Loki Season 2 Episode 6, “Glorious Purpose,” is a finale that feels like a new beginning. This finale is nothing less than a meditation on Loki (Tom Hiddleston) as a character and on everything he has meant to this franchise. While not everything comes together, this is a finale with much to love. Unfortunately, it also highlights the missed opportunities that have been evident through the series.

Loki’s journey has been a compelling one. Watching him grow from a villain with something to prove to a hero who saves the entire multiverse. One benefit of this series is that it has allowed Loki, as a character, to delve deeper into his emotional core. He has come so far to reach this moment. While he’s always been a character acutely aware of his own destiny, its no less thrilling to watch him fulfill it. 

Relatedly, the parallels that this finale uses to highlight Loki’s character development are breathtaking. It really feels like everything has led to this moment. His journey from being so mypoically self-focused to connected to the entire universe is the kind of hero’s quest that the MCU needs to create. It is a window into the mind of this character, that he’s gone from so desperately needing to prove himself, to being exactly the hero that the multiverse needs at this moment and for all time. 

Loki Season 2 Episode 6, “Glorious Purpose,” ultimately feels like a conclusion to Loki’s story. Whether or not this character is ever seen again in the context of the MCU, this seems to tie a bow on everything in a bittersweet way. There is room left to revisit this character in future stories, and there’s room to reflect on his legacy. This feels like the right choice for a character who has always been essential to this franchise. 

For everything that this episode does right, it also highlights the issues that have been obvious throughout the series. It’s a shame that with an ensemble cast this talented, these other characters do not fully get chances in the spotlight. In particular, while Ke Huy Quan is dynamic in every scene, it’s a shame he wasn’t showcased more. Similarly, Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) is another compelling character who could have handled much more of the spotlight than she was given. These characters have many more stories to tell. 

Additionally, this episode is further proof that this series would have done just as well as a movie. While it’s great that Loki had a full series to develop, a singular character-driven movie could have accomplished just as much. This series could have also been more serialized, and focused each entry on one of these characters. There could have been much more focused storytelling to really highlight the best of what the series had to offer. 

Loki’s finale feels like it could be the beginning of something new within the MCU. There is a future for this franchise beyond the original characters and beyond Kang. Overall, this series has been a heartfelt and poignant tribute to one of Marvel’s most dynamic characters. Whether or not we see this character in this context remains to be seen. However, he will always remain a pillar of everything this superhero franchise has become. 

Loki Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream now on Disney+.