‘Loki’ Recap: ‘Glorious Purpose’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(L-R): Owen Wilson as Mobius, Wunmi Mosaku as Hunter B-15, Eugene Cordero as Casey, Sophia Di Martino as Sylvie, Ke Huy Quan as O.B., and Tom Hiddleston as Loki in Marvel Studios' LOKI, Season 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Gareth Gatrell. © 2023 MARVEL.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Finale of ‘Loki’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that each and every one of us, believe that redemption is something attainable in this life and that it offers up a special package of incentives for those who pursue it. Such as incredible internal peace. The kind that can only be achieved by righting a wrong. Plus, we also believe it will make our lives fulfilling and joyous as well. Because we’ve done something special, respectful, and beautiful and well… it doesn’t take long for us to learn that the road to redemption is no easy path, and the end result of obtaining it, may not be as incentive laden as we would like. Which are hard truths that the trickster-God Loki came to learn in the season two finale of Loki on Disney+.

For ‘Glorious Purpose’ saw Loki return to the end of the TVA and ponder deeply upon what went wrong it that moment. Because that moment of failure, was where salvation and redemption waited for Loki, and if he could figure out what went wrong, and right it… he would save everything. Be the hero at last and see a Loki win the day. So, he dedicated himself to the cause like never before. First by learning how Miss Minutes and Renslayer wasted precious time that was needed for repairs, and that O.B. and Timely needed as much help as possible in making those repairs happen quickly. So, he spent centuries learning about engineering and science and when everything aligned… he kept the villains at bay, helped the repair move along and saw what should have been a victory. For Victor lived, the Loom was expanding, and redemption was just an inch away.

But alas, the Loom collapsed again, and this time around, everyone was able to learn… that it would never handle the infinite timelines the branching effect was creating. Which meant, that if Loki really wanted to stop this from ever reaching fruition, he had to go to another source-point in time. Specifically, the day that Sylvie killed He Who Remains. For stopping that act, would bring salvation. But alas, it became clear through a devastating discussion with Kang… that Sylvie’s death was the only way to make that happen, and Loki couldn’t reconcile that. But that talk did teach him a powerful lesson. In that, he finally began to understand the ugly nature of redemption and he learned a great deal about what had to happen in order to obtain it.

In that, true redemption… means going above and beyond to right that wrong, and sometimes… that includes offering up a powerful sacrifice on a more personal level. For redemption is a personal quest born from personal mistakes and well… that’s when Loki finally realized what needed to happen to keep the universe safe and to avoid the demands of a time tyrant. Which brought him back to that fateful day once again, wherein he asked no one to go out there but himself. Because he knew that the Loom and Kang’s designs had to be destroyed so that something new could be born from it. Where a new mind could in fact… shape a multiverse and give everyone their shot at a free life and a better tomorrow, and to properly redeem himself… Loki had to be the man to make all of that happen. 

So, he accepted that glorious purpose, and personally fueled the wonder of infinite possibilities, for all time, always. Giving him the win, he wanted, the redemption he sought but not the peace necessarily. But as mentioned before, redemption isn’t always what we expect it to be. But in the end, Loki found it, and gave everyone a chance to thrive, and a chance at real freedom and understanding. Which made, for one powerful and incredible finale. One that truly closed the book on a long and winding journey for this trickster in a manner that was satisfying, beautiful and if this is where the story ends, well that’s just fine. Because it is just so rare in this life and in stories, to see someone really find true redemption. But the right man found it, and hopefully the knowledge that lives are thriving because of his choice… will eventually give Loki the internal peace he’s craved and make his eternity and new purpose in life, all the more worthwhile.

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