Loki
Season 2, Episode 5
Episode title: Heart of the TVA
Original release date : November 2, 2023
Episode summary: Having survived the explosion, Loki begins time slipping again, barely escaping as the TVA disintegrates. Loki’s time slipping takes him to the branched timelines where his friends Mobius, Hunter B-15, Casey and O.B. have been reset to their original lives as Don, Dr. Willis, Frank Morris and Dr. A.D. Doug respectively. With Loki unable to control his time slipping, Doug proposes a plan where they bring everyone present at the explosion together to use their collective temporal aura to find the coordinates for the moment before the explosion that Loki needs to return to. While Loki succeeds in gathering everyone else, Sylvie, who has retained her memories, is uninterested in helping and gets Loki to admit that his true motivation is that he wants his friends back and fears being alone. However, Sylvie changes her mind as reality breaks down and everything disintegrates. Loki finally figures out that the key to controlling his time slipping is to focus on a person rather than an event. Declaring that he can rewrite the story, Loki successfully travels back in time to before the explosion by focusing on O.B.
* * *
(LOKI BREATHING HEAVILY)
FEMALE AUTOMATED VOICE: TVA code 1229. Fail Safe Mode initiated.
(WHOOSHING)
Thank you for your service.
No, no, no. This is not happening again!
FEMALE AUTOMATED VOICE: TVA code 1229. Thank you for your service.
Hello?
(GRUNTS)
FEMALE AUTOMATED VOICE: TVA code 1229. Fail Safe Mode initiated. Thank you for your service.
(PANTING)
Hello? Hello?
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
(KEYS RATTLING)
(DOOR OPENS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER IN DISTANCE)
CLARENCE: Is this everything?
This is everything.
Shh!
(LOUD HORN BLARES)
Come on. Come on.
BREACHED TIMELINE
1962
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
FRANK: Come on, bro. Come on.
(LOKI GRUNTS)
Let’s go! Hurry up! If they catch us, they’re gonna gut us like fish.
LOKI: Casey? Okay.
Casey.
Thank God you’re here. Is everyone here?
Who are you?
Not again. Who am I? Casey, it’s me. Tell me you know who I am.
With the boat? You’re in the wrong place.
You’re not supposed to be here.
JOHN: Is that the boat guy?
Do you have a boat?
A boat? I don’t know anything about a boat.
How’d you get here?
How did I get where?
Alcatraz.
What? I don’t know how I got here. That’s the problem. I don’t know what’s happening, Casey.
Frank, why is this guy calling you Casey?
I’ve been calling you Frank.
Frank?
You said your name was Frank.
It is.
His name’s Casey.
I don’t know this guy.
Come on.
You gotta find your own way off this rock.
Sorry, pal.
(LOKI YELLS)
(DOG BARKING)
(ALARM BLARING)
Come on.
Okay, so we got a good cast on here for you.
It’s gonna help you heal, but you’ll have to wear it for six weeks.
Does it still hurt?
That’s good, but do you remember how bad it hurt when you came in?
That’s good too.
But you might forget how bad it hurt over the next six weeks,
so I’m gonna write a little reminder on here for you.
Climb… Trees.
That’s not gonna stop you, is it?
(CHUCKLES)
I tried.
All right, be good.
(WHOOSHING)
(GRUNTS)
(INSTRUMENTAL POP MUSIC PLAYING)
DON: Wind in the hair, little mist slapping you in the face.
And nothing but open water in front of you.
Don? Don? Your son’s calling on line three.
DON: Tell him I’ll call him back.
So talk to me. What are you thinking?
Sorry. I, uh… was more interested in a dirt bike.
Well, they say the personal watercraft is kind of the thinking man’s dirt bike.
Come on, you ready for your Poseidon moment?
Jump up on this bad boy.
I’m good. Sorry.
It’s okay.
Call me if you change your mind or if you want another donut.
Great donuts today, Dale.
DON: …pay me to put on a helmet and ride around in the mud.
Thank God.
Hello.
How could he not get up here, Dale?
Crazy. I don’t get it.
You’re here?
DON: Oh, yes.
Every day of the week except Sunday, 9:00 to 5:00.
The TVA is gone.
I think you mean ATV, and no, you’re in luck.
We got in two of ’em last week. They’re upstairs.
You don’t remember me either?
No, no, I do. You were… You were in just the other day, right?
DALE: Your son’s on line three.
I’m sorry, single dad, give me a second.
Told you I’ll call him back.
Your other son.
Tell him I’ll call him back too.
(WHOOSHES)
The Zartan Contingent.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this one before.
A.D. DOUG: It’s really good. He’s one of the greats.
I read everything he does.
Hmm. I’ll have to check it out.
