| "Journey into Mystery" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Loki episode | |||
 Promotional poster | |||
| Episodeno. | Season 1 Episode 5 | ||
| Directed by | Kate Herron | ||
| Written by | Tom Kauffman | ||
| Featured music | "Wonderwall" byThe Mike Flowers Pops | ||
| Cinematography by | Autumn Durald Arkapaw | ||
| Editing by | Calum Ross | ||
| Original release date | July 7, 2021 (2021-07-07) | ||
| Running time | 49 minutes | ||
| Cast | |||
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| Episode chronology | |||
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| Lokiseason 1 | |||
| List of episodes | |||
"Journey into Mystery" is the fifth episode of thefirst season of the American television seriesLoki, based onMarvel Comics featuring the characterLoki. It follows alternate versions of the character who are sent to the end of time by the mysteriousTime Variance Authority (TVA) and must work together to survive. The episode is set in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity withthe films of the franchise. It was written byTom Kauffman and directed byKate Herron.
Tom Hiddleston reprises his role asLoki from the film series, with other versions of the character includingSophia Di Martino as a female variant namedSylvie,Jack Veal as a young version calledKid Loki,DeObia Oparei as a version known asBoastful Loki, andRichard E. Grant as an older version calledClassic Loki.Gugu Mbatha-Raw,Wunmi Mosaku,Tara Strong, andOwen Wilson also star in the episode. Herron joined the series in August 2019. Filming took place atPinewood Atlanta Studios, with location filming in theAtlanta metropolitan area.
"Journey into Mystery" was released onDisney+ on July 7, 2021. The episode was positively received by critics, with praise towards Grant's performance, the pacing, and the setup for the season finale.
Time Variance Authority (TVA) JudgeRavonna Renslayer tellsSylvie that she does not know who created the TVA and thatLoki was teleported to the Void, a dimension at the end of Time where everything the TVA prunes is dumped into and from which nothing has returned. They also deduce that the TVA's creator is hiding in the timeline beyond the Void, where they cannot be detected. TVA mascotMiss Minutes and Renslayer stall for time until TVA Minutemen arrive. Facing capture, Sylvie prunes herself. After interrogating an imprisonedHunter B-15, Renslayer instructs Miss Minutes to help her find the TVA's creator.
Meanwhile, Loki learns fromfour time variants of himself –Alligator Loki,Boastful Loki,Classic Loki, andKid Loki – thatAlioth, a massive cloud-like creature, hunts and kills all life in the Void. Upon arriving, Sylvie briefly enchants Alioth before receiving help from former TVA memberMobius M. Mobius in escaping the creature.
Intending to rule, Boastful Loki betrays the other Lokis for a second Loki group led byPresident Loki. However, the Lokis betray each other, sparking a fight. Classic Loki helps Alligator Loki, Kid Loki, and Loki escape and eventually find Sylvie and Mobius. Using aTemPad Sylvie stole from Renslayer, Mobius chooses to return to the TVA and reveal the truth about the organization to its employees. He asks the Loki variants to come with him, but they stay behind.
After the variants escape, Loki attempts to distract Alioth so Sylvie can enchant it, but both fail until Classic Loki returns and creates a life-sized illusion ofAsgard to distract Alioth, saving Sylvie and sacrificing himself in the process. Working together, Sylvie and Loki enchant Alioth, revealing acitadel beyond the Void, which they walk towards.
By September 2018,Marvel Studios was developing a limited series starringTom Hiddleston'sLoki fromthe Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films.[1]Loki was confirmed to be in development byDisney CEOBob Iger in November.[2]Kate Herron was hired to direct the series in August 2019.[3] Herron andhead writerMichael Waldron executive produce alongside Hiddleston and Marvel Studios'Kevin Feige,Louis D'Esposito,Victoria Alonso, and Stephen Broussard.[4] The fifth episode, titled "Journey into Mystery", was written byTom Kauffman. The title shares its name withthe comic book series in whichThor andLoki were introduced.[5]
"Journey into Mystery" expands upon the additionalLoki variants–Classic Loki,Boastful Loki,Kid Loki, andAlligator Loki–first introduced in theprevious episode'smid-credits scene. Hiddleston called it "completely surreal and an absolute delight" to explore other versions of the characters with different actors and felt when all of them were together, it was "some sort of surrealist party" with Hiddleston'sLoki initially being the most unlike the character than the others.[6] An early draft of the episode would have revealed a Loki Variance Authority existed in the Void, with all of the Lokis sent there a part of it.[7] Ahead of the series' premiere, Feige had mentioned one of the benefits of exploring themultiverse and "playing with time" was being able to see other versions of characters, particularly of Loki.[8]
