LOKI: Trapped in a Tragic Loop | MARVEL Character BREAKDOWN

Loki is one of the most complex, layered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Going back to his origins in Norse mythology, the God of Mischief is ever an agent of CHANGE. In this character breakdown, we examine his role in the MCU, as the brother of Thor, and his own path as a tragic hero. he's the MCU's catalyst of change, but he's trapped in his own, tragic cycle of defeat.
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Written and Edited by Pavel Terehovsky (pavel8866.wixs...) ( / @alexluthor4057 )
Hosted by Ryan Arey ( / ryanarey )
#Loki #Marvel #VideoEssay

[@carpemkarzi]

It really helps that Tom Hiddleston plays him with such skill and subtlety. You see the small moments that have the greatest effect on him. He has always worn his heart on his sleeve. Frankly more Loki will always be a good thing.

[@sreekanthm5935]

Tom Hiddleston

[@sreekanthm5935]

Amazing

[@whatsgoodie6095]

@@sreekanthm5935 stfu hes speaking fax stop ruining it by a god damn spelling mistake

[@jamssy3409]

@@whatsgoodie6095????

[@kemsatofficial]

Yup. Without Hiddleston, Loki easily comes across as way more evil.

[@yaboytakeda]

I said it and I'll say it again , if it weren't for the biggest Loki fan , Tom Hiddleston himself , playing this actor with that much devotion and knowledge about the character, we would never have had such a deep and arguably the best character in the MCU . Thank you Tom

[@brucelau2023]

“The Sun will shine on us again , brother”

[@ZyliceLiddell]

The ‘sun’ ☀️ will be the Mind Stone. Mark my words! 😉🤞

[@fo2dzvideos]

Great words from LOKI

[@yvetteshen7381]

I wonder, since the narrator, around 9:25-9:26, says that with each cycle Loki edges ever closer to discovering exactly who he is, not who he is supposed to be. With that said, I also do recall that Thor, at the end of Endgame, essentially went, “it’s time for me to be who I am rather than who I’m supposed to be.” I know Loki did say, like you pointed out, “The sun will shine on us again‘. What if, he didn’t mean as brothers *together*, but separately? The sun shone on Thor first, showing him that Thor can be who he is, who he wants to be, at the end of his journey, rather than be who he is supposed to be. Then maybe the sun will shine on Loki later like it did with Thor, showing us that Loki will one day come to peace with who he is, and who he wants to be, rather than who he is supposed to be, so once that happens, he is free of his own metaphorical prison and so, the sun can shine on him at last, proving that Loki’s promise (that the sun will shine on both Thor and himself) will come true, once and for all. 🤔

[@aeondecker9210]

More than you know

[@FemboyBunnyGW]

Gets his neck snapped 😢

[@hiya_how_areya6436]

Imagine if the Loki series ends with him being returned to the moment he left at the "end of avengers" to restore the timeline and he lives out the main universes timeline secretly knowing how his life ends. Purposely doing everything he does to maintain the timeline. The sacrifice it would be to do all that having become the better person unable to change things.

[@TheRealVivia]

I was thinking the same thing. My heart will break ;-; but I can see it coming too ;-;

[@CaptainBones222]

He'll probably has have his memoried wiped though

[@hectorsanchez1377]

Then his growth comes from the TVA not from himself and his experiences. That’s not good.

[@christianc3422]

@@CaptainBones222 that what I was thinking

[@christianc3422]

@@hectorsanchez1377 nah I’m sure the TVA wouldn’t ask for his help unless they knew he could be good. I mean if they know his past and future they would’ve known he has the potential to be a hero.

[@jairuselijasmin8525]

This is a good one. Everyone should watch this, not just MCU fans.

[@SLOTHSRIDEUNICORNS]

No.

[@emaheiwa8174]

Yes 100%

[@J.O.R.D]

I did some digging into Norse mythology after not long reading the Earth X comics and I found that Odin was born from Bor and a frost giant! He’s essentially a Loki himself, how ironic 😅

[@djchristinad]

That is really frikkin cool! Was Loki half frost giant as well? Or did I miss the explanation of why he isn't blue and wrinkly looking like the frost giants?

