“Loki” Season 2: Essential Pre-Show Primer for Canadian Viewers

What You Need to Know Before Watching ‘Loki‘ Season 2

The Context: Marvel’s Multiverse Saga and Superhero Fatigue

As Marvel Studios’ most popular streaming series, ‘Loki‘ returns for its second season, it is essential to understand the broader context of the Multiverse Saga and the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Since the first season of ‘Loki‘ aired in June 2021, the MCU has undergone significant changes and faced challenges such as superhero fatigue and criticism of its recent releases.

The Multiverse Saga, introduced in ‘Loki‘ Season 1, explores the concept of multiple parallel realities and their potential effects on the MCU. While the multiverse had been hinted at in previous Marvel films, ‘Loki‘ took viewers on a time-hopping adventure through alternate realities, establishing the groundwork for the interconnected narrative of the Multiverse Saga.

However, the recent releases from Marvel Studios, such as ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ and ‘Secret Invasion,’ have received mixed reviews and faced underwhelming performances in terms of critical response and viewership numbers. This has led to concerns about Marvel sacrificing quality control in favor of an increased output of content, resulting in diminishing interest from audiences.

The Controversy Surrounding Jonathan Majors

Jonathan Majors, who made his MCU debut as He Who Remains in the season finale of ‘Loki‘ Season 1, has been involved in a controversy unrelated to the show. Majors is currently awaiting trial for charges of harassment and assault after an arrest in New York. Multiple sources have come forward alleging Majors’ history of abusive behavior, although he has denied these claims and pleaded not guilty.

The controversy surrounding Majors raises questions about his future involvement in the MCU and the potential recasting of his character. While it is unlikely that any changes will be made in time for ‘Loki‘ Season 2, it remains to be seen how Marvel Studios will address this issue moving forward.

Recapping ‘Loki‘ Season 1

‘Loki‘ Season 1 delved into the character’s inner conflicts and explored the question of what makes a Loki tick. Throughout the six episodes, Loki is confronted with his past actions and forced to confront his own deceitful and antagonistic nature. Alongside Sylvie, a variant of himself, Loki embarks on a journey to understand himself better and navigate the implications of the multiverse.

The season finale sees Loki and Sylvie confronted with a choice: kill He Who Remains and risk a Multiversal War, or take control of the TVA themselves. The stalemate between the two Lokis results in Sylvie killing He Who Remains, leading to a fractured reality and drastic changes in the TVA. The season ends with lingering questions about the fate of the TVA and the implications of Sylvie’s actions.

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ Sets the Stage

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ serves as a major setup for the Multiverse Saga, introducing Kang the Conqueror as the central villain. Kang’s variants, who play with time and create chaos across realities, are portrayed as the ultimate threat to the stability of the multiverse. However, the film’s execution and portrayal of Kang have received criticism for not living up to the character’s potential.

The post-credit scenes in ‘Quantumania’ hint at the involvement of various Kang variants and set the stage for the events of ‘Loki‘ Season 2. These scenes introduce the Council of Kangs and a variant named Victor Timely, who will likely play crucial roles in the upcoming episodes.

What to Expect in ‘Loki‘ Season 2

As ‘Loki‘ Season 2 unfolds, viewers can anticipate a continuation of the series’ exploration of time and the multiverse. Loki‘s journey will take him to different eras and destinations, including the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and even a McDonald’s in the 1980s. However, time-slipping, a phenomenon that pulls Loki between the past and present, will pose a challenge for him and the TVA.

New additions to the cast, such as Ke Huy Quan as O.B., the TVA’s tech expert, will provide further depth and development to the narrative. The season will also delve into the paths chosen by Ravonna Renslayer and Sylvie after the events of Season 1, expanding their characters and their roles in the evolving storyline.

A key focus of Season 2 will be Loki‘s ongoing transformation and journey towards heroism. The series aims to explore the complexities of his character and showcase his growth beyond his initial portrayal as a jealous and power-hungry villain. The inclusion of Jonathan Majors as Victor Timely indicates that his character will play a significant role in the season’s unfolding events.

‘Loki‘ Season 2 holds the potential to reignite interest in the Multiverse Saga and reinvigorate the Marvel Studios brand. As the MCU enters a critical phase, the success of ‘Loki‘ will be crucial in demonstrating the narrative and creative direction of future projects.

With the premiere of Season 2 just around the corner, Canadian viewers can look forward to another exciting chapter in the journey of Marvel’s God of Mischief.