Review: Marvel’s “Loki” Episodes 3-5
Marvel’s Loki has proven to be one of the most surprising shows in recent memory, with twists and turns aplenty that have kept audiences tuning in and asking questions. And while the first two episodes were near flawless, excellently setting up the series and a more established idea of the MCU multiverse, some small cracks in the process have begun to show. But even though episodes 3-5 don’t reach the dazzling heights of the initial episodes, they are still quite good and there are far more positives than negatives.
The biggest plus of the middle three episodes has been the intensely personal nature of the narratives. Each episode has been a deep dive in the psyche of the titular Asgardian prince, with deep rooted issues such as self-worth and loneliness taking the forefront. It goes a long way in fleshing out the character of Loki and providing reasoning to his seemingly evil, and sometimes erratic, actions. Loki has quickly developed into, perhaps, the most nuanced and human character in the entire MCU.
And the exploration of Loki’s inner demons fits in perfectly with each episode, with the reveals about the God of Mischief defining the action at play. For instance, episode 3, titled “Lamentis”, sees Loki and the female variant, Sylvie, on the run in another apocalypse. They are looking for a way to survive in order to further confront the TVA, who are still hot on their heels. Throughout the course of the episode, though, the pair discuss their lives, with each realizing they have far more in common than they first assumed, especially as they are essentially the same thing. The bond that links them is the deep loneliness they both feel, and seeing it played out exactly, even under their differing circumstances, is what sparks the awkward romantic tension, as they finally understand they aren’t alone.
This focus on the emotion and character motivation is refreshing, especially in the MCU, where sometimes spectacle take a more prominent role. However, this does lead to some slight pacing issues, especially in episodes 3 and 4. There are long stretches of each of those episodes that, while certainly interesting, begin to drag. The train sequence is one such time, as nothing really seemed to happen and it was just another excuse for Loki and Sylvie to talk at length about their feeling, which they had already done several times by that point.
Certainly, these moments are designed to build the relationship, but, especially in episode 3, which is the weakest of the three, there is a little too much exposition in comparison to the superhero action, two elements that were really well balanced in the first episodes. However, that is a relatively small gripe, as the episodes really do an excellent job of building on each other, so that there is a clear continuity between episodes and there are surprises and lingering questions by the end.
One of the best reveals was Loki getting “killed” by some of TVA agents. That proved to be a ruse, however, with the murder sticks the TVA utilize actually being weaponized, singular TemPads that are designed to send the person on the wrong end to the end of time. When Loki arrives, he’s surrounded by other rogue Loki variants, including Alligator Loki, who should be everyone’s favorite Marvel animal now, especially considering he ends up eating President Loki’s arm in hilarious fashion.
Of note, Richard E. Grant appears here as “Classic Loki” in perhaps the most comics-accurate costume in MCU history. While many often latch onto the idea that only one actor can properly encapsulate a given character, as many have with Tom Hiddleston and Loki, Grant’s surprise entrance throws that idea directly in the trash, as he is just as capable as Hiddleston in the role. He’s a grizzled, world-weary Loki who survived his final encounter with Thanos and chose to sequester himself, as he didn’t want to be the trickster the world expected him to be. It is an interesting twist on the tropes that had been explored thus far, because Grant’s Loki knew that he’d never be accepted for anything more than what people expected him to be, but that wasn’t him any longer.
Grant’s portrayal adds a lot of pathos to the depiction of Loki, but it also has a profound effect on the main Loki, as well as Sylvie, with each realizing that they aren’t bound by the opinions of others. It also helps them understand the nature of their own power and that they are far more capable than they ever believed. Grant’s untimely death, is, perhaps, the most fitting in the history of the MCU, with the Asgardian God of Mischief madly cackling in the face of his own demise. It’s equal parts inspirational and sinister, and perfectly fits in with the themes of the show thus far.
All things considered, Marvel’s Loki continues to prove that is full of glorious purpose, with each episode building the mythology and setting the stage for everything from the Ant-Man threequel to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. While there were some small pacing issues early on, they are nothing that hold the series back and it’s clear that the God of Mischief is poised to be not only one of the most popular MCU characters, but also one of the most important going forward.
