In the most recent installment of Loki, titled “1893,” fans saw the re-emergence of Ravonna Renslayer (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and Miss Minutes (Tara Strong). Last seen in the season’s finale, the pair has resurfaced after a 25-year jump into the future. Their quest? To retrieve a Kang variant they were responsible for creating. Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Mobius (Owen Wilson) embark on a parallel quest, transforming the episode into a thrilling pursuit of “Capture the Kang Variant.”
Victor Timely (Jonathan Majors) is the Variant in focus. This is the same con-artist-inventor who had previously dazzled audiences during the post-credit sequence of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. With a knack for swindling, Timely has both angered locals with his scams and attracted the attention of Renslayer and Miss Minutes, who ultimately succeed in capturing him. However, as plots twist and revelations emerge, including Miss Minutes’ affection for He Who Remains, Loki and Mobius confront the trio, allowing for a poignant moment between old friends Mobius and Ravonna.
The TVA’s Leadership Crisis Deepens
Ravonna’s unexpected disappearance has left the Time Variance Authority (TVA) in turmoil. Despite its illusory nature, the TVA’s role in maintaining the Sacred Timeline is undeniable. Ravonna’s abrupt exit, combined with Sylvie’s (Sophia Di Martino) assassination of He Who Remains, heralded chaos. This sequence of events led to a power vacuum, with disastrous consequences for the Sacred Timeline.
During her tenure as Judge, Ravonna had been instrumental in ensuring order within the TVA, a harmony that had persisted for ages. Without her oversight, however, chaos ensued. The rise of General Dox (Kate Dickie) and her ruthless agents, hell-bent on pruning every branch of the Sacred Timeline, resulted in catastrophic loss.
Despite the heroic efforts of Loki, Mobius, and Hunter B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku), the leadership void at TVA remains glaring. Ravonna’s interaction with Mobius reveals her belief in her unique ability to stabilize the TVA. Her hunger for power and authority, often leading her to make dramatic proclamations, might hold more truth than one might initially assume.
Reflecting on Ravonna’s Potential Impact
Under Ravonna’s leadership, the TVA thrived. Backed by Miss Minutes and Mobius, and revered by her Hunters and Analysts, Ravonna oversaw a seamless flow of time. It’s crucial to note that during her rule, the real intentions of He Who Remains were concealed. Had Ravonna stayed post the revelations of the last season, her potential influence on guiding the TVA could have been immense, possibly averting Dox’s rise to power. Her argument to Mobius about making tough decisions rings true, suggesting that her pursuit of power, though extreme, had some justifications.
While Mobius stands as a beacon of goodness, his fear of confronting reality is evident. Ravonna, with her eons of dedication to the TVA, clearly understood the intricate workings of the agency and the tough calls it demanded.
Concluding Thoughts
The narrative takes an intriguing turn as Ravonna finds herself at The End of Time, post a clash with Sylvie. The TVA’s fate hangs in the balance, even as Miss Minutes hints at possessing profound secrets concerning Ravonna’s true identity. With this cliffhanger, one thing is certain: Ravonna’s tale is far from concluded. The ramifications of her leadership, or lack thereof, on the TVA’s future are bound to unfold in the episodes to come.
