IR TV Review: LOKI - EPISODE 2 [Disney+]

Whereas the first episode of "Loki" took on an almost surrealist approach, Episode 2 takes almost a mix it up approach, setting the structure in an odd way as a buddy comedy (obviously buoyed by Owen Wilson's performance as Mobius). The episode though has an odd tone as if mixed between a 90s comedy and the Marvel texture. It is an uneven in that way as compared to the first episode which was just more odd reveling in its world. The aspect of chaos is never far from the mind and the approach again permeates a multiverse perception mixed with Loki's inherent nature. Watching Loki think through things is an interesting play, especially sitting still which is a different perception than we saw in the movies per se. The TVA knows he is not to be trusted and yet the progression is one of "what is the lesser evil". Again, it is both engaging but slightly off putting. The throwing around of theories is interesting as well because this story is heavy on word and metaphor so one has to keep up.

Wilson is able to maintain with this and get the highly structured jargon back and forth with Hiddleston (who character's main aspect is deflection with words anyway and even more so here) while still giving off his normal vibe. The reality is that we are just getting a version of Owen Wilson here. But then again, we are just getting a version of Loki. The one big needle drop is alright but almost too easy of a pick. As the episode ends, more questions are raised than answers which of course is likely par for the course in the groundswell. And in the final moments and even into the credits, the score by Natalie Holt takes another turn yet hits it out of the park. The one aspect that "Loki" is missing is that true "a-ha!" moment but because the character at the center is a pathological liar, it is difficult to engage with a sense of empathy because as he makes reference to "wolf teeth" and "wolf ears", the permutation of what is truth is never far away. B

By Tim Wassberg