Episode 2 opens with a scene set at a ren faire in Oshkosh, Wisconsin back in 1985. That’s the latest setting for the Loki variant’s …
Episode 2 opens with a scene set at a ren faire in Oshkosh, Wisconsin back in 1985. That’s the latest setting for the Loki variant’s killing spree, and it has a surprisingly deep connection to the series. Oshkosh was the hometown of Marvel Comics editor and writer Mark Gruenwald. Gruenwald was the author of a definitive Captain America run wherein he created Flag-Smasher, Battlestar, and U.S. Agent—three characters you just watched in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. But Gruenwald has an even closer tie to Loki. The character of Mobius was originally created to look just like Mark Gruenwald, right down to his signature mustache. That character is now played by Owen Wilson who, of course, has a mustache. And because I love the character, I have to point out that cosmic hero Quasar (a.k.a. Wendell Vaughn) was also from Oshkosh, Wisconsin and Gruenwald’s epic run on his solo series is a super fun read. So if the MCU wants to keep celebrating the work of Mark Gruenwald, give us Quasar! A lot of Loki’s vibe comes from the David Fincher film Se7en, and that’s apparent in one deep cut reference in Episode 2. During the press conference ahead of the series premiere, director Kate Herron spoke about Se7en’s influence, revealing that “there’s a little reference to Se7en in Episode 2 of a little needle drop, which I’m sure fans of that film will recognize instantly.” What is that needle drop? When Loki approaches the help desk in the TVA library, the librarian is listening to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Orchestral Suite no.
