Ryan Shoots First: Loki (S1 Ep2) “The Variant”

After a loaded first episode with a lot of promise Loki is back for Episode 2, let’s see if we manage to answer any mysteries or just add to the fan theories.

This week’s episode opens in Wisconsin at a Renaissance festival in 1985. We see the TVA show up and clearly they stand out as they are not in costume. They are tracking a variant who is held up in a tent. Suddenly a hand comes out from the shadows and with a green aura takes over the mind of the TVA agent who proceeds to wipe out her team. The hooded figure then uses the agent’s device to open a time door. 

We cut to Miss Minutes teaching Loki about TVA protocols when Morbius grabs him to go investigate another attack. It turns out half this work these guys do at the TVA is taking down various Loki variants including some funny versions we see including a Tour De France Loki and what looks like a Hulk Loki. Loki does his best Loki-ing to realize there is a trap if the troops leave the crime scene. Loki thinks this “lesser” Loki is recruiting Loki variants but since he is superior and has a new motive he will not join them. Mobius thinks he is lying and tells them to set the charges and leave. Back at the TVA Mobius is meeting with Ravonna who oversees at least his missions. She tells him the Time Keepers are watching this case closely and they better bring in Loki soon. Again Wilson and Hiddleston have a fantastic scene being honest with each other about what each other’s motivations and goals are in helping one another. He tasks Loki with going over all the files of the past variants to look for patterns. He eventually reads a file on Ragnarok and realizes the Variant is hiding in apocalypses. 

With this theory the two head to Pompeii prior to the volcanic explosion. They test their theory and it seems true as nothing they do registers prior to the explosion of the volcano. After a conversation about fatalism and free will Mobius is reminded of the pack of gum left at the church crime scene last week. They cross reference that with disasters that happen during that candys production and they find him in Alabama. His plan is approved and a task force is sent to the time. They head to 2050 when a Hurricane wipes out a futuristic big box store where they believe he is held up. As they enter we see the hooded figure we assume to be Loki see them on a security feed. He sets a charge to go off in 20 minutes. Loki and Hunter are investigating a civilian when she is taken over similar to the agent at the start of the episode and has a conversation with Loki. Our Loki informs Evil Variant Loki he plans to overthrow the TVA and “Randy” Loki declines the offer. As Mobius and his team rescue the captured agent from the beginning she informs them she gave up the location of the Time Keepers. Loki then gets in a fight with another controlled civilian. He asks the civilian what he wants from him when the hooded figure walks up behind him to reveal itself to be a woman in complete Loki attire with horns who says “It’s not about you”. Just then all the reset charges Bad Loki had been stealing began activating and began being transported to different timelines calling all kinds of ripples in the time stream. This sends TVA into a frenzy, back at the supermarket the female Loki heads through a time door and our Loki stands as Mobius and his team approach, Loki heads through the door as they scream for him to stop bringing up the end credits. 

Really solid episode, love what the show is doing and the reveal of the Female Loki will be interesting. The show continues to shine in the relationship between Mobius and Loki. I believe Loki went through the door to investigate and eventually do the right thing validating the trust Mobius put in him. The show is shaping up to be Marvel’s best so far. 

Observations

• Miss Minutes as a VI character interacting with Loki is a fun dynamic. 
• Ok Tour De France Loki is interesting but I need more Leather pants Hulk Loki. 
• I’m sure that Franklin D Roosevelt High School pen is important, I’ll have to do some research. 
• Mobius is Savage last week it was Loki’s mom and this week calling him an “ice Runt” 
• Holy crap that shot physically watching tears well up in his eyes was amazing. 
• It was in the trailer but the “You’ve literally stabbed people in the back like 50 times” 
• Pompeii… Remember when I said this was the MCU Doctor Who?
• Please by the end of the season have Loki get Mobius a Jet Ski, we need that kind of Dave Filoni wholesome in this show. 
• The “which Loki is more Loki” is giving off some Rickest Rick vibes. Come to think of it, there is a little Citadel of Rick’s energy in this series. 
• Using a Roomba as a shield, take that Cap.