[@TheFreshSoundsFlorida]

Wow, that's a heck of twist..would've been dope to see on the big screen

[@Tow_Sr.]

@@TheFreshSoundsFlorida I've been saying this since Thor #1. MULTIPLE movies just on asgards history. Even back with Hela. And before that with Bor. And then baby Odin. Then the Odin force . Etc. There is 4 movies there just to learn how the space police were made to keep Peace in the Universe!!!!!

[@feleciawalberg646]

@@djchristinad In Norse Mythology, Loki is Odin's blood-brother, rather than his son. Laufey is his mother, rather than his father, and there's some evidence that she is Aes (Asgardian). Loki's father, Farbauti, is Jotunn, a Frost Giant. My head canon about MCU Loki is that he was "small" at birth because his mother was Asgardian. Is it just a coincidence, I have to wonder, that Loki's Asgardian form strong resembles Odin's daughter Hela?

[@blackraven5389]

@@feleciawalberg646 In Norse mythology (and Marvel comics as well) Hel(a)is Loki's daughter. They changed it for movie. In myths Asgardians had unions with Jotnar like Odin being son of giant Bor. So Giants were something like Titans in Greek mythology. What's more in Ultimate Universe Loki was half-giant, half-asgardian. I like how AC Valhalla treated Giants: more as mystic/primordial creatures rather than savages and Loki was more related to Odin than Thor by the oath. Some Jotnar were not literally giants, their nature is more like opposing the gods of Asgard rather than being something big. They could take many shapes.

[@jorgecarbajal8076]

This is a very thorough analysis of Loki’s character arc in the MCU. Some might even call it glorious.

[@juliemartinez6409]

This comment got 69 likes 2yrs ago.. It's a great vid about Loki and I feel bad changing the number to 67.😊

[@Sharktankgaming]

Brilliant. I've always loved MCU Loki, yet I didn't actually realize why. Yes, this video makes me understand how brilliant Hiddleston truly is. Loki was the front-runner before people truly loved Hemsworth's Thor thanks to Taika. I love Tom as an amazing actor.

[@lenorejohnson5428]

The "say my name" thing is the biggest hint that someone has an identity crisis.

[@Crawleyman]

I was just about to get up and be productive. I guess that will have to wait.

[@cinnybun739]

Same lmao

[@fayrouza7415]

Saaaaame

[@mannydragonslayer5696]

Literally my life to a T

[@ladymecha8718]

This is Corvid… it’s the usual to NOT be productive.

[@dontopenthisaccount1637]

@@ladymecha8718 nope

[@paulguacan9422]

It's like Loki's first episode is based on this video... you nailed with the 4 goodbyes, same scenes, Loki saw while in TVA :o

[@winfan1978]

"YOUR SAVOUR IS HERE!" is my fave Loki quote

[@MountainDewComacho494]

The impression I always got from the myths is that even though Loki is a "bad guy", the Asgardians need him. As gard could not have been built without Loki.

[@carmenchoi5409]

This video was made before the Loki series was released! By now (ep 5) this theme of Loki breaking out of his loop and seeking an identity has become evident. You got it so right!

[@jonathanhadden7157]

I’ve been reading comic books for 54 years that I can remember. I owned, bookstore for 10 of those years. And I’ve also read a lot of other literature as well! This is one of the best, correction! This is the best character reduction I have ever read! Dude! You totally nailed this!

[@ArmandoReveron94]

Ryan, It’s so ironic, awesome and cool how many points you hit on that the first episode highlighted, detailed and expanded on! Your video is literally the first episode! Who Loki is, man…so good!

