‘Loki’ Season 1 Explained

SPOILER ALERT

Marvel's 'Loki' shattered records with its premiere episode becoming the most-watched series premiere of a Disney+ show, clocking in about 730 million minutes of viewership in its opening week.

For Marvel fans, it was the third in a slew of Marvel's Disney+ endeavours, with fiends going gaga over the unlikely return of a MCU villain who was supposedly dead.

Despite the improbability, 'Loki' picks up from a loose end left by Avengers: Endgame, evolving into a full-fledged standalone series despite being a part of a larger universe. Part of what makes the show great is its ability to speak for itself—you don't really have to be au fait with the MCU universe to enjoy the series. You can enjoy it just as it is—a mind-blowing piece of science fiction.

Even for the well-versed, the show is an exciting swashbuckler, for it explores an uncharted facet of the MCU. Not to mention the ground-breaking revelation in the final episode, which not only dismantles the tenet upon which the entire universe has been built but also unfurls a universe of possibilities, including exciting crossovers. Spider-Man and Venom? Deadpool and Spider-Man? How about an Avengers and Fantastic Four crossover?

With the introduction of Deadpool into the MCU, a Deadpool-Spider Man crossover might be in the works. And fans are here for it.

It's not to say that the show is a precursor for the upcoming Marvel films; evident because of the helpfully named movie titles, some of which will have to either deal with the kerfuffle or endure its ramifications. But it also does an excellent job of delving into Loki's psychology. Without having Thor or Odin to fume at him or worlds to conquer, Loki has ample time to mature and evolve as a character. His evolution from an egocentric rapscallion to a lovable one forms the crux of the show.

The first episode is an excellent introduction to the unknown world of the TVA, with everything from the retro-futuristic setting to the ever-charming Mobius winning our hearts with their engaging quips and jests. In the span of the premiere episode, viewers get to see Loki being effectively de-villainized when he discovers that all his pontification about conquering Midgard was a trifle. The realization that he is to be strangled at the hands of the mad Titan further mars his ego, leading him to admit that he does not derive pleasure from another's misfortune and that he was forced by an invisible hand.

By focusing on Loki's psyche, the show leans towards an unseen, vulnerable version of him; a stark contrast to his usual domineering self, constructively using this version as the benchmark upon which the remaining character arc were to be developed.

During an encounter with Sif in The Nexus Event, Loki admits that he is afraid of being alone. This monophobia is his driving force. His angst of being lonely propels him to seek attention. He does so in unruly ways, but all he wants is to be loved. When he finally finds love, he does do so in his ersatz self, only for the alter ego to jilt him. With Sylvie's betrayal, his journey comes full circle with him getting a taste of his own medicine.

Helmed by Kate Herron, the stellar cast includes Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sophia Di Martino, Wunmi Musaku, and Jonathan Majors, all of whom effectively capture the nuances of their respective characters with remarkable finesse and delicacy. In conjunction with Michael Waldron's ingenious writing, breathtaking visuals (which is bound to receive some recognition during the award season), production design, and musical score (Natalie Holt), the show is a true masterpiece in storytelling.

But the multitude of Lokis and the quirky TVA rules are enough to leave your head scratching. Well, look no further! Here is an episode-by-episode analysis of 'Loki':

EPISODE 1: GLORIOUS PURPOSE

EPISODE 2: THE VARIANT

EPISODE 3: LAMENTIS

EPISODE 4: THE NEXUS EVENT

EPISODE 5: JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY

EPISODE 6: FOR ALL TIME. ALWAYS.