Loki season 2 episode 5 recap and ending explained: What does [SPOILER] mean?

Loki season 2 set the stage for a grand finale with its epic fifth episode. But what does it all mean for the MCU?

Somehow there is just one episode of Loki season 2 left to stream. The Marvel Studios show has been thrilling audiences with its ambitious second season over the past four weeks, and after this week’s stunning fifth episode, the season finale is on the horizon.

And what a fifth episode it was. Following on from the jaw-dropping events at the end of the fourth episode, this one completely turned things on its head and set the Marvel Cinematic Universe show on a course that many weren’t expecting.

But what went down on the MCU series’ most recent episode, and more importantly, what does it all mean?

*** This article contains major SPOILERS from Loki season 2 episode 5. Don’t read on if you don’t want it spoiled for you. ***

Loki season 2 episode 5 recap

After the Loom’s destruction in the previous installment, the Time Variance Authority is no more. Loki is once again slipping through time and he figures that he needs his friend and ally, Mobius M. Mobius, back by his side to help him figure it out. There’s just one problem: Mobius doesn’t remember Loki, the TVA, He Who Remains, or any of that.

We’re in a new timeline now, and he’s not the only one who doesn’t remember, as he, Hunter B-12, O.B., and Casey all have new lives with no memories of the TVA or what happened. Have they been returned to their rightful lives on the sacred timeline? Loki, however, convinces them to come with him, with the help of O.B., now a science fiction writer who believes him. Together, they create a huge tempad and time door, telling all of their friends that they need their help to save all of time.

The only other person who does remember is Sylvie, as she resumed her life in Oklahoma in 1982. She doesn’t want to go back, and reminds Loki that it would be selfish to force all of their friends to give up the lives they have now for the TVA. An emotional Loki realizes that it is somewhat selfish because he wants his friends back and fears who he would be without them.

However, before he can call the whole thing off, Sylvie rethinks things when her whole timeline turns to spaghetti. Then all of the TVA besties turn to spaghetti in Loki’s timeline. In that moment, the God of Mischief finally gets his time-slipping under control and realizes that he can go back and rewrite the story. With that, he finds himself back at the TVA right before the Loom explodes.

Loki season 2 episode 5 explained

Episode 5 was an incredible episode of television all about Loki figuring out his desires and how to harness his talents. The fear of losing his friends and the destruction of everything around him forced him to learn how to use his time-slipping techniques and took him all the way back to the end of episode 4. And now he has a chance of rewriting the story.

Here’s the thing: The gang had a pretty solid plan in last week’s outing, the radiation was just too high to allow it to happen. With Loki’s knowledge (and his new time-slipping ability), they can correct what they did wrong last time and hopefully prevent it from happening again.

How they will do that remains to be seen, but the God of Mischief is the one with all the knowledge at this point, so he will be imperative in helping the gang put things back together.

The purpose of the finale will be as the season’s purpose was: Fix the Loom and protect the timeline. For all time, always.

What did you think of Loki season 2 episode 5? Are you prepared for the finale next week?