Loki (Marvel)

[Peng]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW948Va-l10

[Peng]

Fun if very table-setting premiere, although I find the world-building and production design of the TVA delightful (love the training cartoon). Hiddleston in MCU films has always impressively made the most of his (comparatively) limited screentime, and now with a full focus he really runs away with it. Worth this series just for his performance alone.

[Dukefrukem]

Far and away the best first episode from Marvel Studios thus far.

[Irish]

I thought it terrifically boring. 30 minutes of wall to wall exposition in an intentionally dull setting. Not even Hiddleston's charisma and his obvious joy at playing Loki saved it. They wasted my time and I'm annoyed (again).

Really want these Marvel TV writers to go back and read the comics, because those writers knew how to drop new readers into an established story using nothing more than 4 dialogue balloons and 2 panels. Or, fuck it, no shame, take an Intro to Creative Writing course and learn what in medias res means.

The worst thing to happen to genre fiction was the introduction and embrace of the horrid phrase "table setting" into the vernacular. It excuses too much bad writing, and dumbly requires us to ignore the way the analogy breaks down in obvious ways --- setting the table is not part of the meal and never has been, in any context.

Other pet peeves, because I think the premise here --- "Timecop" meets "Quantum Leap" --- is particularly unimaginative:

- The afterworld as massive bureaucracy. This was an old trope when I first encountered it as a teenager reading dumb fantasy novels, and granted that first time it's ironic and funny. Two dozen instances later, not so much. Culturally, I think this is weird, too. We've literally lost faith in everything except death and taxes, and so our collective imagining of the impossible only extends as far as the DMV. Last seen: "The Magicians."

- The use of retro tech and '50s kitsch as a design stand-in, because Syd Mead died in 2019 and nobody can imagine the future anymore. Last seen: "Fallout 4," maybe? Or "The Outer Worlds"?

- Marvel won't have the balls to touch religion in a significant way, but the story lends itself to it. There's a host of intelligent beings living outside of time, and what is heaven and hell and the afterworld if not living outside time?

ETA:

- The premise suggests a universe without free will, which seems insane in a universe with superheroes, beings who, cough cough, are all about the will to power.

[[ETM]]

I'm not expecting life changing fiction. I was entertained.

[Skitch]

Far and away the best first episode from Marvel Studios thus far.

Not even close.

[Dukefrukem]

I thought it terrifically boring. 30 minutes of wall to wall exposition in an intentionally dull setting. Not even Hiddleston's charisma and his obvious joy at playing Loki saved it. They wasted my time and I'm annoyed (again).

Really want these Marvel TV writers to go back and read the comics, because those writers knew how to drop new readers into an established story using nothing more than 4 dialogue balloons and 2 panels. Or, fuck it, no shame, take an Intro to Creative Writing course and learn what in medias res means.

The worst thing to happen to genre fiction was the introduction and embrace of the horrid phrase "table setting" into the vernacular. It excuses too much bad writing, and dumbly requires us to ignore the way the analogy breaks down in obvious ways --- setting the table is not part of the meal and never has been, in any context.

Other pet peeves, because I think the premise here --- "Timecop" meets "Quantum Leap" --- is particularly unimaginative:

- The afterworld as massive bureaucracy. This was an old trope when I first encountered it as a teenager reading dumb fantasy novels, and granted that first time it's ironic and funny. Two dozen instances later, not so much. Culturally, I think this is weird, too. We've literally lost faith in everything except death and taxes, and so our collective imagining of the impossible only extends as far as the DMV. Last seen: "The Magicians."

- The use of retro tech and '50s kitsch as a design stand-in, because Syd Mead died in 2019 and nobody can imagine the future anymore. Last seen: "Fallout 4," maybe? Or "The Outer Worlds"?

- Marvel won't have the balls to touch religion in a significant way, but the story lends itself to it. There's a host of intelligent beings living outside of time, and what is heaven and hell and the afterworld if not living outside time?

ETA:

- The premise suggests a universe without free will, which seems insane in a universe with superheroes, beings who, cough cough, are all about the will to power.

I dont see Quantum Leap here. I dont think they are saying Loki jumped into DB Cooper's body. But more that DB Cooper IS Loki.

[Irish]

I dont see Quantum Leap here. I dont think they are saying Loki jumped into DB Cooper's body. But more that DB Cooper IS Loki.

"Quantum Leap" was about a couple of guys who jumped around the timeline fixing historical "errors" while backed by a mysterious organization.

"Loki" seems to be about a couple of guys who will jump around the timeline chasing an errant boogeyman (but originally charged with fixing historical "errors") while backed by a mysterious organization.

I can't see what Marvel added to the premise outside of Loki, and I don't think that's enough for a memorable series. They only got 6 episodes and they already wasted one "table setting."

Cf: "Voyagers!" (1982), "Doctor Who" (2005), "Timeless" (2016), "Legends of Tomorrow" (2016).

[quido8_5]

Debating whether to watch this weekly or wait and binge. Love WandaVision and couldn't get through that other one. I'm hopeful for this, as I enjoy the Thor-series. WandaVision was event watching for me. I have a hard time seeing Loki being an event and lending itself to a few nights of nights of uninterrupted viewing-- seems more appropriate and tolerable.

[DFA1979]

You folks are all over the place without any consensus haha. I'll watch this at some point and I really would prefer it if Disney+ cut out the weekly shit. The whole point of streaming is to binge watch stuff.

[Dukefrukem]

You folks are all over the place without any consensus haha. I'll watch this at some point and I really would prefer it if Disney+ cut out the weekly shit. The whole point of streaming is to binge watch stuff.

