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worstloki · 3 years

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Okay, this is gettin’ real screwed up here.

I watch a lot of TV. Probably too much. And I’ve seen characters beaten to their knees before, sometimes even with collars. And yeah, there’s usually someone standing over them, and it’s been a woman sometimes. The kind of scene we got in episode 5 of Loki is not new ground.

But here’s the thing. In EVERY OTHER SCENE I can remember like this, the person kneeling is the hero. They’ve been brought down, fully humbled before the sneering villain, and in a few minutes something will happen to get them back on their feet again. It’s usually a tense moment, a “what if they break?” that makes you want the hero to win. You aren’t rooting for, or even liking in some cases, the person standing. You’re cheering for the person on their knees.

This doesn’t seem to be the case with the Loki show. Yes, the viewers may be rooting for Loki, but there’s no hatred for Sif there. She’s not proved herself to be a cold, heartless villain, ruthlessly pounding the hero until all he can do is kneel at her feet.

Except…she did kind of do that. But it isn’t treated as something bad. It’s treated more as something Loki deserved, in my opinion. The show wants us to feel like he deserved to get repeatedly beaten up and told horrible things, just for cutting off a lock of Sif’s hair. I’ll grant, it’s peanuts compared to what happened to him in the mythology. But it’s still bad. Especially since they had him acknowledge it, repeat her cruel words back. They’re playing it off as if Loki is still the villain by himself, and is only good because of other people- Mobius, mostly, but Sif is part of that.

That’s not the way Loki’s character is. In the comics particularly, his biggest arcs are always about reinventing the labels given to him, changing “villain” into something good, something he can use, and doing it by himself. Yes, there’s outside influence, but ultimately Loki is the one who decided to change.

The show is not letting him do that. The show is portraying him as a stubborn jackass who refuses to change until other people show him the light- either with psychological torture presented as therapy, or with beating him up a bunch of times until he gives in. The show and its characters are forcing Loki to become good- they aren’t showing him doing it by himself. He is not becoming one of the good guys, he’s being essentially enslaved by them, and the show is passing it off as somehow all that good influence finally rubbed off on Loki’s cold, villainous heart. That’s why him betraying Mobius was shown as so bad even though Loki barely knew him and had been psychologically tortured by him- Mobius is written as a character who can choose to be good, and Loki is written as a character who must be forced to be good.

And something about an entire show revolving around an independent character being treated as a villain, literally enslaved by the “good guys” (back when the show still wanted us to think the TVA weren’t shady as all hell), beaten to his knees with a collar around his neck until he accepts that he deserves to be alone because he isn’t “good” like everybody else…that doesn’t go down right for me.

The TVA being presented in not just a neutral but often reliable light is something I thought would change once Loki literally called out their propaganda and Sylvie called them fascists, but, for some reason the authoritarian genocidalists are not being presented as a bad thing and it irks me too.

It's especially weird because of the way what Loki claims to have wanted by making choices for people and what Mobius claims the TVA do ARE THE EXACT SAME THINGS, except Loki, until the show, hadn't done that of his own volition and was being tortured during the invasion and is treated terribly for something he didn't even succeed in doing, while the TVA successfully erase events on a mass scale but are presented as having a higher (or at best, - equal) moral ground.

The exact same thing was done in Ragnarok where Loki's "turning point" from a tricksy villainous scoundrel happened because Thor left him frying on the ground and gave him a pep talk filled with lies and general slander about how he could be better - and people see that as good because Thor is framed as a hero, and it's because instead of accepting Loki is a complex character they take what the narrative tells at face value and that is that Loki fights the protagonist(s) so he's bad.

I personally don't like the narrative pushing a character that is canonically an abuse victim and attempted suicide and was tortured right after as someone who needs fixing because he's lusting for power and needs it to gain a sense of control during a retcon which is occurring for the sake of calling him a complete bad guy who needs to change (probably because no actual original character development could be thought of?) after he was just confirmed as queer and colloquially (i assume) called a narcissist because of twisted love.

