It turns out that the most upsetting part of the Loki season 2 finale was all Tom Hiddleston's idea. Now, it should go without saying, but the following will contain major spoilers for the final episode, so turn back now if you're not up to date!
If you're still reading, then you'll know that Loki ended up making a huge sacrifice to save the multiverse. The God of Mischief ends up keeping all the separate timelines of the multiverse alive with his magic, leaving him alone as their guardian. According to new merchandise from Marvel, that makes him simply "God Loki."
As Loki prepares himself to take on this new mantle, though, he tells Sylvie and Mobius: "For you. For all of us."
Thor fans might remember this as something Loki said way back in 2011, in the very first Thor movie. Right before Loki let himself fall into space, he shouted to Odin, "I could have done it. For you, for all of us!"
That callback was very intentional – and it was all Hiddleston's idea, as co-director Aaron Moorhead told ComicBook.com: "Actually, that line was something we were working with on the day and it didn't originally have the callback to Thor and Tom as we were doing a lot of takes of it because we knew it was his last line in the show and Tom said, 'What if we did a callback to the very beginning?' We did, I think one take of it and we were like, that's it."
It's a moment that tugs hard at the heartstrings, and finding out it was improvised only makes it all the more heart-breaking. Excuse us while we grab some tissues…
It remains to be seen when – or if – we'll see Loki again, but for now, you can keep up to date with all the upcoming Marvel movies and TV shows with our guide through the link. You can also read our deep dives on Loki season 2 below:
- When does Loki season 2 take place on the Marvel timeline?
- Loki season 1 recap
- How to watch the Marvel movies in order
- Marvel phase 5
- Upcoming Marvel movies and shows
- Victor Timely comic book history explained
- He Who Remains comic book history explained
- Judge Renslayer comic book history explained
- The Time Variance Authority comic book history explained
- Loki season 2 episode 1 post-credits scene explained
- What is time-slipping?
- All the differences between comic book Loki and show Loki
- Loki season 2 episode 1 recap and Easter eggs
- Loki season 2 episode 2 recap and Easter eggs
- What’s Sylvie holding at the end of episode 2?
- Brad Wolfe isn't the Zaniac fans know from the comics
- What is the Zaniac in Marvel Comics?
- Loki season 2 episode 3 recap and Easter eggs
- Loki producer teases "exciting" arc for Renslayer after those major episode 3 reveals
- Balder the Brave comic book origins explained
- Loki season 2 episode 4 recap and Easter eggs
- Loki season 2 episode 6 ending explained