Loki

Wow, am I late in writing this. I finished Loki weeks ago, but forgot to mention any of my thoughts on it. I'll save you my usual rambling before my review and just get into it. You can stop when you've had enough!

I really liked Loki and that surprised me. After the first two episodes, I was on the fence because things were moving so slowly. It eventually picked up and concluded with what I thought was the best final episode in all the Marvel shows. This show delivered on the promise to have major implications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Let me talk about what this show isn't. There are some action scenes in this series, but this is not an action show, like Falcon and the Winter Soldier was. Not even a little bit. I would dare argue the action in this show isn't really that good, but that's okay. That is not this show's bread and butter.

What the show turned out to be, is a wonderful introspection about Loki himself. Now this is not the Loki we got to know through all the movies that eventually grew as a person. This Loki was plucked from the timeline before all that personal growth. For everyone that saw Avengers: Endgame, I don't need to get into more details than that.

It was fascinating to watch Loki be forced to admit to himself the kind of person he is and the kind of person he wants to be. It also says a lot that the person he finally cares about is another version of himself, Sylvie. Even still, in this series you actually watched him grow and he becomes a more compelling character because of it. This is why these shows need to exist.

I also want to add that six episodes is the appropriate length for a season. I'm sure budget is a factor, like with Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but I am glad they get to tell one story that looks fantastic, instead of stretching it out to 13. That was always my problem with the Netflix shows. I feel like if you can't tell your story in less than 10 episodes at an hour a piece, get another job. Don't subject the viewers to a vanity project that no one wants.

Before I get to the actors, I want to mention I loved some of the little Easter eggs in this show. The episode where we meet the band of alternate Lokis was chock full of them. We get classic Loki, Kid Loki, the version of Loki running for president, a black Loki and an alligator Loki. There was a quick shot of the helicopter that Thanos used in a comic appearance in the 70's Yes, you heard that right. Thanos had a helicopter. There was also a blink and you'll miss it moment showing the Frog version of Thor. So many little Easter eggs in one episode.

Finally, let's wrap this up with the actors. It should go without saying that Tom Hiddleston is fantastic as Loki. It feels like he enjoys the role and it shows. This time he gets to explore it more and not have to be the conniving version that we all know. Dare I say, Owen Wilson was really good in this. I normally don't care for him, but here he feels like a seasoned pro and shows a lot of nuance in his performance. I don't know what it is, but there was something mesmerizing about Sophia Di Martino's performance as Sylvie. Also a shout out to Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ravonna, the head of the TVA.

Then there was the magnificent class performance of Jonathon Majors as Kang (who is not named as that in the show, but he's Kang.) Never have I been more impressed by a single performance than what he gave us. It was a master class in how to pull of menacing, slightly unhinged, calculated and relaxed all in the same performance. I was mesmerized and could have watched more of that performance all day. It also gives us a glimpse into the next big threat in the Marvel Universe and it started here. Finally, the cliffhanger ending was perfect.

This show had a slow start, but once it got going, it didn't stop. Like I said before, this is not an action show, so if you don't like watching people sitting around and talking, this is not the show for you. There's your warning. Otherwise, absolutely check this show out.