Unpopular Opinion: Claimed Romance between Loki and Sylvie is stupid.
Why is it eternal for a man and a woman to have a romantic angle for a story to sustain?
Why can’t they be companions, play their role in each other’s life and move on?
I have been going back and forth about it since the LOKI series, where the dynamics between Loki and Sylvie got romanticized.
To provide you with some background of the characters, Loki and Sylvie are the same people, from different timelines, share the same fate, fighting similar battles i.e. to change their destiny and they happen to cross each other’s path thanks to Time Variance Authority, who is the group of people that manages the sacred timeline and deletes everyone that mess up their reality or fate.
Episode 3 was full of emotions, where the two Variants, Loki and Sylvie, connect, share a bit of themselves, understand and try to put their trust in each other as they fight side by side. They started rough, where each’s will to kill the other. However, as the episode progresses, we see the characters getting vulnerable (it was just so peaceful to see).
Further, at the start of episode 4, we see Loki and Sylvie sitting amid an apocalypse, exchanging words where Sylvie questions her being, and Loki beautifully explains her concern. They look up at a gigantic meteor approaching them, Sylvie holds Loki’s arm as they simply wait. This exact action causes a Nexus event at TVA, who is completely confused on what caused a Nexus event in the middle of an apocalypse.
Later in the episode, Mobius claims Loki is in love with another version of himself (Sylvie) and conforted him of being a higher level of a narcissist. This, with the viewers, cheered the romantic angle between Loki and Sylvie. However, I am utterly disappointed. This romanticization of the relationship these two characters hold with each other has been so unnecessary and stupid.
How I view it from my end of the screen is, two broken people, set in a journey, for a destination, where it’s not what they wish for, have had a disturbing past, trying to find a place for themselves in the universe and a moment of peace. Episode 3 (for me) was indeed slow as for the actions provided in the previous episodes, but it contained plenty of insights about the characters, which helped me understand both of them better.
Loki is a strong character, has undergone struggles of his own, from being deceived by his adopted father, overshadowed by his brother, to being smashed by Hulk (this I had to keep, the scene is so funny). Sylvie is equally powerful, of everything that’s shown in the series and claims by the comics. So, my point is, two prominent characters, who are the same, both hot (yes), for once came together and collaborated for a purpose, don’t necessarily have to encounter romantic affections for themselves.
Sylvie has a rational purpose and is working towards her mission. She has always been there, surviving and mature in the environment. Loki, on the other hand, is in an attempt to understand Sylvie, reflecting upon his life, trying to figure things out, his confusion, doubts in mind as this whole scenario is new to him. There are thousands of affairs in this God of Mischief’s head that need to get cleared beforehand.
At this moment, I see Sylvie as a friend, a companion, and an opportunity for Loki to for once put his trust out, with no deception and selfishness. As there’s a lot to go in between them to fall in love, which I don’t see happening at the moment, the two characters involving in some of the fictional romances just for the sake of the audience’s satisfaction would be unfair to them, their arc.
Indeed, it’s my opinion (unpopular opinion), but as a writer as well, I would never let them fall for one another at this point where they are only growing and with so much scope for the future. I also agree, both the character deserves a happy ending for them considering their journey, but not with each other as lovers or something. I would choose for them to part ways in the end with a lot of respect and appreciation for one another, satisfaction in their eyes and a pledge to always remain in each other’s hearts as a beloved with a precious memory of the time they shared.
Makes sense, right? (Maybe it doesn’t)
I know we have been growing, viewing romance between two characters in the same journey, where we accept that, enjoy and root for them, I do too. But this time, I wish things to be different. Something more meaningful than romance, something honest and pure between the characters.
What’s your take on this? Where do you fall on this debate? Share your opinion.
