As many people know and have come to realize, Marvel has been at a recent crossroads after “Avengers: Endgame,” which ushered in a new phase for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Most of this new phase has been extremely disappointing except for a few stand-out films such as “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” As is the case, many fans have fallen off from keeping up with their favorite heroes, which is accurately shown in the lack of care for Marvel compared to just a few years ago. This all changed with the second season of “Loki.”

Everyone’s favorite, titular “God of Mischief” was last seen at the end of “Loki” season one with a cliff-hanger that directly leads into the second season of “Loki.” While fans may not have been eager to watch it due to all the recent disappointments, they were quickly reminded of their faith in MCU as Marvel delivered a fantastic story that not only left a lasting impression, but also displayed some of the best visual work, writing, and composure that has been hit or miss the last few movies.

            First things first, Tom Hiddleston once again returns as Loki and does not fail to disappoint fans. For 14 years he has played the infamous “God of Mischief”, and now more so than ever can viewers see his character truly come to life on the big screen and make viewers feel truly connected to the story and invested in the character. Everything from his dialogue to the simple actions taken throughout the course of the show, help to make “Loki” feel even more grounded and relatable than ever before. Hiddleston truly shines in this series and especially in the second to last episode and season finale as he practically acts his heart out and delivers the best to fans of “Loki” and the MCU. Additionally, many of the other supporting actors such as Owen Wilson (Mobius), and Sophia Di Martino (Sylvie) reprise their roles in fantastic fashion that gives us the same lovable characters from the first season with an extra layer of character depth that helps to make them more likable and connectable, creating connections with viewers that feel meaningful through their characters. Furthermore, the addition of Ke Huy Quan (Ouroboros) provided a great outlet for comic relief that helps to not only progress the story but also make the group dynamic livelier and feel like a dysfunctional family. All the actors really worked hard, and it pays off as each has received high praise for their work in the show from the very beginning.

            Next, the cinematography, set designs, and music in the second season truly improved from the first season. While there was nothing wrong with the first season in terms of the cinematography or set design, it can easily be noticed as an improvement regarding the care and detail for the show by the people behind the scenes. The vintage design for many of the scenes were very well designed and historically accurate to an extent that showed appreciation to each timeframe represented throughout the season. The costumes were true to the time period that they were inspired by, and other designs helped to symbolize the characters themselves and either their intentions or true colors. Additionally, the cinematography was expertly done to help convey certain emotions and to help add to the show in a cinematic and thematic way that captures the minds of viewers in a state of awe. The scale and impressive shots help to make the viewer feel as though they are a part of the story and there in-person. This works well with the great acting previously mentioned to create a spectacle of a masterpiece that will leave viewers raving long after finishing the final episode. Finally, the music composed for the show is simply a work of art in itself. The orchestral pieces are fire and truly help to elevate the triumphs and highlight the hardships throughout the season. These pieces are so well done and add to the experience of watching the show in an excellent way.

            Overall, the second season of “Loki” has gone above and beyond the expectations of fans and ultimately helped to reestablish faith in the MCU moving forward for much of the fanbase. Everything from the story writing and music, to the acting and cinematography help to pull the show together into a cinematic masterpiece that can easily move anyone that watches it. Going beyond just another part of the overall story of the MCU, this show also addresses many philosophical questions about identity and how far someone should be willing to go in a time in the world where these questions have become more prominent than ever before. This show is easily a must-watch for all people, both MCU fans and not. The overall journey of “Loki” is a relatable experience for every viewer and helps it stand as a microcosm for individual struggles that each person undergoes at some point in their life. Each of us have our own glorious purpose, we just must be willing to rise to the challenges to grow as individuals for not only ourselves, but also the people around us and matters most to us.Glorious Purpose: A Review of the second season of “Loki”