Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for the finale of Loki Season 2.
The Big Picture
Loki Season 2 has just had its finale, but maybe it should actually be the series finale. Some of us might have a hard time saying that, as Loki really is one of the best things the Marvel Cinematic Universe has going for it right now. The Tom Hiddleston-led series exploded onto the scene in Season 1, delivering a remarkably unique and complex time-bending universe that serves the remarkable purpose of giving the God of Mischief a captivating solo story. Season 2 of the acclaimed series had its ups and downs but stuck the landing with a stunning and creative conclusion.
Loki has now gone from a selfish troublemaker into one of the most powerful entities in the Marvel Multiverse, comparable only to figures like The Watcher (Jeffrey Wright) and even He Who Remains (Jonathan Majors) himself. Through his controlling of time-slipping, Loki has now inadvertently become the new Keeper of Time, watching over a newly organized length of time branches that he single-handedly saved. It’s a conclusion so poignant and unique that it really should be the end of Loki’s story (at least for now).
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, 2021
Cast Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Richard E. Grant
Seasons 2
Franchise Marvel
Loki Finds His Glorious Purpose in Season 2’s Finale
From the very first scene of Loki Season 1, the Loki Laufeyson from the branched Avengers: Endgame timeline that we meet says he’s “burdened by a glorious purpose.” It’s a vague and pompous worldview befitting of the man who tried to destroy New York City, but not even he could predict what we would be in store for him. Once thrust into the timey-wimey world of the Time Variance Authority, Loki goes from a spoiled villain into an existential savior. This is thanks in part to Loki’s new companions in his TVA partner Mobius (Owen Wilson), his rebellious variant Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino), and more.
The things that Loki has seen and done are remarkable. He has survived apocalyptic timelines, faced a huge smoke monster at the end of time, met various alternate versions of himself, met the person who created his timeline, and so much more. That time creator, He Who Remains, is the person to push Loki on his path to true godhood. After the Season 1 finale, when Loki is sent back in time against his will, the God of Mischief begins slipping in and out of various points in time. The problem is rectified early in Season 2 with the help of tech head O.B. (Ke Huy Quan), but returns when Loki and his crew fail to stop the Temporal Loom from imploding.
Loki miraculously survives the implosion but wakes up in an abandoned TVA. Even worse, he’s time-slipping again, popping in and out of various timelines. Loki eventually learns to control his time-slipping, thus making him an all-powerful being capable of traveling through space and time on his own accord. Loki uses his new-found abilities to try and reverse the Loom’s implosion, going further and further back in time to do so. He even goes so far back in time to Season 1, such as revisiting Sylvie’s killing of He Who Remains and the first time he had a conversation with Mobius.
Though reversing the past proves mostly fruitless, Loki realizes the only way to save the multiverse truly is if he becomes the time-wielding titan that He Who Remains intended him to be. Instead of Victor Timely (Majors) going out to fix the loop (where he disintegrated nine times out of ten), Loki goes out there without a stitch of protective clothing on. As he gets closer and closer to the Loom, Loki gets a new version of his iconic outfit, complete with his signature horns and all. With that, Loki destroys the Loom, leaving hundreds of dying strands around him. Loki gathers all of these strands and ventures out onto a throne out in the unknown, where he creates a new sacred multiverse timeline that looks remarkably similar to the Norse World Tree, Yggdrasil. With Loki’s noble sacrifice and seemingly permanent isolation, the TVA is able to thrive once more. Now its characters, such as Mobius, are able to live out their lives as they see fit, all while Loki watches over them from afar.
Every Character’s Story Seems Wrapped Up in ‘Loki’ Season 2
The way Loki ends his journey in Season 2 is remarkably compelling, showing him as the new keeper of all the timelines. It’s admittedly tragic that a beloved character is trapped in between space and time, but it’s fitting for a character as initially irresponsible as Loki to inherit one of the greatest responsibilities in the MCU. In his new position, Loki may learn enough knowledge to become a multiversal being akin to the Beyonder. Loki isn’t the only one to get a fitting ending, either. Most of the TVA’s most dedicated operatives have their work paid off in the new and improved TVA. Others, like Mobius, decide that they want to live the rest of their lives the way they were supposed to, surrounded by their friends and family. Sylvie meanwhile is free to travel the multiverse as she sees fit, no longer needing to worry about the TVA hunting her down.
No Season 3 Doesn’t Mean No More Loki
Just because Loki’s story seems best left alone via the Season 2 finale doesn’t mean we won’t see Loki or his companions again. The MCU is known for bringing in various different characters from all parts of its continuity. A time-controlling god like Loki would indeed be a worthy ally in the inevitable fight against Kang and his army of variants. After all, Loki does promise He Who Remains that they’ll find a way to stop them once and for all.
Loki Season 2 is streaming on Disney+ in the U.S.
Watch on Disney+
