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It’s very rare that at the end of an episode of television that I find myself staring at the screen, pondering on what I’ve just watch, or even better, just soaking it all in. There’s no “alright what else is on”. There’s no reaching for my phone to check my socials. It’s just a moment in time, devoid of distractions, a feeling of satisfaction. With engaging visuals, a wealth of character development, and a fantastic OST, Loki season 2 did just that. It’s is easily the best Disney+ series from Marvel Studios. I may even go a step further and say that it could be my favorite TV series of all time.
What Makes Loki Tick?
The character of Loki is one that’s been around since the earliest days of the MCU. He’s been in so many different MCU properties, which means we’ve seen him, like, A LOT. With that comes something special, substantial character development. It’s funny really. Plenty of the Avengers have had some fantastic character development, but because of this series, it feels like Loki’s has been the most intricate and fascinating, and possibly even the most satisfying. But why? Much like the symbol of the Ouroboros, alluded to by the character with the same name, it comes full circle.
To understand Loki, you must understand his desire. Not a specific desire, mind you, but in fact a burning desire and to not know what for. Loki has always been lost, searching for something. First, he desired to know who he truly was and when he found out, he was hurt. Was he truly a son of Odin, or just a political prisoner to the ruling family of Asgard? Then, he desired revenge. He lashed out against Odin and Thor. Not only that he wanted to prove that he himself was worthy of a throne. When that didn’t work out, he desired the power to crush everything his father and brother loved, which led him to the battle of New York.
Loki: This Is Your Life!
From here we get a tale of 2 Loki’s. The first of which suffers the loss of the only Mother he has ever known, and it changes him. He continues his mischievous ways, seeking to do whatever pleases him in the moment. It wouldn’t be long though before his glorious purpose comes calling. A protector of Asgard. He does a fine job during Ragnarok and all seems well until the Mad Titan comes for his prize and Loki, benevolently sacrifices himself to save the survivors of Asgard, but most importantly, to save his brother, Thor.
The second Loki, however, takes a detour after The Battle of New York. This Loki gets a look into the mirror. The TVA can show him the the future. He’s bombarded with all of the pain and suffering in an instant. This Loki gets a crash course in where his selfish actions will lead him. Not only that he’s face to face with a variant of himself. Who better to learn who you truly are than from yourself? What better way to learn from your mistakes, than to watch a version of yourself make them, in real time? This Loki’s wisdom and awareness get to grow at a accelerated and exponential rate as compared to the other. But does it lead to a better outcome? In my opinion? Yes.
Loki and the Burden of Glorious Purpose
“Burdened with glorious purpose” says Loki to Nick Fury as he infiltrates S.H.I.E.L.D.’s facility and takes the cosmic cube for himself. “Burdened” being the key word here. That’s the ultimate lesson that Loki learns. “Glorious Purpose” is a burden like none other. Tough decisions must be made. Sacrifices for the greater good are required. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. I could go on but I won’t. The fact is, that Loki only ever truly wanted to belong, to be loved. He found that in the TVA, with Mobius and the others. Unfortunately, it was destined to be taken away. He Who Remains had implemented his fail-safe in that of Loki himself. If Sylvie would kill him, the multi-verse would become unstable no matter what Loki did to try and prevent it, and the loom would overload, destroying everything…except for the sacred timeline. The time line in which He Who Remains, well, remains in control.
Now Loki has real power. The power he once sought at all costs. It’s his to command. What Loki does with that power becomes what believe is one of the best moment in all of the MCU. In one last time slip to the loom’s final moments, Loki finally realizes what must be done to save his friends. He must save everything. This is the burden. To save his “family” he must save every timeline, the multi-verse itself, and in doing so, losing his place in it all. “Heavy is the head that wears the crown” as William Shakespeare wrote. He has his throne. He has his “glorious purpose”. All of it, at the end of time, alone. Forever. Loki is a new kind of God now. The God of Stories. The Keeper of the Multi-verse. I’d like to think that in a final show of love to his family on Asgard, Loki weaved the timelines into the shape of the world tree.
Tick Tock…Let’s Wrap It Up
Loki’s story now feels the most relatable to me in the MCU. To be a God, he sure is the most human of all these fictional characters. It’s one of the hardest lessons to learn in life. We have to make tough decisions, that most of time, don’t leave us in the most desirable places. The burden of doing the right thing is often a lonely path. It requires sacrifice and you don’t get to revel in it. But, whether you know it or not, it is appreciated. It’s that that I can’t think of a more satisfying, and beautiful, way to wrap up the story of Loki Odinson of Asgard.
