#TDW press

[skayafair]

I like the fact that John's TDW Arc is mainly compared to Arthur hitting bedrock in s3, except if Kayne's descriprion of the former is anything to go by, John had it much, much worse, for much longer.

And still it was him who pulled Arthur back from the bottom of his emotional pit. No one helped John with his. He did it alone in a hostile environment. And fresh from the Dark World he already had enough humanity (as in moral compass and sympahy) to pull someone else up. This isn't to say "Arthur should have managed on his own as well", no, I'm just amazed at how far John has come.

And then he agreed to several initiatives which could easily turn into suicide missions and put him back into TDW which he tried so hard to escape less than a day ago. Simply because Arthur needed/wanted that. Who's really the mad one of the two, huh. Honestly moments like this make me glad when he acts more selfishly. Not to the point with Oscar tho!

Upd. I take it back (partly), John DIDN'T deal with his own "bedrock" on his own. It's still ongoing, he just put it on hold untill more pressing matters are sorted out. He's yet to process it. Let's collectively wish him good luck and Arthur's support and understanding, they were going so well in s4 <3

#malevolent podcast #masked #john malevolent #john doe malevolent #malevolent spoilers

[frostironfudge]

I just realized you’re taking requests and I love your writing! May I request the ever loved soulmates trope with Loki and female plus!size reader?

A Touch Of You

Summary: this is part of my funfair celebration under the 'mini movie theatre' category honestly this is such a cute idea! Thank you for sending it in!!

Pairing: Loki x Plus Size! Fem! Reader

Word Count: 2k || Dividers: @firefly-graphics

Warnings: fluff, non canon compliant, takes place after thor tdw, flirting, soulmate au, the first place you touch is demarcated

A.N: absolutely love the soulmate trope, and with loki its just 💖, thank you once again! and i'm so glad you love my writing! thank you for reading and sending love!!

Main Masterlist || frostironfudge's funfair masterlist

A Touch Of You 

“Are you really going to attempt that?” Thor speaks unceremoniously with a tired gaze to his brother. 

“I’m dying you oaf.” Loki sneers, pressing his palm to the wound, adding to the dramatic scene. 

“So do you not have anything to live for?” Thor shakes his head a sad smile on his face. 

“What about, what about your destined mate?” Thor knows this might have Loki latch onto live.

“In my years on Asgard—,” Loki gives a pained groan.  

“Asgard is one realm, what about Midgard?” Thor watches as the blood pools between his brother’s fingers. 

“I am a God how can I be destined for a mortal.” Loki argues. 

“Well currently you’re not immortal yourself.” Thor teases and Loki produces his own dagger. 

“You’re very annoying.” He tells Thor who only shrugs. 

Loki disappears from view and Thor looks around at the edge Loki stands staring at the barren land. 

“What was the plan? Take over the throne?” Thor rolls his eyes. 

“I could rule more fairly than him.” Loki defends. 

“I know you could Loki and you will when the time comes. You cannot have your soulmate’s mark turn to black before you met.” Thor still tries again, he knows the stories their mother spoke, the stories that stuck with Loki. 

The stories that also ended Loki’s faith in soulmates. 

The stories that restored it. 

“I only worry if, if I am not worthy for them. Realms where I have made mistakes.” Loki murmurs. 

Thor places a hand on his arm, “Mistakes that occurred by you being tormented. Not of your own volition.” He reminds his brother. 

Loki stares at the mark that stays colourless outlined upon his wrist. He runs his hand over the outline as he had through his age. 

“How would we explain, how would we explain that I’d leave?” He murmurs, his brother smiles. 

“We’ll come to an agreement.” Thor chuckles, glad his brother was more accepting towards the idea. 

Six months and several eye rolls to his brother and the remaining Avengers later, Loki finds himself wandering the streets of Midgard. 

He had come to the conclusion that only a few places were tolerated by him. Libraries, bookstores the independent kind not the noisy over filled brands that only stocked popular things. 

It was surprisingly a day that was slow going, no troubles brewing on the horizon. Today would be a good day to find a book, or just roam the aisles of the quaint bookstore. 

Maybe he would work up the courage to speak to you, the sweet woman at the counter. Just the thought of you had him nervously trace his soulmate mark. 

You were beautiful in his eyes, the way your smile lit up the room, your laugh would echo in the depths of his chest and you never once looked down upon him. Nor made him feel unwelcome. 

He had an inkling you knew who he was, yet your demeanour never changed. 

You always greeted him with a beaming smile, giving him little anecdotes about books which he bought and you had read before. 

The bell dings as he enters, his gaze finds an empty spot where you would usually stand at the counter. He frowns. Scanning the bookstore, it is seemingly empty. 

