Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for What If…? season 3
Not long ago, the narrative of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) reached a compelling conclusion. Having narrowly escaped an early demise in Phase 2, Loki transitioned remarkably from antagonist to anti-hero, ultimately cementing his status as a true hero by sacrificing his own freedom to save countless lives.
In the finale of Loki season 2, the God of Mischief embraces his new identity as the God of Stories, taking his place on a throne at the heart of the multiverse. This poignant resolution is the emotional peak of Loki’s journey, as Tom Hiddleston’s character finally reclaims his narrative, fulfilling Odin’s prophecy of his ascendance. While there are no current plans for a third season of Loki, it is vital for the character to reappear in forthcoming MCU projects, a prospect that feels almost essential.
The Importance of Loki’s Future in the MCU
Upcoming Challenges for the Multiverse
Although Loki’s sacrificial act seemed conclusive, the looming threats within the MCU’s Multiverse Saga suggest he cannot remain absent. As the narrative progresses toward Avengers: Secret Wars, which is poised to echo themes from the original comics, the multiverse—and indeed all existence—stands on the brink of catastrophe. Although Loki has accepted his new responsibilities to maintain balance, the notion of him allowing a complete extinction event is hard to reconcile.
The complexities of the MCU’s multiverse—from threads and dimensions to realms of existence—often intertwine in ways that demand careful storytelling. The writing team for Secret Wars will need to navigate these layers, possibly drawing inspiration from the conclusions of The Marvels and its post-credits tease of reality collisions. Yet, with Loki positioned at the multiverse’s center, his importance in this unfolding story is undeniable.
There remains a troubling idea that Loki might need to be sidelined to highlight the primary villain in Secret Wars. Such a move could serve as a tantalizing lead-in to Avengers: Doomsday, especially if Doctor Doom emerges as the ultimate villain in this expansive narrative. However, Loki’s active participation would offer a far more exhilarating direction, cleverly set up by What If…?.
How What If…? Challenges Loki’s Resolution
Uatu’s Admission: A Reflection on Morality
Among the many captivating concepts explored in What If…? season 3, the scrutiny of the Watchers’ by Uatu stands out. After intervening in several episodes, Uatu, voiced by Jeffrey Wright, faces his peers—the Eminence, Executioner, and Incarnate—for what they perceive as his heretical actions.
In a powerful moment, Uatu confronts the divine authority of his fellow Watchers, articulating the flaw in their oath to abstain from interference. He argues that a garden must be tended to flourish rather than merely observed. His eloquent remarks call into question the passivity of supreme beings like Loki when confronted with existential threats:
Surely you must see that for a garden to thrive, it must be cultivated, so its trees grow higher, its flowers bloom brighter, and… and pests that threaten to destroy it all are weeded out.
This analogy posits a compelling argument that the toxic elements threatening the multiverse must be addressed. In a startling admission, the Watchers seem to validate the TVA’s approach under He Who Remains as fundamentally sound, despite its flawed execution. The notion of fostering the right elements while eliminating threats resonates profoundly.
Could Loki potentially have a similar revelation? Positioned between the roles of He Who Remains and Uatu, the newly appointed God of Stories bears the weight of maintaining balance within the multiverse’s myriad branches. Intriguingly, Uatu’s garden metaphor coincides with Loki sitting beneath a tree in What If…?. This imagery raises the tantalizing question: might Loki also abandon his position for the greater good in future installments?
All 8 episodes of What If…? season 3 are available for streaming on Disney+ now.
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