Classic Loki's backstory was conceived after Waldron pondered the "what if" question of what would have happened if Loki had survived his death inAvengers: Infinity War (2018). Calling the backstory a "thought experiment", Waldron added it was "just so sad" and a "tragic thing" when Classic Loki realizes he is meant to be alone.[6]Richard E. Grant's experience quarantining to join the production was "the key to plugging into who classic old Loki was" and allowed Grant to "zone in" for the character's speech explaining his backstory.[9] Alligator Loki, an original variant created for the series, stemmed from Waldron's initialpitch meeting with Broussard and co-executive producer Kevin Wright, with the reasoning for his including being that he was green; this is also a point of discussion that the Lokis have in the episode, trying to determine if Alligator Loki is actually a Loki. Waldron explained that the possibility of an alligator variant is "so stupid, but it also makes total sense... It's just the sort of irreverent thing that, in this show, we play straight and make the audience take it seriously."[10] A version of the script saw all of the Loki variants arrive to take on Alioth because they did not want the series' Loki to "outshine them" since they are all "narcissists",[11][7] resulting in their heroic attempt to talk with Alioth ending in disaster.[7]
The episode features manyEaster eggs in the Void from the comics, such asThanos' helicopter,Throg,[5] Qeng Tower, a tower associated withKang the Conqueror,[12] and theLiving Tribunal's head,[13] as well as from the MCU, such asYellowjacket's helmet,[5]Mjolnir,[14] aHelicarrier, and theDark Aster. Real-world Easter eggs include theUSSEldridge,Polybius, and theEcto Cooler.[15]
President Loki's costume was inspired by the comic miniseriesVote Loki,[16][17] while Classic Loki's costume drew inspiration from the character's 1960s comic design byJack Kirby.[5] Grant had hoped the costume would have been more muscular, which would have likened itself even more to Kirby's design.[9] The Void featured large heads and peacock-like creatures that Farahani created to help "infuse The Void with surrealism". Initially, production designer Kasra Farahani had envisioned a "moreSalvador Dalí-esque,Dada-esque version" of the Void before settling on an "Englishmoors" styling. Approximately seven sets were constructed of various parts of the Void.[18] Kid Loki's lair was a 360-degree set that had "a lot of topographical changes". Farahani said, "We imagined it as a fractured bowling alley with a slide element to it. All the lines there are visually drawing your eye to the throne which we imagined was an old Santa throne from a mall, pulled from a deleted reality."[19]
The episode stars Tom Hiddleston as Loki andPresident Loki,Sophia Di Martino asSylvie,Gugu Mbatha-Raw asRavonna Renslayer,Wunmi Mosaku asHunter B-15,Jack Veal as Kid Loki,DeObia Oparei as Boastful Loki,Tara Strong as the voice ofMiss Minutes,Richard E. Grant as Classic Loki, andOwen Wilson asMobius M. Mobius.[12][20]: 45:07–45:45 Additionally,Neil Ellice appears as Hunter D-90.[20]: 46:33 Chris Hemsworth makes an uncreditedvoice cameo as Throg.[21] Additional Loki variants that appear as part of President Loki's gang include Glamshades Loki, Poky Loki, In Prison Loki, and Bicycle Loki; these were named by costume designer Christine Wada.[22]
Filming took place atPinewood Atlanta Studios inAtlanta, Georgia,[23][24]: 9 with Herron directing,[3] andAutumn Durald Arkapaw serving as cinematographer.[25][24]: 2 Location filming took place in theAtlanta metropolitan area.[26] Filming material in the Void lasted seven days.[18]
Alligator Loki was created through CGI, with a stuffed stand-in used during filming, which Herron felt was useful for the actors to interact with. The design of Alligator Loki also shifted several times, after an early version was more of a cartoon style that was "a bit too cute". Herron felt it became "funnier and funnier" as the design became more life-like, hitting the "sweet spot" when it "felt like a real alligator, but with a kind of slightly jaunty horns on".[10]Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), who worked on Alligator Loki, referenced a real-lifeemotional support alligator named Wally to determine his movements, with Additional VFX Supervisor Luke McDonald noting real-life physics were not taken into consideration at times. Herron was inspired by the teasing of the shark inJaws (1975) for Alioth, with McDonald referencing volcanic eruptions andpyroclastic flows that feature thermal lightning for its design.[27] In addition to ILM, visual effects for the episode were created byRise FX,Luma Pictures,Crafty Apes,Cantina Creative,Trixter, andMethod Studios.[28][20]: 47:45–48:03
Beginning with this episode, composerNatalie Holt incorporated a 32-person choir into her score, in addition to the other elements.[29] An arrangement of the song "Ride of the Valkyries" byRichard Wagner appears in the episode when Classic Loki is creating his Asgard illusion.[30]
After the episode's release, Marvel announced merchandise inspired by the episode as part of its weekly "Marvel Must Haves" promotion for each episode of the series, includingFunko Pops for the Loki variants, a President LokiHot Toys Cosbaby figure, apparel, accessories, and jewelry.[31] Marvel also released a promotional poster for "Journey into Mystery", which featured a quote from the episode.[32]
"Journey into Mystery" was released onDisney+ on July 7, 2021.[33]The Simpsons short filmThe Good, the Bart, and the Loki was released alongside the episode on Disney+, which sees Loki teaming up withBart Simpson in a crossover that pays homage to the heroes and villains of the MCU. Hiddleston reprised his role as Loki in the short.[34] The episode, along with the rest ofLoki's first season, was released onUltra HD Blu-ray andBlu-ray on September 26, 2023.[35]
