Loki | Episode One and Two Review

This review contains spoilers so please tread lightly or watch the show first.

Remember a few weeks ago when I wrote about the things I’m excited for June? Well now I’m swamped, I couldn’t even keep up! But I’m having fun because May was such a dry spell for me in terms of MCU content. I had to make it up with AO3 and a bunch of rewatches.

Anyway, Marvel Studios is back with its latest offering, Loki! The first episode premiered last June 9th on Disney Plus. We follow Loki’s adventures and shenanigans right after the events of Endgame.

Loki Episode One: Glorious Purpose

In which Loki experiences existential crisis

Quick Recap 📝

The episode opens with the 2012 Avengers scene from Endgame where Loki manages to escape with the Tesseract. The cube transports him to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. He gets arrested by the Time Variance Authority led by Hunter B-15 and was disarmed of his powers.

In the TVA, Loki appears before Judge Ravonna Renslayer in a court trial, where he was found guilty of disrupting the timeline and was sentenced to be reset. Agent Mobius, who was on a mission to investigate a nexus event caused by a variant in 1549 France, bails Loki out and tells Renslayer that he knows what he’s capable of.

Loki argues with Mobius, skeptical of the TVA’s intentions of dictating the proper flow of time. Mobius attempts to enlist the help of Loki to pursue a dangerous variant. He shows Loki highlight footages of his life, including the ones that were supposed to happen if Loki hadn’t picked up the Tesseract. Hunter B-15 interrupts them and Loki escapes.

He comes across Casey, a TVA receptionist, and asks him for the Tesseract. He stumbles across a drawer full of Infinity Stones and realizes that the stones are basically nothing in the TVA. Hunter B-15 catches up with him but he escapes again, transporting himself back to the interrogation room. He fast-forwards the footage, where he sees his reconciliation with Odin and Thor as well as his unfortunate demise in Thanos’ hands.

Mobius finds Loki back in the room, where Loki confesses that he doesn’t enjoy hurting people as it’s only part of his illusion. Mobius asks for Loki’s help to arrest the fugitive variant, as he reveals that the variant is Loki. Or at least a variation of Loki.

Episode Thoughts 🧠

I really made an effort not to spoil myself from the previews and teasers for Loki. Going in, all I knew was that it picks up during Endgame, and given the events of WandaVision, timelines are going to be a thing.

I think among the three MCU shows so far, Loki had the best pilot episode. Besides, this truly gave off the vibe that there’s more to the universe than Thanos and the Infinity Stones. What better way to show that than use the stones as paperweights?

I love the banter between Loki and Mobius! They nailed the buddy-cop comedy vibe that I was looking for in TFATWS. I really think they’re giving Sam and Bucky a run for their money as my favorite MCU duo. Then again, the shows had a different overall theme. Sam and Bucky, I still love you.

For All Time, Always

I love the retro vibe of the TVA, it kind of screams Men in Black to me 😂. Also, I’m very skeptical of them as of the moment. Although, the animation sequence of Miss Minutes explaining the Sacred Timeline really slaps!

If anything, I think Loki confirms the existence of the Multiverse in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige mentioned that Loki will have a significant impact in the MCU. Given the easter eggs this episode has dropped so far, I definitely believe that.

I don’t enjoy hurting people. I don’t enjoy it… It’s part of the illusion. it’s the cruel, elaborate trick conjured by the weak to inspire fear.

Loki, LOKI EPISODE ONE

I’m With You ‘Til The End of The File

As Mobius talks to Loki, he showed him the things that should’ve happened if he didn’t veer off the timeline. And damn, ninjas cutting onions everywhere. Phase 4 really said these characters need therapy.

The scenes really packed a punch and I think it’s a painful wake-up call to Loki despite his passive coping mechanism. At least this Loki’s file hasn’t ended yet, and the fact that this show will have multiple seasons says that we’re not reaching the end just yet.

Loki Episode Two: The Variant

In which Loki gets stuck on a desk job

Quick Recap 📝

The episode opens in a 1985 Ren Faire in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. TVA Agents appear as they detect a Variant, which turned out to be a trap set by the Variant. The Variant renders everyone unconscious in the fight and kidnaps their commander, Hunter C-20.

Back in the TVA, Loki is stuck doing desk work with Miss Minutes quizzing him. Mobius collects Loki and they join the other TVA agents to investigate C-20’s disappearance. Loki tries to manipulate the team but Mobius catches his lie.

Mobius and Ravonna talk about the botched mission as well as Loki, and despite Ravonna’s skepticism, she gives Mobius another chance to work with him. Mobius delegates Loki to review paperwork related to each Loki Variant. Loki comes across the file pertaining to Ragnarok, coming to the conclusion that the Variant hides in different apocalypses. They prove Loki’s theory by traveling back to 79AD in Pompeii just before Mt. Vesuvius erupts.

Loki and Mobius pinpoint the apocalypse the Variant has been hiding and along with other TVA agents, they travel to 2050 Alabama. Mobius finds C-20 inside the Roxxcart Supermarket. She reveals that she gave away information to the Variant on how to find the Timekeepers. On the other hand, Loki comes across the Variant posing as different people.

The Variant reveals herself as Lady Loki, and she activates the stolen reset charges creating numerous branches in the Sacred Timeline. Lady Loki escapes and Loki follows.

Episode Thoughts 🧠

I really enjoy the banter between Loki and Mobius! This episode seemed calmer and more grounded but in the end, it turned out to be the calm before the shitstorm.

Also, I just threw in Lady Loki up there but it seems like she’s a mix of Enchantress and Lady Loki? Although her suit and the horns definitely point to Lady Loki.

I can’t say anything else because my mind just keeps drifting back to the branches in the timeline.

Existence is chaos.

Mobius, LOKI EPISODE TWO

Holy Guacamole! The multiverse is happening!!!!!!!

Overall Thoughts 💡

I really had fun watching the episodes so far and I’m loving the storytelling, cinematography, and soundtrack! I think that Loki really sets up the future Marvel content that we’ll be seeing in the future.

WandaVision and TFATWS were fun, but I think both were still way too attached to Endgame, which totally worked for their respective stories. Loki, however, makes us look forward to the future. The fact that they showed how useless the Infinity Stones were in the TVA makes that statement.

I’m excited to see how this ties up to Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. The head writer, Michael Waldron also worked with Doctor Strange 2 and I’m pretty sure this show has a direct impact on that. As for WandaVision, I’m assuming that didn’t happen simultaneously with the events here… somehow? I don’t know. All I know is that I’m enjoying this show way too much! 😂

Let’s Chat! 💬

Are you also tuning in to Loki? What do you think will happen first: Owen Wilson saying “Wow” or Mobius getting his jetski?