The Kenneth Branagh-directed cinematic masterpiece marked the debut of the God of Mischief as a character suited for a Shakespearean drama. He was portrayed as the overlooked younger brother of the future king, driven to plot against his royal family in a bid to claim the throne for himself. Though the first Thor film concluded with Loki’s apparent demise, it subtly hinted at his next dastardly endeavor: invading Earth in the 2012 blockbuster “The Avengers.” Fast forward more than a decade, and after several twists and turns, Loki has undergone a profound transformation from the sneering and petulant villain he once was.
In the latest episode of “Loki” titled “Breaking Brad,” the God of Mischief exhibits just how much he has matured. When Mobius loses his composure during a tense interrogation, Loki, for once, remains levelheaded. He attempts to console his friend by recounting a familiar, regrettable incident from a different timeline. “Remember that time I was so furious with my father and brother that I went to Earth and held New York City hostage with an alien army?” Loki reflects. “I tried to use the Mind Stone on Tony Stark, and when it failed, I threw him off a building! Let me tell you, it wasn’t a tactical move. I lost control. Sometimes, our emotions get the best of us.”
This anecdote playfully harks back to a scene in “The Avengers.” However, the way Loki nostalgically shares it with Mobius underscores his newfound self-awareness and the vast gap between the villain he once was and the hero he is striving to become. The second episode of the new season serves as a well-timed reminder of Loki’s personal growth as he endeavors to safeguard the entire multiverse. Simultaneously, traces of his former malevolent self continue to surface.
The premiere of the previous week seamlessly picked up from where Season 1 of “Loki” left off, following the dramatic introduction of He Who Remains in the season finale. The story wasted no time in escalating the challenges and predicaments faced by Loki and the Time Variance Authority (TVA). With Loki’s time-traveling conundrum resolved with O.B.’s assistance, Loki and Mobius are back on track in Episode 2, determined to locate Sylvie.
In “Breaking Brad,” the quest to find Sylvie commences with the search for Hunter X-5, who has been hiding in 1977 on the Sacred Timeline. Loki, Mobius, and Hunter B-15 discover that X-5 has reinvented himself as an actor named Brad Wolfe. Their plan is to confront him at the London premiere of his latest film, “Zaniac,” described with pretentious flair as an “elevated thriller.” This nod to the character’s comic book origins adds a layer of intrigue, as Wolfe gets possessed by a parasitic demon from the Dark Dimension while filming a slasher movie about a serial killer named Zaniac.
“Breaking Brad” dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to introducing X-5 more comprehensively after his brief appearance in the previous episode. Once the TVA trio manages to capture and interrogate this rogue hunter, X-5 becomes the linchpin in their search for Sylvie in Broxton, Oklahoma.
The long-awaited reunion between Sylvie and Loki reveals that their multiversal counterparts remain at odds, stemming from their tense meeting with He Who Remains. Loki has become an advocate for the TVA, while Sylvie has carved out a new life working at a McDonald’s, a choice that prompts some head-scratching given the vast array of possibilities offered by the multiverse. The gulf between them widens, with Loki steadfast in his belief in the necessity of the TVA’s existence, while Sylvie embraces a fresh start and feels vindicated in her mission to free everyone from the grasp of a corrupted government of timekeepers.
However, when X-5 discloses General Dox’s sinister plans to prune the branching timelines, Sylvie reluctantly teams up with Loki and Mobius once again. Together, they manage to subdue Dox and most of her loyalists, although not in time to prevent them from erasing entire branches, resulting in the deaths of billions. The episode concludes on a somber note as the TVA grapples with the consequences of its cosmic failure, while Sylvie remains unimpressed by the organization’s reluctance to change its ways.
Sylvie’s disenchantment is understandable. The scene endeavors to convey the tragedy of the event, with B-15 underscoring the gravity by pointing out that “Those are all lives” lost, depicted on the TVA’s blinking monitors as vanishing branches. However, the emotional impact falls somewhat short, possibly because the TVA has been perpetrating such atrocities throughout its existence. The organization is only now attempting to reform itself, and that decision came about only after its workers discovered that they, too, were once variants, imbuing the lives they erased from history with newfound value. Moreover, the entire situation seemed avoidable, as B-15 had watched Dox and her cohorts leave the TVA in the previous episode, carrying a suspicious amount of equipment, without taking action.
