Better to have low expectations for the Loki finale | Loki Episode 5 : Journey Into Mystery - Review

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Episode 5 of Loki is like the third act of Endgame, filled with easter eggs and fan service. The story doesn't develop much but it's a fun watch leading us into the mysterious person behind the TVA in the upcoming finale.

Easter eggs Fans have found many easter eggs and we may certainly find some more as fans dissect the episode. In the amazing first shot we get the destroyed Stark / Avengers tower with the name Qeng written on it, turns out that Tony Stark in the comics, once sold the tower to a businessman whose alter ego was Kang The Conqueror, a time travelling villain many speculate will be in the castle at the end of time. The most surprising and only easter egg I noticed was Throg, the frog version of Thor. We see him trapped in a jar trying to reach a much larger Mjlonir than I think he can lift, but who knows he is the mighty Throg after all. A fun little helicopter with the name Thanos written on it, had I noticed it, I would have had a surge of excitement, known as the Thanos Copter in the comics, the helicopter is featured in one of the less interesting Thanos storylines.We also get to see a destroyed statue of the all powerful Living Tribunal who in early drafts of Infinity War had an interaction with Doctor Strange on Titan; The Dark Aster, Ronan's ship featured in The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 & Captain Marvel; the ship that Red Skull used to escape in Captain America : The First Avenger; an enlarged Yellow Jacket helmet and a S.H.I.E.L.D helicarieer featured in Captain America : The Winter Soldier and Avengers : Age Of Ultron. All the aforementioned references were subtle but the biggest one was Alioth who acted as guard dog to the big villain. Alioth was the first to break free from the timeline and has major connections to Kang The Conqueror. A particular story has Kang creating a barrier to keep Alioth away from his domain, seems similar to what we saw in this episode only changed for the MCU.

The Variants The episode picks up from the post credit scene of episode 4, Loki meets Classic Loki played by Richard E Grant, Kid Loki played by Jack Veal, Boastful Loki played by DeObia Oparei and Alligator Loki. All these Loki's were in a changing phase same as our variant of Loki and their conversations higlighted their common traits such as being sensitive, standing around making plans that go nowhere, sharing a special bond with Thor and feeling lonely. Each Loki had accomplished something our Loki wanted to accomplish, Boastful Loki had accquired the Infinity Stones, Classic Loki conjured an illusion so real that fooled the Mad Titan, Thanos; this is a great set up for what happens at the end of the episode and perhaps the most shocking for me was that Kid Loki had killed Thor. Well, if you are wondering, Alligator Loki ate the wrong cat. Classic Loki seemed the most Loki like to me and Alligator Loki was funny but also made me believe he is a Loki when he attacked President Loki, they really sold it. Classic Loki's continuous mention of Glorious Purpose and his conversation with Mobius where he was told it is never too late to change, made for an amazing scene where we see the full scale of Loki's powers, it was great that they showed us this but the fact that Classic Loki conjured Asgard at a moment he very well knew might be his last is very touching. The interactions between the variants of Loki raises my expectations for the rumoured appearances of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man in Spider-Man : No Way Home.

Mobius, Renslayer and the TVA Sylvie while getting information out of Renslayer lets us know that Renslayer is in ths dark as much as we are. Renslayer later talks to Hunter B-15 who understands that Renslayer too wants to know who is behind this and says that she won't find the person before Sylvie as Renslayer wants it but Sylvie needs it, which was an amazing dialogue delivered by Wunmi Mosaku. Mobius quoting Loki from episode 1 saying that he will burn the TVA down was glorious and they finally hugged, it was heartfelt. As we speculate who is behind the TVA, many including me believe it will be Kang but given Marvel's track record with WandaVision and The Falcon And The Winter Soldier were all about the titular character so could the big bad turn out to be a 'superior' version of Loki? There is enough scenes from trailers that have not appeared to support the rumour that King Loki could be the main villain.

Loki and Sylvie Loki and Sylvie's relationship has been questionable but the latest episode felt like they were surely in love but the dialogue said the opposite. Loki also says he has changed when Sylvie asks if he will betray her. They also decide to figure what to do after finding the person behind the TVA together. Could they be just friends as they say or something more remains to be seen, I am leaning towards the latter though it is cringy because of the awkward tension between them during their conversation.

Conclusion I am going in with low expectations for the finale keeping in mind how the previous shows ended, they wrapped up the story perfectly but there were not big enough to satisfy us.