Loki Episode Two Opinions
I liked it and I did not like it. It is beginning to seem as if I can never win with this show. Perhaps my biases toward Loki have not completely dissipated with time. Honestly, watching Loki has only returned me to my Loki Tumblr and my Loki obsession, then consequently projecting and overanalyzing. I am falling back to my old ways. (Not necessarily complaining but this is a bit time consuming.)
To begin, I really liked the pacing of this episode. I felt like a lot happened in terms of the plot and information regarding the TVA. While I have my problems with the show, I find the concept to be very interesting. Predetermination and free will are fascinating topics that I hope are explored further, especially with Loki who has touted ideas that freedom is life’s greatest lie. I think he is a really interesting character to tell this story with because he is always readily willing to diverge from expectations and refuses to be restricted by the desired order of things — in any situation. I only hope Marvel will see the value of telling this particular story through him.
Loki was also able to figure out where the Loki variant was hiding when it seems like the TVA has been looking for them for some time. I found it to be so interesting that someone could hide directly before an event that completely destroys that particular physical space, then it would not create a nexus in the timeline. It makes sense that a disaster that causes total annihilation would obviate the need to worry about a nexus event as there is quite literally nothing to change or disrupt in a timeline if everything is completely destroyed. Essentially, returning it to a blank slate with nothing to affect and thus nothing to alter in the sacred timeline.
Granted, I do feel like there must be something that could affect the timeline even in end of the world scenarios like the hurricane the TVA went back to. Suppose a piece of debris was in a different place and failed to kill someone it might have, then there would be a survivor of this apocalyptic event where there was not. Seemingly, that would create a nexus. Perhaps I am overthinking it, per usual, but I do not think that one can suppose an event would always completely obliterate a space or a people. I would think survival is possible depending on the most minute variations.
I digress. I suppose what I mean to say is I find where the Loki show is going to be interesting yet incredibly complex. There are many ways in which it seems there could be contradictions to what already exists in the MCU and various ways what is being said can be interpreted, though I suppose that is a product of the complex topic of time and time travel. I am trying to hold my judgements and conclusions until the end of the season as it does not seem fair to make a final comment on the show’s handling of time and the reliability of the plot until the end.
Honestly, I am going to watch episode two again with my mom at some point before the third episode is released, though my focus at each episode’s conclusion has always been on Loki’s character rather than the narrative itself. I do not know what this says about the narrative or what this says about the show’s focus, but perhaps it is more a function of my attachment to Loki as a character. Either way, most of my grievances with the show center around Loki’s character.
As I mentioned in my piece about the first episode, I have done a lot of projecting when it comes to Loki and seemingly that bias has not faded as much as I had believed. I do not believe that is necessarily a bad thing because I understand and relate to Loki’s character intimately, so I therefore know it very well. To me, Loki felt very out of character in this episode and in the show thus far, which I think I can rightfully say to an extent because of how well I know his character.
I will not repeat what I said in my previous article, but those assessments remain true for this episode. Loki lacks the rage, cunning, elegance, and demeanor that he showed in previous films. Every emotion and fear seems to be readily apparent where he once was guarded and reserved, never once showing his true sentiment.
I think the contradiction is readily apparent when Loki desperately chases after Mobius, chatting about something he has figured out. It is so incredibly not Loki that I was shocked. This scene is certainly similar to Loki following Thor in The Dark World after being let out of prison, though that was his brother and this is the man deciding his fate. I do not believe Loki would act that way in any universe toward someone with that much power over him, especially because only days ago he was going to lead a Chitauri army to rule the earth. He is not the person to chase after someone frantically hoping for attention. He nearly beat the Avengers.
There is another scene during Pompeii where the citizens are all about to die. Loki prances around screaming that nothing matters and ultimately terrifying the people. This is not the same man who stood watching over New York City as it fell to the Chitauri with tears in his eyes. I cannot see it or believe it. Again, really I am just saying that Loki feels different. He is not the Loki from Thor (2011), The Avengers, and Thor: The Dark World. It is that Loki I identified with and that Loki I miss.
We get to see Loki fight, seemingly, the female version of himself. Though I have my own problems with her as she seems nothing like Loki, people have surmised and it might have been accidentally revealed that she is Sylvie, the Enchantress. Ultimately, not Loki. Regardless, Loki fights this variant and it is almost depressing to watch. Loki, a master of magic, someone adept with blades, and the man who nearly defeated the Avengers, uses none of his skill or expertise in this battle, only to be tossed around like he is not the warrior prince from Asgard that should make anyone wary if they faced him.
It made me sad to see Loki’s character so disrespected. Some have said that perhaps he did not want to hurt the bodies the variant inhabited or he was only trying to get information out of her, many even said he is putting on an act for the TVA. The show is not yet over, so there is certainly a possibility that Loki’s demeanor is purposeful, but I am still afraid it is not. He is one of the greatest characters in the MCU and it would be a shame if he was degraded to this in his own show, though I suppose we will see. Perhaps I am too pessimistic.