That he deserves to be alone was presented neutrally as a joke even as he was repeatedly getting beaten to the ground, and then both people he could call friends were removed from his immediate vicinity right after.

Loki isn't being presented as a character that has done a huge mix of good and bad in the movies, he's being presented as an oft incompetent idiot that deserves what he gets because he shouldn't have run away from captors, or he cut Sif's hair, or he killed his mother, or he dared to think he had any importance or could do something good, because the truth is he's an evil lying scourge.

"But maybe," Mobius says, "Maybe he wants to mix it up. Sometimes you get tired of playing the same part. Is that possible? He can change?" And everyone's already forgotten that moments before the mission Mobius said to Loki's face that the TVA has pruned a lot of Loki variants because he's so nice! look! he has hope in him when no one else does! It's also easy to forget the "and hey, if it doesn't work, I'll delete him myself," right after because the guy was smiling through it and the scene is followed by Loki really badly trying to explain the logic of being a trickster who everyone knows is a trickster.

A lot of people payed more attention in Ragnarok than to the other Thor movies so it's not a new retcon and people seem fine with the extremely strange take that 'loki is bad but he can do good sometimes,' because the character is more animated and acts foolish and that's generally more fun for comedy, which is fair for people to prefer imo, people find different things entertaining.

But I do solidly hope the show doesn't go that way though and takes a side with Loki on the narrative stance eventually because I've seen a lot of people who just. miss that the TVA's concept is bad. And those who think they're "reforming" Loki. As if the guy needs anything but a break at this point lmao he only got away from Thanos like 2 days ago please just let him rest for a bit he's a fail villain and it's cringe to have your supposed 1st open queer character get beaten to a pulp by Sif and then put wack sexualizing shots for it too :/

it's like the show itself is trying to sell the angle of "Loki is a villain" and I'm a clown who is still wanting that to be intentional because if it is? It could be amazing and playing with how different parties are framed would be s p e c t a cu l ar and could encourage people to reassess the hero coding in other movies including ones Loki was previously in - but we're reaching the last two episodes and I don't feel like that'll happen.

I feel like even if Loki does reach the end of the show as a transformed person it'll be done leaving the audience with "perhaps you're not so bad after all, Loki," and then also give credit to Mobius or Sylvie or whoever else was involved, simply because as even of yet Loki hasn't taken on a lead role in the show. I'd argue he hasn't really contributed anything worthwhile to plot either. As you've said, he's being shown as someone who needs to change but isn't really motivated to. Aw man they better not make romantic love the reason he wants to change.

#no because they're framing things that are humiliating or demeaning as *casual*#I don't even care if they wanted fanservice in the show did it have to be THAT type???#of course it did they don't take the character seriously or consider what they're doing with him despite his legitimate grievances #in a show where Loki's had literally no influence on the main plot but delaying it for the entirety of the Lamentis episode #if i was worse this is where i'd theorize about how Loki isn't a typical 'strong' hero and threatens the fragile masculine ideals of some #like........marvel the F*CK kind of message is this meant to send after Thanos throwing Gamora off a cliff was 'love' and Odin was 'strong'#they've made Loki be embarrassingly bad in fights too and what's up with that?????#''no look he's powerful see he just reversed time on an entire building on his own!!! now watch 2 guards hold him back <3''#bro 2 guards aren't enough if loki wants to escape what movies were you watching bro #you want me to believe this is the guy that went toe to toe with thor and tie-lost because he had tears blurring his vision????#nice try mcu im onto you your writing sucks #the Loki show #loki spoilers #loki show spoilers #im still reeling from Sylvie's backstory of BITING AND RUNNING and that she left the door to the TVA open for so long accidentally??????#im enjoying the show but i'm not going to say it's a good show or even that I see Loki as in-character #he CAN CANONICALLY TELEPORT WHY THE FR*CK WERE THEY SITTING AND WATCHING LAMENTIS BLOW UP #he BROKE the tempad - their ONLY WAY OFF THE PLANET - which was stored in a POCKET DIMENSION - by falling TOO HARD ?????#EXCUSE ME????#put some effort into the story you're trying to sell marvel #the logic with the timelines???? makes NO SENSE??????#the TVA either has no clue what they're doing or the multiverse literally already exists and the sacred timeline continues to be lies #i want to strange Marvel #the entire thing is so entertaining though so im definitely enjoying #ThisPostIsLongerThanMyLifeSpan #TPILTMLS