I’d hurry. There’s only a few left on the shelf.
Hmm.
It’s not reading the barcode.
I can give you cash. I don’t need a receipt or anything.
Yeah, but I have to ring it up or…
Are you buying your own book?
You…
I told you to stop putting your sci-fi books on our shelves.
Science fiction is a well-respected and thought-provoking genre.
Nobody buys it here.
(WHOOSHING)
(SHRIEKS)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
LOKI: What I’m about to tell you… is going to be hard to believe.
Of course I believe you. It’s a dream come true.
One of my characters has come to life and needs my help.
This reminds me of what happens in The Sons of Yoren.
What’s that?
Just, you know,
my most popular book of all time.
I’m sure I can find you a copy somewhere around here.
Wait.
You’re a writer?
Yes. Science fiction.
I’m doomed.
But, and this is kind of embarrassing,
I have to get a PhD to keep my day job teaching theoretical physics at Caltech.
Wait, you’re a scientist as well. That’s great.
Yeah, until I can quit and write full time.
You have no idea how hard it is to break… Hey, look at this.
There’s a copy. You’re one lucky man.
I’m so sorry. Can we just stay on track?
Of course. So, uh, what exactly are you trying to do?
I need to go back to before the Temporal Loom melted down.
You can’t. It’s impossible.
But don’t let that stop you.
I don’t understand what you’ve just said.
Well, you time-traveled in a place that has no time, right?
Right.
That’s not possible.
I know.
So you’re traveling to a place that doesn’t exist anymore.
It’s equally impossible, and therefore it’s something you might be able to do.
Sure, excellent.
Yeah. Makes total sense.
Doesn’t sound like science.
No, but it does sound like fiction.
You need to learn how to control your time slipping.
I can’t control it. I can’t just… make it happen. It’s, it’s random.
But it isn’t random because you keep ending up around exactly the people you’re looking for, and it’s evolving because you’re not just slipping in time, you’re also moving around in space.
It’s like you’re a better version of one of those TemPads.
You make it sound like it’s a good thing.
With science, it’s all what and how.
But with fiction, it’s why.
(SIGHS)
So, why do you need to do this?
Why do I need to do this?
I’ll tell you why.
Because if I can’t save the TVA from being destroyed, there will be nothing to protect against what’s coming.
Well, if that’s the real why that’s guiding you, you should be able to control it. So, go ahead.
Now?
Yeah, yeah, just do it.
(EXHALES) All right.
Here we go.
Cool.
Focus in on that why.
You need to save the TVA.
All right.
You need to save the TVA.
(GRUNTS)
Anything?
I’m trying.
(GRUNTS)
Maybe you need to try harder.
I’m trying as hard as I can.
(GRUNTING)
You must be doing something wrong because it really feels like the time slipping is the answer.
Maybe we focus on the science.
Okay.
So this equation proposes that… Argh!
What are you doing?
Science.
Now we know that electrical pulses don’t initiate time slipping.
(SCREAMS)
For God’s sake.
Ah. Not fight or flight induced…
Okay, let’s forget about the time slipping, all right?
How does science help us get to a place that doesn’t exist?
Well, maybe it does exist.
It doesn’t.
I saw it disappear with my own eyes.
But then you said you also time-traveled in a place at the TVA, right?
The Time Theater, yes.
If that’s the case, then maybe the place and time you’re looking for still exists, but you don’t know where to look.
Let’s try this.
Hold this.
Yeah?
We get the band back together.
That doesn’t seem very scientific.
You said everyone, every one of your friends has a temporal aura, right?
Right.
Well, that means a group of people would have a collective aura unique to that moment in time.
If we can get everyone together in one place, we can read that aura.
It will be like coordinates.
We can use these coordinates to get back to that moment.
No.
Why?
We don’t have one of those TemPads you talked about.
Well, can you build one? You can build one.
Maybe, but without any of the knowledge of how it works,
I would have to invent it from scratch.
It could take a whole lifetime.
(SIGHS)
What if you had that knowledge?
What’s that?
You tell me, you wrote it.
A.D. DOUG: I did?
You did.
There’s one on every desk at the TVA.
So I am going to write a bestseller.
(CHUCKLES)
Yeah, sort of. Let’s, um, let’s get to work…
Oh, that’s a problem.
DON: Okay, guys, we’re gonna have a new rule, and that is any toy found outside your room is gonna be classified as garbage, all right?
Trash, okay?
‘Cause I’m tired of coming home,
having it look like some lunatic garage sale that… Is he burnt?
Yeah, he’s burnt.
How did he get burnt?
(MATCH IGNITING)
Kevin, who gave you the matches?
I stole ’em.
