Loki is a surrealist, kafkaesque mashup of True Detective and The Office—and it is a sight to behold. ... The show should not work, but it does. Loki (the series) was burdened with glorious purpose from the start and, unlike Loki (the character), you can consider that purpose fulfilled.
It’s incredibly promising from the first two episodes provided for press alone, especially as a series that doesn’t demand patience but instead straps you right into its heady and mischievous adventure.
If emo Loki is a bit of a drag — “Stop trying to be a hero,” someone tells him, “you’re a villain. You’re good at it. Do that” — Hiddleston gives the whole thing the patina of class. Even so, he’s not given much character motivation.
Only two episodes of “Loki” were screened for critics, making it hard to know exactly how successful the 6-episode season might be in shaping its own identity within the onscreen Marvel universe. Of these first two episodes, however, the second was far more engaging. ... When Loki sighs in frustration about the TVA’s tedious overreach dictating his story when he could be doing something much more dangerous and strange, it’s hard not to agree.
Loki could well improve, now that its arduous task of educating us about multiverses, and glumly explaining Loki to himself, is with any luck behind it. Let’s hope so. The character deserves a lot more room to get frisky and freaky than these cramped openers carved out.
Loki had a great first season but fell apart in the second, and I'm not sure what the show can hope to do now in the wake of Majors' firing. The first season was a great exploration into this version of Loki, and his twisted-but-compelling romance with Sylvie was great to watch too. I love the leaning into sci-fi that this show does and it often felt very much like Doctor Who, so I was naturally hooked. The show does a great job with its pacing all the way to the end. I do think the actual threat level rolls off a cliff in the final episode and I did want slightly more action, but the scene with He Who Remains talking to Loki and Sylvie and explaining to them how stuff really works was great. Also loved the hype building about Kang. Second season I really struggle to remember, I know there was Kangs in different periods popping up but I remember feeling that the show was stalling a bit and didn't have anywhere new to go. Now, I have no idea where it can go. I love the character of Loki and the first season slaps, but it needs to completely reset what it's going for in Season 3 and beyond.