Loki Review: The Variant (Season 1 Episode 2)
If the premiere was the calm before the storm, this episode must be the madness before the multi-verse.
External conflict forces the loopy time-travelling mysteries of Loki Season 1 Episode 2, “The Variant,” into action. The result is an elaborate man-hunt that is equal parts fun and fascinating to follow.
Mischief is present in full force as Loki settles into his new role, and that dubious behaviour is in good company. The show’s world-building continues to compliment our loveable trickster, creating the kind of narrative we would embrace if it wasn’t designed to deceive us.
The most glorious aspect of Loki is how expertly it consumes and adapts to new genres.
There is still a ridiculous amount of world-building happening for our benefit throughout this episode. It’s tedious, but the setup doesn’t overwhelm the story this time around because it’s rooted in television trappings we can enjoy.
Instead of taking a tour-guide approach to the narrative, Mobius recruits Loki as his partner to catch the variant. This introduces a procedural true-crime element we can cling to for familiarity when the more complicated sci-fi elements rear their ugly heads.
The bureaucratic setting lends itself beautifully to this winding time mystery as Loki and Mobius take on traditional detective roles to predict the Loki-variant’s next move. And, if left unchecked, their admiration for one another might just run away with this entire series.
Loki is as passionate about exploring these characters as Mobius is talking about jet skis.
What Is the TVA, If Not a Bunch of Liars?
Loki’s newcomer status is a perfect excuse to introduce us to the inter-workings of the TVA. However, it’s also a brilliant way to make us think we’re being told the full story when in actuality we only hear the parts the organization wants Loki to hear.
This couldn’t be more apparent than with Judge Renslayer and Mobius in her chambers.
This is one of the few times we leave the God of Mischief for a private conversation and while Loki is missed, the clues provided in this one scene are critical to the TVA’s larger narrative.
We also get our first acknowledgement that this organization’s mission statement is deeply flawed and extremely susceptible to mischief. A combination begging to be explored in ways Falcon and The Winter Soldier‘s corrupted authority never was.
Renslayer mentions the Time Keepers are watching the variant’s case closely and she’s never seen them this worked up. The fact that a Loki-variant has these wizards nervous is an exciting prospect for the season’s impending conflict.
It only adds to the intrigue that a majority of the TVA has yet to meet the Time Keepers, including Mobius. This leaves a ton of room for speculation about these great beings, considering we only have myths and murals as proof of their existence.
Mobius continues to be a commendable smokescreen as it’s impossible to believe he would betray us. Many scenes throughout this episode go as far as to suggest he is on the outside with us. After all, he’s one of the few TVA workers capable of compassion.
Yet, Mobius cruelly reminds Loki he will tell the god whatever he has to in order to succeed. It’s a testament to how much this show values Wilson’s subtlety and how well it can be used to flesh out TVA’s soft henchman.
The God of Grand Speeches
Loki’s eagerness to prove himself to Mobius, even when he is actively trying to stab him in the back, is everything you could want from this hair-flipping lunatic.
Loki sweetie, you can’t announce you’re ten steps ahead of someone and then act surprised when they call out your entire plan. But the fact that you do brings us all immense joy.
One of this episode’s crowning achievements comes when Loki attempts to deceive the TVA with an obnoxious speech. A speech that somehow grips listeners with the promise of impending peril and lays the self-flattery on so thick, we lean in closer waiting for the point to the surface.
It’s a Loki afternoon special that comes when we least expect it. It’s also a testament to Hiddleston’s iron-clad grip on this character’s strengths that the god can still have us believing he’s changed when he’s so clearly lying through his ass.
Apocalypses, Oh My!
The reveal that the time-variant is using apocalypses to hide from the TVA is a game-changer for this episode in a multitude of ways.
Loki is able to process the events of Ragnorak and use the experience to further his personal agenda. He not only reveals a massive hole in the TVA’s security, but we’re able to invest in a particularly cool aspect of this convoluted time science.
It’s ultimately the apocalypse that allows this episode to go from mediocre to glorious as the escalating conflict forces Loki‘s humdrum workplace tone to transition into something darker. The “Lady Loki” reveal isn’t nearly as surprising as it is effective in pushing this season closer to madness — and potential greatness.
The episode cleverly forces Loki to rely on his powers, only to bring in this character that has a much greater grasp on her capabilities. Her brief and menacing presence demonstrates how little we’ve explored the God of Mischief beyond Thor’s eyes.
And, we have no idea if this woman is a Loki-variant — yet another layer of trickery. Sophia Di Martino’s Lady Loki may be a mere tease, but she is an effective one.
What Comes Next?
The rich power dynamics and sinister trickery on display in the final moments of this episode are reminiscent of a darker tone Loki has teetered on since The Avengers.
It’s lovely to see this series celebrate the very traits we’ve been taught to dislike Loki for. It’s been even more lovely to see it toy with what good and bad can look like side by side.
This is a story where the greatest achievements can be boiled down to the smallest details; like when Loki bonds with a holographic Miss Minutes, who casually mentions she isn’t entirely a recording — how cute and horrifying!
Loki has been operating with one hand tied up in world-building and now that the world has been set aflame, it’s time to see what this series is really capable of.
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New episodes of Loki air Wednesdays on Disney+.
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Alicia Gilstorf
Alicia is a writer from Canada. She credits her passion for TV and film to superheroes, workplace comedies, cheesy holiday movies, and coming-of-age stories. Keep a lookout for her coverage of Ghosts.