Loki told his side of the first Avengers movie for the first time, including why he attacked New York with Thanos's alien army. His version of events isn't exactly new information. Rather, viewers learn he sees his Marvel Cinematic Universe past with clarity. After all, this version of Loki didn't get to make amends with his brother and father before heroically giving his life to the people of Asgard.

Perhaps the biggest change in Loki Season 2 from the first is who the titular character most cares about. His passion for Sylvie fueled his journey from a prisoner of the Time Variance Authority to He Who Remains at the end of time. However, since she kicked him through a door into the TVA's past, his moral compass points in a more selfless direction. The version of Loki who died in Avengers: Infinity War was mostly redeemed, at least in the eyes of Thor. The variant leading Loki is aware of his Sacred Timeline fate, having seen the events via TVA magic. Loki's path to redemption has been different. When he finally explains why he invaded Earth in Avengers, he does so with an ease that's unseen in the MCU films. The variant Loki is no villain, despite what Hunter X-5 says, but he might be on his way to becoming a true hero.

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Why Loki Was the Primary Villain of the First Avengers Movie

Those who know Marvel Comics history realize it makes perfect sense to pit the Avengers against Loki in their first outing. If it was good enough for Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it was good enough for Marvel Studios. However, a new book, MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios by Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, and Gavin Edwards, points out another, more practical consideration. Tom Hiddleston is fantastic as Loki. In the final moments of Thor, he's so angry and ashamed he refuses to allow Thor and Odin to rescue him from the void beyond Asgard's edge.

How he went from there to obtaining the Mind Stone scepter from Thanos and possessing Erik Selvig is left to fans' imaginations. In the logic of hindsight, the plan doesn't make much sense. Thanos gave up an Infinity Stone to Loki instead of leading the Chitauri to Earth himself. Over a slice of key lime pie, Loki admits nothing about the plan "was tactical." This revelation could imply Loki found himself with Thanos, bitter and angry, and used his silver tongue to convince the Mad Titan to back his gambit.

Thanos gets a second stone, and Loki takes Earth. Why Thanos would go along with the plan is anyone's guess, but Loki can be convincing. Yet, as he admits to Mobius, he wasn't being strategic. He was angry with his father and brother, so he used Thanos to strike at their favorite of the nine realms. The Mind Stone also corrupted him, likely feeding his anger and shame until Hulk literally knocks the sense back into him.

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The Variant Loki Is a Better Man Than the MCU's God of Mischief

Loki uses his past as a villain to trick Hunter X-5 into giving up Sylvie's location, threatening his life with a TVA time-cube. In the past, Loki would've snuffed him out on a whim. Life never had much value to Loki, especially considering how war was treated as a sport in Asgard. He eventually sacrificed himself for his people in Infinity War, but his roles in the Thor sequels required him to remain self-serving and untrustworthy.

Loki isn't blameless in the death of his mother. Confined to a prison cell, he subtly showed her killer the best route out of the dungeon. It took the prime Loki years to become a selfless person. The closest the movies get to the character he is in Loki is when Thor realizes he's not an illusion at the end of Ragnarok. Variant Loki knows he's destined to make amends with his brother and father – yet he never actually gets that closure.

To him, the events of Avengers are the last thing he remembers before the TVA. It's impossible to say how much time passes for Loki in the first season, but it's enough. He has distance from his emotional pain and redemption, giving him a unique point of view on his life.

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Loki Has Found a Worthwhile Purpose In the TVA

One reason Loki never grew that much in the movies is because he was always in a tenuous position. Whether stuck in prison, posing as Odin, or navigating Sakaar, he never belonged anywhere. Variant Loki arrived at the TVA immediately after Avengers and, essentially, watched the rest of the Infinity Saga along with the audience. He began helping Mobius to save his own life, but he was also determined to save Sylvie's.

He's still trying to do that, but she is no longer his primary focus. Their disagreement at the end of time changed things for Loki, and his priorities shifted. Mobius was using him, but not in a malicious way. He saw something in Loki that no one else did. He accepted Loki for who he was, i.e., "a Loki." Rather than fault him for his nature, Mobius encouraged him to strive for more. The influence of this friendship is as important as his relationship with Sylvie in shaping him into the Loki he is today.

Thor always saw the good inside his brother. Mobius was able to help Loki see it for himself. Loki tells Mobius his side of the Avengers story for the same reason. The contrast between slapping Hunter X-5 and trying to start a war is there for more than laughs. Loki has taken a character audiences thought they knew everything about and proved them wrong. It still feels like the same guy from the MCU movies, but it's not. He's no longer making excuses or fighting fate. Instead, he's doing all he can to make a positive difference in the universe.

Loki debuts new episodes Thursdays at 9 PM on Disney+.