Loki: How does Victor Timely differ from the Kang variants we've seen before?
In Loki Season 2, Episode 3, viewers are introduced to Victor Timely, a variant of Kang, who is unlike any Kang variant seen before. Unlike the conniving and domineering Kang or the whimsical and mysterious He Who Remains, Victor is portrayed as a rather timid and nerdy character. He is a con man who swindles others with his creations, making his money through deception. This version of Kang is more human, displaying awkwardness and a bit of a stutter. This stark difference in personality highlights the vast range of variants that can exist within the Kang lineage.While Victor may not be as evil or cunning as the other Kang variants, he still possesses shades of ambition, deceitfulness, and detachment. He flirts with Ravonna one moment and then betrays her the next, showing that even in his stripped-down form, there are remnants of Kang's characteristics. It remains unclear where Victor's character will ultimately land by the end of the season.One of the standout aspects of Episode 3 is the exploration of Miss Minutes' character. The little AI clock is revealed to be more than just a helpful assistant. She harbors deeper feelings, particularly for He Who Remains. Created as a chess AI with autonomy, Miss Minutes was given the ability to have desires and follow her own whims. She fell in love with He Who Remains, and her jealousy towards Ravonna becomes apparent when she gets Victor alone. This twist gives Miss Minutes her own motivations and solidifies her importance as a key player in the season.The episode takes the viewers back to Chicago in 1893 during the World Fair, where we encounter Victor Timely for the first time. Loki and Mobius aim to bring Victor back to the TVA to scan his temporal aura. However, Sylvie, who is determined to kill all Kang variants, intercepts them. Victor manages to escape with Ravonna and Miss Minutes. In his lab, Victor discovers Miss Minutes' true intentions and locks her away. Ravonna, seeking control over the TVA, arrives at the lab, followed by Loki, Mobius, and Sylvie. Despite Sylvie's promise to eliminate all Kang variants, she hesitates and allows Loki and Mobius to take Victor away. In a final act, Sylvie sends Ravonna through a time door to the End of Time, where she learns a secret that Kang has been keeping.Overall, Episode 3 fills in some gaps and takes us back to what made Loki enjoyable in Season 1. The time-travel storytelling throws us into the rich past of 1893, thanks to the impressive production design by Kasra Farahani. The attention to detail in costumes, settings, and visual effects captivates the audience. The episode also sheds light on the hidden plots and motivations of Miss Minutes and Ravonna, providing a deeper understanding of their roles in the narrative.Now that Victor is with the TVA, the possibilities for his character development are limitless. Although he appears to be a nice enough guy, the exposure to futuristic technology and the influence of the TVA could potentially transform him into something Loki and Mobius did not intend. The contrasting personalities and motivations of Victor Timely and the other Kang variants demonstrate the vastness and complexity of the Kang lineage, adding depth to the overall story of the series.Overall, Loki Season 2, Episode 3 sets the stage for an exciting and unpredictable continuation of the season, with Victor Timely's introduction opening up new avenues for exploration in the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.