Headline: Loki Episode 5: An Epic Descent into The Void, Alligator Antics, and Multiversal Mayhem

Loki episode 5 is now available on Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar, paving the way for the finale of this new Marvel series, and potentially influencing the trajectory of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As we approach the season’s conclusion with Loki episode 6 set to release next Wednesday, episode 5 serves as a crucial preparatory chapter. This is particularly fitting, considering a significant portion of it unfolds in a vast purgatory named The Void. Here, we encounter a new villain within the Marvel universe: a dark purple entity called Alioth, which devours everything in its path. According to Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino), Alioth conceals the true creators of the Time Variance Authority. Given its connections to the multiverse — a central theme of MCU’s Phase Four — and its ties to Kang the Conqueror, the antagonist in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Alioth’s significance may extend even further.

The penultimate episode of Loki Season 1 also confirms that the alligator featured in the post-credits scene of Loki episode 4 is indeed an alligator Loki. “Just don’t question it,” Loki remarks during episode 5. The comedic elements introduced through the alligator Loki are abundant, along with additional hilarious insights into the lives of other Lokis we encounter in The Void. For instance, Kid Loki (Jack Veal) boasts of having slain Thor, while Classic Loki (Richard E. Grant) has grown to live in solitude. There is even a President Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Episode 5 also contains Easter eggs, including a buried Mjolnir and a miniature Thor in a bottle within The Void.

Loki episode 5, titled “Journey Into Mystery,” is directed by Kate Herron and penned by Tom Kauffman. It begins with a stylish recap of where we ended in Loki episode 4, featuring a camera that sweeps through the TVA, the golden lifts, and the Time Keepers’ chamber, extending into The Void, a bleak wasteland where Loki (Hiddleston) now finds himself imprisoned. This scene will be unclear to those who haven’t viewed Loki episode 4’s post-credits scene, in which Classic Loki advises Loki to flee from Alioth as they will be its meal.

Back at the TVA, Sylvie opts to spare Ravonna Renslayer (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and presses her for information. However, the TVA judge claims ignorance, suggesting she shares Sylvie’s desire for truth. Ravonna discloses that branched timelines don’t simply rest; rather, they transition to a place where they can’t develop further. This place is The Void, located at the end of time. According to Ravonna, nothing ever makes its way back from The Void, yet she expresses a willingness to assist Sylvie.

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Richard E. Grant as Classic Loki in Loki episode 5
Photo Credit: Chuck Zlotnick/Marvel Studios

Episode 5 of Loki circles back to The Void, where a perplexed Loki queries the essence of this realm. Classic Loki elaborates that Alioth is a sentient storm, illustrating this with the analogy: “We are in a shark tank; Alioth is the shark.” All the other Lokis have also faced pruning. Loki questions why Kid Loki dons the horns and receives so much reverence, leading to a remark regarding Kid Loki’s alleged act of slaying Thor.

At the TVA, Ravonna and Sylvie consult Miss Minutes (voiced by Tara Strong) to aid their new objective. Sylvie realizes that nexus events cannot be initiated in The Void, meaning they must reach the end of time to rescue Loki. Ravonna seems to cooperate, but is actually buying time while Miss Minutes “searches for the files” — which really means to summon the guards. Trapped, Sylvie prunes herself, a clever move since it will lead her to The Void as well.

Meanwhile, within The Void in Loki episode 5, the four Lokis — Loki (Hiddleston), Classic Loki, Kid Loki, and Boastful Loki (DeObia Oparei) — exchange their experiences. True to his name, Boastful Loki proclaims he defeated Captain America and Iron Man. When alligator Loki leaps at Boastful Loki, Classic Loki notes that the alligator is aware of Boastful Loki’s habitual dishonesty. Boastful Loki retorts, claiming at least his nexus event wasn’t about consuming a neighbor’s cat, as he writhes with the alligator Loki.

Shifting the dialogue to their pasts, Classic Loki reflects that he shunned knives as they’re trivial and undermine their true magical potential. He deceived Thanos with an illusion, faked his death, and adrift in space for some time before isolating himself, realizing he only brought chaos. Classic Loki then lived a solitary existence at the edge of space for a long period but eventually yearned for companionship, which led the TVA to find him when he attempted to escape the planet. He concludes that being the God of Outcasts is their sole purpose. The other Lokis nod in agreement, though our Loki remains skeptical.

