Review: Marvel's "Loki" Episodes 1 & 2

Marvel’s Loki got off to an auspicious start with a first episode that gets straight to the heart of the character of its protagonist, while also smartly introducing the MCU’s newest agency, the TVA (Time Variance Authority). The episode was a little light on action, but it more than made up for it with intrigue. And the immediate follow-up kept that trend going, with a focus on the variant “evil” Loki and the mystery surrounding the character.

Starting with the first episode, though, the impetus for the proceedings is watching Loki being ushered through the TVA headquarters after being captured mere moments after escaping with the Tesseract. While it was clear the rogue Asgardian was going to be captured by the clandestine organization, it was a bit of a surprise to see it happen so early. It did allow, though, for several gags at Loki’s expense at being so easily apprehended and his surprise at his new surroundings. It also allowed the episode to transition into a more introspective narrative, with Owen Wilson’s snarky Agent Mobius walking audiences through a greatest hits collection of Loki’s MCU history.

This, then, forced the trickster God to have a rare human moment, because it was the first time that he knew, unequivocally, that he was outclassed. In that moment, chained and stuck inside an all-powerful time policing agency, there was no scheme he could hatch that would save him, or any amount of fast talking that would persuade his captors. He had to be honest, not only with Mobius and the TVA, but also with himself, about who he was and why he did the things he did. In a lot of ways it was a sobering moment that helped Loki realize that he didn’t have to be the bad guy, even if that’s what everyone expected of him, and he didn’t even need a fight to the death with his murderous sister or a stand-off with the insane Grandmaster to figure it out.

This led perfectly into the next episode, where Loki has officially been made a consultant of the TVA, with his job being to aid in finding a rogue version of himself that has been causing problems in the time stream. Throughout the episode Loki is both trying to establish his worth to the TVA, in the hopes that a good showing on his part will lead to his continued survival, and prove that he is the best and true version of himself, regardless of what anyone else thinks. It’s an interesting setup that furthers the character development of Loki into something far more heroic (or anti-heroic) than he’s ever been before.

And it’s good to see that, as the other MCU series to date, WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, were light on overall character growth and change. Sure, everyone in those shows had revelations about their existence, but those revelations were more about solidifying who they already were. In this instance, Loki is being actively reformed and changing in front of an audience that is more than eager to get behind him as a hero.

And the second episode is at its best when it leans into this, such as when Loki gleefully explains to Mobius that he figured out where the variant was hiding. When doing this, Loki seemed to genuinely be enjoying the process and it was no longer about gaining power and dominance or being the best. He was helping because it was the right thing to do, and, moreover, what he wanted to do.

The big surprise in these episodes was Owen Wilson, as the announcement of his casting in the project, while definitely high profile, left some scratching their heads. He’s not really known for his action roles and there were some that weren’t sure if his comedic sensibilities would mesh well in the Marvel universe. However, those fears proved unfounded as he’s so far proved to be an excellent addition to the MCU and the perfect foil for Loki.

Wilson plays Mobius with the same kind of manic intensity he’s brought to so many of his past roles, but he keeps it restrained, on a leash. What’s more interesting is that his character is very similar, in personality, to Loki, and it seems that Mobius sees something of himself in the wayward Asgardian prince, and there is a sort of fraternal bond that quickly grows between the two. Furthermore, Loki gets to ham it up against a straight man who wants nothing more than to let loose. The relationship between the two, while not the central plot of the series, is definitely going to be one of the hallmarks.

Overall, the first two episodes do an excellent job of not only establishing the premise of the show, but in establishing the Marvel multiverse that had only been teased thus far. There are clear rules in place that are easy to follow and the concept was tightly explained and easily understood. Beyond that, though, in two episodes, Loki has settled itself as one of the most engaging MCU entries. The creative team really understands the character and it appears that they have a specific journey they are sending Loki on. Whether the quality will remain is anyone’s guess, but all signs point to yes. The first two episodes have to be considered a triumph for Marvel and if things keep going steady, there could be a legitimate argument for Loki being the best Marvel adaptation there is.