One thing I’ve always found so fascinating about Marvel Studios is their continuity skills. If you look at the sequel trilogy, the characters in The Force Awakens act completely differently in The Last Jedi (Hux and Poe being the prime examples for this fact.) And yet massive ensemble films like Infinity War manage to take every hero from their respective franchises and perfectly incorporate them, unique personalities and all, into the movie.

As I’ve watched Loki for the past three weeks I have thoroughly enjoyed the film but one thing I kept wondering to myself, did the show actually treat Loki like his 2012 self? And I have come to the conclusion that no, they didn’t. And that’s actually a good thing.

Yesterday I decided to watch Thor and The Avengers, Hiddleston’s two first films as the God of Mischief, and I was struck by how, well, evil that version of Loki felt. He was truly written as a villain with no redeemable qualities; a thorn in Thor and the people of Earth’s side as he killed people without batting an eye and yearned to rule.

Then we jump forward to Loki. Nine years have passed and you can see it in Hiddleston’s performance. He has become a seasoned veteran of the MCU, crafting and transforming Loki into one of the most-liked characters in the franchise. It is, ultimately, his portrayal of the antihero in Thor: Ragnarok that turned me into a fan of his character (and his story) and it is that Loki whose death crushes me still to this day.

Thor: Ragnarok-Loki is funnier, snarkier, and just a lovable pain in the ***. The writers were smart to take the personality of this Loki and translate him into his own series because honestly, 2012 Loki is actually kind of annoying in the same vein that Thor needed some narrative upgrading.

That Loki couldn’t have had a Disney+ series. And even if he did, I wouldn’t have been as enthusiastic about it.

But what is even more brilliant about Loki is how it ultimately creates a new version of the God of Mischief before our eyes in its first episode by showing the title character his whole story, thus breaking him down emotionally, and them building him back up again.

But here’s where the writing is even more perfect. Female Loki, or Sylvie as she calls herself, feels like 2012 Loki. She’s more aggravating, she’s more violent, and she’s on a mission. What that mission is, we don’t know exactly, but I know it’s grand.

Plus, Sophia di Martino is likable enough as the character but she hasn’t had as many years as Hiddleston to hone Sylvie to the point where I love her…and that makes sense.

I came away from this miniature marathon seeing just how good Loki is. Compared to Thor and The Avengers, it is so much more interesting, intriguing, its cinematography is far superior, and the music is truly glorious. Loki is becoming one of the best installments in the MCU for a long while and I can’t wait to see more.

I thank you for reading and I hope you have a spectacular day. For all time. Always.