1893: Loki Season 2, Episode 3 Recap (Includes FAQs!)

I can’t believe we’re already half way through Loki, Season 2!

At the end of episode 2, we left off with the Sacred Timeline pruned by General Dox and a peeved Sylvie sulking back on her 80s timeline.

Let’s see what everyone’s up to this week in my Loki Season 2 Episode 3 recap of 1893.

SPOILER ALERT: This post may contain spoilers to movie or show plots.

1868 – Chicago, Illinois

The episode opens up and we finally have our first sighting of Ravonna Renslayer, who walks straight out of a Time Door into a puddle of mud. Deserving, in my opinion.

And shortly after, we finally see Miss Minutes.

The two gals on the lam. 

We’re off to a great start and we’re only a few minutes in.

Miss Minutes informs Renslayer that she must place the package Miss Minutes told her to bring in an open window across the way because that is what He Who Remains instructed be done shortly before he knew he would die.

Renslayer, ever the opportunist, asks what’s in it for her. Meanwhile, I’m over here suspicious that HWR actually even set this all up. Miss Minutes is a little suspicious.

Miss Minutes replies, informing her once He is back in charge of the TVA, the two of them will be at his side.

I’m guessing that’s what Renslayer wanted to hear, as she does as instructed.

Inside the home of the open window, we see a young Black man. He opens the package and inside is a TVA official handbook – the one written by Ouroboros.

The Sacred Timeline

Speaking of Ouroboros…

We flash to the Temporal Loom control room, where Ouroboros and crew are still trying to take control of the Sacred Timeline.

But wasn’t it pruned by General Dox in episode 2, you ask? Yes, but Ouroboros informs us that it’s growing back!

Perhaps this is all fate and there is no free will.

Ouroboros explains that in order to support an ever growing Sacred Timeline, it needs to scale with it.

We need to scale the Loom’s capacity to manage all those new branches, otherwise it will fail. And the TVA will be destroyed. And we’re all gonna die!

Ouroboros

We’re back to finding Miss Minutes, who has Administrative Access (how corporate) to the Loom, as the solution.

And how are we gonna find a little rogue cartoon clock that doesn’t wanna be found?

Mobius

But Loki insists they press forward. Casey and Hunter B-5 remind the group that they had pings from Renslayer’s Tempad and that they’re likely together.

That’s gonna be an awkward reunion. Face-to-face with the woman who tried to kill us both.

Mobius

And off they go, on another field trip to save the day.

1868 – Chicago, Illinois, Part II

We’re back in Chi-town and the dapper duo of Loki and Mobius step through a Time Door.

Mobius explains the two pings Casey picked up on were from this spot, but in different times: 1868 and 1893. 

The duo bounces ideas off each other as to why Renslayer would be right there, twice.

Ravonna, what are you up to?

Mobius

There’s no big historical moment or figure from either time until 1871 when most of Chicago burnt down, as Mobius explains.

So the duo decides to hop from 1868 to 1893.

1893, The World’s Columbian Exposition

And just like that, they round the corner and walk to the future, 25 years.

It looks like a completely different place, presumably due to the fire.

And it’s just in time for the World’s Columbian Exposition, aka Chicago’s World Fair, a six-month exposition that showed off inventions, art, architecture, and of course, food, a fair staple.

The duo set off to find the gals. A newsboy walks by, hawking the newspaper with headlines talking of a Ghost Clock.

BINGO. Or should I say, breadcrumb.

They buy a paper and set off to find Miss Minutes, who’s allegedly been terrorizing the fair’s Midway.

And just then, the duo walks straight into a wooden carving of Balder, Thor, and Odin.

Naturally, Loki is peeved and goes off on how awful it is. 

Is somebody feeling a little left out that they’re not up there?

Mobius

I think you’re on to something, Mobes.

And if you’re like who the heck is Balder, the ever helpful Mobius alludes to him being a variant of Loki.

Loki gives the carving one more painful look before they walk off.

Thor’s not that tall.

