The hunt begins!
Last time on Loki, the God of Mischief
made off with the Tesseract, but was almost immediately captured by the TVA. The
Time Variance Authority, is a mysterious group of essentially time cops,
traveling across the “Sacred Timeline” and monitoring for and removing “Variants.”
Variants being guys like Loki, beings that through either outside meddling or
the inherent chaos of life, went against the flow of time as dictated by the god-like
Timekeepers. Loki is initially sentenced to be “pruned” IE killed, by Judge Renslayer,
but Agent Mobius steps in to save him. After a somewhat tumultuous interview,
where we learn that Loki was DB Cooper, he attempts to escape, but instead learns
how his story was meant to play out. While essentially just seeing a recording
of his next few years isn’t the same thing as having lived them, I have to
imagine seeing the death of one’s mother and father, and seeing you reconciling
with an estranged sibling just before sacrificing yourself just kinda messes
with you. About as much as hearing the source of ultimate power that you’re
aware of, the Infinity Stones, are being used as paper weights in this weird bureaucratic
office at the edge of time. Loki agrees to work with Mobius, who reveals why he
was so hot to use Loki, as the dangerous Variant he’s hunting IS a Loki. Said Variant
ends up attacking and killing another TVA Team just before the credits roll. Enough
rehashing, let’s get to it!
Episode 2: The Variant
The Variant has escalated to kidnapping... or is
it deescalating from murder?
This episode opens in what initially
look like the Renaissance, but is revealed to be truly horrible place… a Ren
fair in Oshkosh, Wisconsin circa 1985. Oh, the humanity! … what? I’m from
Minnesota, I’m required to mock Wisconsin. Anyway, it’s a Ren fair in the 80s. A portal
opens and a group of Hunters and Minute men come out. They detect a Variant and
enter a barn. The Loki Variant stealthily touches the Hunter, seemingly
grabbing control of her mind and forcing her to attack her own Minute men. All
to the beat of Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler. The Minute Men are all taken
out by their Hunter until there’s only one left. The Loki releases her, then,
and then kills the last of the Minute Man before escaping through a Time Door.
I really wanna know the story behind Biker Loki.
We then jump over to Loki at his
desk in the TVA offices, reading a magazine about Jet Ski that Mobius has. He’s
being quizzed about TVA info by Ms. Minute, who is apparently a partial
recording, partial self-aware AI program. Specifically, that the Red Line that
concerns the TVA when they’re out is the point where their Reset Charge can no
longer reset the timeline. He get’s bored and starts swatting at Ms. Minute
just as Mobius comes in and tells him there’s been another attack. They head
out. The TVA agent that has gone missing is known as C-20. They have enough data
to know that the Variant Loki was involved, but not what kind of Variant.
Apparently, Loki is known to have one of the most Variants of any sentient
lifeform in the known universe. Apparently, he doesn’t take following
directions well, regardless of iteration. His Variants come in a lot of
different shapes and sizes, and can have different powers but usually have at
least some of his usual powers like shapeshifting, illusion-projection etc.
Loki explains the difference between his preferred duplication casting and
illusion. Illusions can do its own thing, duplication is essentially making a
mirror image. They’ll break into two teams, one will go with B-15, the second
with Loki and Mobius.
Loki wonders if anyone is worried
about him getting away when he has his powers back, but Mobius isn’t. Why? Because
how could betraying them get Loki closer to the Timekeepers? He makes a solid
point. They head back to the Ren Fair. Loki asks why they just didn’t go back
to before when the attack happened. Mobius explains that the Nexus event destabilizes
time around the branch. Basically, time is too fragile to monkey around with,
so they have to experience the Nexus event in real time. Yes, that was a long
form version of “because we wouldn’t have a show otherwise,” lets move on. We also
learn that the Reset Charges disintegrate the effected area of time and let the
timeline correct itself before entering the barn.
They’re shocked to realize that the
Loki kidnapped C-20. They have to work fast as their three units to Redline.