“Darling?” The nickname spoken with ease, the flush that it brought on your cheeks however was missing, as were you. 

Worry anchors into his stomach as he summons his dagger, moving through the aisles. A rhythmic tapping draws his attention towards the mythology section. 

The tapping gets louder as he approaches dagger drawn, relief floods him as he recognises you. 

You turn at the very same time startled by his presence and you lose your footing on the later. Loki swiftly takes strides and your left hand’s fingers wrap around his right wrist, tingling resonates between the interconnected marks and they bloom with colour while Loki breaks your fall with ease, holding you up. 

Your eyes find his green ones, they harbour so much emotion. 

“You, you need to be careful.” He murmurs, you tilt your head and he notices the headphones the beat similar to the one to which you were tapping your foot.

He takes the headphone out, he doesn’t need to lean in but god, having him this close after pining behind him and hoping your mark matched his by some miracle. 

“I said you need to be careful, Darling.”

Your skin flushes, the warmth spreading through your chest, “I um, I was setting up a display… Avengers Celebration week…”

His eyes move to the display and his lips part, there was an entire wall dedicated to him, your cheeks heat further.

“Safe to say, that I am your favourite?” He teases, you turn you head trying to hide it against his chest.

“Well, I um..” You scramble for words as he rights your frame, your hand doesn’t leave his, his free hand encircles yours.

“Thank you.” You say, he shrugs it off.

“I was worried…” He admits, his own cheeks carrying a flush. 

“About?”

“You, darling.”

“W-why… Did you know?” You wonder if he did know, he is a God after-all. Oh god, he’s a god.

“No, I, I just always felt drawn to you. From the day I saw you.” 

“About four months ago?” You raise your brow, he nods.

“Could, could I take you out for dinner? A date as Midgardians call it?” He tilts his head, scrunching his nose.

“You don’t mind the fact that i’m me or Midgardian?” You question, nervousness laces your voice.

He hand moves to cup your cheek.

“I will not say no to the one who the fates have fashioned for me.” He brushes his thumb along your jaw.

“My first thought when I saw you?” He continues, “i cannot believe such ethereal beauty exists upon this realm. Right from your smile, to your laugh, to your eyes, to your face, to the way you move, to the way you speak. Everything pulled me in Darling. I would have fought with the fates if it turned out you were not mine.” His confession has you breathe deeply.

“Loki,” You shift your weight from one foot to the other, not understanding why you want to draw his attention to an insecurity you have begun to embrace and not care for, so why is it forcing its way onto your tongue?

“Is, are you not pleased? I, I know I have done horrible—,”

You shake your head, silencing him, “Loki, no, I know how difficult that was for you, I cannot fathom from where you found the strength to continue onward. I’m immensely proud of you, the way you came here trying to right wrongs that were done not by your own hands.” You press a soft kiss to the hand that still cups your cheek.

“I—, its just, I hope you’re pleased… I’m not exactly a goddess… you’re a god… and well… I don’t want you to have to well, settle…” You look away, at your soulmate marks still in contact. 

“I’m not invincible, I used to believe several tales, follow glory, you could say that i had several perspective shifts, one thing however that my mother taught me. Is that my soulmate whoever they were, however they were, no matter their appearance I would accept them, it doesn’t mean I am settling, it means that I see you and I want you, I desire you, I will learn to love you the way you need, I want to be your soulmate in any capacity you desire.” He speaks, the hand cupping your cheek moves, to under your chin. 

You meet his gaze again, his eyes hold sincerity and truth, you nod. A smile breaks out upon his lips.

“So is that a yes for the date?” He chuckles, seeing the blush return to your skin. 

“Yes,” You giggle.

“Perfect, now, do you need help setting up?” He tilts his head to indicate the display you were working upon.

“I do, actually.” 

His hand moves from yours as you walk the few steps to the display, he tugs you back when you head towards the ladder.

“I am perfectly capable of lifting you up.” Loki gives you a pointed look and you giggle again.

“Alright, you may lift me up.” You shake your head, he always had caught your eye from the first moment he walked in as though stepping off of a runway in that all black suit.

Loki begins to roll up his sleeves discarding the dark navy jacket. His eyes gleam with mirth as your heart thuds erratic. 

You sent a silent thank you up to the fates, because god damn.

“Did you know I can read minds?” He has this teasing edge to his voice and you hope he’s joking. 

“I’m not kidding, Darling.” His voice is low and deep. 

“Loki,” You breathe trying to calm your racing heart. 

He takes your hand in his, pressing a soft kiss to your knuckles. 

“I wouldn’t read your mind without consent, love.” He says with a smile. 