Loki

And just as they’re figuring out the next location to scout for Miss Minutes, they see a sign for Victor Timely’s Astounding Temporal Marvels.

BINGO, er BREADCRUMB.

Temporal. That can’t be a coincidence.

Mobius

Time is everything

The gal pals are in a beer tent where Polka music is playing and people are dancing, except there’s no dancing with these two.

In fact, Miss Minutes is stuffed into a giant Mary Poppins-esque bag while Renslayer carefully scans the room. But for what? or who?

The dapper duo walks in and also starts to scan the room for Renslayer or Miss Minutes.

They quickly spot Renslayer.

And just as Mobius tries to make a run for her, the room goes dark and a curtain on the stage draws open.

Time is everything.

Victor Timely

And here we are, right in the scene teased at the end of Ant-Man: Quantumania.

It’s Victor Timely with a Temporal Loom.

Loki seems petrified and we don’t often see the God of Mischief scared.

Which means we should be scared, right? But Mobius is far from that feeling.

Mobius: What you made him sound like this terrifying figure.
Loki: He is.

A few hecklers egg on Victor Timely. They really aren’t impressed that he can light up a few measly bulbs.

He continues to demonstrate the Loom’s capabilities.

Laugh it off as pure science fiction. But if it can be dreamed, it can be achieved. Because all science is fiction until it’s fact!

Victor Timely

Now where have we heard that before?

If you can dream it, you can achieve it.

Walt Disney

Oh, that’s right. Walt Disney. The creator of Disney. The Disney that owns Marvel Studios. The Marvel Studios that created this show.

What a sneaky little Easter egg!

The Temporal Loom goes off, much like one of those lightning machines at a science museum

OMG is that what those are?

The Amazing Loki

Mobius pivots from the original plan of nabbing Miss Minutes to access the Loom back at the TVA and insists they bring Victor back instead.

Loki is naturally hesitant.

Just then, Timely walks into the crowd and Renslayer approaches him, asking for a moment of his time.

Timely starts to stammer when he speaks. Is he afraid of Renslayer? He didn’t stutter when he spoke on stage, although his cadence was slow and controlled.

A big, boisterous man shoves Renslayer out of the way.

Ugh, men.

He insists on partnering with Timely to produce more of the Loom.

Victor turns him down.

No. I don’t do partners.

Victor Timely

As he walks off, another man approaches, confidently stating that he MUST have the Loom.

Timely stands up and announces he is taking bids – and a war starts up.

Not that kind of war. A bidding war.

The bids quickly go from $500 to $1000, with the top bid coming from Mr. Boisterous.

I believe we have a deal. Pleasure doing business with you.

Victor Timely

Victor walks off with the cash. He slips a bill under the hat of a man at the bar.

Hmm. I wonder who he is.

Renslayer steps into view, following behind Timely.

Renslayer: That is the man who is destined to become He Who Remains? You sure your plan is gonna work?
Miss Minutes: I told you. It’s not my plan. It’s his plan. And quit your worrying. With our help, he’ll be all he’s meant to become.

Just then, Loki is challenged to a fight after he bumps into a VERY large man.

Always thinking on his feet instead of with his brain, Loki busts out his magic and makes the man disappear.

Mobius tries to cover for him.

The Amazing Loki, everyone! He’ll be here all week!

Mobius

The crowd, probably mostly drunk, falls for it.

The reunion

Renslayer bumps into Timely and he insists they hurry away.

We hear Loki’s magic go off.

Cut to the VERY large man in a cage on the back of a horse-drawn cart.

They catch up to Timely and Renslayer.

A reunion!

The Mayor cuts in, complaining about the trousers, which are meant to make him taller, that Timely sold him.

Random fact: In real life, the Mayor of Chicago, Carter Harrison, Sr., was murdered just before the fair ended in October 1893. He was about 5 foot 7 inches tall, which perhaps explains his desire for the trousers (source).

I love how such a random fact made its way into the show!

