The inaugural season of Marvel’s Loki was a refreshing departure for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Alongside WandaVision, it ushered in a new era of extended narrative arcs, delving into profound themes such as purpose, loss, and grief. The second season of Loki introduces the concept of free will while retaining the show’s characteristic light-hearted adventure tone. However, it harks back to the best of Marvel only in fleeting moments. The MCU’s intricate web of storylines has evolved into a complex situation, and unfortunately, Loki finds itself entangled in this convolution.
Review Based on Four Episodes of Loki Season 2
This review is based on the initial four episodes of Loki Season 2, comprising two-thirds of the season. While there’s optimism that the remaining episodes might tie up loose ends and address certain shortcomings, Marvel’s recent track record doesn’t instill absolute confidence.
Loki Season 2 Narrative
Loki Season 2 follows the misadventures of the Trickster God, played by Tom Hiddleston, as he navigates time slips in an attempt to reunite with the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and his companions Morbius (Owen Wilson) and B-15. Meanwhile, his variant and love interest Sylvie (Sophia di Martino) has concluded her journey after dispatching He Who Remains in the Season 1 finale. The plot thickens as variants of He Who Remains emerge, threatening to seize control of the TVA and wreak havoc across space-time—a familiar Marvel narrative.
Loki standout
The standout aspect of Loki can be succinctly summarized in two words—Tom Hiddleston. The actor injects life into the character, portraying a more relatable and human side to the lovable, mass-murdering demigod. His chemistry with Owen Wilson adds depth to the show, driving its narrative force.
Time-traveling
Loki embarks on a time-traveling escapade, transporting our heroes to the 19th century in pursuit of Kang’s variant Victor Timely (Jonathan Majors). While it deviates from the anticipated dangerous villain, the show compensates with a more menacing Renslayer (Gugu Mbatha-Raw). The introduction of Ke Huy Quan as Oroborous contributes to the show’s charm, making it more endearing and enjoyable.
Complex Issues with Sensitivity and Entertainment
However, Loki grapples with certain issues. The downgrading of Kang from a villain to a different entity feels like a betrayal, especially after being teased about the character for an entire season and in a preceding film (notably Ant-Man 3). The show also falters due to the MCU’s tendency to elongate premises. While adept at handling complex issues with sensitivity and entertainment, it stumbles when dealing with the basics.
Universal Ending
The stakes, theoretically universe-ending, lack the gravitas they should carry. It could be attributed to Marvel fatigue or the franchise outgrowing its own proportions, resulting in a formulaic approach where nothing seems truly at stake. Loki, unfortunately, succumbs to this trend. Much of the show appears to be a setup for future Marvel projects rather than a standalone narrative, which is regrettable because the underlying story is intriguing.
Creator: Michael Waldron
Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, Jonathan Majors, Ke Huy Quan, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wunmi Mosaku, and Tara Strong
Streaming Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Rating: 3.5 stars