Lokimay initially appear to be just another Marvel superhero TV show, but, likeWandaVison, this new series is inspired by a variety of genres. One of them is a police procedural reminiscent of David Fincher’s classic 1995 thriller,Se7en. WhileLokiisn’t nearly as dark and gruesome asSe7en, they both share common similarities. Each contains a complex relationship between two men working together to take down a mysterious killer on the loose. In Fincher’s thriller, Brad Pitt’s young, naive detective (Mills) is assigned to work with Morgan Freeman’s older, more seasoned policeman (Somerset) who’s on the verge of retirement.
InLoki, the God of Mischief is not only a prisoner, but a new fish in the Time Variance Authority (TVA), who finds himself working with Mobius M. Mobius (Owen Wilson),a longtime expert on the TVA. Similar to how Somerset guides Mills through their case based on the seven deadly sins, Mobius is also a guide who explains to Loki how the TVA works, and that there is an anonymous Variant who’s taking down TVA agents. Mobius also talks to Loki about the sins he has committed, such as killing people and violating the rules of the sacred timeline.
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As shown in Fincher’s film, the partnership between detectives Somerset and Mills is complicated because Mills is a cop who intends on catching the killer right away and going out in the field rather than working on a desk, while Somerset is wiser and more patient, relying on research and investigative work before seeking out the killer.The new partnership between Loki and Mobiusis also difficult because Mobius doesn’t completely trust Loki due to his previous crimes. Loki is also more reckless and adamant about taking chances and testing out new theories outside of the TVA, whereas Mobius is used to being careful and following the rules.
Both partnerships are also complex because each man has a different ideology about the world. InSe7en, there’s a pivotal scene before the climax in which Somerset and Mills have an honest conversation about everyday life. Somerset argues that no one is ever truly good in the world, and that he won’t continue to care for a city that withholds corruption, whereas Mills states that he does care and has a responsibility to do his job and take down those that are evil, even if it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference since sins are always being committed each day.
These ideologies about life are also fairly existent inLoki. Even after getting through to Loki in the first episode,the God of Mischief still doesn’t fully believe in the TVAand what it stands for, while Mobius has gracefully accepted his position in life. Loki believes that a person like himself should be capable of controlling his own destiny without rules or guidelines, while Mobius and the TVA rely on a code of ethics that give specific orders on how time must flow, without conflict or interruption, and that people’s destinies and fates are set because of who they are and how their journeys are meant to be.
Along with the partnerships, bothLokiandSe7enshow their protagonists wearing old-fashioned suits, making them appear like traditional detectives from the 1940s. Another striking similarity is that both also contain a library, which the characters use to look over research and archives. The library scenes in both also use the same music composition, “Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068 Air,” written by Johann Sebastian Bach. This music perfectly accompaniesLokiandSe7enbecause it is relaxing and soothing, both forthe characters who are scrambling to find answersin their case, and for the spectators who watch how they encounter their information with focus.
While the killer inLokireveals herself in episode two,the female Variant of Loki is a very mysterious figure. Her primary intentions are also not fully clear, although after watching the end of the second episode, it’s fair to say that she is going after the Time Keepers, which is why she stole the TVA’s devices to disrupt the sacred timeline. The killer inSe7enwas also mysterious because he had no clear identification, and was only referred to as John Doe. His motive for killing was also unclear to detectives, until he explained to them the sins people commit every day, and that his victims were guilty and got what they deserved.
The female Variant of Loki could also relate to John Doe fromSe7enin the sense that she intends to expose the corrupt, especially those with absolute power. She is determined to change the order of time,blaming the Time Keepers for being sinful and corruptin demanding how time is set, and that they have no right in establishing order towards everyone else. She also wants to prove that she has more power than anyone in controlling the flow of time. Whether or not these are female Loki’s intentions, or if the reasons for her actions are personal, remains to be seen.
It’s clear David Fincher’sSe7enhas a major impact onLokidue to the complicated relationship between the male protagonists and their differing ideologies on life, as well as the mysterious killer on the loose who plans to reveal the flaws of those in authoritative power. The traditional use of wardrobe (men’s suits), sets (library and office spaces with old computer tech), and classical music (Bach) also show thatLokiis a superhero series that relies on old-school tactics to tell its fascinatingly complex high-tech story.
New episodes ofLokiare available every Wednesday on Disney+
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