The only streaming service that does this is Netflix.

[Spun Lepton]

I loved it, but nobody should be surprised by that. Most of the MCU gets a free pass from me.

[DFA1979]

The only streaming service that does this is Netflix.

I thought Hulu did but I guess not. Not sure why streaming has to act like they're a TV network.

[Irish]

Much as I hate to admit it ... the last ~15 minutes of episode #2 are legitimately cool.

[Irish]

Also, due to a possible viewing? streaming? error, I may not have actually seen all of episode #1. But I'm still investigating.

[Skitch]

This show is doooooope.

[Milky Joe]

I rolled my eyes a little at the reveal of the 'Variant'. Oh shit, another petite white woman! "This is not about you." Oh? Then why is it called fucking Loki?

[Irish]

I may have judged this show too quickly.

That neon and fog lit shot of the timekeepers in their weird little sanctuary was pure comic book meets Flash Gordon and I f'ing dug it.

[Spun Lepton]

This has been the best MCU series so far by a freaking mile. WandaVision and Falcon & Winter Solider had me thinking, "Yeah, I like this, I'll keep watching this." Loki actually has me anticipating the next episode.

[Skitch]

We had a gathering for fireworks last night...so yeah, I'm dying to see the latest ep. Agreed this is by far the best series. Unless they drop the ball later on.

[Dukefrukem]

Guys... that after credits scene though....

[Spun Lepton]

Guys... that after credits scene though....

Seriously.

[Dukefrukem]

Can we talk for a second how fucking awesome the score is?

[[ETM]]

Can we talk for a second how fucking awesome the score is?

Love it. I was pleased to see that it's being released in parts during the run, just like The Mandalorian.

Also, I absolutely love how the composer AND the bulk of the production team on Loki are women.

[Skitch]

I'm surprised to see so much net agreeing with me how awesome this is. Each episode I felt like I would be on an island alone.

[Peng]

Loved all the many versions of Loki. Fun world and fun episode. And it uses Richard E. Grant very well!

[DFA1979]

I'm on the second episode and I like it so far. The humor works really well.

[DFA1979]

I'm on the 5th episode now. This show rules so much. I hope it sticks the landing ending wise better than the other shows did.

[Wryan]

Waited 'til the whole thing was out before binging. I liked it a lot, though I don't think it was particularly funny all that often. But it is fun. There are episodes that feel incredibly tv, and then there's some episodes that have real visual verve. The score's been consistently impressive, though the needle-drop of "Holding Out for a Hero" fell flat for me. If you can't outdo fucking Shrek 2 with that, why are you using it? The extended stuck-on-a-planet episode was a bit of a slog if I'm being honest, but the post-prune world and the last two episodes were just bitchin and delightfully weird. I kind of hoped we'd get to see Him, and by god they did it. This series doesn't quite have enough there to really sink the teeth into, and it should have had an extra few episodes, I think, but it nicely leads into the next phase. I was entertained.

[Wryan]

I thought the first episode was pretty neat, especially with Loki seeing what happens to Frigga and even himself re: Thanos, and then telling him, "You're a chaotic failure who only exists to make the heroes look good" is such a shiv to the gut.

[DFA1979]

This show handled the finale better than the others did although thank God we get another season considering how it ended.

[Dukefrukem]

This show handled the finale better than the others did although thank God we get another season considering how it ended.

Season 2 was a surprise for sure, but I expected this series (and the others) to lead into the movies and not be siloed to the Tv show. IN other words, by the time Season 2 rolls around, we are going to be in a much different place than the last shot of the final episode.

I expect Loki to appear in Doctor Strange 2 and Ant-Man 3 at this point.

[Peng]

Enjoyed the finale a lot, even if on paper it shouldn't have worked: an episode where about half of it is listening to a monologue setting up backstory of and updated MCU status quo from a new character/villain going forward. But man, Jonathan Majors. I liked him well enough in recent prominent turns from two films (The Last Black Man in San Francisco and Da 5 Bloods) and one series (Lovecraft Country), but now it's clear that his real talent lies outsides of those film's straight (often leading) man roles, and in being a colorful character actor instead. He totally makes that long stretch work with his restless scenery-chewing and offbeat charisma. Great casting, because with the wrong actor I would have found this finale too much a dry exposition-fest setting up both next season and MCU's new phase, even if the episode contains some of the season's most striking imagery (in a series full of them) and a brilliant last scene.

[Dukefrukem]

e totally makes that long stretch work with his restless scenery-chewing and offbeat charisma. Great casting, because with the wrong actor I would have found this finale too much a dry exposition-fest setting up both next season and MCU's new phase, even if the episode contains some of the season's most striking imagery (in a series full of them) and a brilliant last scene.

Dude he was captivating! That's not a Marvel fanboy talking it was truly a star is born on screen. I can already see a new unique personality set in the MCU. He's going to be around for a long time (as already confirmed to be in Ant-Man 3)

[Wryan]

He was definitely doing the "eons-old dude who's been by himself and has gone psychotically daffy" bit, but he was doing it well. Also, he'll probably be a bit more straightforward villainous as Kang proper. But I like him a lot, so I have little doubt he'll kill it.

[[ETM]]

The extended stuck-on-a-planet episode was a bit of a slog if I'm being honest

One of my favorites. The dynamic between the two is great (Sylki shippers loved that episode as well), and it was like a lavish episode of Doctor Who, which I loved.

[Spun Lepton]

Majors really appears to be enjoying himself in the role. I'm really looking forward to Kang becoming the next Big Bad for the MCU.