[@ZyliceLiddell]

He also impacted the MCU a-*LOT!* Take a gander: *If he didn’t let the Frost Giants into Asgard to interrupt Thor’s coronation, Thor wouldn’t have come to Earth and met Selvig who then later helped Loki create the ‘space portal machine’ in the Avengers. *If he didn’t invade Earth when he did, the Avengers would not have come together. At least not when they did. *If he hadn’t got the sceptre, Wanda wouldn’t have gotten her amplified powers nor would Vision or Ultron ever have existed. Thor & Tony wouldn’t have had their prophesying visions about what would likely happen in IW *If he hadn’t of killed Coulson, we wouldn’t have Agents of SHIELD. *If he didn’t let Thanos kill him in Infinity War, Thor would have been snapped out of existence and Thanos would have succeeded in erasing half of the universe which both he and Doctor Strange begrudgingly agreed upon working together (in another timeline/reality that we may see in Loki or Doctor Strange 2) in order to prevent that scenario from ever happening. “It was the only way.” (Stephen Giving the Time Stone to Thanos) *If he didn’t fall down the wormhole in Thor, we wouldn’t have the ‘Loki’ series about the ‘other worlds’ he described to Thor in the Avengers as well as the ‘time travel’ aspect that he and Wanda would have a part in down the line changing reality and altering timelines therefore we wouldn’t of had WandaVision, Doctor Strange 2 or SpiderMan: No Way Home. So there. Loki is indeed more important to the Marvel Universe than we all realised. 😌

[@christianc3422]

He’s pretty much the catalyst for marvel and the avengers. Damn

[@berlinglasgow4942]

yea seems like Loki is gonna be the cause for multi verse of madness they all but shouted it in the first episode

[@DarthVader-bz8nq]

Too true

[@DarthVader-bz8nq]

🤯

[@jeanpicard5366]

This is spot on!

[@mtotonchi77]

Very wonderful breakdown of Loki’s character. ✨👏🏼😊

[@slamrahovart9024]

In Ragnarok, Loki does some kind of "mind meld" with Valkyrie, and he sees her full history. In Love and Thunder, maybe Loki can do the same to Thor? He can see and fully feel his redemption arch, that way his relationship with him can be exactly where it should be

[@RageGamer15]

Nice one

[@antonlung2221]

But he's dead......

[@apuji7555]

@@antonlung2221 SPOILERS if you didn't watch endgame There is still a Loki alive, but he is from a different timeline

[@antonlung2221]

@@apuji7555 yeah yeah okay you meant a different timeline loki and thor i get it now

[@apuji7555]

@@antonlung2221 well the thor is the same one but the loki is a different one

[@momwlf9081]

This was the best analysis I've ever heard. The only thing what bothers me, is that Loki faked his death in TDW. He just survieved. Even Kevin said that. I doubt Loki had expected it. It was filmed as his real dead. Don't take this sacrivice from him.

[@jfoldger1184]

Loki really does bring change, Loki changed the entire MCU at the end of EP 6..... Just let that sink in for a minuet.

[@Christian_Luczejko]

My favorite part of Loki episode one has to be him plowing through 5 movies of character growth in about 5 minutes. I was bummed out at the idea of our Loki losing that character growth with this Disney+ series. I'm glad this is the direction they're going with him.

[@Asplera]

Loki should also change by the end of this series. Actually, just in the first episode we can see that Loki in the beginning of the episode isn't the same as Loki in the end of the episode in terms of mentality. Just like Wanda in WandaVision who has come to cope with Vision's death and accepting her new identity as Scarlet Witch and Falcon in tFnWS who has accepted the shield and the legacy of Captain America, Loki will have found the finalization of self-acceptance and change too.

[@reneegeorge2369]

The first episode of Loki was sooo Good!

[@justinmburns]

Wow. One of your best breakdowns Ryan. And that’s saying something because I love this channel.

[@insecdroid]

Phil Coulson is my favorite character. So it’s understandable that I should hate Loki because he killed him, but I don’t. Loki is my favorite villain in the MCU, even more so than Thanos.

[@amnt5439]

Coulson technically didn’t die though

[@xhaydin]

phil coulson doesn't die you know,he was gonna die in Marvel Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D from d*isney series.

[@insecdroid]

He does die, but he’s resurrected by Project T.A.H.I.T.I. Then he does at the end of season 5 and is brought back as an LMD with Chronicom hardware. Then he does again and his LMD body is rebuilt. Sarge doesn’t count, he was a different entity.

[@xhaydin]

@@insecdroid so he was really dying in avenger 2012?

[@insecdroid]

@Ace Ravenclaw Yes

[@rahmaahmed770]

I simply wanna say this is the best video I have seen this week, An accurate description of Loki's journey taking all of his thoughts,believes and struggles in count I understood Loki now more than I have ever did and how he just as many Marvel characters is a reflection of our human struggles, thank you.

