Loki's Description Of Frigga Makes Odin Look Even Worse

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Loki episode 3.

Loki recalls memories of his mother, Frigga, in Loki episode 3, and while she comes out of it looking good, it makes Odin seem even worse. Odin's death in Thor: Ragnarok may have ended his time in the MCU, but his legacy lives on through both of his sons. Thor lost Mjolnir, but he also became the true hero and leader of Asgard its people needed. Loki died as well, at least in the Sacred Timeline, but he has a second chance to put things right, and his father's actions are clearly critical within that journey.

Just as importantly, though, Marvel is also finally remembering Frigga. Her death in Thor: The Dark World served as a key part of Thor's arc in Avengers: Endgame, and is now doing something similar for Loki in his own solo show. Their mother's death, but also who she was before that, sits heavily upon both Thor and Loki, showing she was every bit as crucial in their lives as Odin, and painting an interesting contrast between them.

This is highlighted in Loki episode 3, in which a conversation between the God of Mischief and Sylvie turns to his mother. Loki recalls how Frigga taught him magic, and also remembers what kind of person she was. He describes her as "good" and "purely decent," which feels very telling not only about their own relationship, but also Loki's relationship with his father. If he thinks of Frigga as being good and decent, then what does he make of Odin in comparison? Early in the season, he said that "no one good is wholly good," in a seemingly pointed remark about his adoptive father, and so hearing him talk about Frigga this way reaffirms just how much damage Odin caused.

As well as Odin, this also reflects badly on Thor. Loki had a troubled upbringing, despite all the privileges that come with being Asgardian royalty, and that's because of the treatment he received from his father and brother. Odin, knowing Loki wasn't his trueborn son, never loved him like he did Thor, always preferring his biological offspring and heir and doing little to hide that fact. Thor may have remembered their childhood as playing and fighting together, but Loki only remembers being in his shadow. Part of that is Thor's own arrogance and ego, again very different from what Loki thinks of Frigga, but those traits were instilled by Odin's treatment of his sons. And on top of that, of course, is the fact that Odin was not good beyond being a father - his past revealed him a tyrant, something he hid and tried to change.

Loki's description of Frigga is a stark reminder of Odin's failure, leading one to wonder what he might've turned out like had his father been honest and loving with him. But at the same time, it also serves to show just how important Frigga was in the lives of her sons. That may be even more true for Loki, since she was the one to fully accept and love her son, taking him under her wing. While Frigga was always a part of the Thor movies, she was never the focus since the spotlight was on the titular character, and beyond him was Loki, Odin, and Jane. Frigga took something of a backseat, but Avengers: Endgame and Loki have made her the lynchpin of their stories and transformations in the opposite way to Odin: if he inspired their worst traits, then Frigga brought out the best in them. Loki confirms as such in episode 3, and makes Odin look that much worse. It highlights that, while Odin may have been the Allfather, he wasn't a good dad.

Next: Loki: Every MCU Easter Egg In Episode 3

Loki releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.