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lomlwintersoldier · 5 years

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You Know Me {Part 1: Faces}

Word Count: 1467

Warnings: none yet!!

A/N: Alright guys i guess im back. I watched endgame a few months ago and HOLY SHIT did i fall right back in love with the MCU. It took me a few months to develop this story how i liked it but I finally finished and am ready to share it with you guys. I guess it’s my return. LMK if you wanna be tagged in this one <3

2001

The sky is a dark grey curtain hanging over San Francisco, not uncommon for the coastal city but today, on this particular, fateful day, they felt malicious, a creeping gloom waiting for prey. The darkness fills Natasha with unease as she makes her way down the bustling streets of the Golden City, although she doesn’t think much of it. Too dirty, she thinks critically.

Natasha was here unofficially and in hiding and if anyone from S.H.I.E.L.D. or god forbid, Fury, knew she was here she would surely have her ass handed to her. Not that she cared too much, although she was trying to be better about listening to her superiors; still, it wasn’t a part of her nature to be a soldier, taking orders from higher powers. Not anymore.

No, her business here was of a more menacing nature, one that was tied to her past with H.Y.D.R.A. and her heart was heavy as she wondered about what she would discover. In all honesty, she wasn’t even sure what she would find here, but she knew it couldn’t be good if H.Y.D.R.A. was involved; depending on how deep they were in the situation, Natasha was risking everything by coming here today. The crimson haired hero finally finds the small townhouse that was typical of the sprawling city, although this particular home had fallen into disrepair. The paint, which appeared to have once been red, had faded to a dull, patchy pink, neglect having sucked the color and life from the place over time. It was as if no one had stepped foot outside for years.

Natasha, pursing her lips nervously, approaches the door, rapping three times on the old wood before taking a step back and crossing her hands in front of her.

“Coming!” A hoarse, muffled voice yells out from behind the door. Natasha hears her hands struggling with the chain for a few moments and a bent old woman opens the door, her brittle fingers holding on to the doorknob for support. She’s unsurprised to see Nat and her lips press into a hard line as she survey’s the young woman standing on her doorstep.

“Natalia,” she says quietly as she takes in Natasha’s red curls and hard eyes. “It has been a long time.” “Madame B,” Natasha acknowledges. She was not so forgiving of her former teacher but she knew that the old woman was no longer a threat to her, not after so many years and certainly not after she’d left H.Y.D.R.A.; the old woman had seen the errors within the ways of the organization and had escaped quietly years ago, paying off people to keep her existence a secret and using her information as leverage. Even in her old age Madame B was vital and dangerous. “Where are they?” Natasha asks as the Madame let’s her through the doorway and shuts the door behind her quickly, replacing the chain on it’s hook and clicking two hidden locks into place. Paranoid old hag. “Here.” The old woman leans heavily on her cane as she walks slowly through the dark hallways, devoid of any personal effects; no photos rested on the bare walls and most of the windows had been either painted over or were shuttered tightly with curtains. She leads Natasha to a small room at the end of the hallway, and gives her a grave look before gripping the doorknob and opening the door for Natasha, who steps into the small bedroom.

In the corner are three little girls huddled together, with the eldest and biggest holding onto the littlest of the three protectively. They stare up at Natasha with wide, wary eyes, cautious of this stranger as she approaches the three girls.