“You absolute tease.” You shake you head, cheeks warming. 

“Only yours, only for you.” His words hold more emotion than he would like, he knows you can hear the heaviness they carry. 

You knew there was more to him than the press releases or what occurred in New York, you knew he carried something that he did not allow most to see. 

You cup his cheek, “All mine,” You stroke his cheek, your free hand brings his hand to your cheek, “All yours.” 

Loki blinks, eyes lacing with emotion, the warmth from your skin warming his heart. 

“I wish I could explain better how those four words make me feel. Words, they cease me even though we are surrounded by endless tales and confessions of emotions.” He gazes into your eyes. 

“I can understand, how difficult a lot of things must be for you, you don’t have to tell me everything, I wouldn’t demand that from you. Just know whenever you are ready, I’m here to listen.” You stand on your tip toes pressing your lips to his cheek, his hands move to grab your waist, helping you remain against him. 

After the kiss you wrap your arms around his neck, he holds onto you, not letting go of the embrace. 

Loki carries the scent of saffron, vanilla and a hint of oud. His hold tightens around you, 

“I’ve got you.” 

Three simple words and Loki cannot fathom hoe in just this short amount of time he trusts you to be this vulnerable, this open with you, this needy with you. 

As he retreats from the hug, setting you back down carefully you hold his hand to line up your now filled in coloured soulmate marks, he understands. 

You smile up at him, not demanding him to speak, allowing him to decide his next move, words, actions and he presses his lips to your cheek. 

You smile, when he pulls away he seems relieved, lighter than before. 

“Come, let me help you finish the display.” He leads you, knowing he can converse about anything and everything with you. 

The conversation flows easily, you stay on the topic of literature as he helps you, his seiðr lifting books from the back to where you two were stood as he held you up. 

The green glow leaving you in awe, hesitantly you move to brush your fingertips over it as the seiðr hols up a book, it feels soft, thrumming and somehow carries a bit of Loki. 

“It’s beautiful,” you tell him, the seiðr then reaches out to move away your strand of hair, making you chuckle. 

Loki smiles, your work is done earlier with his help and the customers begin to roll in, he stays by your side at the counter only stepping away to the nearest restaurant to bring in food for the break you were about to take. 

When he finds you closing up earlier his brows furrow with worry, you smile at him, slightly easing his tensed shoulders. 

“I want to spend the day with my soulmate, impromptu date.” Your hand reaches out, he grasps it, lacing your fingers through his own. 

“Very well, I know just the place.” Loki grins, elated, leading you through the streets to lead you through the place for your very first date. 

permanent tags: @stevesmewmew @pandaxnienke

#loki #loki laufeyson #loki odinson #loki x reader #loki x you #loki x plus size reader #loki fluff #loki x female reader #loki x reader fluff #frostironfudge's funfair #tom hiddleston #loki fanfiction #loki one shot #loki is hot #loki is a sweetheart #loki loki loki #loki mcu #marvel #loki x y/n #frostironfudge #loki is not evil #loki laufeyson x y/n #loki laufesyon x reader #loki of asgard #loki friggason #hot hiddleston #tom hiddleston x reader #god of mischief #loki series #plus size reader

[the-real-zhora-salome]

I must admit that I was a bit sceptical about some things you wrote about CH. But I was watching him and TW being asked about Russell Crowe performance on Love and Thunder and TW was praising the input Russell gave and you can feel that CH is at least uncomfortable praising Russell like it's physically painful for him to admit that Russell brought good ideas and carried himself well. Him and Christian were definitely the highlights of a very average movie.

Yeah, I've seen that interview too. He was like "yeah, Russell was not bad, can we move on now?"

This change only came with the release of TDW and the reviews that almost universally declared Loki/Tom as the thing that saved the movie. Before that, things were different.

I mean, there is the now infamous TDW press conference in London, where a journalist asked point-blank how they felt about Loki being more popular than Thor, and CH launched into this amazing and heartfelt laudatio of Tom and what he had done with the character of Loki. He turned what was really a very awkward moment into something authentic and beautiful. Prompted Tom into delcaring "I love you, man!" right there in front of the whole world.

But of course, that was before the reviews came out.

Nowadays, I doubt he would talk like this about anybody, not even TW.

That said, Russell was the best part of the movie. When he hiked up his skirt, I completely lost it. I love him 3000.

[branislavurban]

Please, DON'T Subscribe to My YouTube Channel! It's FREE but it's not worth it! You can do much better things with your finger 🤘 then press SUBSCRIBE button!

https://youtube.com/@branislavurban5220

Molim Vas, NEMOJTE da se pretplatite na moj YouTube kanal. BESPLATNO je Ali ne vredi toliko. Mozete da uradite mnogo bolje stvari Sa svojim prstom nego da pritisnete SUBSCRIBE!

