WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Loki Episode 2, “The Variant,” streaming now on Disney+.
After spending the entirety of Episode 1, “Glorious Purpose,” setting up the Time Variance Authority, Loki returns with another entry that expands the story in interesting ways. In fact, Episode 2 reveals the identity of the variant Mobius and his agents are looking for, and they have a pretty clever way of avoiding the time authorities.
The end of “Glorious Purpose” sees Loki comes to terms with his shortcomings, and now, he’s ready to help the TVA hunt down the rogue variant. The mission starts at a Renaissance Fair in the 1980s, where the God of Mischief cleverly wastes the TVA’s time to allow the other version of himself to escape. Disappointed, Mobius confides Loki to a desk upon their return, hoping his new partner can discover a lead as to the location of variant’s hideout.
At first, Loki believes the work is beneath him, but after ditching the files Mobius gave him and looking at the ones for Asgard, an idea begins to form. While this version of the God of Mischief didn’t experience Ragnarok, after reading about the destruction of his home, he realizes the variant could be using apocalyptic scenarios in time to avoid detection. He theorizes that if someone were to alter time at the location of an impending catastrophe, the TVA wouldn’t catch it because that specific spot was doomed anyway.
Loki brings this to Mobius, and while the TVA agent is difficult to convince, he eventually decides to bite. To test the theory, Mobius and Loki head to Pompeii moments before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Despite Mobius’ apprehensiveness, Loki runs into town and tells everyone they’re going to die, which doesn’t alter the sacred timeline in any way. With a new lead, Loki and Mobius return to the TVA to try and uncover which apocalyptic event in the Marvel Cinematic Universe the variant has made its home.
The duo is having a hard time at first, but after remembering the pack of gum from the first episode, Mobius uses its manufacturing details to narrow the list down. After some more digging, they finally pinpoint the location of the variant: an Alabama RoxxMart in 2050. Dealing with a massive storm that’s set to wipe out the whole town, this point in time is the perfect place for a variant looking to avoid capture to make camp.
Mobius gets the go-ahead on the mission from Judge Renslayer, so he, Loki and a group of agents make the jump through time in hopes of nabbing their perp. It’s not long before Loki veers off from the rest of the group, though, as he’s hoping not to capture his doppelganger but get their help in taking out the Time-Keepers. Of course, as is par the course with the God of Mischief, he gets more than he bargained for. After fighting a couple of mind-controlled civilians, Loki comes face-to-face with his variant — a female version of himself.
Lady Loki makes quick work of the titular God of Mischief before sending off countless reset charges to points in the sacred timeline. While Loki had hoped to find a version of himself willing to help him on his mission, it’s clear that Lady Loki has bigger goals than just acquiring control of the TVA.
Loki stars Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wunmi Mosaku, Sophia Di Martino, Richard E. Grant, Sasha Lane, and Eugene Cordero. New episodes air Wednesdays on Disney+.
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