“Hello.” Natasha crouches in front of them and smiles but they don’t react; they just watch her like wolves, ready to runif“My name is Natasha. Can you tell me your names?”

The oldest girl looks to the other two, not in deference but more to see whether they were comfortable giving their names to a stranger. These girls had clearly been trained to see a darker side of life because of their past. An unspoken conversation passes between the eldest and middle children as the youngest just stares up curiously at Natasha, who gives the little one a small smile. The middle shakes her head but the oldest turns back to Natasha. “I’m Dominique. That’s Nia.” She points to the middle child who still glares distrustfully at Natasha. “And this is Amara. She’s two.”

“Well, it’s very nice to meet you girls.” Natasha smiles at them before turning back to Madame B who had been standing silently at the doorway. The two walk into another room, leaving the girls huddled together in the corner.

“Where are you sending them?” She asks when the door shuts behind her. “I’ve found a group home for the oldest and Amara. Nia goes to a foster family.” “You couldn’t keep them together?” “I tried. But it is too risky. H.Y.D.R.A. knows them as three sisters. It is the safest,” the old woman replies. “And no one knows they’re here right?” “Only you and I.”

Natasha glances back uneasily towards the door and then looks out the only window she’s seen in this house that’s uncovered. The dark clouds have begun to churn and rain falls heavily on the glass. “Let’s keep it that way.”

December 2023

You walk down the busy roads of Quito, enjoying the warmth of the sun on your skin. It had been so long since you’d been able to spend time out on a day like this and you were fully taking advantage of the warm weather as you wander around the city streets, window shopping lazily.

After the first snap, you’d been one of the millions to disappear, and being spit back into the world after five years, the same age while everyone else had aged, had been quite a shock. But you were adjusting, as everyone was, and after nearly a year since everyone’s return, the world seemed to be going back to normal and you’d been living in Ecuador for the last three months. The last nine months since you’d come back had been difficult, especially finding out about Natasha’s death, but you shouldered on; you were a survivor and unfortunately, death wasn’t a concept you were unfamiliar with.

You come upon the farmers market you frequent, a cute collection of tents, kiosks, and people that greeted you with a smile every morning.

“Hola, Santiago.” You smile at the old man behind the kiosk that always holds the most beautiful array of fruits, the colors bursting and easily spotted from far away.

“Buenos días, señorita.” He grins warmly at you.

“¿Cómo estás?” You ask as you pick up a few peaches and nectarines, putting them in the shopper bag on your shoulders. You study the other fruits on the cart, your hands reaching for a few plums as well but just as you begin to inspect them, Santiago grunts and coughs, doubling over as he grips the edge of the cart for support.

“Santiago!” You exclaim in concerned as the color drains from his face. You’re instantly at his side steadying him but his eyes are unfocused and just as you’re about to yell for help, he grips your arm, forcing you to look at him.

“You thought we would never find you, little girl?” He drawls in accented english, his voice like sandpaper in your ear. But then you realize his accent is not Spanish. It’s...Russian. A chill licks up your spine and you shove yourself away from him, staring in horror when he shakes his head; the color returns to his cheeks and suddenly he seems completely unfazed as you stagger back, shaking.

“¿Qué te pasó?” He asks quizzically. He turns, his neck facing you and you see a tiny cut, fresh and just on the nape of his neck. An implant.

You’re white as a sheet, your legs trembling as you quickly grab your fallen bag You mutter a quick goodbye as you turn on your heel and run down the street, with only one thought on your mind. Get home…disappear…again.

You finally make it back to your small home and instantly slam the door behind you, locking it and moving the bookcase in the hallway in front of it. You scramble around throwing clothes and whatever you can get your hands on into a duffle; it’s a blur, and you don’t even remember as you grab only your most essential items. Five minutes later, you’re out the door and running as fast as your feet can carry you

Part 2

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