Loki stops them, saying that if they leave the tent they’ll be captured to. He
explains that they need to be aware of their surroundings. He tells them that the
Variant will attack them because they expect the TVA to look for C-20. Loki
gives a long-winded speech about how important he is to the other Loki’s plan
and how loyal he is to the TVA, which all boils down to him wasting time to try
to squeeze the TVA for additional incentives. Mobius doesn’t buy it and tells
them to reset the timeline. The Charge goes off as they leave, disintegrating
the bodies of the TVA agents.
We cut to Renslayer’s office. She
and Mobius are having a drink. Apparently, Renslayer keeps the trophies from
Mobius’ cases in her office, how odd. This is a chewing out for his botched
mission. B-15 gave an honest assessment of Loki being an asshole. Mobius spins it
as, TVA Loki likes to stall for time, so the other Variant they’re tracking
must like to, also. Renslayer isn’t as sure. Loki is an evil, lying scourge, as
that is his role on the Sacred Timeline. Mobius asks how the Timekeepers are
doing, Renslayer telling him that they’re watching this case carefully, which
they never do. This is his last chance with Loki, and she hands him a file. He
signs for it with a pen she offers him, which we get to see is from Franklin D.
Roosevelt High. Mobius assumes it’s from one of Renslayers “Other favorite analysts.”
Mobius promises to delete Loki himself if he doesn’t work out.
Loki meets up with him outside, and
immediately tries to spin his little powerplay as a lesson on Loki psychology,
and how half the fun of being a trickster is playing on people’s expectations.
Mobius isn’t having it, telling Loki that he’s there to hunt down this superior
version of himself. Loki is a bit hurt by this, but not as much as by Mobius
going further to say that he’d hoped Loki’s insecure need for validation would motivate
him, which it doesn’t seem to have. Loki finds it adorable that Mobius thinks
that he can manipulate him, to which Mobius counters by breaking down Loki’s
entire plan to cozy up to the Timekeepers in an attempt to seize control of the
TVA. “A double-cross from history’s most reliable liar,” as he puts it. Mobius explains
he’s sticking his neck out for Loki either because he feels bad for the scared
ice runt he sees out in the cold when he looks at Loki or because he’s
desperate and needs help, and will let Loki decide which is the real answer.
Mobius gives Loki his last chance,
taking him to the TVA’s records. He tells Loki to look over his Variant’s case
files, get a feel for his other self and then give Mobius his unique Loki
perspective. Loki starts going over the case files, much to my own shock, but
doesn’t make much headway at first. He gets bored and tries to get a librarian
to give him files on the creation of the TVA, the beginning of time, or the end
of time but they’re all classified. The only files he’s allowed to access are
the Loki files. He gets back to work, coming across the file on the destruction
of Asgard. It was a Class 7 Apocalypse, total planetary destruction, thousands
dead and no variance energy detected. This causes a lightbulb to go off in Loki’s
head.
He goes to Mobius, and explains his
theory. Loki believes that his Variant is hiding in Apocalypses. The fall of
Asgard gave him the idea. He explains that Nexus Events happen because someone
does something they aren’t supposed to do and that spirals out, creating a new
timeline. Loki thinks that if, say, he went down to Asgard a bit before it’s
destruction, he could do anything he wanted without alerting the TVA so long as
Asgard is still destroyed. He uses the example of pushing the Hulk off the
Rainbow Bridge… guess he still hasn’t forgiven Thor for that whole Puny god
thing. The timeline won’t branch, because it gets destroyed. Loki wants to test
his theory, but Mobius isn’t as sure. He thinks that Loki might actually stab
him in the back. Loki takes offense to this, calling it a very boring form of
betrayal… until Mobius points out that he’s literally stabbed people in their
literal back like 50 times. Loki says that Mobius can trust that Loki loves
being right even if he can’t trust Loki to not be himself.
Loki is the only one smiling on this day in Pompeii
And probably for several decades after.
