Show-stopping performances from the actors, outstanding production, and phenomenal cinematography lead the second season of “Loki” to be considered one of the greatest stories the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever created. 

Over its 12-episode arc, spanning nearly three years, “Loki” concluded with a beautiful yet heartbreaking finale. In the movies preceding the show, Loki was portrayed as the “villain” and the cunning brother but in his own show, Tom Hiddleston, who plays Loki, changed tactics and represented the character as selfless, heroic, and capable of love. At the beginning of his MCU career, Loki started off as the standard formulaic character, but by the end, the God of Mischief concluded his storyline by fulfilling his glorious purpose and a new title. “The God of Stories.”

Even with all the time that passed and everything that’s happened, the new season picks up right where it left off: with Loki still imprisoned in the Time Variance Authority (TVA). Immediately after the season premiere, Loki is assigned to find Sylvie, played by Sophia Di Martin, and save his friends who are suffering from a type of multi-timeline amnesia. Once Loki has controlled his time slipping and brought back his friends’ memories, the core plot line follows the TVA facing an impending doom. This danger introduces new characters like technician Ouroboros, portrayed by Ke Huy Quan, and Hunter X-5, played by Rafael Casal. The new additions bring a sense of freshness and humor that the latest season needed. 

Mr. Katsiaris, an English teacher here at Hills caught up with The Beacon to share his thoughts about the new cast. His review clearly expressed love for Ouroboros. “He’s just so funny and innocent. Seeing his dynamic play off of Loki and Mobius is so interesting.” 

The cast list wasn’t the only thing that changed in the recent season. There was a significant difference in the set design and cinematography. With the new season being shot in London rather than Atlanta, Georgia, there was a shift in visuals and direction. From OB’s cluttered workshop to London in the 1970s to an entire storyline set in 19th-century Chicago. All these unique episodes added to the magnificence of season two. 

Along with the praise the latest season received, there was some controversy as well. After a good portion of the fandom sensed the relationship between Loki and Mobius constantly giving off a budding romance vibe, they became quite the internet sensation. The idea of Lokius has gained popularity ever since the premiere of the season one finale. Fans from all over the world romantically shipped the two characters together. So much so that there are around 17, 000 TikToks with over 134 million views under the hashtag “Lokius.” 

After years of little to no LGBTQIA+ representation in the 30+ MCU projects, fans were really hopeful to see Lokius come to fruition. But Marvel always intended the friendship to be platonic and serve as a way to rectify toxic masculinity. Fans were confused when this happened because in the comics, Loki is queer and the first season of the show mentions Loki being involved with both women and men. 

Mr. Katsiaris expresses his opinion on this inclusion sharing, “Loki’s pansexuality and the fact that Disney is trying to get more gay viewers and sympathies without actually depicting the romance should be the controversy that people should mainly be focusing on.” 

The Beacon also asked various students what they thought about the ongoing debate. An anonymous senior shared their opinion by remaining neutral and stating, “Loki and Mobius’s relationship throughout the series is very unique and brings a different lens to the MCU for old and new fans. It was interesting to see their relationship playout.”  

After the rollercoaster that season two was, it ended with an emotionally overwhelming finale. Spoiler alerts ahead! 

With Loki ultimately saving the multiverse. At the start of the series, Loki is selfish, manipulative, and power-hungry but by the end of his journey, he ends up being a hero. The season two finale, aptly titled, “Glorious Purpose” finds Loki grabbing the threads of the universe into the palms of his hands, pulling them together through a portal to the end of time. As Loki wraps himself in the branches of the multiverse, powering them with his magic, he sits on a throne he never wanted. 

Even though Loki doesn’t get the happy ending he deserves, he seems content knowing his friends are continuing their lives with the freedom they never had before. In perfect juxtaposition, the episode ends with Loki looking at the audience tearfully, implying that he wouldn’t want it any other way. After 14 years, seven movies, and one epic show, Tom Hiddleston said goodbye to Loki Laufeyson.