to Ravonna in Season 2 Episode 4 of 'Loki'?