The Paradox Of Free Will In Disney's Loki
When it comes to the question of free will and our inherent sense of purpose in our lives, we generally leave this topic out of the equation when it comes to the entertainment industry. We leave this out because it seems too much of a daunting task or too much of a thinking exercise for the masses to focus on. I mean at the end of the day, all we want is a little entertainment to just disconnect from our lives right? Well, I'm afraid that it isn't as such and Disney's streaming platform has dedicated itself along with Marvel Studios to demystify such notions in popular culture. With its two recent shows, Wandavision and now Loki, we are closely seeing how the new ark of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is shifting into a new narrative. One is permeated by the question of freedom vs. control, a testament to the growth and maturity of the audience by which Marvel has dedicated over 10 years of Cinematic entertainment.
With this new narrative arc in the fray, comes questions of viewership and storytelling. How can such a successful film franchise, which Marvel Studios has become over the past 12 years, acquire new viewers and an entertaining new story to follow without losing its diehard fans? Well, the answer comes in their new series. Thanks to the inception of the streaming craze and the binge culture present nowadays with all sorts of entertainment now consumed in such a quick manner, Disney/Marvel couldn't stay behind. They have put their bets on cinematic series to continue this new phase of the MCU, yet with it comes some fair amounts of risks.
Now I know what you think, Risks? Really? Disney? Out of all entertainment corporations, Disney is taking a financial and creative risk to bring in more viewership? Yes, my friends this new era of streaming consumption has seen itself affected even by the biggest player in the entertainment field. But not just that, they have had to reassess what kind of audience they want to draw in. I mean let's be real, Disney and philosophical themes don't go hand in hand, at least that's how we used to think. Now you might be still asking yourself, why are you focusing so much on Disney's conservatism and not the topic at hand which is its new series Loki. Well, precisely that's the point. Disney is a corporation that thrives on the idea that any dreams can come true as long as you believe and you have an imagination
Yet, how they carry themselves out is just at the opposite end of this idea.
Anything can happen as long as the great big mouse gives it the green light, right? But wait, isn't that control? Well, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but yes it is controlled and with control comes belief, and with the belief there comes a will and with a will comes a purpose and with a purpose, we see the world in an idealized way. Idealism and control are two concepts that go hand and hand it doesn't matter where you come from with these concepts. There is no way, shape, or form to see the chaos and disorder of things without having established order or an idealized belief that everything will be "fine". At the heart of this great big corporation, we have the very antithesis by which shows like Wandavision and Loki focusing on. Would you look at that? The great big mouse is creating its own paradox.
Paradox, such a meaningless and useful word at the same time. This is what I can come up with after going five episodes deep into The God of Mischief's self-titled series. I constantly find myself asking: " Am I really watching content greenlit by the great big mouse of control and imagination?" Yes, I am. Yes, you are. This series to say the least has convinced me that there is no such thing as an impossible topic to expose and explore with a general audience. The way the narrative has been organized in the typical commercialized storyline and how it breaks away in moments from being stylized as such is what makes this series such a hit and maybe to an extent misunderstood.
(uploaded by Blackwind at Gifer.com )
Permeated by the ideological struggle between chaos and order, we find ourselves enveloping in a narcissistic love story of God-loving versions of themselves and the flaws of existing. We are put from the opening episodes through a story arc that runs parallel to the first Avengers film that suddenly spirals out of control into a multiverse controlled exclusively by a triumvirate that manages a "Sacred" timeline that dictates the actions and behavior of all existence till the end of time. This makes for a great Sci-Fi novel trilogy, right? WRONG, this is the very NEXUS of the story's plot so far and I keep finding myself wanting more.
Our God of Mischief is the protagonist (or better-said protagonists) of this wicked dense plot by which there seems to be no tangible end in the foreseeable future. Yet, it is this uncertainty that definitely keeps audiences wanting more, the key winning trait of Marvel Studios for the past 10 years. Using such simple elements of storytelling and the very concept of foreshadowing to the microscopic level they have once again created a winning formula of entertainment consumption that is far beyond the expectations of many. (Hint Hint: so-called cinematic snobs and haters) Through this simple task of telling Loki's story through a timeless arc where there is no sense of start or end is the NEXUS event that the Marvel Cinematic Universe needed to please its gluttonous fans to stay on edge and consume more content. Without telling much on the real details, it is also an exceptional attempt since the first Matrix film (1999) to integrate the concept of free will.
How this show explores such a heavily debated topic for centuries and makes it seem like it's just secondary to the protagonist's real search for self is what has kept me coming for more. From the lighting to the scenery, attire, colors, speech, and even nods to past sci-fi films, Loki packs a gauntlet-sized punch when it comes to the contrast between order and disorder. From the purposeful routine like control that the TVA represents to the chaotic evil that Loki can be at times, what we can vividly see here is a very real topic at hand: Beaurocracy.
This show attempts to scrutinize not only the bureaucracy by which mother corporation stands by, but it is also a reflection of the era that we are living in. A reflection directly aimed not only to us as individuals, but to democracy itself in the 21st century. It defects from the notion of purpose and hopes to one of chaos and pragmatism. It shows us the real layers behind the invisible barriers our society has to better itself or even redefine itself. Not only that, but it also gives us the fanatic side to order and idealism, that without hierarchy we can't be free. Without a pecking order, there is no you nor me.
I love the fact that the show is human after all, chaotic as it may be, and that a general audience may paradoxically choose to be free... That is why I keep coming back to it. That is why I consume it. That is why pop culture is there to BE!!!!