Loki review, Episode 201: “Ouroboros”
By Ariba Bhuvad
Loki is back, and as a Marvel fan, I couldn’t be happier! It’s been over two years since the first season aired, and since then, there have been over 10+ Marvel movies and shows. That said, it feels like nothing has happened in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I feel like the continuity no longer exists, or rather doesn’t excite fans as it once did.
If we were in Phase Two or Three of the MCU, things would be more intriguing and fun, but that is not the case anymore. Despite the slump the MCU has been in for the last 2-3 years, it has not impacted Loki.
In the season 2 premiere, “Ouroboros,” the series picks up right where it left off, and does not waste a single moment confusing the heck out of us. There is so much to dissect and discuss, especially the introduction of Ke Huy Quan’s character, Ouroboros. So without further ado, let’s get to it!
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!
Loki keeps on slippin’
As the season 2 premiere begins, we see Loki the God of Mischief (Tom Hiddleston) running away from Mobius (Owen Wilson) and Hunter B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku). Of course, these versions of Mobius and 5-15 are not the ones Loki got to know in season 1. We are dealing with time travel and multiple dimensions.
He has time slipped into the past, back to a point when the TVA was openly ruled by “He Who Remains” (Jonathan Majors). This is why he’s being chased around; no one knows him at this point.
As Loki continues to time slip between the past and present, it becomes clear something is very wrong. Side note: How epic is the CGI as Loki time slips? Whoever worked on the visual effects did an AMAZING job. It is unclear where Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) is, which is problematic because she may be the key to figuring out how to save the TVA. Things feel just as crazy as they should with this series.
Introducing Ouroboros
Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan, lately of Everything Everywhere All At Once, being a part of this series as Ouroboros is everything! His re-introduction into the world of movies and television has been terrific, and now that he’s a part of the MCU, it is like all is good with the world.
Ouroboros is the TVA’s tech guy, and seems to be the only one around who can help Loki with his time-slipping dilemma. I have raving reviews for the scenes with Quan, Wilson, and Hiddleston. They’re filmed flawlessly as Loki is pulled back and forth in time; present-day Ouroboros realizes he knows more than he thinks as in-the-past Ouroboros meets Loki for the first time. Eventually, Ouroboros realizes that there is a problem with the Time Loom, which helps the TVA run and provides its power.
Unfortunately, the Time Loom is infected and corrupted, and it just gets worse as the Sacred Timeline continues to branch off. Ouroboros does what he can to salvage things, but nothing goes as planned. But at least Loki is stabilized in the present-day timeline. But will that be enough? And did it solve anything?
Ending of Loki Season 2, Episode 1 explained
Even though Ouroboros’ plan to restore Loki worked, there is still much left to do and understand. Where are all the Kang variants? What did restoring the God of Mischief do to the overall timeline? I have so many questions!!
While we wait to see how this season unfolds, we must discuss that post-credit scene. We got quick glimpses of Sylvie throughout the episode, but the post-credit scene gave us a longer look at what happens to her after going through the Door and into a branched timeline.
She ends up in 1982 in Broxton, Oklahoma at a …McDonalds. Now, all that cross-marketing makes sense! We don’t know much about what will occur from here on out, but we do know from the promos that Sylvie will soon be working at McDonald’s. At least she really will get to try everything!
If you’re wondering why this post-credit scene is relevant, then you’re asking the right questions! According to Games Radar, Broxton is a significant location in the comics. This city is where Thor creates the city of Asgard. Essentially, it’s like New Asgard from the movies, but they’re in Oklahoma instead of Norway.
There is probably not much more to this reference and scene than that, but I love the nod! I always love the Easter Eggs, and the MCU does them best.
Episode Grade: B+
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