05 October 2023 , 15:00
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Tom Hiddleston resumes his role as the God of Mischief in Loki Season 2, which hits Disney Plus this week - but does it still possess the same magic that made the first run such a sensation?
Season 1 debuted in June 2021 and quickly became one of the streaming service's 'most-watched' Marvel Studios TV series, so the pressure is enormously high to deliver a suitably thrilling follow-up. Loki Season 2 picks up immediately where we left off, following the shocking season finale when Loki finds himself in a battle for the soul of the Time Variance Authority.
Along with Mobius, Hunter B-15 and a team of new and returning characters, Loki navigates an ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous multiverse in search of Sylvie, Judge Renslayer, Miss Minutes and the truth of what it means to possess free will and glorious purpose.
While Season 1 bagged an impressive 92 per cent score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes Season 2 has chalked up a rockier-but-still-robust 82 per cent from the first 50 reviews on the site. ComicBook.com's Nicole Drum gave it a solid thumbs up (3.5 stars out of 5), but admitted something 'felt off', compared to Season 1.
"Season 2 definitely doesn’t suffer from the pitfalls that would make people continue to question if superhero fatigue is real or not, but through characterisations, pacing, and too much self-awareness, it definitely feels like a very different show," she said.
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She described the first episode as "hectic, throwing new concepts, characters, and threats into the story with little explanation and little reason for fans to be invested. When the premiere does try to stop and ruminate on what Loki just experienced in the Season 1 finale, the end result becomes rushed and confusing," she continued, adding the, "overstuffed and slightly frenetic chaos" sets the tone in the four episodes (of the six-episode season) that were screened for critics.
Elsewhere, IGN Movies' Jarrod Jones gave the new series a mere 5 of 10, saying: "Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is back for more multiversal shenanigans, but the absence of director Kate Herron seems to have sapped the wily fun from his Disney+ spinoff."
And the The Daily Beast's Nick Schager was roundly unimpressed, saying: "Its convolutions overwhelming its charming personalities and freewheeling spirit of paradox-laden adventure, it’s another indication that the once-mighty franchise has lost its direction.'"
Though ComicBookMovie's Rohan Patel was more upbeat, saying: "Loki season two is a jaw-dropping magical experience that will ultimately leave you clamouring for more, with high stakes twists and turns that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat!"
Loki is out Friday, October 6, on Disney Plus. Why not give it a watch and share your opinions in the comments below?