#youtube #video #movies #create #film #exclusive #travel #blogg

[worstloki]

wow i can't believe it's canon that loki wins video games by buttonmashing

#okay so it's maybe not a button #whatever #it's the principle of the thing #this makes him criticizing Thor in TDW so much better?? #Loki: *buttonsmashes for revenge and to have fun* #loki any other time: *rolls eyes* come on thor. you buffoon. absolute dullard. press it gently. gosh. #the Loki show #loki spoilers #loki show spoilers #marvel stop releasing new footage as ads challenge

[timetravellingshinigami]

Thor and Loki as YouTubers

Thor: Smash that like button!!!

Loki: Gently tap that like button.

#referring to that tdw scene #loki: dont hit it. press it gently #loki #loki mcu #tom hiddleston #chris hemsworth #thor odinson #loki incorrect quotes #thor incorrect quotes #avengers incorrect quotes #marvel #mcu #thor the dark world #source: #safiya nygaard

[lokiedokiee]

#marvel #mcu #loki mcu #loki odinson #loki laufeyson #thor #thor the dark world #thor tdw #thor odinson #fictional #press it gEnTlY

[damnyouhiddles]

[x]

#Tom Hiddleston #TDW: press tour #hiddlesedit #marvelcastedit #my edits #the jawline #the neck... #*bites knuckle*

[lucianalight]

Hey, remember Loki tried to do a genocide? Oh, wait that was because internalized racism. You can't blame Loki for that. Let's make sure to never address that. Also let's have the second Thor portray a genocide as necessary for peace.

Hey anon, remember when Thor attempted genocide of Jotuns first, because his party was cancelled and he was called a princess? And then it was never addressed, and he wasn't even banished for that crime, but because he insulted and disobeyed Odin?

Speaking of Odin, remember he had condemned Jotuns to a slow death, aka a slow genocide because he had taken their Casket which they needed so their planet won't be destroyed? And while we're at it let's remember how he drowned entire realms in tears and blood while conquering them? And he was still portrayed a hero and as a good person and Thor's guide in TR?

Remember Gamora and Nebula helped Thanos do acts of genocide?

Remember Mobius actively participated in genocide of numerous timelines?

I can go on. The list can continue for almost every hero coded character in MCU. Many of these characters were redeemed? So was Loki! You might wanna work on your double standards. I suggest you start with my "Spot the Hypocrisy" series.

Your reading comprehension needs work too. Because it seems you can't differentiate between when sth is explained vs. when sth is excused. When people say Loki attempted genocide because of his internalized racism, they are trying to explain his reasons and his state of mind, not excusing them. No one in fandom EVER said Loki is free of blame. He is very much responsible for his horrible actions.

Now let's talk about TDW. The movie has generally a neutral narrative. It tells you the story from a third person pov and sometimes from some of character's pov. The story at the start of the movie is from Odin's pov to imitate the way the first Thor movie started. With a story from Odin's pov.

Unlike Thor 1, the subtext of Asgard's bloody past that defeats the enemies to the point of genocide and complete destruction is more clear in TDW. There is this line" Malekith sacrificed his own people in desperate attempt to lay waste to Asgard's army" which is such bs, specially if you know how propaganda works. I mean Malekith escaped sure, but did the NoBLe AsGaRdiAn ArMy have to kill unarmed civilians too?

Then there is the scene when Jane asks Odin what happened with the Dark Elves that had peace for thousands of years, and Odin said:"He killed them all". There is a sense of unease in the scene, the way camera focuses on Jane's face who doesn't speak and presses her lips together clearly upset at this. The narrative doesn't condone it.

TDW is actually the only movie that goes out of its way to show how Odin is a very flawed and hypocrite character and that his actions are wrong. In Loki's trial he isn't shown to be in the right. He is portrayed as cruel and spiteful. He tries to force Thor in a path Thor clearly doesn't want. He looks down on humans and insults Jane comparing her to a goat. His beliefs aren't meant to be taken as correct ones and that includes his views on Bor and Dark Elves' genocide. Then he ignores Thor's counsel, wanting to "sacrifice as many Asgardians as needed" for his revenge. You're supposed to draw a parallel here between Malekith and Odin, both after the revenge no matter what the cost. You're not supposed to be on his side and accept his pov.

That's what the narrative aims to do and it's actually a good narrative because it needs for you to think and try to connect the dots yourself. It respect the audience's intelligence. But people these days wanting everything to be spoon fed to them. They want the narrative to plainly say "this is bad, this is good" in a tell not show kind of way which is such a lazy type of writing and boring to engage with. And as result people don't learn the skill necessary for interpreting art. So as my last suggestion, work on that skill too.

