Loki season 2 episode 4 review: Heart of the TVA

Okay, are we done freaking out about what happened now? No? Yeah, the feeling is mutual. How about we talk about Loki season 2 episode 4?

We can all blame our current and future anxiety attacks this week on Loki season 2’s latest episode, “The Heart of the TVA”. I’ve taken a deep breath, had a cup of hot chocolate (for my man, Timely), and am ready to dive deep into the pure chaos and madness that we just witnessed.

It’s no secret that Marvel Studios has mastered the art of the cliffhanger, and “The Heart of the TVA” is no exception. From the shocking fate of a certain character to mysterious teasers for the future, I’m here to break it down for you.

But, beware: HUGE SPOILER WARNING FOR THE ENTIRE SECOND SEASON  OF LOKI SO FAR COMING UP BELOW. Dive in at your own risk.

Loki season 2 episode 4 review

Episode 4 brought Kang’s variant, Victor Timely, even more into the limelight. While initially expected to be the season’s probable antagonist as he is He Who Remains (in a way, it’s complicated) and therefore have this connection to Kang the Conqueror, and a brief cameo in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – where we see Loki and Mobius at one of Timely’s TED Talks, as seen in the third episode of this season – Timely managed to surprised us all. This once-predicted villain, a 19th-century shy, good-hearted, and anxiety-ridden embodiment of an inventor teams up with Loki in an attempt to stop the Temporal Loom from wreaking havoc on the multiverse.

Timely making a selfless move, only to be apparently turned into multiverse spaghetti by the temporal radiation coming from the Loom, was a little bit of a heartbreak that we didn’t want to witness. But, given the complexities of time and multiverse dynamics in the series (or rather, entire franchise), is he truly gone for good? My Spidey-senses tell me he’s not done blessing us with his presence yet.

The episode’s final moments were full of suspense, including that abrupt ending that kept me staring at my screen for five minutes without blinking. The Temporal Loom’s explosion sends out a wave of energy just as the episode cuts out, having us praying that our favorite characters like Loki, Mobius, Sylvie, and O.B. were also not turned into multiverse spaghetti like Timely was. But it does look like the explosion’s visual effects are very similar to the TVA’s prune stick’s visuals when used on someone. Could it be possible that Loki and crew have been pruned to another location or scattered across the multiverse? And what about Ravonna as well? Where did she (very much deservedly) get pruned to?

Given the destruction caused by the Temporal Loom, it’s possible that some characters might end up in the Void, a place at the end of time introduced in season 1. With Disney releasing some teasers that show Ravonna Renslayer at that location, we might just see a return to Void before the season is over.

Another fun thing to consider, especially after watching this quick teaser below, is that Loki and friends could be stuck in a time loop. That would… kind of explain everything? Or make it worse, maybe? That could also explain why there were two Lokis when Sylvie gets out of the elevator, and why he has to prune himself – maybe Loki is the actual issue with space and time?

My brain hurts.

I am actually really enjoying the new, antagonistic Renslayer going from from the stern judge to becoming a fascinating character with such an awesome backstory. The revelation that she co-created the TVA alongside He Who Remains, and the fact that they’re kind of an item like in the Marvel Comics world left me with more questions than answers, which is exactly where they want us. Her alliance with Miss Minutes makes this dynamic duo one to watch very closely.

Also, I don’t like Miss Minutes. Sorry.

Season 2 of Loki isn’t just an isolated storyline. Marvel Studio president, Kevin Feige, has previously hinted at Loki being integral to the MCU. With references in other projects, it seems that Loki is laying the groundwork for the MCU’s continuous expansion into the current and next Phase.

All in all, “The Heart of the TVA” was one of those episodes that you kind of have to watch twice, just to make sure you didn’t miss anything, leaving us with a few more questions than answers as is the norm.

As we gear up for the last two episodes in this season, one thing is certain: the world of the MCU is about to get a lot more complicated.

What did you make of the fourth episode of Loki season 2? Did your jaw drop too?