A "Low-Key" Loki Recap / Episode 3 : Lamentis
What is up everyone? This week’s episode may have hidden some cards up its sleeve, but that’s what I‘m here for! Let’s dive deep into Episode 3: Lamentis of the Loki series on Disney Plus! Sorry for the delay!
A Loki By Any Other Name
We spend a lot of time with the character most have been (mistakenly) calling “Lady Loki”. We find out in this episode that she rather be referred to by Sylvie, and eagle-eyed Loki fans have revealed that the character is listed as “Sylvie Laufeydottir” in the international credits last episode. There is already a character in Marvel Comics named Sylvie, a Thor villain named Sylvie Lushton to be exact, that goes by the name of The Enchantress. Many have speculated that our Sylvie could be Enchantress or an amalgamation of the Lady Loki and Enchantress herself.
Speaking of enchantments, the word “enchant” or “enchantment” was said over 6 times in this episode. Maybe Marvel is being a bit heavy-handed with the Enchantress references to distract us from something more. To be fair, we as viewers have been led down the rabbit hole of speculation multiple times, only to come up empty. (See Ralph Bohner) I have no doubt we will find out more about this mischievous variant and her motivations, as I suspect, like Loki himself, she is keeping her cards close to her chest. We know she has beef with the TVA, but it has not been revealed why they are the bendy thorn in her side. Can Sylvie be trusted?
A Trickster Only A Monster Could Love
Tom Hiddleston is really getting the chance to flex his acting skills in this series. The role of Loki was originally conceived as a “mustache-twirling villain” with Shakespearean flair, and the actor turned the opportunity into an incredibly complex character filled with dreams, fears, and emotions. The more time we get to spend with our mischievous scamp of a protagonist, the more we understand his nature, and the motives behind his destructive behavior. Before this series, we only got glimpses of who Loki truly was when speaking to his parents, or Thor on occasion. In a rare quiet moment, on a moon set for utter destruction, we get a scene between Loki and Sylvie, where the two sit down for a drink and things get interesting.
After a few drinks and some probing Loki speaks fondly of his mother Frigga and how she would teach him magic and wow him with color firework displays. We’ve always known Loki was close to his mother, but this scene really hammers that home. It’s a reminder that there is nothing quite like a mother’s love, and in that love, Loki was able to flourish as a magic user.
Loki singing in Asgardian was truly heartbreaking. Not only does Hiddleston give a hauntingly beautiful performance singing in his character’s native tongue, but his willingness to do so shows he truly views himself as Asgardian, regardless of how often he voices his disdain over them. Even if he felt didn’t belong, he was embraced by his Asgardian people the moment Odin brought him home. His love for his people and his family is something I will never forget. Bravo.
I Want Mo’ Mobius
I truly missed Owen Wilson’s character Mobius this episode, and I am not sure why. Last episode I spoke about how great of a comedic pairing Wilson and Hiddleston were, and I guess I was really getting into the groove of their schtick. As things continue to ravel for the TVA I wonder how dedicated, or more so, how loyal Mobius is to the TVA and their cause. He has already shown himself to be a bit of a maverick, choosing to use a Loki Variant to help catch one, but how rebellious is he? If he found out his overlords were not the most honest people, would he defect? Is he too close to the cause?
I ask these questions because we are halfway through this show and seemingly have more questions than answers. I am not complaining but I believe that the characterization of the TVA has been purposely vague, and their allegiance should be in question. Is Mobius as sneaky and untrustworthy as Renslayer? Possibly not, but hopefully he will have an opportunity to show his true colors when the time comes. I don’t think my heart can handle Owen Wilson as a villain, but stranger things have happened in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The TVA! They’re Just Like Us!
One of the big reveals this week is that Sylvie tells Loki that the TVA Agent she captured is a time variant, plucked from the timeline and enlisted to work for the Time Variance Authority. This reveal shocks the God of Mischief, as he was told that everyone who works for the TVA has been specifically created for that purpose, meaning they had no lives prior to their enrollment in the Authority. What does this revelation mean?
Well firstly, it’s proof of our long-running theory that the TVA is not being truthful about their intentions or motivations regarding the sacred timeline and their protection of it. It also means characters that we have seen like Mobius and Renslayer lived lives as normal people before being dragged into this “timey whimey” nonsense. Who is recruiting these people? Do they remember their past lives at all? Are they all hostages in a Westview-esque bureaucracy?
When I think of time travel in the Marvel Universe and who could be pulling the strings in a nefarious manner all signs point to Kang The Conqueror, a longtime avengers foe whose ability to time travel has made him one of their most formidable. The character is already slated to make their MCU debut in Ant Man and The Wasp: QuantumMania and will be played by Jonathan Majors, but maybe this is his unofficial introduction. Think about it, Thanos was teased in Avengers and Guardians way before he showed up. Kang may just be the man behind this whole thing!
Sylvie-Ception
Ok guys, its tinfoil hat time! If I can be honest, I felt this episode was a little bit UNDERWHELMING. With the entire MCU timeline at our disposal, and with the shocking ending to last weeks episode I guess I expected us to play around with some of the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Instead we go to a doomed moon with side character’s we never heard of. I was also hoping Sylvie would reveal more about her plan to take over the TVA or that we would get more of an idea who the actual villain is, but that didnt happen either.
I debated the purpose of this episode for a long time. A lot of people are saying this was a great character development story for Loki and Sylvie. I agree we got some vulnerability from Loki in this episode but Sylvie revealed almost nothing but her name and that she fancies a postman. After some research there is an interesting theory that I am on board with.
When the episode began Sylvie tried her best to “enchant” Loki and we are led to believe it DIDNT WORK, but what if IT DID? What if the majority of the events we are watching are Sylvie’s attempts to get Loki to tell her what he knows about the TVA, or to unwillingly help her in her mission. Their scene at the space bar might be our biggest hint yet as it mirrors her conversation about “brain freeze” with the TVA Agent at the end of the episode!
Call me crazy but I think Sylvie DID enchant Loki and we are inside HER illusion which is meant to trick Loki into giving her the information she wants. I could be completely wrong but Loki WAS giving up information like most notably his sexuality. (I am glad there is confirmation about his sexual fluidity, so long as others in his shoes feel seen and represented.) But yeah, it’s totally all fake. Or maybe not?
This episode REALLY had me scratching my head. Join us next week as we tackle Episode 4, and remember…you (yes you) are worthy!
G.S.