READING LOKI (2021): FREE WILL AND DETERMINISM, RESISTANCE TO AUTOCRATIC IDEOLOGY, AND QUEER REPRESENTATION IN THE SERIES

Abstract

The present research paper undertakes a detailed analysis of the central themes of the television series Loki (2021), a continuation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) on the small screen. The first and last episode of the show are especially significant for their grappling with the age-old uncertainty over Free Will and Determinism. The revelation of the autocratic nature of the Time Variance Authority (TVA) (controlled by the secretive Time Keepers who in turn are revealed to have been created by the elusive He Who Remains) and its involvement in the dissemination of a particular ideology and propaganda provides the narrative an opportunity to explore the theme of resistance to autocratic rule (represented in the character of Sylvie) and the ideology and propaganda spread by autocratic rulers and/or institutions (the former represented by the Time Keepers and He Who Remains whereas the latter by the Time Variance Authority [TVA]). However, with the series itself calling into question the (alleged) benefits of Free Will and assuming a pessimistic, if not critical, stance over post-revolutionary conditions has led to the show being interpreted by some as conservative in nature or in favour of maintaining status-quo. Through the characters of C – 20 and Sylvie respectively the series also directs our attention to the likely fate awaiting those who (after being enlightened) start questioning the official ideology or rise up in opposition to it. Finally, the paper attempts to situate the Queering of Loki, the series’ titular character, which constitutes a small but significant step towards including sexualities other than the dominant heterosexual within the MCU, in the wider context of the history of the representation of diverse sexualities in the MUC and critical reactions to it.