Loki’s first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe wasn’t exactly glamorous. Tom Hiddleston played an out-of-touch Asgardian prince who gets his brother Thor banished, all to claim the throne. This, while nursing daddy issues that will eventually see him disappoint his adopted father, Odin. However, the God of Mischief has come a long way since falling to his death in Thor (2011), even going as far as becoming an integral part of the Avengers and eventually earning him his own show. According to reviews from fans and critics alike, Loki on Disney+ remains the best thing since sliced bread.
Production for the second season of Loki is rumored to start in the summer, and details of the new season remain in the shadows. There’s not enough information at the moment concerning the plot or direction of season two, and this gives us the perfect opportunity to reminisce on what made Loki an absolute success. How did an antagonistic, untrustworthy god of mischief charm an audience that usually celebrates heroes? Well, look no further. Here are the elements that pushed Loki Season one to the top of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Loki the Character
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For such a beloved character, Loki’s cinematic debut actually bordered on murderous and genocidal. After discovering that he’s adopted and shares the same bloodline as the enemy, Loki goes off the rails, betraying his family and committing atrocities that would usually see him classified as enemy number one in the first Avengers movie. Not to mention, Loki also tries a couple of times to kill another fan favorite, his brother Thor (Chris Hemsworth). So how on earth is Loki’s stock still on the rise?
According to Tom Hiddleston, “People always understand that Loki is a troubled soul and that he is evacuating his pain onto other people.” Speaking in an interview with ACE Comic Con back in 2019, Hiddleston further goes on to explain, “But the fans understand where the pain is coming from, so there’s empathy there. I think the first film really humanizes him, and I think makes the rest of the journey interesting. It makes you always think that he could be pulled back and redeemed.”
Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is loved because his character represents humanity. Full of potential but cannot catch a break from, unfortunately. And this can be seen throughout the first season. From being captured by the TVA in the first few minutes of the pilot to trying to save He Who Remains from Sylvie after trying to kill him himself, Loki flew the banner of humanity high. Since he has no powers in the TVA, viewers got to see the regular side of the god of mischief, solidifying his status as a fan favorite even further.
It’s one thing for writers to create a perfect character and another for a talented actor to hit the spot with a magnificent performance. This is what Tom Hiddleston does with Loki. He doesn’t just bring the character to life. The British screen gem embodies the archetype so well, dare say, on the same scale as Tony Stark and Iron Man. This can be noticed throughout the series as Loki realizes that Thanos is the least of his worries. His carriage, arrogance, and wit cascade through each episode, forcing audiences to forget that he is the villain.
After trying to escape several times, Loki is forced to work as a staff of the TVA as they search for a rogue variant causing problems across timelines. Used to being a god, Loki must cope with the indignation of not just working but working on a leash. This exposes Loki’s character, pushing him through a black hole of self-discovery and morality, a first for the character in the MCU. Loki gets to question his life conduct, setting up what should be a redemption arc. Unfortunately, Loki himself breaks the trust placed in him over and over and over again until, eventually, he has to come to terms with his problematic nature.
The TVA
There’s always bigger fish. That’s a given in any universe or multiverse. The Time Variance Authority (TVA) is the biggest fish in this Loki universe. Loki will learn this the moment he realizes, well, the Infinity Gauntlet can be found in retail stores across the TVA. This piece of storytelling sells the TVA automatically from the first episode.
Created by He Who Remains, the TVA is the authority guarding the sacred timeline against meddling folks like Loki from creating nexus events. Led by Judge Ravonna Renslayer (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the TVA are governed by time lords who will eventually be exposed as the story goes on. Loki gets arrested moments into the pilot and escapes destruction when Mobius (Owen Wilson), a TVA commander, recruit him. The duo will pair up to hunt down a Loki variant that threatens the entire timeline.
The Variants
One of the most confusing concepts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe may have earned a well-needed explanation. The TVA introduces VARIANTS, a simple explanation of the time paradox of the multiverse. Variants are basically the same character but as a different version for a different timeline. In essence, Loki remains Loki, except he’s an alligator king of some weird Safari version of Asgard. This allows the character to interact with the timeline in a somewhat fluid manner without breaking the laws of logic any further.
Variants also, in a way, can account for how the multiverse should function in reality. Characters can leave said timelines and still retain their root source, even when they meet a different version of themselves. Although the science is not cast in stone, it does make for good storytelling, as seen in episode five, “Journey Into Mystery.” Loki, stuck in the Void where he will eventually find Mobius, runs into other variants of himself. The episode will become one of the highest-rated of the season, which is largely due to the crossover.
Loki and Sylvie
Fans of Loki didn’t see a love connection coming but were not surprised. Of course, the one-person Loki would fall for would be a variant of himself. The concept of narcissism doesn’t get any better than that. Sylvie Laufeydottir (Sophia Di Martino), a Loki variant, is tormenting the TVA. She goes on a killing spree across the timelines, and both characters get to meet for the first time in episode two. The two create the promise of a perfect couple.
Loki, a broken, misguided god, and Sylvie (First name, Loki), who has been running from the TVA all her life. Filled with hatred for the governing body of the sacred timeline, Sylvie nurses a revenge plan that seems to be going according to plan until she runs into Loki. In episode three, “Lamentis,” Loki gets a more extensive insight into his captors and forms a fragile alliance with the rogue variant. The alliance sees them stumble through timelines as they delve deeper into the origins of the TVA, discovering eventually that the fabled Time-Keepers are fakes. Loki, absolutely in awe of Sylvie, will ultimately develop romantic feelings for her. However, they won’t be enough to stop her from destroying He Who Remains and ripping the Multiverse apart.
Loki and Sylvie’s romantic arc remains one of the most important parts of the season. Not just because it solidifies the idea that misery does love company, but because it shows a new side to Loki’s lonely and unfortunate archetype. Sylvie and Loki’s love journey should continue in season two, which will be highly anticipated. Will Loki enjoy a happier ending than he did in his installment? How will this affect him as a character, and will this weaken the two as they face off with Kang the Conqueror?