[@stevecantbelieveitsnotbutter]

Dude! This was EXCELLENT. You have got me stoked for the new LOKI series.

[@schlorpologist705]

The editing in this video was astonishing and it really helped sell the point of it. Great job Ryan!!

[@charlesbourgoigne2130]

Your essays are so good. This not only explains marvel; when you understand what it means, you see stories/ literature/ mythology etc in another way. Never thought there was so much wisdom in them.

[@ForgiveMyMadness]

I named my black cat Loki

[@JonathanLaRiviere]

Dang, episode 1 confirmed that you are EXACTLY right, and he’s just there to create positive change in everyone around him. Now it’s HIS turn.

[@steveness2501]

This is probably my favorite "break down" video to date including other YT channels. Absolutely love the story telling and character study. Just excellent. Thank you.

[@ZyliceLiddell]

Thanos also fuelled his hatred and jealousy toward Thor with the Mind Stone. Although he was *already* a scheming and *extremely* unstable snake before this (Thor 1), the Mind Stone in the sceptre pushed him over the edge and into true villainy amplifying his worst traits. He *may* have also given him false memories of Thor ‘tossing him into the abyss’ since we all know that Loki let go in defeat at the end of the first Thor movie.

[@zeinerperez5812]

This made me realize how much I have enjoyed Tom Hiddleston as Loki.

[@CatJabZ]

Loki is us. I really love this breakdown and am really looking forward to the series and your takes on it. Bravo! (Missed Doug in this tho)

[@kirkgayton8200]

Your videos are incredibly insightful. They go beyond comic book theory into discussion into humanity. Thanks for delving into these stories.

[@nativekai]

What exactly makes a Loki a Loki? “Independence, authority, style.”

[@chijaruable]

Looking back at this video after the finale gives me a better perspective on why some choices were made in the show that at first seemed not in line with his character, but now make sense. Amazing deep dive 🙌🏼 thank you 👏🏼

[@andrewshandle]

I'd have to expect that he'll start moving towards his anti-hero type persona relatively quickly (say midway through the series) or there will be a point where the show doesn't work. We all love Hans Gruber as a villain in Die Hard, but watching a show about him as the protagonist wouldn't really work. Loki was in Hans Gruber mode in the first Avengers film. I suspect that they'll show him all the great stuff he was destined to do after and it shows he has it in him all along or something which will accelerate the change a bit...well at least the timeline of the change anyway.

[@himum3429]

I agree with this but so far all the shows have a twist and so do the latest movies. Ironically the last movie twist I can remember outside of mg Mysterio being bad because everyone called that before going into the cinema, is the skulls being the good guys or at least better than the kree. It was a very good twist even though I wasn't the biggest fan of the film as a whole. But in terms of loki I think hell be the anti-hero we love from the start and people won't question it because while most realise he's not really OUR loki they're still going in with expectations of our loki. I think by the end he's either a Villian or revealed to be THE Villian.

[@maks_st]

Your comment is on point. They made it in the first episode.

[@andrewshandle]

@@maks_st I'm surprised they went that quick, but watching it, it made sense within the narrative. Him being a complete a-hole would get tired pretty quickly, ;)

[@yukijudai9587]

I love these deep dives about mythology and philosophy, great video!

[@MariaHelena-oo7gg]

Congratulations! Amazing! This was better than Marvel Legends about Loki.

[@asdkotable]

Surprisingly fantastic summary + analysis, finally someone who actually analyzes themes and character development. 😭 For anyone who wants to learn more about Mythological Loki, check out Overly Sarcastic Productions' video on Loki. Finally, just a note on Avengers Loki, I do believe that he still has agency as Thanos's underling. The Mind Stone only amplified his worst aspects and motivations and scrambled his memories a little bit, but it wasn't mind control the same way Selvig or Hawkeye were mind-controlled.

[@starblocktheflyer7854]

Yes! I agree with everything you just said.

[@ScottSpenceNoneTheRicher]

Great job with this! One of if not the best/most informative MCU character studies I've ever seen.

