Multiverse Madness: How Marvel Lost Their Way (Loki Season 2 Reaction)
Infinity, time, and stale emotions
I finished watching Loki Season 2 yesterday, and I must say, it left me more than just disappointed — I was infuriated. This isn’t a sudden reaction; my frustration has been simmering since Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Oddly, this irritation feels contradictory, considering how much I adored the ending of Loki Season 1. That finale, with its masterful setup of a multiversal war, felt like a promise. A promise now broken with the latest developments in the MCU. It is now clear to anyone with a basic understanding of storytelling that with the MCU’s Phase 4, Marvel has long departed from the logical, emotionally resonant storytelling that once defined its universe.
In the following sections, I’ll dissect the various facets of this downfall: Marvel’s convoluted portrayal of the multiverse, the narrative dead-end of infinity, the pitfalls of their time travel ventures, the growing emotional disconnect, the erosion of character essence, and the overall downward spiral of Marvel’s Phase 4.
Before diving into the critique, it’s crucial to understand the basic design of Marvel’s multiverse as laid out in ‘Loki.’
Brief Recap of Loki and Marvel’s Multiverse Design
Marvel’s multiverse revolves around the ‘Sacred Timeline,’ a narrative device introduced to manage the existence of multiple universes.
- The Origin: The saga begins with a multiversal war, a battle for dominance across different universes. This war, waged by countless variants of a single individual, culminates in one variant, ‘He Who Remains’ (HWR), emerging victorious. HWR’s solution to end this war is radical: he annihilates all alternate universes, setting up the Time Variance Authority (TVA) to maintain the ‘Sacred Timeline’ and prevent the formation of new branches.
- Season 1 Climax: At the end of Season 1, a significant twist occurs. Loki’s variant kills HWR, leading to a weakening of the Sacred Timeline’s protection. Surprisingly, HWR’s death doesn’t just unravel the timeline; it seems to revive previously suspended alternate universes. The exact mechanics of this are left ambiguous.
- Season 2’s New Element — The Loom: In Season 2, we’re introduced to the Loom, a mechanism responsible for creating the Sacred Timeline by weaving multiple threads together. However, the origin of these threads and their relation to the universes obliterated in the multiversal war remains unclear, adding to the confusion. The season presents us with two options: either destroy the Loom, triggering a chaotic battle for dominance among the branches, or have Loki replace HWR and continue safeguarding the Sacred Timeline.
- Loki’s Choice: In a typical heroic fashion, Loki opts for a third path. He destroys the Loom, leading to an increase and eventual death of the timelines. In a final heroic act, Loki sustains the dying timelines by uniting them and infusing them with a mysterious green substance.
With the stage set, let’s dive into the issues.
1. Multiverse madness, literally
Marvel’s multiverse concept is a bewildering one. It envisions an infinite array of universes, each distinct but sharing fundamental similarities. In this vast expanse, characters journey between these universes, overseen by the Time Variance Authority (TVA), which enforces the integrity of the so-called ‘Sacred Timeline.’ However, this setup results in a narrative that feels cluttered and confusing.
The core idea of a multiverse war, initiated by countless versions of a single man, is conceptually intriguing. Yet, the execution of this idea in the storyline falls short. Winning such a war raises complex questions: How does one emerge victorious in a battle across infinite realities? And what moral standards guide these universe-altering decisions? That’s not all.
The TVA, created by a human with extraordinary intellect (He Who Remains), seems like a child’s answer to a complex philosophical question. How did this human find a realm outside of time? How did the multiversal war even begin? Why would universes fight one another? These aren’t just idle musings; they are fundamental questions that any critically thinking viewer would ask. We love fantasy, but fantasy needs to make sense — emotionally, philosophically, metaphysically, scientifically.
Similar issues are evident in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where the sheer number of realities dilutes the narrative focus, leaving viewers struggling to form a meaningful connection with any specific universe.
2. Infinity is a slippery slope
The concept of infinity, when woven into storytelling, should be a gateway to profound narratives. However, in the realm of the MCU, it has become a storytelling black hole. The idea of an infinite array of universes, each potentially rich with its own stories, paradoxically strips each of these universes of its unique significance. In a multiverse where everything is possible, individual narratives risk losing their weight and impact.
