Loki really has the best character arc in the MCU.
In Thor, we see years of seething envy, spill out, magnified by the revelation that he is both adopted and a Jötunn; all of his insecurities seemingly confirmed and justified.
In Avengers, we see him at his rawest, and angriest after the events of Thor.
In The Dark World, we start to see the cracks in the facade of cold villainy. The shock at Odin’s condemnation, his intense love for his mother and the grief at her death, and above all, his clear happiness and excitement to be adventuring with Thor again. I left the theatre with the feeling that his warm praise of Thor in Odin’s guise might actually have been sincere.
In Thor Ragnarok, three things happen; Odin finally tells Loki he loves him. Thor and Loki become equals in a secret that Odin withheld from them both. Most importantly, Loki, who has felt like he was second best his entire life, finally realises that someone always loved him more than anyone else, and that it was Thor the whole time.
Which brings us back to Infinity War. At long last, Loki no longer feels aggrieved, and is comparatively content with his place in the universe. He dies defending the one thing left in the world that he loves.
That there is brilliant character writing and acting.
the ending of Thor 2 is even better with the knowledge that Loki was evil-smiling at the end over his diabolical plan to force Asgard……… into community theater
I refuse to acknowledge any canon other than: Loki has been planning the great community theater takeover ever since he realized conquering other planets required working with the sort of unsavory people that make you stop your skincare routine and every single action he takes in Thor 2 should be read with this end goal in mind
EVERY TIME he has a plotty face in Thor 2 it’s because he’s mentally updating his casting list or making shopping lists with things like: green silk, posterboard, acrylic paint, glitter (craft and cosmetic), grapes
me carrying my little dog to the front door swaddled in my arms like a baby, because he has to pee before bed but refuses to walk outside while its raining so i have to drop him gently into the grass, bouncing him a little as i walk and chanting in a singsong voice: you smell like chicken soup! yes you do! yes you do. who’s my little chicken soup dog? who is he? who is the dog who smells like chicken soup
my dog, fully uncomprehending but nonetheless resigned to his fate:
Headcanon: Loki doesn’t return in the Tom H bod for iw2, but instead returns as Lady Loki, allowing this plotline from the comics to be able to happen
Heartcanon: he’s actually a softy at heart, but years of being the shadow sibling has made him what he is. He only shows his softness around people he truly trusts and cares for. these are people he would willingly lay down his life for.
Gutcanon: Loki almost exclusively has physical relationships only, all due to the above. no romance. Just not his thing! He could be a great romantic, he was when he was a younger prince, but now he just doesn’t do it. in time, maybe.
Junkcanon: that being said, loki is amazing in bed and is a switch. (you know he’s not only a twink come on)
Spleencanon: Loki’s actually alive drinking margarita’s on a beach somewhere wearing sunglasses and just plain ole’ chillin while he waits for his moment to return
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