To test the theory, they travel to
Pompeii, Italy, 79 AD. Yeah… THAT apocalypse. Mobius tries a subtle means of
altering the timeline, but Loki just runs around screaming that he’s a God from
the future and they’re all doomed. The volcano then goes off, as Loki screams
about how nothing matters and there are no consequences. According to Mobius TemPad,
there’s no variance energy.
They return to the office and
formulate the perimeters for the apocalypses the Loki is hiding in. They have
to be sudden, naturally occurring ends with no survivors. That actually turns
out to not narrow down apocalypses that much, so they hit a slump. The two take
a break for lunch. Loki asks about the Jet Ski magazine and discovers that
Mobius is a big Jet Ski buff, even if he’s never ridden one. Loki wonders why
he reads about them if he can never ride one, as a TVA agent on a Jet Ski would
definitely disrupt the Sacred Timeline, but Mobius says he likes to because it
reminds him of what they’re fighting for. Loki is skeptical of Mobius following
the TVA party line, but can’t convince Mobius that the story about the space
lizards making the TVA and all its agents to monitor time is a bit bonkers. In
Mobius defense, yes, Loki’s origin story about being a Frost Giant raised by
Odin, God of Heaven only sounds a little less ridiculous. Loki points out that
according to the TVA’s dogma, the past, present and future are all already
written so they’re the only ones with free will. He asks how does everything
end. Mobius gives him the story that they protect the past, while the Timekeepers
toil away in their chamber to unravel what the future will be. When they
finish, the TVA ends, Order is permanent and they’ll all meet at the end of
time. I’m with Loki that that seems like a load of bollocks. Loki mention the
scared little boy line and that sets off a lightbulb in Mobius’ head.
Regardless of time or place, research is a pain.
They return to the archive, Mobius
explaining about the gum the Loki gave to the child. They couldn’t get any info
from it, but the gum itself gives them a clue. Now they have two variables, an
apocalypse, but one that is capable of having Kablooie chewing gum. Narrows the
field down quite nicely, that. It was only sold on Earth from 2047-51, and they
just have to cross reference every apocalyptic event in that time period. There’s
a LOT of apocalypses in those five years, but Loki does find it, Alabama 2050.
Mobius goes to Renslayer who is
skeptical about giving him a full fireteam. He explains their theory that Haven
Hills, Alabama, owned by Roxxcart, that was wiped out by a hurricane. Lot of
resources, making it the perfect hiding spot for the Variant, as they could
just keep going back to that spot over and over again, creating new branches to
the timeline that just get wiped out by the hurricane. Renslayer doesn’t feel good
about trusting Loki, but Mobius goes to bat for the idea. He convinces her, but
she warns him that she can’t help him if this goes sideways.
The team gets together. He tries to
give Loki his knives, but B-15 takes them back saying absolutely not. They have
briefing, Roxxcart is an obvious Wal-Mart stand in, common to the area with a
sprawling warehouse that the locals are hiding in. This apocalypse is a class
10… wait… Asgard being destroyed was a class 7. I’m not sure if the thought
that somehow the destruction of a whole planet is less than that of a city… or
that the scale goes up and that a planet being destroyed is only a 7 on it
concerns me more. B-15 warns them to be on alert, that they need to watch their
Reset Charges and to prune a Loki if they see one.
We cut to Haven Hills, Alabama 2050
as the Hurricane ravages the area. The group enters Roxxcart, Loki using magic
to dry himself off, and they prepare to start searching. Mobius tries to go off
with Loki, but B-15 says he’s staying with her. Loki tells him it’s fine and
that he’ll work to earn their trust. Mobius isn’t convinced but lets it happen.
They are being watched from the security office by the Loki, who sets a 20-minute
timer on their TemPad before moving out.
Loki tries to ingratiate himself
with B-15, but she’s not interested. They come across a guy “shopping for planets.”
B-15 wonders if this guy is Loki, to which Loki says, “Maybe?” B-15 goes to
take him, but the man grabs her arm, green energy flowing down his arm and into
her. He gets knocked out and B-15 is clearly now possessed by a Loki.
