Loki Season 1 Episode 3
Lamentis
Loki Season 1 Episode 3 - Lamentis
- Runtime: 42:23
- Release Date: 23/06/2021
Episode Summary
With the Sacred Timeline under fire, Loki follows the Variant into yet another apocalyptical event.
Non-Spoiler Review
Following 2 episodes of exposition, set up and what felt like a jumping off point at the end of The Variant, the third episode Lamentis gives us… not much in ways of moving the plot forward.
This weeks episode was written by upcoming Ms. Marvel head writer, Bisha K. Ali (Sex Education, Four Weddings and a Funeral) and like the episodes before it, heavily focuses on the dynamics and relationships of Loki and the characters around him. Without spoiling the episodes that came before it, the launchpad events of The Variant now feel underwhelmed by the pacing of this episode.
The dialogue between Hiddleston and Di Martino feels much more juvenile, and their dynamic is much more violently playful than that of what we saw with Wilson. Where their motives show us they are cut from the same cloth, the pairs further interactions remind us how separate these Variants are from each other, our Loki even goes as far as paralleling Thor in one scene making us question whether the female Variant grew up on Asgard at all.
As we have seen in Wandavision and The Falcon and The Winter Solider, Marvel are not afraid to flex their CGI department for these shows, and they certainly have not pulled their punches this week. We see some of the sets from previous trailer footage, but it is during the climax we are absolutely spoiled with some CGI devastation that almost feels like a cut scene from Endgames Titan battle. One continuous scene in particular is flawless in its execution, mixing CGI, practical sets and multiple actors riveling the spectacle of most high-budget feature films.
Sophia Di Martinos Variant has somewhat of an issue with tone, going from dark to playful from scene to scene, but does a brilliant job of mimicking Hiddleston spirit whilst establishing her character firmly as her own.
The final moments again, beat into us we are watching two different characters who just so happen to share a name. Following the strong opening duo, the story felt more like it was following a secondary plot, serving only to establish the new Variants more and give us very little in terms of what happens next. The first 2 episodes did a wonderful job of answering the questions that it raised and though I’m more than positive the show will revisit our primary plot, this episode did very little to do so.
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Spoiler Review
Independence, authority, style.
For an episode full of playful conversations, new settings and one particularly impressive CGI set piece, not a lot happens to move the plot forward this week.
The end of The Variant sees the artist formerly known as Loki setting off a chain reaction causing multiple branches across the Sacred Timeline. Marvel has given us a difficult lesson in curbing our expectations, but the second episodes finale felt like such a jumping off point for the series that the pacing of this episode really pays the price.
Don’t ever call me that!
Di Martinos Variant character denounces the Loki title during this almost-introductory episode. Just like we did between Loki and Mobius, we get to see these two Loki variants learn about each other and dissect each other during some long form conversations. One scene sees the lady Variant tell our Loki she now goes by the name Sylvie which alongside her un-Loki-like powers, gives us a strong indication this character is an amalgamation of Lady Loki and Enchantress from the comics.
Though she demands not to be likened to Loki, we see multiple glimpses of the God of Mischiefs characterization in this Variant. Last weeks portal takes us back to the TVA headquarters, and not unlike our Loki, Sylvie seems incredibly focussed on an audience with the timekeepers. Doing nothing to slow her down, we see Sylvie learn the rules of the TVA the hard way during a minutemen conflict. Her magic fails her, but we’re reminded of the precision of the previous episodes hooded figure as she dispatches the TVA agents with a barrage of summersaults and well-placed takedowns – even stopping to enjoy the evaporation of an unfortunate minuteman with a smile.
During Slyvie and Lokis fight scene at the TVAs golden elevator, both parties seem to deliver awkward juvenile performances that would not feel out of place at a debate between two children. Though Lokis confidence in fist being mightier than the sword is more of a return to character.
Slight of hand makes its triumphant return, allowing the two Variants to slip away from an approaching Renslayer and into 2077 to the planet of Lamenits-1 as a moon is due to collide with it. It is here we are presented with the most relatable MCU plot point that could ever exist in a time travelling show set in space – low battery. Some more childish snarling and awkward tension later and we see Laufeydottir and Laufeyson devise a devilish plan to doom the planets inhabitants and recharge the stolen TVA timepad using the planets one means of escape, the Arc.
Like with Mobius, the more earnest conversations with Loki are where the high points of the episode lay. We come to understand Sylvie’s mother too perished, but at a much younger age. Loki in a conversation about love confirms his fluid sexuality with a bit of both in regard to his romantic preference. And even in less heated exchanges we see Sylvie use more abrasive language than Loki. After her preferred method of rest (a nap – who knew!), we see shards of a younger Thors influence in his method of rest exclaiming:
ANOTHER!
As he continues to sing and drink.
These moments are well deserved and exactly what these longer form TV shows are designed for, but in context of a world destroying event, slow the episodes pace right down.
Though the pacing can be distracting, the shows climax is possibly one of the biggest treats of the Disney+ Marvel ventures to date. We follow the pair fighting their way through security and crowds of the planets inhabitants as they struggle to make their way to the Arc in one long showstopping shot. We saw Thanos throw a moon at the Avengers 2 years ago, yet this scene feels much grittier and more perilous. The percussive drumming builds a cacophony behind the shouts of confused, scared people attempting to board the Arc. The mouth of the crumbling moon opens taking down the neon buildings as Sylvie and Loki flee towards their one-way ticket, reminiscent of fleeing efforts in War of the Worlds, The Day After Tomorrow or even the more recently Greenland.
Lokis optimism gets the better of him as he tells Sylvie we can still make it. Out of time, the two watches on as the Arcs thrusters initiate its take off. But in a surprisingly bleak twist of fate, the Arc is pummelled by a meteor anyway. Nothing is said as the camera pans round, giving us a look at not only the defeated faces of our protagonists, but the devastated Lamentis citizens.
Loki stares on and Sylvie walks off as a sombre nostalgic ballad begins to play.
This episode seems to have taken most of the setup from the first two episodes, the lore of the TVA, Lokis rehabilitation, the attack on the Sacred Timeline and turned it on its head. We’ve learned everyone at the TVA is a stranded mind wiped variant, and we’ve much more about the two Loki Variants. But the story that was set out in the first 2 episodes now does not seem to be the path we’re going on, if anything they’ve managed to boldly subvert expectations, whether for ill or good we’ll have to wait and see!
Lewis Walker