Loki: You’re a confidence trickster.
Timely: Luminary is the word you’re looking for.

Mr. Boisterous busts in, calling Timely a fraud. But instead of sweet-talking him, Timely books it, leading him on a chase right onto a giant ferris wheel car.

Another random fact: In real life, the Chicago’s World Fair is where the first Ferris Wheel debuted (source).

And just as Timely slips out of the car, the doors close, trapping Mr. Boisterous inside.

Trickster indeed.

Cut to Mobius talking to B-15 and Casey, who inform them they’ve had another ping.

And just then, Sylvie appears, pointing a sword at Timely.

She pushes forward, back them into an empty ferris wheel car. Loki stands in front of Timely, protecting him, like he couldn’t do at the Citadel in season 1. Ouch, burn.

Get out of my face and let me finish the job.

Sylvie

The argument continues. Sylvie wants to kill him, as she promised in episode 2.

Loki insists they need him or the TVA will burn. Sylvie, as she also pointed out in the last episode, could care less.

I know you just want to be left alone to live a life on your branch. I understand that. But if the Loom fails and the TVA is destroyed, there won’t be a life to go back to. Not for you, not for anyone. And we can’t fix it without him.

Loki

The thief

Meanwhile, Mobius and Renslayer are just waiting out at the bottom of the ferris wheel. Arguing, of course, over whether Renslayer will help them out.

No, Mobius. There is no “we.” Not anymore. 

Ravonna Renslayer

Back to the ferris wheel car, where Sylvie, Loki, and Timely are trapped, arguing. Sylvie throws an orange TVA manual at Loki – the one Renslayer slipped into that young boys house back in 1868.

Loki is confused, as he stares in awe at Ouroboros’ guidebook.

Renslayer set him on a path that he wasn’t meant for. And now you are waltzing him straight back into the TVA. The thief of all free will. The most dangerous man who ever lived.

Sylvie

They continue to fight and just as the car reaches the bottom, Loki and Sylvie blast each other with their magic, busting everyone out of the car.

Did anyone else notice the floral arrangement in front of the ferris wheel?

It says something, but I can’t make it out. And it almost looks like an orange circle in the middle, a la Miss Minutes. Maybe it’s nothing, but if anyone knows, please drop a comment!

Anyway, the crowd circles Loki and Timely, as Renslayer steps in and lets Miss Minutes out of the bag.

She quickly grows, towering over the crowd like the Stay Puft Marshmallow clock, and starts terrorizing the crowd.

The crowd disperses and in the chaos, Timely and Renslayer slip away.

This is on you.

Sylvie

Sylvie walks off. Mobius catches up with Loki and offers him a ride in the basket on the front of a bicycle.

This I gotta see. But alas, Loki declines, and we are denied a bromantic scene with the dapper duo riding a bike in their suits.

On the Run Tour

Timely, Renslayer, and Miss Minutes sneak away to Timely’s home, where he tries to charm Renslayer with one of his inventions, a refrigerator chair.

Miss Minutes brings the two back to reality. To which Timely asks if “this apparition,” referring to Miss Minutes, is her helper.

Uh, no. I am a fully conscious and sentient artificial intelligence entity. And I have a name. Miss Minutes.

Miss Minutes

Minutes. Timely. Hmmm.

Timely asks the ladies to explain what is going on.

A long time ago, far from now, a different time, a version of you created an entity called the Time Variance Authority. But two variants of the same Norse god murdered him, which resulted in the creation of the new timelines, which would each see the rebirth of countless different versions of you.

Ravonna Renslayer

Timely is surprised, but also not. Renslayer informs him he needs her by his side.

Miss Minutes rolls her eyes and scoffs.

Uh oh, the girls are FiGhTiNg!

Well, even before the TVA or her, you created me. And we worked together at the End of Time. I’m here because I know what a great man you can become.

Miss Minutes

Timely asks about Loki and why they aren’t teaming up with him.

Mmm… He switches sides. It’s a well-documented behavioral trait.

