Loki 2 carryng the MCU’s future on its back 

I started this week intending to cover the Ahsoka Season 1 finale. But you know what? I don’t see the point; the show was a disappointment.

Fans of the animated series (Rebels) got a kick out of it because they knew these characters from front to back. But the rest of us couldn’t care less. Ahsoka was a one-dimensional character. Sabine was passable (also, she has the coolest look in the series). Baylon Skol was intriguing, but after eight episodes, he asked many questions while providing zero answers.

Thrawn was just a blue guy. Ezra was forgettable. Overall, Ahsoka was barely worth the effort I took to watch it, although it was superior to Obi-Wan and Boba Fett. My interest in the Disney+ Star Wars Universe is almost dead. I could rant about this issue for hours, but I don’t have the energy.

So, instead, let’s switch gears to a show I actually liked. Loki Season 2 debuted a few days ago, and I love it. The MCU needs a win. I have enjoyed most of what they have delivered in the last few years, but I am not stupid.

Audiences have lost faith in the Marvel brand, and for a good reason. The movies have no direction. We don’t know where the Multiverse Saga is going. They have failed to turn this new crop of characters into stars, the only exception being Shang-Chi.

I think Kamala Khan is marvelous, but again, I’m not stupid. I know most viewers hated her show. Guardians 3 was terrific, but you need multiple hits to convince skeptical viewers that Disney is finally righting the Marvel ship, and any credit the MCU acquired via Guardians 3, it immediately lost with Secret Invasion, another show I loved but most people seemed to hate.

So, imagine my surprise at seeing wave after wave of positive reviews and comments about the Loki Season 2 debut on Friday afternoon! Some people don’t understand why public perception matters. Who cares if people hated Mrs. Marvel and Secret Invasion? Do their opinions affect my enjoyment?

No; but here is the thing. People will only complain about a product for so long before they stop buying it. Look at DC. A time came when the fans could no longer tolerate the DCEU’s lackluster offerings. After ranting and raving about the poor state of Marvel’s only significant rival for years, audiences abandoned the DCEU for good, which is why all DCEU movies from the last five years have underperformed.

If people keep complaining about Marvel movies and shows, eventually, they will stop watching the product. And once that happens, Disney will stop making them. I don’t want the MCU to die before we get another Avengers film. Anyway, back to Loki Season 2. This was an impressive start to a great show.

I thought season 1 was stellar. Of all the MCU shows thus far, Loki Season 1 is the only consistently entertaining series, and it ended on a strong note. I went in with high expectations, and the first episode of the second season did not disappoint. We got the same frenetic energy the season 1 finale promised.

Time was compromised. New branches were sprouting from the sacred timeline, and the TVA was ill-equipped to contain the disaster. Meanwhile, Morbius and Loki joined forces to save the God of Mischief from a tricky conundrum.

Like Ahsoka, the first episode leaves you with more questions than answers. But Loki has five episodes left, which is more than enough to tell a satisfying story.

We know Kang is the biggest threat in the universe, essentially the successor to Thanos. However, while his introduction in Loki Season 1 was promising, the character’s portrayal in Quantamania left a sour taste.

Loki Season 2 must succeed where Quantamania failed by adding layers to the antagonist and making him as threatening and compelling as Thanos. The season started on the right foot. Hopefully, it maintains this momentum.

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