Throughout its six-episode first season, Loki received largely excellent reactions from the fans and great acclaim from the critics, but there was one key point of contention.
Many were surprised by the blossoming romance between Tom Hiddleston's Loki and Sophia Di Martino's Goddess of Mischief, Sylvie. Given the two Asgardians are Variants of each other, the terms Lokicest and selfcest were coined to describe the odd nature of the relationship.
However, some theories offered more symbolic explanations for the romance, believing it to represent an exploration of self-love and helping Loki come to terms with who he is as he finds his new place in the cosmos.
The relationship between the Asgardian Gods came to a head in the season finale as the Variants shared a passionate kiss before Sylvie killed He Who Remains, finally opening up the MCU's multiverse.
After the first season's shocking cliffhanger, one of the series' stars has offered her thoughts on the romance, confirming that she expected the backlash all along.
SYLVIE ACTRESS OFFERS LOKI ROMANCE THOUGHTS
In a recent interview with The Wrap, Sylvie actress Sophia Di Martino admitted she expected the controversy surrounding her romance with Tom Hiddleston's Loki in the Disney+ series.
The British star revealed that she “expected it to be pretty split” as some would “just [go] along with it for the fact that it's a sort of love story” while there would also be “some skeptical people who weren't sure:”
“I kind of expected it to be pretty split and some people to be really into it and just going along with it for the fact that it's a sort of love story. And then I knew there would be some skeptical people who weren't sure”
Di Martino went on to offer he own thoughts on the romance as she believes it is “not as straightforward as just two people falling for each other” and instead serves as “an exploration of self-love:”
“For me, it's kind of an exploration of self-love. It's not as straightforward as just two people falling for each other, who are versions of the same thing.”
WHERE WILL THE LOKI ROMANCE GO NEXT?
Loki and Sylvie's romance proved to be a significant point of controversy among fans, and it's clear to see why. While the relationship was well-written and felt earned throughout, it does have a somewhat odd nature as they likely share much of the same blood as both are children of the Frost Giant's King Laufey, even if they are from different timelines.
Based on this, it wouldn't be surprising if Loki's next director opts to dial back on the romantic elements going into the second season. However, if other members of the cast and crew saw the backlash coming as Sophia Di Martino did, perhaps Marvel Studios is happy to move forward with the divisive plot element either way.
As the series has yet to replace the departed Kate Herron or to confirm Michael Waldron's return as head writer, Loki Season 2 is probably still in the early stages of planning.
With a packed Phase 4 slate ahead, fans could be waiting until 2023 before they get answers to the finale's many unanswered questions or any idea of where the controversial romance could go next.
All six episodes of Loki are streaming now, exclusively on Disney+.
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