#loki #odin #thor the dark world #tdw #anon #messages #spot the hypocrisy

[summernightdream70]

Leedus flirting

#TDW #the walking dead #Norman reedus #leedus #andrew lincoln #NormAndy #rickyl #rick grimes #daryl dixon #b/romance #flirting #boyfriends #press conference #SDCC 2016

[thesuperiorloki]

The writing for Loki got so sloppy after TDW. In that film he was given a complete arc and bringing him back to life with no concrete plan makes the narrative line awkward. It wasn’t rendered impossible to work with, but that possibility was wasted by Marvel bringing him back with no forethought and then hiring writers that didn’t care about or understand Loki’s past or motivations, which caused his story and characterization to become disjointed and unsatisfying to anyone who was paying attention.

Loki’s motivation in his first three films was to feel worthy and to gain a sense of control over his life. His flaws came from seeking that worthiness and control in the wrong ways, first by trying to destroy Jotunheim and then by trying to rule Earth (level of culpability for the second act debatable because Marvel refuses to confirm exactly how much power Thanos had over him). This narrative circle was closed in TDW when he acts selflessly to avenge his mother, help protect Jane, and assist Thor in defeating Malekith: he proves himself a trustworthy ally in carrying out Thor’s plan and demonstrates he can do the right thing for the people he loves and that he cares about and can protect others. Through these actions he proves he is worthy. Furthermore, when he is dying and repeating “I’m sorry”, it is possible to infer he is not only apologizing to Thor for his mistakes in that moment but for every wrong he has committed. So he not only narratively repents for his misdeeds through his actions, he verbally repents for them as well. That’s a complete arc.

Deciding at the 11th hour to not only keep Loki alive but to show him having returned to Asgard and ascending the throne flushes all of that characterization and growth right down the toilet. It’s so clear that Marvel threw that scene in at the last minute without fully thinking it through.

The thing is, Loki could have walked away from this mistake relatively intact if Marvel had gone back and addressed issues in his past that did still need resolving, such as finally gaining control over his own narrative and realizing his own value. Instead, they permanently hamstrung him by hiring first Waititi and then Waldron, two people who have expressed not only ignorance and indifference to Loki as a character but at times open contempt. Rather than touch on Loki’s Jotun heritage or his father’s lies and neglect, Waititi and Waldron chose to retcon him into a one-dimensional power-hungry narcissist, whose tribulations are selfish, pathetic, and self-inflicted. Waldron purposefully ignores the good he did in TDW, Ragnarok, and IW and reframes the narrative to make it look like he was uncaring and ungrateful for his innocent family because he was too self-centered to see how much they loved him. That’s all canonically bullshit and provably false. By making up character flaws he never had, Waititi and Waldron prevented Loki from getting closure on his real struggles and messily severed his narrative arc into something un-mendable.

Insult to injury, Waldron and crew frame Loki’s healing in the show as coming through abuse and yet more indifference. He is manipulated, gaslit, belittled, and beaten and this is presented as the much-needed impetus that snaps him out of his sniveling myopia and forces him to actually care about others by stepping back and accepting his rightful place as inherently lesser. The series actually presses turbo-rewind on any growth Loki achieved during the film timelines and forces him right back to square one, where he is pushed aside and silenced and undervalued. It even goes a step further and adds a dash of physical abuse because nothing cures self-hatred like a good old-fashioned beating, amirite? Sickening.

To me the lack of thoughtfulness and care that Marvel demonstrably put into continuing Loki’s story after TDW is unacceptable for the largest and wealthiest media company in the world: Disney has the money and the influence to hire any writer they should so desire with just a single ring of the phone. There is simply no excuse for the nosedive in the quality of writing and I have no respect for Feige for letting it get in this state. I personally feel everything from Ragnarok on was thoroughly and excessively disrespectful to all of the hard work that Tom, Kenneth, and the writers who gave a damn about Loki put in to create the character that everyone fell in love with in the first place. It was the heart and the vulnerability and the human struggle that we connected with and Marvel just wiped that all away like it was nothing. I don’t think I’ll ever understand why.