In a powerful motivational speech during Loki episode 5, Loki proposes that they can defeat Alioth — together. However, the others, seasoned by their lengthy time in The Void, merely laugh at him. Disheartened, Loki exits their protective shelter and is confronted by a swarm of Lokis, including one who mirrors him but wears horns and a «Vote» badge — President Loki. Inside, as President Loki outlines his intentions regarding the others, alligator Loki lunges at him and bites off President Loki’s arm. This incites a brawl, while our Loki glances at the indecisiveness of their squabbles. Nevertheless, Classic Loki conjures an illusion to sneak them away. Loki ultimately persuades Classic and Kid Loki to assist him, but their commitment only extends to guiding him to Alioth, nothing beyond that.

Also seeLoki Episode 4 Recap: Chaos at the Time Variance Authority

Alligator Loki in Loki episode 5
Photo Credit: Disney/Marvel Studios

Elsewhere in Loki episode 5, Sylvie, having been pruned, arrives in The Void and immediately finds herself pursued by Alioth. Using her enchanting magic, she temporarily connects with it and receives a fleeting vision. Sylvie then leaps into an oncoming vehicle, which turns out to be driven by Mobius (Owen Wilson), who was also pruned in Loki episode 4. Thus, The Void serves as a collective space for everyone. After escaping Alioth, Sylvie considers the possibility of uncovering the identities of the true masterminds behind the TVA. Recognizing that the cloud itself might hold the key, she instructs Mobius to turn around and head towards Alioth.

In Loki episode 5, the three Lokis approach Alioth as part of Loki’s scheme. However, witnessing Alioth consume a naval destroyer, specifically the USS Eldridge, a humorous nod to the notorious alleged Philadelphia Experiment, prompts Loki to reconsider his reckless approach. His strategy is further ridiculed by Sylvie, who has joined them with Mobius. “That was your plan? Impressive,” she remarks. “Just throw a rock here, and you’ll hit a Loki,” Mobius quips as he encounters Classic, Kid, and alligator Loki. Eager to know Sylvie’s plans, Loki learns she intends to enchant the cloud, believing it to be merely a guard for whoever controls The Void at the end of time.

Back at the TVA in Loki episode 5, Ravonna interrogates Hunter B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku), who has been detained for having briefly freed Sylvie. B-15 urges that everyone at the TVA deserves to know the truth about the Time Keepers, revealing them to be mere automatons. However, Ravonna seeks to uncover what motivates Sylvie, indicating her desire to expose the TVA’s creators much like Sylvie. It’s clear to B-15 that Ravonna doesn’t prioritize the TVA’s stability despite her claims. Frustrated, Ravonna requests Miss Minutes to gather information on the TVA’s founders.

In Loki episode 5, the focus shifts back to The Void where Loki and Sylvie share a tender moment. They discuss Mobius’ theory regarding their nexus event on Lamentis-1, opting to remain in denial rather than confront it openly. However, they are inching closer. Loki conjures a blanket for himself and extends it around Sylvie. Unspoken feelings linger between them. Sylvie then advances the conversation, questioning, “How can I trust you won’t betray me when it matters most?” Loki candidly admits he has deceived everyone in his past, which doesn’t inspire much confidence. “But I’m not that person anymore; I promise not to let you down,” he reassures her, as they contemplate their future together, with Loki suggesting, “Perhaps we can figure it out side by side.”

Also seeLoki Episode 3 Recap: Marvel Goes Mandalorian on Lamentis-1

Wunmi Mosaku as Hunter B-15 in Loki episode 5
Photo Credit: Disney/Marvel Studios

As they regroup with the other Lokis and Mobius, Sylvie shares that she had a brief encounter with Alioth during her earlier arrival in The Void. She believes she can reconnect with it to subdue it. As Classic and Kid Loki take their leave, Kid Loki presents Loki with his golden dagger. Meanwhile, Mobius heads back to the TVA with intentions to dismantle it entirely. This leaves the confrontation with Alioth in the hands of Loki and Sylvie. As the menacing cloud approaches, they realize they may not have the luxury of waiting for a variant diversion. With determination, Loki seizes his fiery dagger, allowing Sylvie to perform her enchantment on Alioth. However, as she attempts to connect with the entity, it disregards Loki and charges toward her.

Fortunately, Classic Loki arrives to assist, conjuring an entire illusion of Asgard. Alioth, attempting to consume this vast projection, buys Sylvie precious time. She urges Loki to join her effort, assuring him, “You know how to do this; we’re fundamentally the same.” As they grasp hands and connect with the purple cloud, they close their eyes and summon all their strength. Classic Loki has given his all, and just as he is engulfed by Alioth, it inexplicably shifts and turns green just in time. Their efforts have paid off! With the smoke and cloud dissipating, Loki episode 5 reveals a mansion gleaming under the cosmos in the distance. Loki and Sylvie approach it, hand in hand.

Loki episode 5 is now available for streaming on Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar. New episodes are released every Wednesday around 12:30pm IST/12am PT.