No, you…
Give ’em to me. Come on. Hand ’em over.
Don’t run. Kevin. Kevin. Kev… Kevin! Get…
Sean, go get him! Come on, hurry!
If you keep him from burning down the house, I’ll get you a puppy.
Come on.
And a snake!
That… We’ll negotiate later. Run! Hurry!
Small victories.
LOKI: Hello.
Hello.
Hi.
Hey. Oh, you were at the shop earlier.
That’s right.
Yeah. You live around here, or did you follow me home?
Oh, no. (CHUCKLES) No, no. I was, I was actually on my way to the… and I happened to see you so I just… I just thought I’d just come and say
that I’m sorry I couldn’t stick around back there.
I was, I was in a bit of a time crunch.
Yeah. You were looking for ATVs.
The TVA.
Yeah.
You know, are you still in the market?
‘Cause I have something… I got something I wanna show you. Come here.
Now, ordinarily, I wouldn’t dream of parting with one of these beauties.
But wife is long gone and I can’t ride two of ’em.
Plus, the boys are probably gonna need braces and math tutors and God knows what else.
A beautiful union of form and function.
Oh, that’s lovely, yeah.
Yeah, they really are and it breaks my heart, but what are you going to do?
Hey, you want a drink? Can I get you a beer?
No, no, no, no. I’m fine. Thank you.
I’m afraid I’m not here to buy a jet ski.
Oh, what are you here for?
Listen.
I’m going to tell you something that’s hard to understand, Mobius.
Mobius?
Mobius, that’s your name.
Okay, I…
I think you have me mixed up.
No, you see, the thing is, I don’t.
Mobius is your real name and you belong in a place called the TVA.
Is that right? Huh.
Okay, hold that thought. I’m gonna go check on…
It’s okay. It’s okay.
I don’t want any trouble.
It’s all right. I’m a friend.
I know you are. I’m a friend too.
What? How did you build a TemPad so fast?
I don’t know if I’d say 18 months is fast. Well, 19 months.
I had to take a break and move out when I lost my job and my wife left me.
So what now?
What’s happening?
I promise you this will make sense.
Like… How did you…
Reality isn’t what you think it is.
And this isn’t the life of the man I know.
I don’t know who you know. I don’t understand.
I know you from a place called…
No, you don’t.
…the Time Variance Authority.
You saved my life when I first arrived.
You saw something in me that I hadn’t seen in myself.
Are you really my friend?
I am.
Who’s he?
Is he my friend?
He will be.
DON: Why don’t I remember that?
It’s too complicated to explain it to you but I need your help to save this place, the TVA.
You once told me it was the only life you’d ever known.
I sell jet skis, man.
Trust me.
What about my boys?
They’ll be fine.
I can’t leave them.
What do you mean they’ll be fine?
I understand. Listen.
Look, you can come back anytime.
Oh, you were at the shop earlier.
EARLIER LOKI: That’s right.
EARLIER DON: Yeah, you live around here or did you follow me home…
I can bring you back to any point in time.
It’ll be like you never left.
Your boys won’t even know you’re gone.
Yeah, but I will.
All of existence is in grave danger.
I don’t care.
And your boys are in danger too.
I can’t keep them safe unless you help me.
You know, are you still in the market? ‘Cause I… Come here.
What were you calling me?
Mobius.
It’s a pretty cool name.
This is going to sound strange.
(ALARM BLARING IN DISTANCE)
(MEN GRUNTING)
(LAUGHING)
How you doing? I’m Don.
I guess Mobius is my space name.
(EXHALES) Are you part of this whole…
saving the… Is this room safe?
I wonder, for the wormhole or the…
Yeah.
This whole area is totally abandoned. No one’s around for miles.
So, is this everyone?
No.
There’s one more.
(TIME DOOR WARBLES)
This is gonna sound strange.
I know you don’t know who I am.
Loki.
Of course I know who you are.
What?
You do?
Why wouldn’t I?
Nobody else did. Their lives were reset…
Yeah. I know. I was there.
I’m sorry. I’m sorry.
This isn’t how I thought the scene was gonna play out.
No? What exactly were you expect…
(GRUNTS)
Okay, get in the car.
I’m buying you a drink.
Okay.
BRAD: Zaniac craves blood.
LOKI: However, Mobius’s life at the TVA was taken from him.
So was B-15’s, O.B. Casey was a prisoner.
They don’t remember who they are.
Their lives matter. They matter.
SYLVIE: Yeah, and they’re finally back in their real lives.
That’s a good thing.
Eric, can we get a drink?
But how many,
if they had a choice, would have chosen to stay?
Mobius always said the TVA was the only life he’d ever known, and he liked it.
It gave him purpose.