Ravonna Renslayer

Noooo. Justice for Loki! I am convinced this whole journey is his redemption arc.

There’s a knock at the door and Timely instinctively knows its trouble and ushers the ladies out the window.

They suggest a Time Door, but he insists they gather something at his lab first.

A mad chase ensues between Timely and friends, Mr. Boisterious and his cronies, and the dapper duo, who have also tracked him down again.

Loki chases off Mr Boisterous with magic and after running around the maze of wooden homes, they lose Timely and the ladies.

The SS Herron

Cut to Timely, Renslayer, and Miss Minutes boarding a ferry, the SS Herron, en route to Timely’s lab.

Timely shows them his idea notebook, which is the TVA Guidebook. He explains that he got is as a child.

Side Note: I really hope they release a blank notebook like this in time for Christmas. It’d be the perfect stocking stuffer!

It was delivered to me…when I was a child. Dropped into my life by some divine hand.

Victor Timely

And that’s when he realizes it was Renslayer who did it. Except Miss Minutes is not about to let her take credit. 

You brought it to him the way the postman brings the post. We both know whose plan it was.

Miss Minutes

Miss Minutes sure is short this season, isn’t she? And I don’t mean her height, although that is also true.

Timely explains how very important the book is to him ever since receiving it that fateful day when he was a kid.

This book has defined the course of my life. I like to think of it as a correspondence between myself and the visionary author, Ouroboros.

Victor Timely

Interesting. Victor Timely, aka a variant of the man who created the TVA, looks up to O.B.

Usually people in power, or at least those that abuse their power, are negligent in recognizing those that helped paved the way or shaped their life. But here’s Timely, doing exactly that.

That has to mean something, right? Is Ouroboros a variant of He Who Remains? Or another AI creation of his?

He hands Renslayer an origami flower.

You know Victor, I’m starting to see the man you’ll become.

Ravonna Renslayer

I’m beginning to think Renslayer knows more about how this will all turn out than she lets on.

As in, their future. 

I’m reminded of the scene in episode 1 where Loki hears a recording of He Who Remains talking to Renslayer. But perhaps it was Timely?

Ravonna Renslayer, you are quite a marvel. I will be proud to lead with you.

He Who Remains / Victor Timely / Some variant of HWR?

Timely touches Renslayers hand, lightly.

Timely: I appreciate that, Ravonna.
Renslayer: I have high hope for this partnership.

And then he pulls his hand away. Miss Minutes smiles.

Remember, Timely doesn’t do partnerships.

Renslayer falls asleep and suddenly, the rescue boat she’s fallen asleep in falls into the lake.

You heard her, Victor. Partnership. You had to do it.

Miss Minutes

Renslayer, understandably, is furious, and starts rowing toward the boat.

The Mad Scientist’s Lab

Timely and Miss Minutes reach his lab. He finds the prototype and attempts to scurry out to get back to the TVA.

She convinces him to stay a while, to wait for the heat to die down, before they leave. And she begins to tell him the story of how he created her and gave her free will…sort of.

Timely calls her a loyal friend, but that’s not where Miss Minute is headed with this talk, is it?

More than friends. The war, the TVA, the eons after. I, alone, was by your side. But there was one whim you never allowed me. Why didn’t you allow me a real body?

Miss Minutes

Timely stutters, confused as to where this is headed.

You never even tried. With all your powers and all your abilities, you just kept me as your thing. Your computer. Your toy. Instead of what I could have been. Your girl.

Miss Minutes

What kind of love triangle is Marvel trying to pass off this time?

Miss Minutes transposes herself onto one of Timely’s mannequins in the lab. Victor, rightfully, is creeped the eff out and grabs the Tempad, anxiously pressing it.

And just like that, Victor is on his own again, as Miss Minutes disappears. 

Remember what he said about partnerships, y’all.

Order vs. Chaos

Except then Renslayer walks in, with some sort of fiery weapon in hand that sort of reminds me of a Time Stick that the TVA Hunters always had.

