One of the better Marvel Spin-off shows that had some well-earned twists. This is in certain ways the type of show that would "almost" requires one to be a Marvel superfan due to the numerous references and call-backs which... OK I guess I am, to a point. At the least, I've seen all the films up though Avengers: End Game multiple times, other than the inexcusable duds like Ironman 3 or Thor: Dark World. But that can also be a bit of problem when you base a show around a character that pretty obviously caused the death of many tens of thousands of people during the Battle of NY (and no, I do not accept the absurdly low number of 74 that is Marvel canon). Entire buildings were brought down, and it was in the middle of the day. A number closer 25k sounds more likely to me. Granted, it was nothing like what we saw at the end of Man of Steel, but still...

Moving along to Loki series: So, setting some of his "questionable" history aside, the look, feel and altogether loopy approach to the show was absolutely the right move! It probably sits closest to Wanda Vision in look, but definitely has its own strange yet light-hearted vibe going on. The initial tone sits somewhere between the deadpan of Dragnet and very gradually morphs into something much more psychedelic. Loki, being the God of Chaos, the Trickster, and an all-around prankster, this blended up mayhem is the perfect pool to throw Tom Hiddleston into, and he doesn't disappoint. He also is allowed some actual growth as story progresses, and though it may seem unlikely for a character several thousand years old to learn anything "new" he makes it seem at least possible.

The supporting cast all jump into the fun feet first as well, though you could argue that Owen Wilson essentially playing all his Wes Anderson characters all at once is... maybe too much sugar for the cake? OK, but it still works! Things just get nuttier as they progress, and yet also end up more serious in the landing. By the end I was fully invested and loved where they took the whole concept.

The Marvel multi-verse conceit has already pretty much worn out its welcome (with the 2nd Dr Strange being a real low point) but assuming these guys can stay whatever oddball course they have planned, I'll be looking forward to Season 2 in the Fall of 2023.