The Multiverse Unleashed: Loki Season 1 Finale Leaves Us Wanting More
Loki episode 6, "For All Time. Always.", finally hit Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar, bringing the first season of the Marvel Cinematic Universe series to an end. But this finale didn’t tie up loose ends; it instead threw open a Pandora’s Box of possibilities, leaving us with more questions than answers. The episode plunged us headfirst into the complexities of the multiverse, an idea that is still relatively new to the MCU. The final scene featuring Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and a version of Mobius (Owen Wilson) who seems to have no memory of Loki has clearly ushered us into a reality where branching timelines are the new norm. How this will impact the MCU as a whole, or even the already confirmed Loki season 2, is anyone’s guess.
The implications of this multiverse are vast and exciting. We know that season 2 is already in the works, with filming expected to start in early 2022. This could mean we’re closer to seeing Loki season 2 than Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. That timing is significant since Jonathan Majors’ surprise appearance as "He Who Remains" in Loki episode 6 strongly hints at his role as Kang the Conqueror. While it’s never explicitly stated, this appearance aligns with Majors’ expected role in the Ant-Man sequel. It seems likely that we will encounter another variant of Kang in the upcoming film, further cementing the ever-expanding multiverse as the dominant force in the MCU.
Entering the Citadel at the End of Time
Loki episode 6 begins with a montage of familiar MCU characters, interspersed with dialogues from real-life figures like Neil Armstrong, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, and Nelson Mandela. This sets the stage for the episode’s cosmic scope, reflecting how the actions of Loki and Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) resonate beyond their immediate surroundings. The scene then shifts to the mysterious mansion revealed at the end of Loki episode 5, where Loki and Sylvie are greeted by Miss Minutes (voiced by Tara Strong). She welcomes them to the Citadel at the End of Time, a place where He Who Remains resides, the being who created and controlled everything. He Who Remains proposes a deal to Loki and Sylvie, offering them a life where their desires are fulfilled – for Loki, conquering the Avengers and the throne of Asgard, and for Sylvie, a life filled with happy memories. However, Sylvie sees through his offer, rejecting it as “fiction,” and Loki echoes her sentiments, proclaiming that "We write our own destiny now."
The Arrival of He Who Remains
Before Sylvie and Loki can delve further, a door magically opens and reveals He Who Remains, played by Jonathan Majors, sitting in a purple cloak. The fan theories have come true, and Majors’ presence as Kang the Conqueror is almost undeniable. While the episode’s subtitles and credits refer to him as "He Who Remains," Marvel is likely playing coy regarding his true identity. Despite Sylvie’s attempt to kill him, He Who Remains remains untouchable, teleporting to evade her every attack. His power and knowledge are undeniable, as he explains to Loki and Sylvie that he knows everything, and "Every step you took to get here, I paved the road.” He claims that their arrival at the Citadel was inevitable, a journey meant to change them.
The Time Variance Authority In Turmoil
Meanwhile, back at the TVA, Mobius enters Ravonna Renslayer’s (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) office. Ravonna is unsurprised by his return, considering him the only one who could escape The Void. She even acknowledges that he possesses Sylvie’s TemPad. Mobius is determined to change the TVA’s oppressive system. He holds up a pen with a high school inscription on it – the same pen we first saw in Loki episode 2 – a symbol of what he wants to fight for. The scene cuts to Fremont, Ohio, where a freed Hunter B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku) has recruited other Hunters to reveal the true nature of Ravonna, or at least a variant of her.
He Who Remains’ Dilemma
Returning to the Citadel, He Who Remains reveals his motivation for establishing the TVA. He tells Loki and Sylvie that he was a 31st-century Earth variant who discovered the multiverse, but this discovery eventually led to a devastating war. The peaceful collaboration between the different universes crumbled, and each variant of He Who Remains pursued their own ambitions. One variant of He Who Remains discovered Alioth, a powerful creature capable of consuming time and space. With Alioth’s help, He Who Remains ended the Multiversal War, and in its place created the TVA to maintain a singular timeline and ensure cosmic harmony. However, his solution is not without its flaws. He confesses the TVA, while seemingly benevolent, prevents free will, and he fears that his efforts to preserve stability will only breed its own destruction.
Choice and Consequences
He Who Remains gives Loki and Sylvie a choice: kill him and unleash the chaotic potential of the multiverse, or take over the TVA and maintain the illusion of a single timeline. He willingly offers them control because he is weary and believes "This game is for the young, the hungry." He views them as the best candidates to continue his work.
However, Sylvie remains furious, driven by her deep-seated resentment towards the person who has inflicted so much pain on her. She accuses He Who Remains of playing games with innocent lives. He Who Remains counters that their actions were not personal; however, this perspective falls flat, given the personal nature of his actions toward Sylvie. He urges her to "grow up," reminding them both that they are villains, that they have killed, but that they can now do so for a good cause.
But just as He Who Remains believes he has complete control, he hears strange voices in the background. He is surprised, which is unusual for someone who claims to know everything. This unexpected event marks a crucial turning point. He has lost his ability to see the future, a fact that reveals the true power of the multiverse and its chaotic nature.
The Multiverse Unleashed
Outside the Citadel, the sacred timeline starts to branch and split, symbolizing the multiverse’s unstoppable growth. Inside, He Who Remains reaffirms his offer but acknowledges that the future is now unknown, even to him. He has no idea what will happen next.
Sylvie, driven by a lingering distrust, believes He Who Remains is lying. She attempts to kill him, but Loki stops her. He believes He Who Remains’ warning about the dangers of unleashing multiple versions of Kang. Sylvie accuses Loki of wanting to take over the TVA for his own ambition, but he denies it. He has been in her position, he knows how she feels. Their argument leads to a sword fight, during which Loki appeals to Sylvie’s humanity. He tells her that he just wants her to be okay, and they finally kiss.
However, this shared moment is bittersweet, as it underscores the disturbing truth – they are essentially the same person. Sylvie, however, refuses to accept this, stating "But I’m not you." She then throws Loki through a time portal back to the TVA before delivering the final blow to He Who Remains. With his last breath, He Who Remains says, "See you soon," implying that his death will only pave the way for the return of other versions of himself.
The finale ends with the TVA in chaos, the infinite branches of the multiverse creating an unpredictable future. Loki, still reeling from the chaos he has witnessed, decides to take on the responsibility of managing the TVA. He tells Mobius and B-15 everything that has happened, but they don’t recognize him. They see him as just another analyst, a stranger to them.
The final scene makes it clear that Loki is now in a different TVA, a parallel version of the one he once knew. The statue of He Who Remains instead of the Time Keepers confirms this new reality. This ending not only showcases the power of the multiverse but also leaves us with a tantalizing cliffhanger, begging us to unravel the mysteries that lie ahead in Loki season 2.
