Marvel Makes Loki’s Infinity War Death Even More Tragic

The Loki TV series made the trickster's death in Avengers: Infinity War so much more tragic. Marvel Studios' Phase 4 is bringing back the God of Mischief despite his demise at the hands of Thanos. But this version of Loki is different; he's from 2012, pre-redeemed, and still reeling from his loss to the Avengers in the Battle of New York. Thanks to the Time Variance Authority/TVA, however, he learned about his ultimate fate had he stayed his course in the Sacred Timeline.

On the heels of Captain America: Civil War's success, directors Joe and Anthony Russo, alongside writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely were tapped to wrap up the Infinity Saga through the third and fourth Avengers film. Infinity War had a lot of story to cover; aside from having a massive ensemble cast in a film with limited run time, it was also tasked to officially introduce Thanos — the big bad of the overarching narrative. While Marvel Studios had teased the existence of the villain since Phase 1, the 2018 blockbuster was his proper debut. To efficiently establish him as a worthy threat to the MCU, Loki died at the hands of the Mad Titan in the opening scene of Infinity War. Since the Asgardian Prince is one of the most beloved characters in the franchise, it was a clear indication that going up against the purple villain won't be easy.

Loki's death in itself was already devastating. After years of having a contentious relationship with Thor, he and the God of Thunder seemed to have finally made amends on the heels of Asgard’s destruction. There’s also that subtle promise that they will genuinely stick together as brothers moving forward. The trickster also appeared to be genuinely on the road to full redemption. But, his past caught up with him when Thanos showed up, years after their botched deal. In the MCU, this reunion took six years to materialize, but in the Loki series, the variant learned about his death and all the milestones leading up to it in a brief amount of time. To make things worse, he had just forged and botched the deal with the Mad Titan that ultimately leads to his death. This gives a far stronger sense of regret, realizing that his decision to associate himself with Thanos is what ultimately will spell his demise.

Seeing himself eventually suffering the consequences of his mistake is one thing, but learning that it would also affect Thor is another. While the God of Thunder didn't die in Infinity War, his brother doesn't know that, since his file didn't show Thor's survival. The Asgardian Princes do not have an ideal relationship, and this Loki variant is more likely still full-on hating his brother after what happened in The Avengers. But in his core, the God of Mischief cares deeply about the well-being of his family, particularly the God of Thunder. If anything, his antics were really a desperate plea for attention and acceptance from Thor and Odin. Despite the Loki show featuring a pre-redemption Loki, watching his file likely made him realize that in the end, he would eventually patch things up with the God of Thunder - although seemingly at the cost of both of their lives.

Knowing what happens in Avengers: Infinity War plays a part in Loki's decision to not return to the Sacred Timeline. At least with the TVA, he is spared the heartbreak of seeing himself and his family die. At this juncture in the Loki series, he has no option but to follow Mobius' lead, who's really the only one to have any interest in his general well-being. Granted that a big part of it is because the agent believes that this variant will be instrumental in the current crisis they are facing, at least the God of Mischief has someone rooting for him by his side.

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