Take Everything Everywhere All At Once as a prime example. This film masterfully confronts the overwhelming nature of infinite possibilities. It delves into the psychological impact this has on its characters, making their journey through these endless realities both emotionally resonant and philosophically profound. Each universe, no matter how bizarre, contributes meaningfully to the characters’ development and the overarching theme of the film.
Contrast this with the MCU, where the multiverse is treated more like a convenient plot device rather than a concept with deep emotional or philosophical implications. Characters traverse through different realities without seeming to grasp the enormity of an infinite multiverse. This results in a narrative that feels emotionally hollow. The depth, the emotional stakes, and the connectedness that once defined the MCU’s storytelling in phases 1–3 seem lost in this boundless expanse. Instead of marveling at the vastness of possibilities and the existential questions they raise, characters, and by extension, the audience, are left unphased and detached.
By failing to grapple with the true implications of infinity, the MCU misses an opportunity to explore rich, character-driven stories that resonate on a deeper level. Infinity, rather than being a narrative playground, becomes a labyrinth where meaningful storytelling is lost.
3. Stop messing with Time
In storytelling, meddling with time is a treacherous path, one that Loki Season 2 treads with reckless abandon. My gripe with time travel narratives stems from their inherent paradoxes, often glossed over with the flimsy ‘loop’ argument — events occurring simply because they have always been destined to. It’s a narrative trick that, while clever in appearance, fails to hold up under critical scrutiny.
In Loki Season 2, we see this issue compounded. The show disregards the time travel rules established in Avengers: Endgame, where changing the past leads to alternate realities rather than affecting the present. Loki introduces ‘time-slipping,’ an ability that allows him to traverse different time periods and take actions in the past that directly rewrite the present, blatantly contradicting the previously set guidelines. This not only breaks the established rules but creates a narrative environment devoid of logical consistency.
The TVA’s unique relationship with time, existing outside normal time and space, might offer a thin veil of explanation, but it only adds to the confusion. The challenges faced by the TVA, like power surges due to the expanding multiverse and the risk of overloading the Time Loom, indicate a different, yet unclear approach to time manipulation.
Marvel’s flirtation with time in Loki Season 2 feels like mindless entertainment rather than a thoughtful exploration of time’s complexities. The allure of time travel in stories is undeniable, but without a coherent and thoughtful approach, it risks rendering narratives meaningless. Loki Season 2, in its haphazard treatment of time, exemplifies this pitfall, leaving us with a storyline that is as confusing as it is unfulfilling.
4. Stale emotions
The biggest issue, though, is emotional connection. When was the last time you felt a genuine connection to an MCU character’s plight? Particularly in Loki, it’s impossible to feel anything when consequences are confined to nebulous, interchangeable timelines. Why?
- Inconsistent character development: Characters seem to learn lessons or undergo changes that don’t align with their established story arcs. Wanda’s regression in Doctor Strange 2 after her growth in WandaVision is a prime example. It feels like a step back rather than a continuation of her journey. Over to Loki, let’s not even start on the idea of human characters of the TVA caring about timelines they know nothing about. It’s ludicrous! Humans are inherently self-centered; we care about our own reality, not some alternate version we have no stake in.
- Forced emotional arcs: In the season 2 finale, Loki’s decision to sacrifice himself feels unearned and abrupt. There’s a lack of supporting narrative that convincingly leads to this transformation, making it feel forced rather than a natural progression of the character.
This emotional disconnect extends beyond Loki. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, despite personal character struggles, the broader narrative fails to achieve the emotional depth seen in earlier MCU phases, often feeling disjointed from the characters’ historical arcs.
Conclusion
In closing, my anger stems from a place of love — for what Marvel once was. Phases 1–3 of the MCU were a testament to storytelling done right: interconnected narratives, compelling characters, real stakes, and a sense of closure. Phase 4, with its haphazard approach to the multiverse, feels like a betrayal of these principles. It’s time for Marvel to remember what made it great in the first place.
Gilbert Bassey is a writer, storyteller, storytelling enthusiast dedicated to telling great stories and helping other writers do the same. Join his Storycraft mailing list and get a free copy of the ‘how to fix a boring story’ checklist + a free in-depth email course on how to transform an idea into a good story.
