I've applied to many companies that primarily write and publish articles about pop culture news (movies, TV shows, and more) but haven't been selected to work there. Did that stop me from writing about those very topics? No, but it sure dimmed my light a bit. But instead of crawling under a rock to hide, I am sharing the first writing sample I wrote in the last few weeks for a well-known website, Comic Book Resources (CBR), with you. Shying away from what I love isn't in my game book, so while I wait for a writing job, I'll beef up my writing portfolio with articles that make my heart happy and inspire others. Because of CBR and my pitch idea, I rewatched Loki and want to share my thoughts. Although this piece didn't land me my dream role, maybe it can change the minds of Marvel Fans who may not like Loki or encourage someone to rewatch Loki.
Loki, the God of Mischief, is an MCU staple for many fans despite being a villain to their beloved Avengers, primarily his brother, Thor. After fourteen years, fans receive a different side of Loki through him finding his soul and good deeds nature throughout the two-season series run. From questioning if he’s a soulless robot to saving the multiverse, the trickster faces his ultimate doom of being powerless and worthless. After being captured by the Time Variance Authority (TVA), Loki begins his redemption arc with a few bumps along the way and Mobius’s unwavering support.
In an interview with Backstage Magazine for their June 6, 2024, issue, Tom Hiddleston speaks highly of his beloved character and the love the fans have shown him. Hiddleston says that the audience’s “curiosity and passion” kept him playing Loki since his first appearance in Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor. He credits the fans for inspiring him to “infuse this elevated character with humanity” because Loki has “deep human feelings” at his core despite his trickster characteristics.
Throughout twelve episodes, the God of Mischief proves that deeply flawed villains can turn evil actions into good deeds by caring about others more than themselves. Loki doesn’t achieve his redemption without the help of key characters Mobius (Owen Wilson) and Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino). Upon entering the TVA, Mobius takes on the Loki variants as an assignment but quickly becomes an ally. Sylvie attaches herself to Loki, creating a bond that leads Loki to save the TVA and Multiverse from destruction.
During that same Backstage Magazine interview, Tom Hiddleston becomes emotional about whether he'll play Loki again after the conclusion of Loki Season 2. Honestly, this part of the interview made me see his character even more clearly, as Hiddleston agrees that Loki is more than someone who wreaks havoc in the MCU. “Loki is this ancient, mythic character, who, in our collective mythology, represents the trickster, the transgressor, the boundary-crosser, the shape-shifter—somebody who’s mercurial and spontaneous and unpredictable who will always confound your expectations and wriggle out from underneath your certainties and convictions. Someone who we need and [who] is necessary.”
Asgard's God of Mischief and most-disliked prince has been around for years, but he's never felt empathy for another human being. Fans could even argue that he doesn't feel empty at all. If it weren't for the "human touches" that Tom Hiddleston impends into his MCU character, Loki would be heartless. I'd say that before this trickster landed his own Disney Plus show, he wasn't in touch with his human emotions. I'd argue that when Disney Plus and Marvel started developing Loki, Tom saw a chance to dig deeper into who his character is at the surface. Due to this character development, fans see Loki empathizing with Mobius and others at the TVA and the entire multiverse. As Charles Pulliam-Moore states in his October 2023 Verge article, "Loki Season 2 explores the many ways Mobius M. Mobius (Owen Wilson) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) have been unknowingly helping one another become their true selves."
Although Loki has shown extraordinary heroism and empathy through the Disney Plus series, some fans still think he could "return to his dark roots because of his long history as MCU's top villain." They pin this information while ranking him in MCU's top 10 of 30 most important Villians in a December 2024 CBR article. The three writers say Loki's dark future may happen despite his character development: "While Loki's been more heroic lately, his history as one of the best Marvel villains means he's always bound to return to his villainous roots. He was the Avengers' first enemy, and he has been a thorn in the sides of every major hero in the Marvel Universe at one point or another."
Although they make an excellent point, I have to disagree. Loki may have made his mark in the MCU as a soulless villain, essentially pissing off anyone he came across, but since then, he's changed because fans saw a deeper side to his character. Because even notorious villains can change their ways and develop deeper human emotions with the right influences around them. It also helps to have a reason to change, like saving all existence from disappearing. Some may argue that Loki's sudden character development is only due to him wanting recognition for his heroism and proving that he's better than the Avengers. But, the Avengers are endangering being wiped away and aren't saving the day; therefore, Loki is the only one who could step in. In Loki's world, if he were trying to show up the Avengers, specifically his brother, Thor, the Disney Plus series would have shown a cameo of the beloved heroes. Instead, they were only mentioned in proximity to why Loki ended up at the TVA. I chose to believe that Loki finally had a change of heart and saved people he truly cared about while saving the multiverse.
Although Loki is changing his ways at the end of Loki Season 2, I can further argue that he can still be connected to his roots while also changing his ways. Meaning that even though he once used his magic gifts for evil, he can now use them for good. Like many MCU characters and humans, we can use our talents for good rather than evil. I believe that's what Loki does. In a Screen Rant 2023 article, the writer confirms that Loki's abilities are connected to his adoptive parents and his upbringing: "Loki season 2 not only saw Loki withstand the temporal radiation emanating from the Temporal Loom with barely a grimace, but also tear the gargantuan structure apart from afar. He was then able to seize timelines with his bare hands before seating himself at their center. His ability to carry all of this out came from a deep-seated power, and it is a power that could have been bestowed by Odin's magic."
In turn, I believe Loki's true nature can change to that of a flawed hero after saving the multiverse. This further proves that even MCU villains were once ordinary people until something or someone changed their path, creating their villain or hero origin story. If Loki never developed empathy for others, he would have never sacrificed himself to save millions of people from disappearing. Instead of staying unsympathetic like in years past, Loki became a powerful being with genuine empathy for others despite his untimely demise.
AUTHOR BIO
Emily Craig Hooie is an author, poet, and blogger. With a Bachelor of Science in English from the University of North Alabama, she always knew writing was her future. Her background in writing covers many genres, ranging from Southern Gothic to young and new Adult. With five pieces of published poetry under her belt and after the success of her debut book, Will You Love Me Again?, she wanted to fuel her passion for writing with two sequels, thus Where Will We Go?: A Sequel and What’s Next, Lucy? were born. She lives in Athens, Alabama, with the love of her life Dustin and their dogs, Buttercup and Copper.
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