WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Loki Episode 1, "Glorious Purpose," streaming now on Disney+.
One of the things many Marvel Cinematic Universe fans want to see in the Loki TV series is the Asgardian's redemption. The God of Mischief has toed the line between hero and villain in the books, with the trickster actually atoning in Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame. However, as the series kicks off, it's clear the red from his ledger cannot be wiped clean.
As he's held prisoner at the Time Variance Authority, Loki's grilled by Mobius (Owen Wilson) on the past. He also sees -- via film -- the crimes he would have committed had he not escaped with the Tesseract in Endgame, and even he's shocked by how low he goes.
Thor and Odin could forgive Loki, but they're his family, and with their emotions, they won't be objective. However, Mobius is neutral and calls him out on his B.S., starting with him murdering Phil Coulson. The S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent's murder was the catalyst for the Avengers reforming, but he was still a hero who died in cold blood and could never truly be resurrected. In fact, Coulson helped start the movement with Tony Stark for Earth's Mightiest Heroes. So, whether it would have been Iron Man or Captain America lecturing Loki, they wouldn't have let this slide.
Mobius then makes it clear Loki's ego is what truly poisons him. He constantly needs attention. His narcissism means he will endanger anyone to get the objects of his desire and win, per the bet with the Thunder God that saw him endanger a flight. It gets worse when Loki views Frigga's death, all due to him sending Malekith's forces for Thor. But they murder his adoptive mother instead. At this point, Loki realizes how right Mobius is when he's told salvation isn't possible.
Sure, he can try, but it's just applying paint to a wall stained in blood. And when reconciling the chaos he caused in Ragnarok and how, no matter what, Odin considers him a failure, Loki will forever be blamed for his actions.
It's all about transparency and accountability, starting with the Chitauri and the invasion of Earth. However, Loki helped kick off Thanos' quest too. So while audiences cast aspersions on the Mad Titan, Loki has to be vilified. When Mobius reveals another Loki is wrecking the timeline, it's safe to say he won't ever change his true, sadistic nature.
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 premiered June 9 on Disney+.