A Few Thoughts on Bisexual Representation in Loki

*Season 1 spoilers.*

Your regularly-scheduled Marvelous Wednesdays post is coming to you a couple days early. On actual Wednesday this week, we have a new 100 Years of Buster Keaton post coming, and 100-year anniversaries take precedent!

In Loki, much was made of the moment in episode 3 when the titular god of mischief quietly confirmed his sexuality. Screenshots were joyously shared on social media, queer fans and allies reveled in the episode’s “bisexual lighting,” and people talked about finally feeling seen in an MCU property. Others were less impressed, feeling that it was another example of flimsy lipservice representation, and as the series continued on, fans disagreed over the direction the show was taking Loki on that front.

Let’s start with the scene itself, which is short but lovely. Having unintentionally stranded themselves on a soon-to-be-destroyed moon, Loki and his variant Sylvie board a train headed to their only hope of escape. Heretofore, they’ve been combative with each other, alternatively trading blows and trying to deceive one another. But on the long train journey, they start to get real. They trade stories on their divergent upbringings, and Loki displays a bit of his magic for Sylvie.

In the midst of this heart-to-heart, the subject turns to past romantic relationships. Sylvie asks, “What about you? You’re a prince. Must’ve been would-be princesses. Or perhaps another prince.” Loki replies, “A bit of both, I suspect the same as you.” But regardless of gender, the two agree that their respective past relationships have never been truly “real.”

I really enjoy this scene, but within the context of the show as a whole, I understand why it’s garnered some dissatisfied reactions. There’s the mere fact that we’re using the word “scene” and not “portrayal.” While this episode marks the beginning of a slown-burn will-they-won’t-they between Loki and Sylvie, with Loki in particular ultimately falling pretty hard for his variant, this brief exchange is the only acknowledgement in the series that Loki is attracted to men. In light of that, and especially in light of Disney’s previous touting of their “gay moments” and “LGBTQ characters” that each amount to one blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, I get that some people aren’t prepared to be waving their pride/bisexual flags on this one. Taken on its own, it’s a lovely character moment, but set against the backdrop of two random rebels kissing for half a second at the end of The Rise of Skywalker or a supporting character in Onward offhandedly mentioning her girlfriend in one line, I can see why it might be viewed as yet another example of paltry crumbs in place of meaningful representation. I don’t intend to take away from anyone who feels like this scene isn’t enough.

Personally, I don’t see it that why. For one, this is Loki! Not only is he the indisputable main character of the series (given that his name is in the title and all,) he’s also been a beloved MCU fan favorite for over 10 years. This is way bigger than the random scene in Endgame where a nameless bit character played by one of the Russos uses a male pronoun in reference to a date, weightier than if they hadn’t cut the moment of Ayo hitting on Okoye in Black Panther. It means more than if Mantis had been more precise about not liking “the type of thing that [Drax is]” in Guardians Vol. 2, more substantial than if they hadn’t cut the moment of Valkyrie leaving a woman’s bedroom in Ragnarok. While, yes, the scene is short and neither Loki nor Sylvie ever say the words “bi” or “pansexual,” we’re still talking about a major MCU character here who is unambiguously identifying as queer.

Do I wish we could’ve gotten more on this from Loki and/or Sylvie? Of course, and I really hope season 2 delivers there. But for the scene, as it is? I still like it. It feels fitting for me with how Loki’s been portrayed throughout the MCU. In the films, we never see him in a relationship, and we don’t see him flirting with anyone really, male or female. Loki/Glorious Purpose has more typically been the OTP, although he’s occasionally realized that family is more important than his own power/gratification (Ragnarok Loki for the win!) This is a messed-up character who has difficulty trusting and being trustworthy to other people. He frequently plays mind games with those around him, and he doesn’t let his guard down easily – he’s not someone who’s likely to have a back catalog of past loving girlfriends or boyfriends.

And to be honest, I kind of like that characterization for him. While I love me some Oberyn Martell and Magnus Bane, there’s a definite trope of movie/TV bisexuals flirting with everything that moves. I enjoy the contrast that Loki is a prideful but lonely guy who has difficulty making deep connections with others due to personal damage that has nothing to do with his sexuality. It’s interesting, it makes for a change, and again, it fits with who the character is.

Finally, I have a hard time getting on board with people who argue that Loki/Sylvie “negates” Loki or Sylvie’s bisexuality. I understand the disappointment – I get the appeal of Loki/Mobius as a ship, and I agree with the supposition that the show wouldn’t have had Loki fall in love with a variant of himself if that variant hadn’t been a woman (no matter how much a subset of the fandom might’ve enjoyed watching Tom Hiddleston flirt with himself.) But it’s inaccurate to say that the show pivoted to a “straight romance” when both characters in the ship are queer. Bi erasure can cut more than one way, and no matter what gender a bi character’s crush/partner/whatever is, it’s still valid. That’s something I’ve had to check myself on in the past – Joe’s on-again off-again relationship with Cameron on Halt and Catch Fire is frequently a mess, but that doesn’t make it bad bi representation. Not that things can’t get problematic – I think of Thirteen on House, who hooked up with women during a self-destructive spiral and then got into a “healthy” established relationship with a man – but the mere fact of a bi character being with someone of the opposite sex doesn’t make them any more or less bi.