After the events of Loki Episode 1, everyone's favorite mischievous scamp is now working, sorta for the TVA. Loki is helping Mobius track down the variant Loki who has been wreaking havoc up and down the timeline. It takes a Loki to catch a Loki but what happens when the two finally meet face to face? Loki episode 2 did not disappoint on the action and the intrigue so let's find the easter eggs and get into this breakdown.
Spoilers ahead if you haven't watched Loki episode 2 “The Variant.”
Loki Episode 2 Easter Eggs & Breakdown
The TVA has tracked the variant to Oshkosh Wisconsin 1985 at a Renaissance Faire. When the Minute Men encounter the variant, they are quickly taken out, by one of their own. Evil Loki has used the power of enchantment to control Hunter C-20, the leader of the group and escapes with them as a hostage.
This is the first time the variant has taken a hostage.
It is also clear the TVA has no idea which version of Loki they are looking for. Loki learns there have been various Loki who have been pruned from the timeline. No 2 Loki are alike however they do share similar powers.
While Mobius runs down the list of Loki's powers, including shapeshifting and mind control, Loki interrupts to correct him. Illusion projecting and duplication are two different things, Mobius jokes he is Professor Loki. This scene is based on the Loki Lectures or Loki School that Tom Hiddleston held with the cast and crew of the show to teach them all about Loki.
They enter 1985 in an attempt to trap the variant Loki. Loki pretends to see a trap, while Mobius sees what it truly is, Loki is lying about the variant's plans. The old Asgardian saying Loki mentions in this scene is in fact a Viking Saying: “Where a wolf's ears are, wolf's teeth are nearby.” -Volsunga Saga
Back at the TVA, Mobius must face Renslayer with the disappointing news that the variant got away, helped in part by Loki's delays.
She reluctantly agrees to let Mobius and Loki continue tracking down the variant. She uses a Franklin D. Roosevelt High School pen that Mobius doesn't recognize. He makes a joke about her having other analysts on the side.
When she warns him to stay focused he replies “eyes on the road.” This could be a fun nod to Owen Wilson's Lightning McQueen from the Disney Pixar Cars franchise.
Despite Loki's charm and cunning, Mobius clearly sees through it. He sets Loki to work trying to find out anything he can about the variant based on the evidence collected by the TVA so far. One of the files Loki views is for a Sylvie Laufeydottir. Laufeydottir means daughter of Laufey. This could make her the sister of our Loki. She is on file for having stole a time reset charge in 1908.
Loki attempts to access other files about the TVA Formation, Beginning of Time, and End of Time however they are all classified. The only files he is allowed to view are his own.
The info in Loki's file includes: “Unauthorized time violation” #720-89 and the Destruction of Asgard. Loki appears to mourn the future destruction of his homeland.
Destruction of Asgard:
- Ragnarok Class 7 Apocalypse
- Total Planetary Destruction
- Zero Variance Energy Detected
- Codename: Revengers which of course is the name Thor gives the team in Thor: Ragnarok
- Casualties 9,719 entire civilization annihilated. Which is interesting to note given that clearly some of the citizens survived based on Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Either this is a plot hole or it points to the fact Asgardians can and are often reincarnated in the comics.
Loki figures out based on the Asgard file that the bad Loki is hiding in apocalypses since whatever they do there won't give off variance energy since the world will be destroyed no matter what they do or say. Whereas Nexus Events happen when someone does something they aren't supposed to do. But if it's the end for that certain time or place anyways, none of it matters.
To test this theory, Mobius and Loki travel to Pompeii Italy 79 AD, moments before Mount Vesuvius erupts and wipes out everyone.
Loki causes chaos in the town as he declares he is from the future and they are all about to die. Mobius confirms that despite the trouble Loki gets into, there is no variance energy detected. Loki's theory is correct.
Back at the TVA, Loki and Mobius have a discussion with the former question why the latter follows the TVA blindly. It seems from this interaction and even from episode 1, Mobius isn't 100% sold on the TVA despite following their rules and ways of life.
“No one bad is ever truly bad, and no one good is ever truly good.” Foreshadowing that the TVA isn't as benevolent as they make themselves out to be.
In order to find when in the timeline the variant is hiding Loki and Mobius cross reference every instance of an apocalyptic event with the distribution of Kablooie Gum. Kablooie Gum was only manufactured from 2047-2051.
Loki discovers exactly when and where the variant is hiding: a corporate town owned by Roxxcart, Haven Hills Alabama 2050. A class 10 apocalypse happens here courtesy of a massive hurricane.
Roxxcart is a nod to the Roxxon Corporation, an evil company that has featured in both Marvel Comics and the MCU.
The TVA and Loki arrive. Loki uses his magic to dry off. The first hint that outside of the TVA he can still use his magic.
The bad Loki watches on the security cameras as the TVA walks in and splits into teams. Loki and Hunter B-15 head towards the greenhouse.
Using the power of enchantment, bad Loki is able to talk to Loki through Hunter B-15.
Loki tells the bad Loki that he wants their help, to overthrow the Time Keepers.
Mobius finds Hunter C-20 the hostage from earlier. She is muttering to herself and admits that she told the variant Loki where to find the Time Keepers.
Loki is busy fighting the other Loki although they haven't revealed themselves yet and instead are using enchantment to use other bodies. They eventually reveal themselves however, and the variant turns out to be Lady Loki.
The noise in the background consists of Loki or multiple Loki saying what is this about and what do you want from me? She replies it's not about you.
During Marvel's 2008 Thor series that featured Ragnarok, Loki died and was reincarnated as a woman. Lady Loki and Loki possess the exact same powers including shapeshifting, illusion projecting, mind control and sorcery amongst others.
Lady Loki sends the stolen time reset charges to various points in the timeline, essentially bombing the timeline and causing massive branches to form.
The time and places she sent the charges to are listed as:
- August 3, 1522 – Phong Nha, Vietnam
- March 31, 1492 – Lisbon, Portugal
- April 23, 2301 – Vormir
- October 25, 1551 – Thorton, USA
- November 22, 1991 – Cookeville, USA
- February 16, 2004 – Asgard
- October 3, 1390 – Rome, Italy
- August 13, 1984 – Sakaar, Tayo System
- February 2, 1808 – Barichara, Colombia
- July 14, 1708 – Porvoo, Finland
- December 27, 1382 – Ego
- October 13, 1982 – Titan
- September 21, 1947 – New York, USA
- March 1, 1984 – Tokyo, Japan
- January 3, 0051 – Hala, the Kree homeworld
- August 8, 2009 – Kingsport, USA
- September 24, 1001 – Xandar
- November 23, 2005 – Beijing, China
- July 18, 1903 – Madrid, Spain
She opens a door, walks through, and Loki follows. With the knowledge from C-70, they could be headed to where the Time Keepers are hanging out.
In the credits it appears Lady Loki is being called Sylvie. This could mean she is actually Enchantress. The second Enchantress in the comics, was given powers by Loki. However, this could also be a red herring much like Mephisto in WandaVision.
Loki is now streaming on Disney+.