It was never his choice to begin with, Loki.
He Who Remains did that.
But Mobius should have a choice now, no?
Shouldn’t they all?
To return to the TVA if they want.
No, you would be ripping people from their lives, showing them something that they cannot unsee.
What kind of choice is that?
But they didn’t get a choice in this and I can’t give it to them without you.
You don’t care?
I guess not.
I guess this all worked out the way you wanted it to and you’re fine just walking away.
It’s so selfish.
Of course I’m selfish.
I want a life.
I want to live.
What’s wrong with wanting something, Loki?
What do you want?
I want to stop He Who Remains.
No. Wrong. Try again.
What is it that you really want? Come on.
I want to save this.
I want to save everything. All of it.
Is it really that hard? Come on, keep trying.
I want to save the TVA.
Why?
I want the TVA back.
And?
What do you want?
I want my friends back.
Two bourbons, please.
Excellent choice, Sylvie.
I want my friends back.
I don’t wanna be alone.
See? We’re both selfish.
Cheers.
I know this is hard.
But your friends are back where they belong.
But without them…
Where do I belong?
We’re all writing our own stories now.
Go write yours.
FRANK: How much longer are we going to be?
Some of us have time-sensitive activities going on.
Don’t worry. We can get you right back where we got you.
Yeah?
So, that doodad just takes you wherever you wanna go?
Within time and space, yeah.
So like a park?
Yeah.
Grand Canyon?
Yeah.
Bank vault?
DON: Do you get out on the water much?
DR. WILLIS: Swimming?
Yeah, or personal watercraft?
No. I live in the city. There’s not much opportunity, you know?
Well, if you live on a river, it could be an exciting way to commute.
Or, by the way, it’s also nice just to get out on a pond and unplug.
Hit that reset button.
Well, I’ll keep that in mind.
Yeah.
Some good financing options available too.
FRANK: Hey, listen, if we’re all gonna have to wait, I’m gonna borrow this thing for a bit.
Don’t bother.
You should all go home.
(R&B MUSIC PLAYING ON STEREO)
Hey, Lyle.
Hey. How’s my only regular doing?
Oh, yeah, fine. Don’t you ever go home?
Well, I like it here more.
Well, I’m glad of the company tonight.
Rough day?
Had better.
I got just the thing.
This…
will either cure what’s ailing you, or make it a whole lot worse.
We really need to work on your sales technique. Thank you.
(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
Sylvie!
You showed up and told each of us that we’re the key to saving all of existence.
And now, what? We’re not?
I’m sorry.
I got it wrong. All right?
It was more about what I wanted.
You should go back to your sons.
I know, but that’s just it. You said they were in danger.
So, now they’re okay?
LOKI: You should all just…
go back to your lives. That’s where you belong.
FRANK: But do I need to go back to exactly where I was?
What about the TVA?
LOKI: The TVA.
You’re fine without it.
You’re all just fine without it.
(TIME DOOR WARBLES)
SYLVIE: No, they aren’t.
Everything’s falling apart.
The branches are dying.
What does that mean?
SYLVIE: I don’t know.
I don’t know what’s happening, but there must be something we can do.
We can go back.
We can stop the Loom from melting down.
O.B., we’re all here.
The pens…
We have all the pens.
The mug, the coordinates.
Ah. Okay. First, we need to read the collective temporal aura of everyone in this room on the TemPad…
Where did it go?
LOKI: Hey.
I didn’t take it.
Listen, you can rob every bank you like when this is done.
We need that TemPad now.
Great. But I still didn’t take it.
What do we do?
It was a fiction problem.
No, no. I have to go back to see my boys. I…
DR. WILLIS: Is this it?
We… (SHRIEKS)
There’s nowhere left to go.
No. No!
A.D. DOUG: It was a fiction problem.
SYLVIE: Everything’s falling apart.
DON: No. I have to go back to see my boys.
SYLVIE: What’s wrong with wanting something?
MOBIUS: If I could go anywhere…
HUNTER B-15: I looked happy.
MOBIUS: Wherever it is I’m really from.
CASEY: The TVA…
SYLVIE: Do you think that what makes a Loki a Loki is the fact that we’re destined to lose?
(SCREAMS)
SYLVIE: There’s nowhere left to go.
No, they aren’t.
Everything’s falling apart.
The branches are dying.
What does that mean?
SYLVIE: I don’t know.
I don’t know what’s happening, but there must be something we can do.
I did it.
SYLVIE: What?
I did it.
SYLVIE: Did what?
I controlled it.
A.D. DOUG: You learned to control your time slipping.
Yes.
It’s not about where, when, or why.
It’s about who.
I can rewrite the story.
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
BRAD: You died. Insert your coin, loser.
