This episode reminded me of Infinity War in the best, most devastating way. It’s a smaller scale of all the drama and theories that were lighting up the Internet back in 2018. It’s so fun.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There’s a surprising amount of plot in this episode of Loki – along with some standout moments from underused characters.
I’m pleased that Miss Minute’s big “secret” about Ravonna and HWR wasn’t a previous romantic connection. She used to command HWR’s army and would’ve ruled alongside him if he hadn’t wiped her memory. With Miss Minutes’ disillusionment of HWR, it looks like she and Ravonna could be the true villains of this show’s finale – if the Loom doesn’t take everyone out first.
Hunter B-15 was one of the most frustratingly fumbled characters of season 1. She was given some stuff to do, but not enough. With her strong morals and determination to save the multiverse, she has a larger role in the show this time around. B-15 allying herself with Dox and her Minutemen to protect the TVA from Ravonna made for an interesting partnership… at least as long as it lasted, lol. But we’ll get to that!
That wasn’t the only new team-up. Ouroboros and Timely made for a great pairing too – they’re both so endearing – and hey, Casey’s here too! The mix of old and new characters from both seasons worked well together. And there was also the resurgence of unexplored storylines back from season 1. We got Sylvie yelling at Mobius about his unwillingness to look for his own life on the timeline, which adds more depth to his character. While I adore Mobius and Loki’s connection, this show is gradually working up to the point where Mobius will have to stand on his own.
Speaking of character moments, this episode brought us one of the best Loki scenes in this entire show. His exchange with Sylvie, in the same room where he reached out to Mobius two episodes ago, was marvelous. Loki calling up memories of his actions in the first Thor movie to justify his actions, the way he pauses when he calls Thor “my… brother,” the line about how it’s easier to burn than mend, and that final “we are gods” – bloody incredible, all of it!
That’s two direct mentions of Thor, in back-to-back episodes! Can we please get Christ Hemsworth in here so we can have a proper reunion of the brothers?
But hey, this is where the episode takes a turn – and now we’re in the same boat as we were after Infinity War, keeping track of all those deaths and trying to figure out which ones are and aren’t permanent!
Dox and her loyalists: gone for good
Given the graphic way that Miss Minutes trash-compacted everyone, I think it’s fair enough to say we won’t be seeing Dox again – which is unfortunate, given how close she was to fighting by B-15’s side. (Also, geez, Miss Minutes enjoyed that way too much.)
Miss Minutes: deactivated, not defeated
Since she’s an AI, Miss Minutes has the best chance of just popping back into everyone’s computers at the end of the day. She might be disconnected for now, but OB or Timely will probably be able to get her back with a system reboot or the like. Maybe they can edit out her bloodlust?
Ravonna: out of commission
We know from season 1 that pruning ≠ instant death, but it’s not an easy thing to come back from – especially since Ravonna’s on her own now, without even Miss Minutes. I can’t see her making her return any time soon.
Timely: cards aren’t in his favor
Well, he’s turned into space spaghetti, so… I don’t think he’s recoverable. Since the current theory for episode 5 is that everyone will be thrown across the timeline, there’s a vague possibility that he’ll show up somewhere too. But, then again, he was vaporized before everyone got hit with the Loom explosion, so who knows?
(Side note: was anyone else finding parallels to that scene from Deep Blue Sea?)
Loki, Mobius, Sylvie, OB, B-15, Casey: probably alive, but spread out
The end of this episode was definitely season 2’s obligatory Loki death. However, as I mentioned above, all six of them have likely been tossed into random points in the timeline, scattered through history. But still, Loki facing his possible death again… can he ever be happy?
See, I think this would be a perfect opportunity for Loki to finally encounter Thor. If we don’t have Chris Hemsworth, fine – make it young Thor! A version who doesn’t recognize Loki because he’s grown up! They could have such a meaningful conversation about who they are and who they want to be, and Thor could say something nice about his brother… the possibilities are bountiful!
But ugh, this show hasn’t been interested in intently pursuing the Thor & Loki brotherhood, despite the great mentions of Thor in this episode. This has been an intense one, though, make no mistake. I love seeing heroes fail right before the final battle – it just makes their upcoming victory shine all the brighter.
