Marvel Cinematic Universe

[BryceC]

Judging by the responses and the likes so far, I'm glad to at least see I'm not the only one not really digging Loki thus far. I've felt like from what I've mostly read and seen on the internet that I would be on a lonely hill all by myself. You guys know me, I like to be honest with my opinions, but I'm also one of the biggest MCU fans out there. Therefore, I'm more predisposed to like things than not like things in general I'd say. I also am not afraid to change my mind on stuff judging by the MCU series so far:

Wandavision: Was NOT excited for but loved the series the most of all of them
Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Was REALLY looking forward to, and while I still enjoyed the series, it didn't quite meet my expectations
Loki: Wasn't really looking forward to, but willing to give a chance. Have not enjoyed so far and has come in lower than expectations.

Let me also say I'm probably the opposite of you. I wasn't excited about WandaVision and I didn't particularly enjoy it.
I was kind of excited about Falcon and the Winter Soldier and I was pretty happy with it.
I had zero expectations for Loki and I've liked it a lot so far.

I think I have different expectations than most people though. I just want to be told a story. I don't really get into the guessing what's coming next or what the shows should have been. I didn't really like WandaVision because I don't really like Wanda or Vision and it would have to be a super compelling story to hold me. I thought it looked good but that was about it.

I love Seb Stan so I was excited for him in FatWS. I thought he was great and Zemo was great.

Loki I was just excited to hang with Hiddleston and Owen Wilson and I've been pleased. Last episode was the worst but that's just a lack of Mobius for me. I think this is the last setup episode though and now we'll be off and running for the last three, which would be good because the other two have kind of faded late. I'm very hopeful for how this one ends.

 

[BryceC]

Another point I had to remind myself in my lesser than great opinion of episode 3....and that’s it’s likely Loki will have a season two. I’m so used to Wanda and Fatws, having stories wrapped in 1 season. Each episode seemed to push more and more, I likely will need to adapt some with Loki.

Loki season 2 is already in production.

 

[CycloneErik]

Judging by the responses and the likes so far, I'm glad to at least see I'm not the only one not really digging Loki thus far. I've felt like from what I've mostly read and seen on the internet that I would be on a lonely hill all by myself. You guys know me, I like to be honest with my opinions, but I'm also one of the biggest MCU fans out there. Therefore, I'm more predisposed to like things than not like things in general I'd say. I also am not afraid to change my mind on stuff judging by the MCU series so far:

Wandavision: Was NOT excited for but loved the series the most of all of them
Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Was REALLY looking forward to, and while I still enjoyed the series, it didn't quite meet my expectations
Loki: Wasn't really looking forward to, but willing to give a chance. Have not enjoyed so far and has come in lower than expectations.

They're trying different types of stories with these series, so I'm going in without expectations.
Any story with the TVA starts with a tough hurdle to climb, because bureaucracy mixed with time travel is a tough, tough combination. The comparison of episode 3 to Doctor Who sounds about right, though I liked this more than I enjoy the Doctor.

They've been very willing in these series to build up slowly. After the "dive right in" approach once we reached Infinity War and Endgame, it's probably throwing a few people right there. Add the TVA and all those challenges, and sure, it's a tough series to get rolling. Seems fine so far, but I'm just looking to enjoy a show and move along.

 

[enisthemenace]

WandaVision: I am in the same boat as @BryceC. Wanda wasn’t my least favorite character heading after End Game wrapped up, but she was only better than Vision in my book. I had very low expectations simply because of that, plus I don’t really like Darcy either, though that’s probably more about Kat Dennings’ acting method. Never been a fan. At the end, I was pleasantly surprised with it. Visually well done, and I do like me some Kathryn Hahn (pleasant surprise to me). My daughter, the person who got me into all this, LOVES Wanda and Vision, so that might have also aided my acceptance

Falcon and The Winter Soldier: I really like The Winter Soldier story arc. That movie is top 2 or 3 in the MCU for me. Falcon…meh. I was looking forward to it, but to me, it fell way short of my expectations. Felt campy.

Loki: I’ve only seen the first 2 episodes, and I’ve really liked them, but I can tell my wife isn’t liking them as much as I do. My daughter watched the 1st 2 episodes before me, so we will catch up in the next day or two. I don’t want to reveal anything, so I’ll just stop with saying I am a fan of some messaging packed away within Loki, so I’m liking it so far.

 

[CloniesForLife]

Loki season 2 is already in production.

I guess I didn't realize that. Makes me have a little different perspective on the last episode then.

 

[burn587]

They've been very willing in these series to build up slowly. After the "dive right in" approach once we reached Infinity War and Endgame, it's probably throwing a few people right there. Add the TVA and all those challenges, and sure, it's a tough series to get rolling. Seems fine so far, but I'm just looking to enjoy a show and move along.

I think the approach has been way too similar across the board for the 3 shows. All are trying to shoehorn in “mysteries” and then make the reveal way too late in the run to fully take advantage.

