Marvel Studios has created a vast shared universe where many different stories can coexist. But regardless of how different every protagonist is, everything that happens within the universe must make sense in the larger scheme of things. Although the MCU has always aimed for constant reinvention, it has often played it safe narrative-wise when it comes to the third act of each movie.

Related: Every MCU Theory Loki’s Ending Debunked

Superhero movies are known to have an action-fueled final battle between the main heroes and their evil counterparts, which ends on a high note that sets up possible sequels and spinoffs and results in a positive transformation for the protagonists and the world at large. Although this is a staple of superhero movies in general, it's a pattern that stands out more clearly in the MCU due to the large number of titles that take place within the same shared universe. While Loki's ending certainly set up a number of future movies and shows, it is the first MCU release to abandon all the typical third-act tropes for its finale.

Loki Ditched The MCU’s Typical Large-Scale Final Battle

MCU fans have always been treated with high-octane final battles at the end of every movie. While action-fueled finales are to be expected in big events like the Captain America: The Winter Soldier. On the other hand, the God of Mischief's quest to protect the Sacred Timeline in Loki raises the stakes of the MCU higher than any previous MCU installment, but the series still comes to the most unostentatious climax so far, amounting to one very high-stakes, dramatic stab received by He Who Remains without him putting up any resistance.

The bulk of the drama in the Loki finale is in the dialogue and internal decision-making, with two of the MCU's most powerful characters having no way to combat an antagonist who doesn't want to fight them and who even offers them the possibility of killing him. Loki concludes with a quiet game of wits, but it still manages to raise the stakes higher than the entire Infinity Saga, as the death of He Who Remains shakes Loki and Sylvie to their core and sets up the beginning of the MCU multiverse. The point of it was that the real battle wasn't Loki and Sylvie vs. He Who Remains, but an internal one of Loki and Sylvie vs. each of themselves.

He Who Remains Isn’t A Dark Mirror To Loki

Another pattern that's present in most MCU titles to date is the mirrored dynamics between the main heroes and the villains of each movie. Antagonists usually have the same powerset as the protagonist, as well as similar looks and sometimes even the same origin story. The MCU began with Iron Man fighting the similarly armored Iron Monger, followed by the Hulk fighting the Abomination. Phases 2 and 3 didn't change this motif, as they presented showdowns such as Captain America vs the Winter Soldier, Ant-Man vs Yellowjacket, and Black Panther vs Killmonger. In Phase 4, Scarlet Witch defeated WandaVision, and Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson saw a familiar part of themselves in the super-serum-powered and self-proclaimed fighter of freedom Karli Morgenthau.

Related: Loki: How He Who Remains' Powers Work

Despite various fan theories about an evil Loki variant controlling the TVA in secret, the Loki finale reveals that the mastermind behind the TVA is He Who Remains, a human being from the 31st century who has lived many lifetimes and thus has become omniscient. He Who Remains has no links to the God of Mischief. He's physically much less powerful and doesn't appear to possess any magical abilities or natural superpowers. However, he's in control of the Sacred Timeline, his omniscience makes him basically untouchable, and he leaves his own "glorious purpose" up to Loki and Sylvie to decide. This fresh dynamic between the villains-turned-heroes and their unexpected antagonist is much more nuanced than anything that came before.

The Loki Finale Doesn’t Leave Clear Answers

Previous MCU movies and shows have always left fans yearning for more, but there has always been a somewhat clear idea of what would come next. Even Avengers: Infinity War, which set up a dire future for the Earth's Mightiest Heroes, were slightly spoiled by the announcement of future installments. While the disbandment of the Avengers and Thanos' snap were shocking, it was almost immediately evident that the heroes would eventually assemble again and triumph.

Now, even with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there's no way to know how it will work or what the near future of the MCU will look like. Loki's fate is also as uncertain as ever, as the concept of an alternate version of the TVA was a shocking last-second reveal. The Loki finale makes great strides to set up future MCU titles, yet it leaves viewers with far more questions than answers.

Loki Ends Up Worse Off Than He Started

As tragic as the endings of some MCU movies have been, there has always been an underlying sense of hope. For instance, Avengers: Endgame bid farewell to Tony Stark, but the movie ended with the Avengers moving on and Steve Rogers finally reuniting with Peggy Carter. One exception to the rule was Thanos' victory at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, but again, the fact that half of the universe faded away instead of dying suggested the Avengers would get a second chance, one way or the other.

Related: How The Loki Finale Secretly Changes Loki And Sylvie's Nexus Event

Loki is hopeless at the end of the Loki finale. The show set him up for a well-deserved redemption arc that was ultimately switched to punishment, as the God of Mischief gave his best efforts to be a hero and still ended up being thrown by Sylvie into an alternate version of the TVA where Mobius doesn't seem to recognize him. The series showed him his true purpose and immediately took it away from him without giving him the hope of a possible solution. While Loki will obviously set some things to rights in season 2, and possibly some of the movies, at the moment, he's arguably at one of the lowest points audiences have ever seen him.

Loki Sets Up An Unexpected Season 2

One of the most unexpected reveals in the Loki finale is the announcement of a second season. All previous MCU releases have been announced with some degree of anticipation, and most of the surprises have been reserved for events like San Diego Comic-Con and Disney's Investor Day. While multiple-season Disney+ shows were always a possibility, Loki stands out for setting up a continuation in the very last scene and confirming it in the Loki finale's post-credits stinger. All in all, Loki broke the MCU mold in more ways than one, hopefully shaking up Marvel Studios' formula for future movies and shows to follow suit.

More: How Loki’s Finale Sets Up Season 2