I was entrusted with this mission by He Who Remains, not his Variant. So, from now on, I’m the one in charge. Are we clear?

Ravonna Renslayer

Dude can’t catch a break between these two jealous ladies. See what power can do to people?

But of course, the dapper duo, Loki and Mobius, burst into the lab, ready to save the day. ‘Cause that’s what heroes do.

Is this the free will that you were looking for?

Mobius to Ravonna Renslayer

Renslayer is holding Timely hostage with the Time Stick. She goes off about how she’s covered Mobius’ butt for so long, carrying the TVA on her back without any thanks from anybody.

All that matters is order versus chaos.

Ravonna Renslayer

And just like that, Loki’s magic goes poof, stopping Renslayer from killing Timely.

At first it seems they’ve all disappeared, except for Timely, who tumbled to the ground in-frame.

Sylvie walks in, armed with a sword. She really likes her swords.

But Loki is still there. As is Ravonna and Mobius.

Sylvie advances toward Timely, sword drawn. He begs for his life.

You don’t know the heart beating in my chest. I can make my own choices. I’m not the man you think I am.

Victor Timely

That seems to do the trick. Cuz Sylvie’s all about free will and stuff.

But remember, friends, Timely’s a trickster. A luminary.

I wouldn’t trust a word he says, how about you?

It’s the End of Time as we know it

The three men walk through a Time Door, presumably back to the TVA, while Sylvie and Renslayer stay behind.

Sylvie’s still gunning for a fight and gut punches Renslayer.

It’s power for you, isn’t it? That’s what you want. A seat at the End of Time. Well, be careful what you wish for.

Sylvie

And with that, she kicks Renslayer through a Time Door to the Citadel at the End of Time.

The Citadel is crumbling. He Who Remains is sitting in his throne, slumped over.

Ravonna lets Miss Minutes out of her jail. Seems they may have been in on the cat fighting all along.

Miss Minutes: Well, it was foolish of him to make an enemy out of someone who knows all his secrets. I know a really big one about you. I can tell you, but…
Renslayer: But what?
Miss Minutes: It’s gonna make you real angry.

And then the episode ends, because Marvel loves a good cliffhanger. 

Le sigh. I guess we’ll have to wait til next week to find out what that secret is.

Got questions about episode 3? I might have answers.

Here are some of the most common questions about episode 3, along with their answers. As more come in, I’ll update this post!

Is there a post credit scene in Loki Season 2, Episode 3?

No, there isn’t a post credit scene in episode 3. I’m beginning to miss them already.

Who is Balder the Brave?

Balder the Brave is a character from the Marvel Comics who is the son of Odin and half-brother to Thor.

In this episode, Mobius also refers to him as a variant of Loki, which is perhaps why we haven’t seen him in the MCU yet.

You can learn more in the write-up about Balder the Brave in this post from The Direct.

Who was the man at the bar that Timely tipped?

The guy at the bar is an associate of Timely’s and is in on the con to sell the Temporal Loom for an absurd price.

He’s the same guy who offers Timely $500 for it, setting off the bidding war, hence the payout.

Where is Brad?

The big Brad Wolfe, aka Hunter X-5, is chilling in TVA jail still. I’m sure we’ll see him once again, perhaps next episode.

What did you think of Loki Season 2, Episode 3 – 1893?

Another strong, well paced episode from Marvel Studios.

We finally found out where Ravonna Renslayer, Miss Minutes, and Victor Timely were. But the Temporal Loom is still in danger and new questions came up – especially regarding a secret about Ravonna Renslayer.

I can’t believe we’ve only three episodes left of Loki!

Until next week, my friends. Be sure to tune in to Disney+ next Thursday at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT for episode 4 of Loki, Season 2.

Will Ouroboros and pals fix the Temporal Loom and restore order? Or will Victor Timely’s arrival bring chaos?

And what’s going on at the End of Time with the quarreling ladies? What’s Ravonna’s secret?

This post was originally published October 20, 2023. It was last updated October 25, 2023.