Nonetheless, “Breaking Brad” stands as another strong episode building upon the solid start of Season 2. The heart of the show continues to be the evolving relationship between Loki and Mobius, with their witty buddy-cop dynamic consistently shining. While the series maintains its brisk pace within the confines of a six-episode narrative, it still manages to delve into the evolving motivations and state of mind of its central character. A bit more exploration of supporting characters like Sylvie and B-15 would be beneficial.
Episode 2 narrows its primary objective to finding Sylvie but also sets the stage for the season’s overarching plot. O.B. uncovers new ripples in the TVA’s Temporal Loom crisis that appear to require Miss Minutes, who is currently missing, or He Who Remains, who is deceased, for resolution. Casey manages to locate the whereabouts of Ravonna Renslayer, hinting at the return of one of the series’ memorable antagonists.
In this week’s recap, we delve deeper into the development of three central characters in the episode: Loki, Mobius, and Sylvie.
Loki’s Journey From Villain to Hero
A multi-season TV series affords the opportunity to focus on individual character development and how characters evolve over time. Loki’s journey in the MCU has been complex, and “Loki” continues to allow him to grow in new and intriguing ways while acknowledging his origins.
Tom Hiddleston, who portrays Loki, explained, “He’s a character who, as long as I’ve played him, has been searching for meaning. Even when he wasn’t aware of it, he was full of grievance and anger because he didn’t feel he had purpose or meaning. He was looking for meaning in the wrong places. Now, he’s found a way to give himself purpose, which is to try to reorganize, to help Mobius, Hunter B-15, and the TVA.”
In “Breaking Brad,” we witness Loki’s newfound sense of purpose as he collaborates with those who once held him captive. His relationship with Mobius demonstrates his capacity to care for others, particularly as he empathizes with Mobius during a trying interrogation. He genuinely tries to assist his friend without any ulterior motives.
However, the episode also effectively showcases remnants of Loki’s checkered past and the villain he once was. During a pursuit of X-5, Loki seems to relish hunting down his adversary and even takes pleasure in humiliating him after capturing him. Loki displays a sadistic streak when using his magic against X-5. This darker side resurfaces during a solo interrogation, bordering on a mini torture session that nearly results in X-5’s obliteration.
X-5’s interrogation raises questions about the authenticity of Loki’s transformation from villain to hero. This episode smartly makes the audience contemplate how much Loki has truly changed and whether he can atone for his past misdeeds. It underscores that Loki’s path to heroism is a work in progress.
Mobius’s Past Life
One of the most intriguing aspects of “Loki” is the mystery surrounding Mobius’s life on the Sacred Timeline before joining the TVA. The audience, and Mobius himself, remain in the dark regarding his past—his family, occupation, or whether he ever fulfilled his dream of riding a Jet Ski.
In “Breaking Brad,” the episode emphasizes that Mobius remains unaware of his past and actively avoids seeking answers. X-5, typically calm and composed, manages to unsettle Mobius by reminding him that he may have loved ones awaiting his return in the multiverse. Mobius is urged to confront the reality of the TVA’s deception.
Loki’s attempts to comfort Mobius include a slice of pie, along with an understanding of why Mobius avoids exploring his past. Mobius remains steadfast in his “ignorance is bliss” approach to his prior life. This episode provides insight into Mobius’s character and his fear of confronting the truth. Like Loki, Mobius is a character capable of change, and his potential journey towards uncovering his past will be an intriguing aspect to watch in future episodes.
Sylvie’s Return
After a brief appearance in the post-credits scene of the Season 2 premiere, Sylvie returns in “Breaking Brad” with a more prominent role. When Loki and Mobius reunite with her, it becomes evident that Sylvie has established a new life in Broxton. She has transitioned from being unable to place a McDonald’s order to becoming adept at her job. Sylvie has traded her wig for a new 1980s-style haircut and even acquired a green pickup truck.
However, Sylvie’s emotional state and sense of betrayal upon seeing Loki remain raw, as though a part of her has remained stagnant since their previous encounter. The episode does not delve deeply into Sylvie’s psyche, leaving her character development somewhat unexplored. Given her importance in the first season, more focus on Sylvie’s character and her transition to life outside the TVA would have been valuable.
The episode concludes with Sylvie holding He Who Remains’s unique time-twisting TemPad, allowing her to travel across time and space. Her character journey and intentions are still shrouded in mystery, but the show may be saving revelations for future episodes.
With four episodes left in the season, “Loki” has the time to unravel more mysteries and explore the character development of its central figures further.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No EU Brief journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