Wanda vision made best use of the mystery angle with Agnes and who in general was causing the sitcom set up. But even doing it well there were articles being written around episode 7 saying “Wandavision needs to get around to revealing its plot before it’s over.” F&WS threw in the whole “who is the Power Broker?” storyline at the cost of fleshing out the flagsmashers motives and plan (I realize there was a cut storyline from the show). The reveal of Sharon was a big let down.

Now Loki is screwing around with at least half the run time trying to be mysterious without really having a plot. Seriously, what is the plot right now? Loki is a variant and is forced to work for the TVA, Sylvie is a variant and wants to destroy the TVA….and we know nothing else.

Someone needs to tell Feige that TV shows don’t have to have some curveball out of left field in the last act of a season to be good. Good, consistent story telling can be equally memorable.

I liked the 3rd episode a little better but mainly because of the visuals, we still know little to nothing of the plot.

 

[CycloneErik]

I think the approach has been way too similar across the board for the 3 shows. All are trying to shoehorn in “mysteries” and then make the reveal way too late in the run to fully take advantage.

Wanda vision made best use of the mystery angle with Agnes and who in general was causing the sitcom set up. But even doing it well there were articles being written around episode 7 saying “Wandavision needs to get around to revealing its plot before it’s over.” F&WS threw in the whole “who is the Power Broker?” storyline at the cost of fleshing out the flagsmashers motives and plan (I realize there was a cut storyline from the show). The reveal of Sharon was a big let down.

Now Loki is screwing around with at least half the run time trying to be mysterious without really having a plot. Seriously, what is the plot right now? Loki is a variant and is forced to work for the TVA, Sylvie is a variant and wants to destroy the TVA….and we know nothing else.

Someone needs to tell Feige that TV shows don’t have to have some curveball out of left field in the last act of a season to be good. Good, consistent story telling can be equally memorable.

I liked the 3rd episode a little better but mainly because of the visuals, we still know little to nothing of the plot.

This all seems completely fair. He does take more of a Bendis-like approach to the TV shows.

 

[bluestarcyclone]

I think the approach has been way too similar across the board for the 3 shows. All are trying to shoehorn in “mysteries” and then make the reveal way too late in the run to fully take advantage.

Wanda vision made best use of the mystery angle with Agnes and who in general was causing the sitcom set up. But even doing it well there were articles being written around episode 7 saying “Wandavision needs to get around to revealing its plot before it’s over.” F&WS threw in the whole “who is the Power Broker?” storyline at the cost of fleshing out the flagsmashers motives and plan (I realize there was a cut storyline from the show). The reveal of Sharon was a big let down.

Now Loki is screwing around with at least half the run time trying to be mysterious without really having a plot. Seriously, what is the plot right now? Loki is a variant and is forced to work for the TVA, Sylvie is a variant and wants to destroy the TVA….and we know nothing else.

Someone needs to tell Feige that TV shows don’t have to have some curveball out of left field in the last act of a season to be good. Good, consistent story telling can be equally memorable.

I liked the 3rd episode a little better but mainly because of the visuals, we still know little to nothing of the plot.

Its the opposite problem of the netflix shows- those could have been cut down, but most of these shows could use a few more episodes to flesh out what theyre trying to do.

 

[Clonehomer]

I think the approach has been way too similar across the board for the 3 shows. All are trying to shoehorn in “mysteries” and then make the reveal way too late in the run to fully take advantage.

Wanda vision made best use of the mystery angle with Agnes and who in general was causing the sitcom set up. But even doing it well there were articles being written around episode 7 saying “Wandavision needs to get around to revealing its plot before it’s over.” F&WS threw in the whole “who is the Power Broker?” storyline at the cost of fleshing out the flagsmashers motives and plan (I realize there was a cut storyline from the show). The reveal of Sharon was a big let down.

Now Loki is screwing around with at least half the run time trying to be mysterious without really having a plot. Seriously, what is the plot right now? Loki is a variant and is forced to work for the TVA, Sylvie is a variant and wants to destroy the TVA….and we know nothing else.

Someone needs to tell Feige that TV shows don’t have to have some curveball out of left field in the last act of a season to be good. Good, consistent story telling can be equally memorable.

I liked the 3rd episode a little better but mainly because of the visuals, we still know little to nothing of the plot.

It seems like the entire plot to Loki has been to introduce the multiverses for future films. Can't spend an entire movie explaining how the multiverses work so they do it in a show. That seems like the entire reason for the series so far.

 

[burn587]

It seems like the entire plot to Loki has been to introduce the multiverses for future films. Can't spend an entire movie explaining how the multiverses work so they do it in a show. That seems like the entire reason for the series so far.

I agree. They introduced the thread last episode that the TAV employees were all unaware variants. I’d bet money that the time lords (I’m blanking on what the 3 dudes are called) are despots with ulterior motives. This season will probably end with the Loki’s (plus at least Owen Wilson) taking down the entire TAV and opening up the multiverse.

