LOKI: What's the Point? | EVERYTHING Explained + Full MARVEL Series Breakdown

Loki's first season is over, but the show has given us much to reflect on. What of the series' many themes abut free will, determinism, fascism and anarchy? Loki's roots as a Norse god defined by loops, while his MCU version repeats his own vicious cycles? In this video we break down the symbolism and hidden meaning of the show, and ask ourselves: what's the point?

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Written and Hosted by Ryan Arey (  / ryanarey  )

#Loki #ScreenCrush #What'sThePoint

Loki is a character defined by loops. This trait stretches all the way back to his roots in Norse mythology. Myths are stories that have been repeated again and again over the centuries. Unlike a film or a book, Loki’s story has been told, retold, and shaped by countless people.

And everyone told their stories of the god of mischief a little differently, resulting in tiny variations. Just like in the show, there are variations of Loki from many different timelines. But what is a timeline, if not just another story? Another way of telling this tale?

Loki’s story, like all myths, is always in the process of being told by someone, somewhere. So, unlike the MCU Loki, his story never ends. This is one of the many loops that defines Loki’s existence. Myths--like a circle--are ongoing, without a defined beginning, middle and end.

But also, within Norse mythology, Loki’s story is defined by a loop. He instigates Ragnarok, the destruction of Asgard, which in turn leads to the rebirth of Asgard, and the loop begins anew.

It’s only fitting that this personal cycle has been reelected in the MCU’s version. Loki always felt like an outcast, the comic book reading nerd in a small town where people loved basketball. Or in this case, the boy who loved magic and tricks, in a society where warriors were honored.

Loki grew up to resent Thor for the way people loved him, and he secretly wanted to be his brother.

He acted out to get attention, like cutting off Sif’s hair. In episode 4, the memory loop with Sif is indicative of Loki’s own personal loop. He can never escape his self-hate and guilt, because no matter what--he did those bad things. And no amount of attention will ever make him loved like Thor.

And yet, he tried to imitate and outdo his brother by attempting genocide of the frost giants [clip]. If Thor wanted to kill a few frost giants, then Loki would kill them all, to sever all ties to his birthplace, and prove he was Asgard’s greatest hero. But, he was rejected.

When he realizes the people would never love him like Thor, Loki decides to play the role of a villain, the monster they always saw him as.

Thus, MCU Loki began his own vicious cycle. Pretending to be a villain, faking his own death--all ploys to get the attention he craves. So he won’t feel alone [his breakdown to Sif where he says he’s alone, etc] When he steals the throne from Odin, he doesn’t try to conquer the Nine realms. He doesn't unleash the casket of winters on Midgard. He creates the illusion that his father loved him. He poses as Odin to aggrandize himself.

If Loki can’t earn his father’s love, then he can steal it. But this just kept him inside the loop, until he allowed himself to truly connect with others.

Loki finally did break his cycle, only to have it reiterated again in this show.

But Loki’s relationship to loops is also reflected in the philosophy of the TVA. They consume media on reels--and reels are a kind of loop. The film reel of Loki’s life appears linear, when viewed one frame at a time. But, when you step back the story of his life is actually a loop, a flat circle.

The flat circle theory of time travel states that a 4th dimensional being could step back and see existence not as a film strip, but the reel itself. A flat circle, where our lives have already been burned into the film, and our fates are written.

This is how the TVA perceives time. So Loki’s life story, this film strip, is just another cruel loop.