Summary
- Loki's Redemption Quest Has Parallels to Wanda Maximoff.
- Loki Is Now Showing a Power Level like Scarlet Witch.
- Loki Could Be an Omega Level Hero If the MCU Allows.
The following contains spoilers from Loki, Season 2, Episode 2, "Breaking Brad," now streaming on Disney+.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there'll always be that discussion over who's the most powerful character. Some would say Thanos, although he may need the Infinity Gauntlet to back his claims up. Others would argue Thor, but he'd require Mjolnir or Stormbreaker, while Doctor Strange would need his trinkets and relics, too. Many think it's Carol Danvers, due to the Infinity Stone (Tesseract) power her Captain Marvel has within.
In terms of natural, raw power, though, Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff), as WandaVision illustrated, is a scary character. Now, as Loki Season 2 continues, it turns out, Tom Hiddleston's Loki actually has a lot in common with Wanda. And make no mistake, it does position this variant of Loki as an unpredictable powerhouse down the line and one who few Avengers would be able to handle.
The MCU's Loki Is Undergoing a Divisive Redemption
Now, Wanda and Loki have parallels on a spiritual level. Wanda initially began as a villain in Avengers: Age of Ultron after Hydra used the Mind Stone to experiment on her and Quicksilver. Little did they know Wanda had magical powers within. In time, Wanda would join Earth's Mightiest Heroes, with Steve Rogers certain she could atone. Sadly, Iron Man was more skeptical, leading to tension in Civil War, Wanda going on the run and in time, returning from the Snap to try to kill Thanos.
Sadly, her story was filled with anger again once Vision couldn't be restored, causing her to create Westview and trap folks in a fake reality. That broke public trust, which Wanda may never regain. Loki's now following a somewhat questionable path. It's great that he wants to help reform the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and clean up a mess he started with Sylvie. But one has to wonder if an emotional Loki can keep things in check.
Loki did manipulate X-5 (aka Brad) a bit with Mobius (Owen Wilson), showing he does have that torturous edge bubbling inside him. It leaves fans hoping he doesn't do a Scarlet Witch and lose control. Sylvie did that, murdered He Who Remains, and damaged the Sacred Timeline. Now, as Loki embarks on his journey to repair space and time, he does seem to understand what Wanda didn't -- with great power comes great responsibility. And that patience, balance and composure can save the day, helping him complete his redemption song as the hero Thor knew he could be.
The MCU's Loki Has Ever-Growing Powers
Wanda evolved her powers in a massive way in her journey. She started off with telekinesis and flight, but in time, she started to manipulate matter -- as seen when she fought Vision. It barreled into her channeling the Scarlet Witch within, making her reality in Westview, imprisoning people, and then going reality-hopping in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Wanda was so strong, she even murdered the Illuminati on Earth-838 without breaking a sweat. It affirmed if Strange didn't stop her, she'd become a vengeful god.
Loki's is very similar is this way. However, he's no longer looking to abuse his power like Wanda was. Well, not yet anyway. It's apparent when he creates fake constructs to trap X-5. He also uses his telekinesis to stop the soldier, as well as shadows that hold the guy down. Throw in the light clones Loki makes of himself to dupe his enemy, Loki feels like he's an anime mash up of Naruto and Shikamaru. Loki has leveled up in a big way, but the good thing is, his mind is steeled up to match. He's not like Wanda where his powers consume him.
He's more mature and using these abilities as an extension of himself -- something not even the main Loki did when he was alive. While he doesn't let his powers define him, this kind of Loki, energy blasts and all, has so much in common with Wanda's battle style of old. Even his banter nods to Wanda being cheeky in the past. But again, Loki's more centered as he knows he has a bigger mission at hand -- protecting all reality by ensuring the TVA isn't overloaded with branched timelines.
Could The MCU's Loki Defeat Scarlet Witch?
Admittedly, Wanda gave Thanos a run for his money. She had him dead to rights in Endgame, breaking the Mad Titan's armor up and making it clear she was going to kill him as his game claimed Quicksilver and Vision. It's only when Thanos' warship dropped bombs on her, he was able to live. Since then, Strange admitted she was a terrifying villain that had to be put down. If she unlocked the Darkhold fully, she'd do petrifying things. While the MCU thinks she's dead, Wanda will be back, leaving fans hopeful she'll find light within once Agatha Harkness returns with her sinister game and coven.
Given Loki's skills, it begs: could the new Loki defeat Wanda if the MCU ever needed him to? It's a tough ask because while, as the God of Mischief, he can conjure up illusions, Wanda makes things real. Wanda can even mess with people's minds, controlling them or planting nightmares to throw them off. She can break them mentally, while hurting them physically at the same time -- as Hawkeye and Hulk would know. Loki can't do that yet. He's not an expert mage like the comics, nor does have a sorcerer's powers like Doctor Doom or Strange.
He's all about being an Asgardian trickster. He may be able to restrain or distract Wanda, and get a few licks in. But Wanda simply has too much in the arsenal. It's evident in how she shredded Reed Richards and blew Black Bolt's brains out by sealing his mouth. Still, Loki doesn't need to really match her strength. The MCU's narrative doesn't hint they'll meet or feud, but it could always make room to shape him as this omega-level warrior given the path he's on. As it stands, he just needs to use his arsenal to stop Miss Minutes and Renslayer, and fix the broken TVA. Ultimately, more brain than muscle's needed but, if Loki and Wanda do ever cross paths, at least fans know it'll be a very intriguing mystical showdown.
Loki debuts new episodes Thursdays on Disney+.