 

[Clonehomer]

I agree. They introduced the thread last episode that the TAV employees were all unaware variants. I’d bet money that the time lords (I’m blanking on what the 3 dudes are called) are despots with ulterior motives. This season will probably end with the Loki’s (plus at least Owen Wilson) taking down the entire TAV and opening up the multiverse.

Yeah. Kinda getting a Matrix vibe too.

 

[3GenClone]

New Shang-Chi trailer:

 

[Die4Cy]

FATWS had the coolest concept but it was botched, IMO. From what I've read, it had a lot to do with the editing of the storyline after the pandemic broke, but that show was a hot mess.

WV had a great concept also, to the degree it missed with some audiences it was because the reference to the old shows mostly went over the heads of most viewers. But it was solid.

Loki has been interesting so far for sure, it just doesn't explain much as it goes along. It is too early to tell if there are plot reasonings for that, but I am beginning to think they will continue to gloss over things to a great degree.

 

[Clonehomer]

FATWS had the coolest concept but it was botched, IMO. From what I've read, it had a lot to do with the editing of the storyline after the pandemic broke, but that show was a hot mess.

WV had a great concept also, to the degree it missed with some audiences it was because the reference to the old shows mostly went over the heads of most viewers. But it was solid.

Loki has been interesting so far for sure, it just doesn't explain much as it goes along. It is too early to tell if there are plot reasonings for that, but I am beginning to think they will continue to gloss over things to a great degree.

To be fair, WandaVision had a WTF feeling a few episodes in as well. It wasn't until the third episode or so that they started to reveal what was going on and the show for interesting. I hope Loki will do the same where more and more will be revealed as the plot arc really gets moving. If they continue with an episodic feeling without really expanding a central plot, it could get boring real quick.

 

[Triggermv]

To be fair, WandaVision had a WTF feeling a few episodes in as well. It wasn't until the third episode or so that they started to reveal what was going on and the show for interesting. I hope Loki will do the same where more and more will be revealed as the plot arc really gets moving. If they continue with an episodic feeling without really expanding a central plot, it could get boring real quick.

Loki better get moving quick. We are 3 episodes in on a 6 episode series when based on what has actually happened and what we have learned so far, it feels like we are 2 episodes in on a 22 episodes series.

 

[CycloneErik]

I'm trying to think back to old network mini-series TV, since that's what these shows really are.
It doesn't seem like the pacing is very far from those old shows.

 

[enisthemenace]

FATWS had the coolest concept but it was botched, IMO. From what I've read, it had a lot to do with the editing of the storyline after the pandemic broke, but that show was a hot mess.

WV had a great concept also, to the degree it missed with some audiences it was because the reference to the old shows mostly went over the heads of most viewers. But it was solid.

Loki has been interesting so far for sure, it just doesn't explain much as it goes along. It is too early to tell if there are plot reasonings for that, but I am beginning to think they will continue to gloss over things to a great degree.

Completely agree with your take on FATWS. I was really looking forward to that one. Maybe I had too high of expectations, but in my opinion, it ended on the “flop” end of the scale, and some of what I didn’t like can’t be attributed to expectations. There were some story elements that were just completely abandoned or not developed. Too bad.

 

[Triggermv]

Completely agree with your take on FATWS. I was really looking forward to that one. Maybe I had too high of expectations, but in my opinion, it ended on the “flop” end of the scale, and some of what I didn’t like can’t be attributed to expectations. There were some story elements that were just completely abandoned or not developed. Too bad.

Yeah, ultimately Falcon and the Winter Soldier was just all over the board with its story arcs and how well they landed, and some of it was clearly affected by COVID and editing. For instance, the Power Broker arc was clearly a dud, the whole Karli arc was edited to shreds and left me unfulfilled, the Isaiah Bradley story arc was GREAT, and Bucky and Sam's storylines were both just pretty good. Again, quite the mixed bag.

 

[enisthemenace]

Yeah, ultimately Falcon and the Winter Soldier was just all over the board with its story arcs and how well they landed, and some of it was clearly affected by COVID and editing. For instance, the Power Broker arc was clearly a dud, the whole Karli arc was edited to shreds and left me unfulfilled, the Isaiah Bradley story arc was GREAT, and Bucky and Sam's storylines were both just pretty good. Again, quite the mixed bag.

Might I also add Wyatt Russell was a poor casting choice for Walker/US Agent.

I’m still learning about this stuff, but it’s my understanding the US Agent character is used in a LOT of different ways in the comics. Multi-faceted in what role he plays within the Marvel Universe, from a comics perspective anyway. I just don’t believe Russell has the acting chops or personality to pull all of those roles off.

 

[Triggermv]

Might I also add Wyatt Russell was a poor casting choice for Walker/US Agent.

I’m still learning about this stuff, but it’s my understanding the US Agent character is used in a LOT of different ways in the comics. Multi-faceted in what role he plays within the Marvel Universe, from a comics perspective anyway. I just don’t believe Russell has the acting chops or personality to pull all of those roles off.

I actually thought he did alright for what the role wanted. Was he a home-run casting where I can't imagine anyone else being cast in the role? Naw, probably not. Did I think he did bad? No, not at all.