Mobius and the Minute Men investigate
the refugees. One tries to get help, but Mobius obviously can’t do anything
about it. Another Minute Man run in, telling Mobius they found C-20. She’s in
an office repeating “It’s real.”
Loki chats with himself, er, the
other Loki, realizing that they’re controlling B-15 via enchantment. They have
a “who is the better Loki” conversation, which ends when the other Loki body swaps
to a Roxxcart employee. Loki tries to egg his Variant into talking, making it
clear that he’s working for himself. He tells the Other Loki that he’s going to
overflow the Timekeepers and he’s looking for a qualitied Lieutenant. The other
Loki, who doesn’t like being called Loki, is evasive, giving our Loki a better
appreciation for why Thor found his games kind of annoying. The Other Loki isn’t
interested in ruling, as Loki follows after “Randy,” we see the real other Loki
setting another Reset Charge in the shadows.
C-20 keeps repeating “it’s real.”
Mobius tries to send her back to the TVA headquarters but she reveals that she
told the Variant Loki how to find the Timekeepers. They try to radio B-15. She’s
just coming round, and takes a shuttering breath.
Loki tries to find out his other
self’s plan. Randy isn’t talking, but Loki sees a Reset Charge and figures they’re
trying to lure all the TVA Agents in and erase them all in one fell swoop. The
other Loki jumps to a new redneck body and attacks Loki. The other Loki throws Loki
around, smashing up TVs and such. Loki tries to convince his other self to come
out of hiding, but the other Loki isn’t interested. They claim to have shit to
do, before throwing Loki into a display.
So Lady Loki is a big fan of Ringwraiths...
or maybe a Myddraal?
B-15 rejoins Mobius, telling them
about losing Loki. Other Loki sets up another charge as Loki gets up. He demands
to know what this is about. The redneck drops, and the Loki reveals… herself?
Oh my. Lady Loki tells Loki that this isn’t about him, just as the power goes
off and dozens possibly hundreds of Reset Charges power up and then are dropped
across the timeline. The charges create dozens of redlines. She’s effectively
bombed the Sacred Timeline. TVA Agents Scramble to restore order.
Lady Loki takes her TemPad and
opens a door. She steps through, waving goodbye to Loki. He walks toward the
door as Mobius runs up, he jumps through before they can reach him. The credits
roll as Mobius says Damn it.
This was a solid follow up. I’m
really enjoying Mobius as a character. Given that he has read Loki’s entire
file and knows most of his tricks, he’s a bit like Thor in Ragnarok. He knows
Loki so well that he doesn’t fall for the majority of his tricks and has an
idea of his psychology. I laughed hard at the line that Loki has stabbed people
in the back like 50 times. I also love his love of Jet Skies and I do so hope
that one day he gets to ride one. The Roxxcart thing is a nice nod to the
comics and call back to Iron Man 3. It’s another company owned by Roxxon, one
of the big corporations of the Marvel universe, most known for its oil refineries.
It was kind of fun to see how this Lady Loki Variant operated. It seems that she
uses Enchantment possession like Loki uses Illusions, to distract and misdirect
her enemies. I have to imagine possessing a hunter like B-15 will probably have
ramifications. And by imagine, I mean know, because I’ve finished the series
once before, but I like to write these as if I’m writing it from a first viewing.
Duh. Lady Loki hiding in apocalypses was a neat idea. It fits with the lore
they’ve established and allows for a few really interesting situations going
forward. Just so you know. Oh, and I should probably point out that there’s a fairly
popular fan theory that the TVA’s base of operations exists in the Quantum
Realm. They use Mobius remarks about time working differently in the TVA and
the way the Time Doors look when opened. It’s a nice bit of lore if true. So
yeah, Loki has met himself and is now chasing her back to base. This’ll
probably not end well. I’ll see you then.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/54196671
Twitter: @BasicsSuperhero
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