While the first episode of Loki was as fun and a great introduction, Episode 2 — titled “The Variant” — is where we see that this show truly exists the test of time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe “Loki” proves to be a thrilling ride you just can’t stop watching.
We learn in Episode 1 that there is another edition of Loki going around to various timelines. Killing Time Variance Authority officers and collecting articles to refresh the timelines. It seems the other Loki’s goal is to simply reset the timelines he is in.
We learn a lot more about the TVA in this episode 2. It’s more than just an agency that monitors timelines. It’s a faction that respects and obeys the Time Keepers — a group of godlike beings who established the universe’s timeline. They control everything in the universe, building a planned path for everyone. And the TVA honors their hopes and goals, despite there being no proof the Time Keepers exist. Suspicion arises about their existence in this episode. That’s quite an interesting theme to follow. The show is asking us to question how and why we believe in something, even if we don’t know it’s there.
Episode 2 has a few, fun Easter eggs throughout. We need to keep an eye on that pen from Franklin D. Roosevelt that the TVA has in its building. And Agent Morbius hints that another analyst is helping out the TVA who we haven’t met yet, which could be another setup for another Marvel Cinematic Studio character to appear down the way.
More importantly, episode 2 stops with a final conflict between Loki and the other Loki. And it’s well, I won’t spoil it. But the last 20 minutes of this episode will glide.
And by the end of episode 2, you’ll be left not only wondering what’s happening next in “Loki” itself, but also what is going to happen in the whole MCU.
More than anything, “Loki” has a simple message for us: We’re in a completely new phase of Marvel projects.
Loki episode 2 :New thoughts and ideas
Episode 2 of “Loki” truly flies by in a heartbeat. Everything about it functions. There’s no question it is better than the first episode of the series, retaining less exposition and recap of the MCU. It’s just pure, new, original storytelling at its best.
Upon the second watch, it’s clear to me the Time Keepers will play a role later in this season. We’re gearing up for some climactic moment where we either meet them or learn their true identity.
An underrated part of this episode is the score. “Loki” has a pretty decent score that walks the line of your traditional Marvel superhero score and an odd sci-fi thriller soundtrack. It’s quirky, bouncy but also filled with dread. It’s “Avengers” meets “Aliens” all at once.
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This episode really underscores that there could be many new places for the MCS to go. I expect we’ll learn extra about where we’re going in the coming weeks. But this episode compelled me to want Episode 3, and it also made me NOT want Episode 3. It was so good that I don’t want us to get closer to the end of the series. But alas, we will ultimately. And like all variants on the TVA’s timeline, this show will soon disappear. So enjoy it while you can.