[@ZyliceLiddell]

This should be officially released by Marvel. *THANK YOU!* 😂

[@michaelbaker2552]

In LOKI 2 I hope they actually make it about the original Loki. LOKI 1 was about everything but the original LOKI. He merely wandered around like a love sick puppy and he let the female Loki, Sylvie, run his life.

[@ironfeige5517]

Your videos are the reason that KZbin needs a, "Love" button. Well done, again, man. Well done!

[@SSGTStryker]

I completely agree, definitely one of the best characters and certainly my favorite character. Flaws, badassary, and all.

[@Hempy1369]

Loki's the one character that's changed the most but everyone keeps saying, "Nah, he didn't." Meanwhile, they're the ones that's stayed the same. From what I can tell most of the Avengers were selfish at one point and were stubborn enough to cost the potential collapse of the original timeline. Loki's primal in that he's helping the Avengers complete their task in restoring it in by always changing, to make the Avengers stay the same. In a sense, Loki's his own worst enemy.

[@F03Z1R]

I'm liking screen crush more and more. Most of the breakdowns on yt rn feel dated after every new episode but Ryan has me rewatching his videos and the episodes many times over. Keep up the good work guys!

[@captainjacobi]

Y’all just crushing it with the backstory, proving that the solid understanding of what makes their characters tick is what makes the writing of the MCU so fulfillingly rich!

[@NeverTooBossy]

This is absurd. How could you possibly have produced a video this insightful and though provoking before episode one premiered?! I’m impressed. Verily.

[@ExiledQ]

wow what a great character breakdown. I feel for Loki

[@glock112983]

New (old 2012) Loki had the benefit of seeing how his life would play out. He saw that he would be able to reconnect with Thor (The scene from Ragnarok) and how he would have redeemed himself and be accepted. Thats all he ever wanted. He saw that he sacrificed himself to save his brother. I think he will turn out different than the Loki we have known, but close to it. I think just him knowing that he can be accepted like that will push him to strive to be that guy. Loki is a character who can't see the good in himself unless it's shoved in his own face.

[@rreilki5775]

no but the way tom also delivers his lines ,, like you can feel loki through his words

[@tijuthomas9868]

I usually didn't find Loki interesting. But this video has made it more impactful for me. How Loki has grown. I am eager to see the character development in Loki series

[@marthastone4754]

I loved how he put Owen Wilson in the video;

[@briand5379]

You know what makes every ScreenCrush video better? Doug. I have hope Loki will get redemption like the Loki in the original timeline and with glorious purpose he'll achieve that redemption.

[@hamdinger7145]

I hope there is Night Manager season 2

[@djchristinad]

Hell yes! (Along with another gratuitous, but extremely awesome, nekkid Tom H tushie scene!)

[@jeanpicard5366]

This was very good! I have been thinking a lot recently how Loki Season 2 will end and what happens to Loki. He is by far my favorite MCU Character.

[@GreyFox23]

Well, the 2012 Loki is at a crossroads when you look at it. Like you pointed out his two big pushes towards his ambituses goals of rule both fell through. The Loki that is stuck in cell in Thor 2 and the Loki now running around in time are at the same point of self reflection. One Loki is left to wallow and ponder his self existence while the other has to literally fight and find himself again while trying to prove his self worth to people who rather just erase him from existence. It'll be really interesting in the Loki series if there will be more parallels like this. In some ways it already has. Both Lokis change and move forward after learning about their mother's death. Reflecting on their actions and looking beyond their ambitions and what they want, and see the world for what it is and what's going on. Both Lokis fight for a greater purpose and while accomplishing some goals, end up losing out in the end. Movie Loki "dies" and TV Loki fails to stop whatever plan Female Loki has planned. Movie Loki escapes his situation by faking his death while TV Loki escapes by following Female Loki. Already so many parallels but with drastically different tones while still fundamentally resulting in the same thing. If that is to be the case then, like the movies, while Loki is reveling in this time as Odin, TV might enjoy his new found freedom. All before being drawn back into the bigger scheme of things. Pursuing small indulgences or purposes before seeing the bigger picture again. Giving up his more selfish desires for more selfless ones.

[@johnmcmurray1912]

Awesome video. Tom Hiddleston's Loki is easily one of the best parts of the MCU.

