This review contains spoilers for Season 2 Episode 6 of Loki.
Summary
After last week’s stressful episode, the Season 2 finale ofLokiis the perfect way to end the roller coaster of a journey that this entire season has been. Fans questioned the path that the season was taking, until things started to fall into place and led to a finale that tied every loose knot. But, is it truly the end, or just a whole new beginning?
When Season 2 ofLokibegan, the main focus seemed to be on saving the temporal loom at theTime Variance Authority, which in turn would save the branched timelines. However, as the episodes were released, hopes of saving the TVA started to fade. It became evident that Loki would have to take a drastic step in order to save all timelines and his friends. The finale saw him doing just that. Not only will his actions have huge ramifications for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, his image of being the God of Mischief has finally been shed by the studio after 12 years.
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From the moment it begins, the season finale ofLokiis a nail-biter. Since it is all about time, and reversing it, it’s absolutely fitting that the initialMarvel Studio logo revealplays in reverse. So much happens within the almost hour-long episode, with Loki living through centuries and learning all there is to know about the temporal loom. This extremely fast-paced episode slows down at just the right moments to emphasize Loki’s powers, abilities, and intelligence. It’s incredible to watch him master the skill of time slipping, and even control time at one point. Does this make him more powerful than some of the other MCU heroes?
The episode will have viewers at the edge of their seats during the first half as Loki keeps going back in time to try and save the loom. “Again,” he repeats over and over again as he tries different tactics during the crucial moment inEpisode 4 of the seasonwhere Victor Timely is about to step into the radiation. One question that many viewers might think of every time this process repeats itself is why won’t Loki opt to step out on his own? It is what he chooses to do eventually, but it only takes him centuries to figure out how to make it land perfectly.
While the repetition of this sequence is frustrating and stressful to watch, the episode slows down to help both viewers and Loki understand the bigger picture. Not only does he go back to the moment the loom explodes, but Loki returns to other points on his own timeline, finally arriving at the moment in theSeason 1 finale ofLokiwhere he and Sylvie face He Who Remains. It seems like the only option to save the timeline is for Loki to kill Sylvie. While He Who Remains figures out that Loki is able to control the time slipping, the God of Mischief is one step ahead. “What makes you think we’re having this conversation for the first time,” he asks with a smirk, pausing time. In this moment, it becomes obvious that Loki will go to any extent to save not just the branched timelines, but the ones he loves.
This week’s episode gives Tom Hiddleston the opportunity to express all emotions. While he keeps returning to the moment the loom exploded, there is a pep in his step, and his comic timing is fun to watch. But, when he realizes that there is no saving the loom, the anguish is clearly visible in his expressions. He’s back to his unbothered self when talking toHe Who Remains, but after understanding the burden of his glorious purpose, his grief is palpable. Loki’s character development in this series has been one of its highlights, turning the God of Mischief into a more relatable, humanized version of himself. But, that’s not all.
The Season 2 finale of Loki has given Loki a new avatar, in the form of the God of Stories, which was first introduced in the comics in 2015. While the episode doesn’t refer to Loki with his new title, the comic-accurate suit and the ability to control the timelines is enough clarification. Marvel Studios has been bringing many stories from the pages to life in the form of films and television series, but it seems like there’s a new sheriff in town. Loki is literally holding the threads of the multiversal stories in his hands, making this series one of the most consequential projects in the MCU.
It was refreshing to see the final two episodes of this season focus so much on Loki and the life-altering decision he makes at the end. There is no confirmation on whether there will be a Season 3 ofLokior whether the God of Stories will appear in any other MCU project. It was quite intelligent for the writers to thus make the series come full circle, when Loki returns to a moment inSeason 1, Episode 1, which was also titled “Glorious Purpose.” His conversation with Mobius is what makes him truly understand what he needs to do next. “You gotta keep the big picture in mind,” Mobius tells him, followed by the most iconic line of the series thus far, “Most purpose is more burden than glory.”
When Season 1 ofLokiwas released,it received high praise from both viewers and critics. Fans believed the series deserved a second season, and whenSeason 2 was announced, theories were spun online about the direction the studio would take for Loki’s journey forward. While recent projects by the studio have been criticized by many,Loki’sSeason 2 is finally a step in the right direction. It seems like the MCU might just be getting back on track. But, will it have room for the God of Stories, or will it forget about his glorious sacrifice? While that remains to be seen,Lokiwill go down in the books as one of the best series that the studio has produced thus far.
Loki
Cast
The Season 2 finale of Loki is the perfect ending to a roller coaster of a season and ties up all of the loose ends.
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