For the first time in his very long life, Loki of Asgard may be totally out of his depth -- and that's the perfect place to pick up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe's resident God of Mischief. The Disney+ series strips away all Loki has ever known, leaving him to get by on his wits and mayhem alone. In the process, the first two episodes peel back the layers of this fan-favorite character, delving into what makes him tick while also expanding the MCU and its mythology in significant ways.
Moving into its post-Avengers: Endgame era, Marvel Studios has a near-blank slate. The Infinity Stones have been destroyed; Thanos has been neutralized. With the Avengers' current status in limbo for nearly two years, fans have been left to speculate and theorize over what could possibly be bigger than that, but the wait is nearly over. Even more so than WandaVision, Loki may provide a real first look at the MCU's next overarching threat. In an exposition-heavy debut episode, the Disney+ series uses what we know about the MCU to build up some incredible stakes, with a particularly effective scene that combines humor with an emotional gut punch. It's a major revelation for Loki in as much as it's one for the audience, and Tom Hiddleston's performance drives home that impact.
That said, Loki is more than just table setting for the next great MCU event. By removing him from the world he knows, the show forces him to confront his own methods and motivations. This leads to a standout performance from Hiddleston, who brings just as much pathos to the character as he does arrogance. Hiddleston clearly cares about this character, and that shines through his portrayal, which is just as nuanced -- if not more so -- as his previous MCU appearances. The God of Mischief may not be a good person, but thanks to Hiddleston, he's an entertaining one with some sympathetic trappings. Viewers will find themselves rooting for him, despite themselves.
For an MCU series, Loki's first two episodes are surprisingly light on action. That isn't to say the show lacks action or any of those signature Marvel gags, but the first two episodes, at least, feel very contained. However, the pace moves along at a steady clip, thanks in large part to the delightful chemistry between Loki and Owen Wilson's Agent Mobius. The God of Mischief may have met his match at last, as Mobius adeptly handles whatever Loki throws at him -- through dialogue and otherwise. Their back-and-forth is cleverly written and expertly delivered, allowing both characters to establish themselves and build the world in a fun, organic way.
What's more, Loki's antagonist -- while not altogether original -- is marvelously appropriate for the series. Not only does this choice tie into the show's themes, the character feels so wonderfully comic booky, leaning right into the lore of the source material. The reveal also leaves a lot of room for Loki to match his wits against another capable scene partner. Although the first two episodes don't show much of this character, the setup lays effective groundwork, builds an ominous mystery and delivers a grand unveiling that is sure to keep fans talking.
Disney+'s Loki finds its own voice quickly and charges ahead with well-earned confidence. There is much here for fans of both the comics and the film to discover, and multiple rewatches will reward anyone who dares to take a closer look. The series is wacky, weird and takes great care to show the God of Mischief in a brand new way, all while staying consistent with previous incarnations of the character. Between the gorgeous set design, captivating performances and powerful emotional beats, Marvel fans won't be able to look away from Disney+'s Loki.
Loki stars Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Owen Wilson as Mobius M. Mobius, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ravonna Lexus Renslayer, Wunmi Mosaku as Hunter B-15 and Sophia Di Martino, Richard E. Grant, Sasha Lane and Eugene Cordero in undisclosed roles. The series premieres June 9 on Disney+.