Loki episode 4 review: Breaking down the God of Mischief, one Loki at a time

The conversations between Mobius and Loki had been the high points in the previous episodes and it succeeds this time too. While it was always Mobius who eventually emerged as the more likeable of the two in their earlier repartees, this time Loki comes up trumps, lending an emotional performance,

Loki Season 2

The third episode from Marvel’s web series Loki left the audience at a cliff-hanger, with Loki and Sylvie’s only ride out of the doomed planet Lamentis destroyed and the time-hopping device running out of juice. All eyes are now on how the duo escape from the brink of apocalypse in the fourth instalment, which is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

What’s it about?

The Time Variance Authority (TVA) continue their search for the Loki variants and an unlikely connection between the God and Goddess of Mischief – Loki and Sylvie – trigger their location. Meanwhile, the TVA personnel, who had been subjected to Sylvie’s enchantment, remember a life before they began to serve the timekeepers. With the duo brought in for trial, Mobius (Owen Wilson) tries to break down Loki to understand Sylvie’s plans; instead, he finds answers that make him doubt the intentions of the timekeepers and their aide Ravonna.

What’s hot?

The episode once again foregoes action for pure storytelling. While the previous episode revealed Sylvie’s reason for wanting to end the TVA, this time the audience is informed about her plight of being on the run and hiding at the “ends of 1000 worlds” for years together – a reason that convinces Loki to swear his allegiance to her.

The conversations between Mobius and Loki had been the high points in the previous episodes and it succeeds this time too. While it was always Mobius who eventually came across as the more likeable of the two in their earlier repartee, this time Loki comes up trumps, lending an emotional performance. Owen’s Mobius has an entire arc of his own in this episode – from gallingly extracting information from a vulnerable Loki to scheming against Ravonna. The final team-up of Loki and Sylvie too signals a return to the swift pace of narrative in the final two episodes.

What’s not?

Once again, the makers have tried to break down Loki, in an apparent effort to make him the good guy. Considering that the trickster is more liked for his unpredictable and scornful personality, the redundant attempts to make him fallible also takes the sheen off of him. The episode also has a few surprising cameos, but the effect wears off real fast. Make sure to skip to the end credits scene to catch a few more Loki variants.  

Verdict:

By shedding light on Sylvie’s plight and the timekeepers’ plans, the fourth episode clears the path for the final two instalments that should reveal how Loki emerges from his current predicament.

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