Anyway, I don’t know how to end this, so have an emoji of my mental state: 🤪

#loki series negativity #I’m sorry this is long af I don’t know how to do read mores on mobile :| #also I said I was going to shut up but I didn’t

[sukugo]

hi hi! the title that intrigues me the most is "el incienso" since it's in spanish and that's my mother tongue hahaha. what can you tell us about it? 👀👀

GDHDHDHHD it's a reference to this lmaoooo

it's a thorki fic set after the events of a1/during tdw, where instead of loki being kept in the dungeons, his magic is sealed and he's bound to thor. which means he can't leave the palace and if he does he has to stay at a max 1-2m from thor or they'll both go through excruciating pain or smth. he's also forced to stay in thor's room instead of his own. of course, loki absolutely hates it. he spends his days cooped up in the room or in the library figuring out a way to undo the spell. 

one day he thinks hey, why don’t i fuck with thor by having everyone thinks he’s fucking his brother who’s also a jotun and a war criminal. so that’s what he does. thor’s about to go somewhere with the warriors three and loki comes up to him and kisses him, whispers filth into his ears, leaving thor a flustered mess. all while the people around try to not stare at the exchange. and well, that’s how it goes, loki kissing and touching and dirty talking thor in public, which slowly turns into into kissing and touching and dirty talking in less public spots which leads to kissing and touching and dirty talking in private. 

loki is having fun watching thor’s mortification every time he touches him, the way his body stiffens under loki’s touch. he can see the way it burns thor every time, see how badly thor wants to push him away. but thor never does. 

turns out, what loki doesn’t know and never accounted for is that thor has been pining for him for years. however, guilt and shame have weighed him down and stopped him from ever making his feelings known, much less acting on them. so loki forcing himself on thor is very much scrambling his brain.

that, plus the previous (thor1 + a1) events, have made thor not know how to navigate their relationship, which leads to a whole angsty mess. bc thor knows loki is messing with him, and he wants to push him away, but he can’t bc he doesn’t know what is going on between them and he doesn’t want to hurt loki anymore than he has. plus, he’s been wanting this for hundreds of years (just not like this!!! not like this!) 

and yeah that’s kinda the fic. it’s a whole dubconny mess :D

a lil snippet from it: 

“What are you doing?” He tries to act composed but Loki can see the tension in the lines of his face, feel the stiffness of his body, the lingering of his hands at Loki’s sides.

Loki doesn’t answer, instead only presses closer and tilts his head further, their lips inches apart.

“I don’t know what you mean.” His breath falls over Thor’s lips and Thor’s neck bobs with a swallow.

Thor’s feet shuffle below him as he steps back, but with Loki’s weight on him, he only manages to stumble backwards, his back hitting the wall. He is cornered. Prey.

“Loki—stop,” he manages.

#f.ask #there's lots of guilt on thor's part and i love it #guilt is sexy :) #also!!!!! no sabía que hablabas español!!! :D

[inglorious-purpose]

The big questions

The Loki show posed some Big Questions: Where do we come from? What happens at the end of time? What makes a Loki a Loki? Can Loki change? Did Mobius have a jet ski? Will Loki ever get to wear a nifty outfit again?

And then there’s this, from the Loki-meister himself:

“Loki, as a show, has introduced so many complex ideas, and themes, and conversations,” Tom Hiddleston tells Marvel.com. “One of the things I've been so pleased and thrilled to see with the show is how deeply the audience is engaged with the big ideas, the ideas of fate versus free will, agency versus determinism. Do we have the capacity to genuinely choose our path through our lives? And in those choices, where do we derive meaning? To what extent are any of us free? To what extent are these characters free to choose their route through the universe and self-realize and determine the course of their lives?”

source

All of these “so many complex ideas” are really just the same idea: Do we have free will, or are we destined to follow some predetermined path? Which isn’t even an idea per se, but rather a question. And if the audience did indeed engage in deep discussions around this topic, one might be forgiven for having missed these conversations entirely, overshadowed as they were by the raging debates as to whether S*lki is incest or self-cest, whether Lok*us is a thing, or whether Loki should dump these losers entirely and get some real friends, because frankly both relationships are toxic af.

One might argue that the show doesn’t properly ask the question, so much as offer an answer that is as ridiculous as it is unsatisfying: apparently, from 2008 til now, every plot line in the MCU -- every decision, every action -- was dictated by a god-like puppeteer called Kevin Feige He Who Remains and enforced by his brain-washed minions, the bureaucrats of the TVA. The characters had no free will; they were locked into their fates up until the point that HWR stopped controlling the timeline. (Which is not, incidentally, the moment that Sylvie kills him, but a few minutes prior to that, during the long, eerie zoom-in/zoom-out sequence where HWR declares that they’ve crossed the threshold, and appears to be amazed when he drops an object and it, well, drops. The significance of this gesture was completely lost on me.)

The notion that this dude who we just met has been pulling the strings all along, orchestrating every heroic and villainous act, sending the TVA to prune anyone who dared to deviate from their preordained path, begs the question: if the characters had possessed free will, would they have made different choices? Would heroes still be heroes, and villains, villains? Would Tony still have sacrificed himself to save the universe? Would Steve still have gone back to Peggy? Would Odin still have been such a dick? Would Clint Barton have had a personality? 