[@roswaallexusmathers6380]

The moment he broke through the cycle, he was sent back again

[@elrichjantjies7381]

I have a feeling that Loki might be the villain and hero of his own series.

[@konawalchuk333]

I follow a lot of MCU youtubers and you are the best by FAR. keep them coming

[@amalshukla9314]

Loki is good character and my love toward him is increasing day by day 🤗

[@kypie5256]

I subscribed for the sole purpose of your amazing Loki videos I love them sm Please make more in the future 😩

[@seansobel7594]

Great video Ryan! This was really insightful and truly captivating

[@nicholasgarrick3165]

Me :thinking the episode came out early Loki: seriously what do you expect?

[@lindildeev5721]

I've never realised how cruel was Odin in the first film. He really deserved to be banished.

[@rakaikrar8312]

Wow its very accurate, the 4 goodbyes are highlighted on the 1st episode

[@amandadougherty6615]

Omg I love this SO much. You really outdid yourself with this Loki history.

[@pamalawashington8423]

One of my favorite characters ever! Thank you for this video ☺

[@bonitahyman]

This is the best character analysis of this figure I have seen. Kudos.

[@rosieg6989]

I just love Tom so much, ragnorok Loki was my favourite and I can only hope this Loki becomes his equal.

[@rhondamiller5166]

This is the best piece on Loki that I have ever seen!

[@Adnaan-Bread]

this hit me like a bag of bricks mannn....who's cutting onions in here!😭😭😭

[@folvenson]

I predict he will break his own loop as well as the time loop of the timeline.

[@RyanHaney55]

I like that editing here when Loki screams "Tell me!". At 15:03 is that where the "I'm not crying. You're crying." quote originated?

[@GdnationNY]

Dude screen crush essays are at the top of their game.

[@judithhorvath887]

I am crazy for Tom. He is such a very gifted actor. Loki is so much fun to watch.

[@LaurenTheorist]

So much of what was said in this video was reflected in the first episode! I love it. 💗

[@Magnificent7Seven]

I knew there was a reason Loki is one of my favorite characters! 'There is no place like home....'

[@TheScottybob]

That was a really great character analysis.

[@Saba-xv2kv]

✨✨ Loki is *GLORIOUS* ✨✨

[@mkocel]

WOW, what an on the nose analysis. Well done!

[@TurquoiseInk]

Best Loki video I've seen.

[@mickeyjohno6231]

The first episode of the Loki show was so good.

[@anjenayskumar2545]

That was one of the best screencrush videos..

[@matthewlui1004]

This analysis makes me feel more emotional and respectful towards Loki's death. At first I was like, oh they finally killed of the guy who dies and comes back over and over again.

[@gabbyparr6099]

This is one of your best videos I’ve seen. Great work, Ryan. Thank you for this breakdown!

[@MandoOfMischief]

Best video to explain the God of Mischief. Thanks for that. I’m hoping to see all the charm.

[@seanwelch71]

Pavel and Ryan are crushing it. It's like you can see inside my hobby muscles.

[@ameliadelgado9301]

I swear if this wasn't what Tom Hiddleston talked about in the infamous Loki lecture I'd be very disappointed ifykyk

[@lordodysseus]

The first half was super relatable. Like, almost beat for beat. Then you said that stuff about his mom, and it became completely unrelatable. My own mom is one of the cruellest, most evil people I've ever known. Now that I've finished the video, I realize I'm partway through my own redemption arc. I might send this to my therapist.

[@antonlung2221]

Gotta be an awful feeling Get well!

[@redpanda9367]

Snuck in that lil Mobius cameo there towards the end, I see you in there!

[@AllyGirl-hg2sb]

This video made me a little teary. Loki death made me sad 😢😭😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😢😢😢😢😢😭😭😭😭😢😢😭. Im glad they brought him back even though its not the loki that died.

[@s.v1404]

yoo this is one of your best videos!! was a amazing watch loved it!

[@aamake547]

This was pretty high quality. Very enjoyable.

[@FionaLovecraft]

If Loki has the sword Kid loki gave him, he'd have killed Thanos. Dagger was just a bit too short.