Last night's new Loki wasn't so bad but it left me with the distinct impression that the series never had much of a road map or a strong, guiding creative vision. No episode really feels like it builds on what the previous episode set up. One point of consistency, though, is the preponderance of Rick and Morty writers and last night brought another one, Tom Kauffman. His filmography as a writer at least seems to be a bit bigger than that of the other writers. In addition to Rick and Morty, he's racked up a long list of comedic short films and TV series. I hadn't heard of any of them but I'm amused by the titles of Ikea Heights and Sex Teenagers.
With Loki (Tom Hiddleston) encountering a number of alternate versions of himself, the episode gave off strong Into the Spider-verse vibes, particularly with the alligator Loki. This felt a bit lazy, especially since this would have been a great opportunity to use the actual mythological Loki. Maybe versions of Loki from Norse mythology and a version of Loki from 19th century popular German culture. I noticed the score quoted from Wagner in the climax, using "Ride of the Valkyries" from Die Walkure, the second opera in Wanger's Der Ring des Nibelungen series. I love those operas though it seems like this song would've been more appropriate for Valkyries, at least one of whom is in the MCU. Loki has a theme in the Wagner operas that would've worked just fine. It can be heard here where Odin summons Loki in the form of flame to create a wall around Brunnhilde:
It would've been cool to have had a version of Loki that was just living flame last night, too. I suppose "Ride of the Valkyries" was probably all the makers of Loki knew about the Wagner operas.
The way the other versions of Loki scoffed at the idea of a female Loki seemed very strange. Why is there only one female Loki? It really seems like the show is downplaying the whole shapeshifter element of Loki's nature.
It was nice to see Owen Wilson again but his character felt totally superfluous in the episode. I find myself wishing the relationship between Loki and Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) would be a little more carnal. Some sudden lust would make more sense than the tender, earnest love story they seem to be going with for the two tricksters. Sylvie asking Loki to give her a new outfit seemed like a golden opportunity. In any case, why didn't he make a new outfit for her? Why is her current outfit uncomfortable? Why did she wear it if she doesn't like it?
I liked the Fallout-ish landscape in the episode. The Aliath looked really cool. Richard E. Grant is always nice to have around and I love his costume. Notice no-one is saying it's "Richard E. Grant fresh off of Rise of Skywalker!" Rise of Skywalker seems like it slipped out of public consciousness really fast.
Loki is available on Disney+.
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