“Lamentis” is one heck of an episode even in its quiet exhibition, which is what’s so stunning about this chaotic treasure of a series. In an unsurprising turn of events, Loki keeps getting better and better. We’re halfway through the series and already bummed that there will be an end in sight. Season two needs to happen. This cannot just be a mini-series, it’s too good for that.
(I say this with utmost love.) Loki is chaos personified, and it’s exactly why he’s so beloved. “Lementis” might not have gotten us far in the realm of the TVA’s agenda, but it gave us some incredible moments to dissect while simultaneously being the most aesthetically beautiful episode to date.
If you have yet to watch Loki’s third episode, be warned, this article contains spoilers.
Love is … Bisexuality Confirmed
The entire conversation between Loki and Lady Loki (Sophia Di Martino) who now goes by Sylvie was brilliant. What is love? A whole bunch of terrible metaphors sometimes, but today, love is bisexuality.
Loki Laufeyson, Asgardian god of mischief, is bisexual. No, the words aren’t uttered out loud as boldly (perhaps we’ll get there?), but his response about both princes and princesses confirms his sexuality as loudly as possible.
Writer and director, Kate Heron even confirmed on Twitter that this was their intention from the start to make sure the series acknowledges Loki’s sexuality. It’s canon, and it happens during Pride month, which is just beautiful.
The interesting thing about Loki is that he might just be the only character I’ve previously never had a ship for, but now, my brain is rallying itself with all the gorgeous possibilities.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Loki is the first character for whom we have actual canon confirmation for in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I do believe we will likely get more in-canon confirmation later down the line with phase four, but this is an excellent start. And really, the most iconic character to start with.
In the words of the legendary Captain Holt: “Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place.” Today, the fictional (and real) world is better and more interesting because of Loki Laufeyson.
“Lamentis” is … The One With All the Metaphors
I understand that “Lamentis” is the planet they were on, but this should not have been the episode title. Sure, the purple tone in the planet was gorgeous, but it’s subpar compared to how glorious the episode actually was.
In other words, “Love is… a dagger, it’s a weapon to be wielded far away or up close. You can see yourself in it. It’s beautiful. Until it makes you bleed. But ultimately when you reach for it…it isn’t real.”
We all thought Loki was going somewhere incredibly moving with this, right? I mean, he had no business giving me Kaz and Inej feelings at the beginning. But even in its clustered mess, he still has a point. Love isn’t always rainbows and butterflies—it hurts sometimes, it stings, it breaks, and it stabs, but if it’s your dagger, if it’s one you care about, you keep it. (Did I make it worse? Am I just as much as of a clown as Loki is? Maybe.)
It’s a metaphor that works even while it doesn’t because so much of Loki’s life has been a mess. He has known love even as he lost it and that love has always been found in Frigga. And although this variant doesn’t understand it as profoundly as Infinity War Loki does, love is even present with Thor.
The metaphor is a mess because sometimes love is a mess too. It’s fascinating to see that both Loki and Sylvie have made a mess of things and have issues trusting. So much of the reason why this show works is because significant conversations have happened in every episode. It’s ultimately why these reviews are in highlights form as opposed to full episode analysis because these little moments are more crucial to me.
Superheroes, or in this case, villains are being given the chance to just talk. Loki is consistently given the opportunities to look deep into himself and touch on emotions he might not have gotten the chance to prior.
Magic and Mothers
It starts with magic, but it turns into a conversation about mothers. Sylvie talks about the postman she’s met along the way, but Loki once again goes deeper into his heart, and he subtly breaks down just how much Frigga meant to him.
He focuses on the fact that she’s the kind of person “you’d want to believe in you” and realizes that she did. Frigga always believed in Loki and it’s riveting that through these conversations, he is learning to understand his mother more, too.
There’s a moment towards the end where he realizes everyone on Lamentis could die and Hiddleston touches on the confusion so brilliantly, it becomes clear that even this Loki doesn’t want that.
He might be hedonistic, but really and truly, Loki was never the monster he’d been painted as. He was broken by betrayal and the belief that he didn’t have love, but his darkness was always laced with mischief, not malice. And these glimpses we see are gorgeous.
Drunken Mischief
We all caught Loki smashing the glass and screaming “another!” right? They might not be brothers in blood, but he and Thor are brothers in spirit, and it shows. (I’m not crying, there’s just something in my eye.)
It’s a small moment but colossal in revealing just how much the two have learned from each other through the years. Thor and Loki might be polar opposites, but they’re similar in a myriad of ways. Thor can be just as chaotic. He can ramble on and on while nothing he says makes sense.
And at the end of the day, they’ve been seeking the same thing—love. They’ve both just wanted their father’s love, their mother’s appreciation, and their brother’s attention.
They’ve both wanted a family, and they’ve both wanted another drink, (but someone should teach them matters). Although Loki’s drunk, his excuse is more valid than Thor wanting coffee. However, I suppose if he’s a god, maybe his body requires a few more cups before the crankiness wears off. Who knows.
Variants Everywhere
Owen Wilson’s Mobius was missed in this episode, but the revelation that everyone in the TVA is a variant isn’t a detail we can’t help but highlight.
They’re all variants? Not handpicked by the timey-wimey gods to stop mischief or whatever?
This is definitely leading us closer to the detail that the TVA might not differ much from Hydra, and whatever the reveal is, I can’t wait for it.
“Lamentis” is a stunning episode that allows the characters to slow down amidst the chaotic scheme they’re running. It’s an episode that focuses on growth and one’s own truth.
I said this last week, but while it might be hard to trust either Loki or Sylvie, I think we can trust in the fact that they’re each just seeking their form of satisfaction. They’re each seeking love, (however different that is for both of them). They’re seeking a purpose, and this development is aces.
Glorious Mischief and Further Thoughts
- Drunk Loki might be my favorite Loki after emotional Loki.
- The fight sequences in this episode were badass, and Sylvie’s especially!
- Who doesn’t ponder what love is after a drink or two?
- You know how you know Tom Hiddleston is a great actor? When his character can also be a terrible actor. Loki trying to get Sylvie onto the train was such a wreck, and it was genius on Hiddleston’s part.
- Confirmed: Loki has a feather pen and a journal he jots ideas down in. I dare him to be more dramatic.
- What exactly makes a Loki a Loki? Chaos probably.
- Loki wielding his knives will never not be a glorious sight. Last week I said I wanted him to meet Kaz Brekker, but now, I need him to go head-to-head with Inej Ghafa, who’d take him down without a question. And he’d probably welcome it too.
- Loki can make fireworks happen. Excuse you. Amazing.
- Are Spotify and Apple going to release Loki’s drunken singing because it’s what we all deserve.
What are your thoughts on Loki’s third episode? Let us know in the comments below.