Out here in the real world, the free will vs determinism debate has become the purview of neuroscientists and philosophers of mind. Moreover, the question has been redefined -- it’s not particularly relevant to ask whether we are “free” to choose. There’s no bogeyman reaching into our brain and tickling our neural circuits to make us do his bidding. In that sense, of course we have free will. It’s more a question of the role that our subconscious and conscious processes play when we make a decision. We feel more “in control” when we perceive our actions to be volitional. On the other hand, subconscious factors undoubtedly have a (sometimes very strong) influence over us. Yet this doesn’t indicate a lack of free will -- the subconscious parts of your brain are, after all, still parts of your brain. It’s all “you,” whether you’re aware of it or not. It’s simply a question of the balance between consciousness and subconsciousness -- an area of active research, in which we have much to learn. 

In any case, now that Loki presumably has free will, how will things play out? Will he stay a hero, or fall back into villainy? Will he be trustworthy? Mischievous? Unpredictable? Will he get his snark back? His wit? His good hair from TDW? And most pressing of all: will he choose S*lki, Lok*us, or neither? Stay tuned for season 2!

#loki #loki show #loki series #loki series critical #this show didn't make any damn sense #loki meta #marvel #MCU #disney plus #tom hiddleston #tom hiddleston deserves an emmy

[nikkoliferous]

If Chris is really so envious of Tom and his character Loki, he must've cringed and be so internally annoyed about Tom's performances at the Comic Con in 2013...

I also remember there being a fan during the press tour for TDW who legit came right out and asked the cast why Loki is more popular than Thor. So 2013 really doesn't seem to have been a good year for Chris's ego. 🤣

On a more serious note, I honestly wonder if Chris has always felt the way he does now, or if it was something that just slowly built up over time. I've always kind of assumed that the lacklustre critical reception TDW received pushed him over the edge. So many of the reviews seemed to more or less boil down to, "Loki is the only good thing about this movie". Idk, I'd like to believe there was at least a time when their friendship actually was genuine. But who knows?

#send me asks #tom hiddleston #chris odinson #loki #mcu

[iamanartichoke]

I don’t have time to look for gifs but the expression Loki makes when he puts the TVA suit on is the exact expression he makes when he’s asking Thor to give him his daggers in TDW (where he kinda presses his lips together and raises his eyebrows) and I’m sure there’s a meta analysis somewhere that I could sink my teeth into regarding what this reveals about his mood/intentions, but I also recognize that it’s most likely just Tom’s Face. 

#i'm about to log off to go home #so i'm rushing #but all my feels are descending at once #now that my work day is over #loki on the small screen

[mcfiddlestan]

I’m relatively new to marvel and I was wondering why you don’t like Hemsworth? I absolutely understand and agree with not liking Waititi (in terms of how he progressed the plot in Ragnarok and how he treated Loki and other characters)... but if there’s something either or both Hemsworth or Waititi did that made you/the fandom not like them, what is it?

Hi, Nonnie.

Ok, so strap in. Cuz this will probably get long.

First off, it’s not so much that I don’t like Hemsworth. It’s more I’m disappointed in his progression as an actor and celebrity in Hollywood. Frankly, when I first saw Thor no one in the cast really stuck with me except Kat Dennings bc I knew her already and loved her work. (Yeah I knew who Natalie Portman was but I’ve had issues with her since Star Wars — long story). It wasn’t until Avengers that I really caught on to the Hiddlesmania. In those days, 2012 and up through The Dark World, there was a very sweet, very genuine bromance going on between Hemzy and Hiddles. They really were “brothers from another mother.” They were adorable together. I remember in one press event with the entire cast Hemzy and Hiddles were making faces at each other across the table and when a reporter asked Hiddles who his fave Avenger was, before he could answer, Hemzy shouted, “Your brother!” There was a very beautiful connection between them. What happened to that? It’s anyone’s guess, but here’s what happened for me.

Leading up to the release of TDW, I might have found it weird that the, like, fourth-billed actor, and the previous film’s “villain,” was chosen to basically lead the global promotion. It was Hiddles, by his lonesome, in Mexico, Australia, China, etc. And he killed it. And it started pretty much with his appearance at Comic-Con that July. We ALL remember that. Why wasn’t Hemzy participating in any of this promo? Idk. I’m pretty sure he was filming Snow White & the Huntsman, or something. Still, it was interesting and telling that Marvel chose to utilize Hiddles’ very apparent popularity. Hell, they chose not to kill Loki because of his popularity.

