Loki: Marvel’s answer to Doctor Who

As Loki Season 2 approaches its explosive finale, fans are eagerly rooting for the formidable and charismatic antihero Loki Laufeyson, the God of Mischief and Chaos, as he faces new challenges and alliances within the Time Variance Authority (TVA), a powerful organization that oversees the sacred timeline of the multiverse. However, as we delve deeper into Loki's multidimensional misadventures, we cannot help but notice the striking similarities to another beloved icon of science fiction and time travel: Doctor Who.

Doctor Who, for those who are unfamiliar, is a classic show that has been running since the 1960s and has gained a devoted fan base around the world. The titular Doctor is a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who has the ability to travel through time and space in a ship called the TARDIS, which stands for Time And Relative Dimension In Space. The TARDIS is capable of blending into any environment. It is famously bigger on the inside than the outside, providing a cozy and quirky home for the Doctor and his or her companions. Speaking of companions, the Doctor often recruits humans and other creatures as allies and friends, relying on their unique skills and perspectives to solve complex problems and fight formidable foes across the universe.

So how do Loki and the Doctor connect, beyond both being entertaining time travelers with distinctive personalities and looks? Here are some of the timey-wimey parallels that we've noticed:

An Alien Species

Both Loki and Doctor Who feature protagonists who are members of an alien species. Loki, hailing from the realm of Asgard in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is a Frost Giant who takes on a more humanoid form. On the other hand, the Doctor, from the long-running British series Doctor Who, is a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey. Both characters' alien origins give them unique abilities and perspectives, allowing them to navigate the complexities of time and space.

The Time Criminal and His Blue Box

In both Loki and Doctor Who, we encounter a time-traveling protagonist who is accompanied by a distinct blue box. Loki's blue box refers to the Tesseract, a cosmic cube that allows him to manipulate space and teleport across dimensions. Similarly, the Doctor's blue box is the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space), a time-traveling ship that can blend into its surroundings and is much larger on the inside. Both Loki and the Doctor rely on their respective blue boxes to explore different time periods and locations.

TVA's Time Keepers = Gallifreyans

The Time Variance Authority's (TVA) Time Lords in Loki and the Gallifreyans in Doctor Who share a common thread as the overseers of time and space. The TVA's Time Keepers monitor and rectify any deviations in the timeline with the aim of maintaining order. Similarly, the Gallifreyans, including the Doctor, possess the knowledge and authority to navigate time travel responsibly. While the TVA's Time Lords may have different methods and objectives compared to the Gallifreyans, both entities play a crucial role in regulating the flow of time.

Loki's Band of Companions

Loki, like the Doctor, often finds himself surrounded by a diverse group of companions. These companions provide emotional support, help in tackling challenges, and offer alternative perspectives. Loki's companions, such as Mobius and Sylvie, bring their unique skills and motivations into the mix, just as the Doctor's companions throughout the series assist in the Doctor's adventures and provide moral guidance. Both Loki and the Doctor value their companions and recognize the importance of collaboration in facing the many obstacles they encounter.

Wibbly Wobbly Timey-Wimey Mumbo Jumbo

The concept of time manipulation and the complexities of time travel are central themes in both Loki and Doctor Who. The Doctor often engages in discussions about the "timey-wimey" nature of the universe, referring to the non-linear and often convoluted nature of time. Similarly, Loki navigates through various timelines and deals with the consequences of manipulating time and causing divergences. Both Loki and the Doctor must grapple with the intricacies and potential dangers of altering the fabric of time.

Tempad = Vortex Manipulator

In Loki, the Tempad is a device utilized by the TVA agents to time travel and teleport. Its functionality shares similarities with the vortex manipulator seen in Doctor Who, which is a time-traveling device employed by characters like Captain Jack Harkness. Both the Tempad and the vortex manipulator allow their users to traverse through different time periods, providing a means for instantaneous transportation and manipulation of temporal events.

Loki's Variants = Doctor's Regenerations

Loki's variants, showcased in the Loki series, parallel the Doctor's ability to regenerate and change appearance. The Doctor's regenerations allow the character to assume a fresh identity while retaining memories and experiences. Similarly, Loki's variants represent different versions of the character that exist across various timelines and realities. Both the Doctor's regenerations and Loki's variants serve to evolve the characters' narratives and introduce different facets of their personalities.

Multiversal War = Time War

The concept of a multiversal war in Loki finds a counterpart in the Time War of Doctor Who. In both instances, these conflicts represent cataclysmic events that have far-reaching consequences for the fabric of reality. The multiversal war in Loki and the Time War in Doctor Who involve large-scale battles and disruptions across multiple timelines. These conflicts are pivotal moments that shape the overarching narratives of both series.

Time Loom = Time Vortex

While not explicitly featured in Loki, the concept of a time loom can be compared to Doctor Who's time vortex. In Doctor Who, the time vortex is a swirling, radiant energy that the TARDIS travels through when navigating time and space. In Loki, the time loom could be seen as a conceptual parallel, representing the knitting together and reweaving of time to repair or alter the timeline. Both the time loom and time vortex symbolize the profound influence of time on the universe and the characters that traverse it.

Nexus Event

The concept of a Nexus Event in Loki aligns with the Doctor Who term "fixed point in time." In Loki, a Nexus Event refers to a significant disruption in the timeline, leading to branching realities and potentially unraveling the sacred timeline. In Doctor Who, a fixed point in time denotes an unalterable event that has a lasting impact on the course of history. Both the Nexus Event and fixed point in time emphasize the importance of preserving the integrity of time and the potentially catastrophic consequences if tampered with.

Time Theater = TARDIS

Though not explicitly linked to the Loki series, the Time Theater can be seen as drawing inspiration from Doctor Who's TARDIS. In Loki, the Time Theater is a location where key moments in the timeline are revisited and observed. This mirrors the TARDIS, which serves as the Doctor's time-traveling vessel and often acts as a central hub for experiencing and interacting with different time periods. Both the Time Theater and TARDIS serve as important settings that facilitate the exploration of time and space.

By exploring these comparisons between Loki and Doctor Who, we can appreciate the shared themes and motifs that have captivated audiences in both franchises. The intertwining of time travel, alien species, companions, and the complexities of temporal manipulation highlight the enduring fascination with time-centric storytelling in popular culture.

The second season debuted on Disney+ on October 5, 2023, and will run for six episodes until November 9, as part of Phase Five of the MCU.

The sixth episode will air on November 10 in the Philippines, only at Disney+.