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Thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes reported a 89% approval rating, with an average score of 7.7 out of 10, based on 28 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads: "An epic penultimate joyride, "Journey into Mystery" pushes the pedal to the floor and lets a gaggle of Lokis do their thing – especially a scene-stealing Richard E. Grant in fine Asgardian form."[36]
Alan Sepinwall ofRolling Stone said in the comic seriesJourney into Mystery "anything was possible... which makes it an apt moniker for an absolutely wonderful episode ofLoki where the same holds true". He stated the episode was reminiscent of the seriesLost, and believed what made "Journey into Mystery" special was "the way that it explores the untapped potential of Loki himself, in his many, many variations". Other highlights were the hug between Loki and Mobius and the expanding of the relationship and connection between Loki and Sylvie. Sepinwall concluded his review by hoping for a strong final episode, something he noted had not been the case withWandaVision andThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, thoughLoki "feels different so far" and "everything up to this point deserves" a good ending.[5] Giving "Journey into Mystery" an 8 out of 10,IGN's Simon Cardy wrote the episode did "a great job of keeping up the pace set by last week's final revelations. It displays impressive scale, ranging from stunning apocalyptic threats to tender character moments for both new and returning cast members. And while it may not move the overarching plot along to the same extent as Episode 4, it's an enjoyable ride and one ofLoki's strongest episodes yet". He noted while all the Loki variants featured had their moments, Grant's Classic Loki and "the absurdity of Alligator Loki" made a "particularly strong impression", and the "standout scene" was Loki and Sylvie expanding their feelings for one another; Cardy felt Hiddleston and Di Martino "play the moment out beautifully, bringing a touching sense of humanity". Cardy did, however, call it "a shame" that Renslayer was still an underdeveloped character, given the audience still did not know much about her. Concluding his review, Cardy pointed out there was "a lot left to do" in the final episode, and hoped the series "manages to end on a stronger note [thanWandaVision] and deliver an ending as thrilling as the mystery weaved throughout deserves".[37]
Writing forThe A.V. Club, Caroline Siede stated, "Journey into Mystery" "is a blast to watch. It delivers a darkly madcap sense of fun worthy of its mischievous protagonist. And it ends with an appreciably big-scale action sequence and a compelling cliffhanger to take us into next week's finale." She felt the various Loki variants brought "a welcome spark" to the series, expanding up on the question of what makes a Loki a Loki, and welcomed the return of the question of free will, which had been "the most compelling thematic thread of the season". Siede did feel the episode "tries to do too much", saying: "While the episode's madcap energy keeps things moving along nicely, some of the emotional beats feel rather rushed"; she would have preferred it if the show had spent more time in the Void and less on Lamentis-1 (in the third episode). She concluded, saying "this episode is fun, stylish, irreverent, and character-centric in a way that serves the series well", giving the episode an "A−".[38]
Grant was namedTVLine's "Performer of the Week" for the week of July 5, 2021, for his performance in this episode. The site stated, "It speaks to the quality of Grant's work inLoki's fifth episode that, having only known Classic Loki for about 40 minutes, we nonetheless became deeply emotionally invested in his survival," adding Grant "gave a performance as glorious as any Loki could hope to be".[39] Dan DeLeeuw, David Seager, Alexandra Greene, George Kuruvilla, and Dan Mayer were nominated forOutstanding Visual Effects – Episodic (Under 13 Episodes) or Non-theatrical Feature for the episode at the 2021Hollywood Professional Association Awards.[40] At the 2022Visual Effects Society Awards, Dan DeLeeuw, Allison Paul, Sandra Balej, and David Seager were nominated forOutstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode, while George Kuruvilla, Menno Dijkstra, Matthew Hanger, and Jiyong Shin were nominated forOutstanding Effects Simulations in an Episode, Commercial, or Real-Time Project for the "Alioth Cloud".[41] Christine Wada was nominated forExcellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television at the24th Costume Designers Guild Awards,[42][43] whileDavid Acord,Matthew Wood, Kirsten Mate, Adam Kopald, Steve Slanec, Brad Semenoff, David Farmer, Joel Raabe, Shelley Roden,John Roesch, Anele Onyekwere, Nashia Wachsman, Ed Hamilton were nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing - Limited Series or Anthology at the 2022MPSE Golden Reel Awards.[44] Herron was nominated for Best Directing in a Streaming Series, Drama at the2nd Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards for her work on the episode.[45] Matthew Wood, David Acord, Brad Semenoff, Steve Slanec, Kyrsten Mate, Adam Kopald, Joel Raabe, Anele Onyekwere, Ed Hamilton, Nashia Wachsman, Shelley Roden, and John Roesch were nominated forOutstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One-Hour) at the74th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.[46]