So it would be about three years before Hemzy and Hiddles came back together again to film Ragnarok. And between that time, Hemzy filmed six movies and Hiddles filmed eight. During that time, also, Hiddles pulled a 180° on everybody and participated in what was the most ridiculous, career-destroying antic he could ever participate in. If you don’t know what I mean, just Google Tom and the Summer of 2016. It’s my opinion that that whole event had a damaging affect on not only Tom’s image in the industry, but I think it made his colleagues and friends question how well they really knew him. And I think it hindered his bankability for filmmakers. Basically it wasn’t a good move for him. The moment I first noticed a change in Hemzy’s behavior with Hiddles was at a Wizard World convention in the middle of the PR nightmare and the beginning of filming Ragnarok in 2016.

During their panel onstage, Hemzy seemed oddly quiet and tense even. He didn’t seem all that interested in being there or answering questions. And Hiddles was like an anxious puppy, overcompensating for Hemzy’s lackluster demeanor. I’m not the only one who’s noticed it, but no one can really pinpoint why. Was Hemzy upset that Tom was “dating” that chick? Was he upset at how obviously out of character it was? I’m guessing there was more to it because the filming of Ragnarok, and it’s result, speak volumes about what Hemzy was apparently feeling.

There are clips and interviews from the set of Raganarok and during promo with Waitidiot and Hemzy where they are very vocal about making sure Hemzy was the star of the movie “because it’s called Thor.” Waitidiot even referred to Loki as a goth orphan or something. Overall they were very critical of and condescending toward Tom and Loki. In the few interviews Hemzy and Hiddles did together, that old spark between them wasn’t there. There’s a lot about Ragnarok I don’t like. Hela was underused, Valkyrie was underused, Skurge deserved better. But, of course, what I hate most about it is the awful way they treat Loki through the whole thing. The way Thor became a bigger bully than he already was. The way he just wanted to wash his hands of Loki — which continued with the fucking Russo brothers who couldn’t put their stupid heads together long enough to realize Loki deserved to have his revenge on Thanos just like Nebula and even Wanda did. Loki deserved to be on that field fighting next to his brother, dammit.

Anyway….since Ragnarok promo i was kind of side-eyeing Hemzy. He literally behaved like a spoiled brat who found a friend who believed his bullshit (feeling overshadowed by Loki; which I think extended to feeling inferior in some way to Tom, a very gifted, educated actor compared to Hemzy who kind of fell into acting. There’s nothing wrong with where Hemzy started; but his choices in the last few years speak for themselves. 🤷🏽‍♀️) and they teamed up to bully the brainy guy. So then Infinity War promo came around and Hiddles was paired with Sebastian Stan and Letitia Wright and Paul Bettany, I think. I loved him with Sebastian (I ship WinterFrost), but it was weird that he wouldn’t be paired up at some point with Hemzy. But then Hemzy wasn’t doing any promo — wait what?? Yeah. Hemzy skipped out on Shanghai I believe. Then he said he couldn’t be at another place bc he got in an accident and injured his elbow ??? Then the next day he posted an IG live where he’s driving?? And his elbow is loosely wrapped in an ACE bandage??? That actually falls off during the video?? And then he was supposed to be somewhere for another promo, said he couldn’t make it, and was spotted camping off the coast of Australia with Matt Damon’s family??? It was all very suspish.

Speaking of Damon, don’t get me started on the bullshit scene in the last Jay & Silent Bob movie where he literally trashed Tom and his portrayal of Loki. Fuck off, Damon. Go suck Ben Affleck’s dick already.

Anyway. All the Ragnarok stuff and his behavior during IW promo and his seeming dismissal of Hiddles completely has just rubbed me the wrong way. Added to that, it just feels like Hemzy isn’t really in the business to hone his craft. It feels like he’s in it for the money. And yeah that’s a great benefit of acting in Hollywood. But he doesn’t seem to choose quality roles anymore. I liked him in Blackhat. I liked Rush. He was really good in Bad Times at the Royale, but it feels like all he wants to do now are formula action movies with no depth, no growth, where he just has to flex his muscles and give a charming smile. Which is fine but that gets tired after awhile (just ask Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude VanDamme). So right now, I want nothing to do with Love and Thunder — which is one of the stupidest movie names I’ve heard in awhile. And frankly I just don’t want to watch Hemzy not try to be his best. If I want mindless action with no real plot, I’ve got the Fast and Furious franchise. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Hope this answers your question, Nonnie. Thanks for asking. Let me know, if I can clarify anything for you.

xoxo, La

#la answers #asked and answered #anonymous #Hemzy #Hiddles #Waitidiot