Someone showed me the oft-shared snippet of an audition/character script used for Halbrand in The Rings of Power and yeah, the bit at the top made me laugh because I remember when the Sauron reveal happened in 2022 one of my reactions was “why am I like this?” because I both very suspected anyway and very enjoyed his character.
ANYWAY.
Btw I want to get out of the way NOW to anyone who might read me uncharitably: this is not a Sauron apology post. He very much IS a character in canon who would throw his allies or friends to a sea worm. And he does! The debate over whether or not he has actual friends notwithstanding.
I can think of crazy ways to soften or redeem him in fic but in the books and films/show? Yeah. Not happening. Whereas Loki in the MCU has always had that part to him where proper redemption in canon seemed possible for a few, short glorious years.
ANYWAY.
I know the script up there talks about MCU Loki’s charisma but the part about sacrificing his friends got me thinking…
It’s very accurate for TROP writers to say that about Sauron in their show, but what pisses me off is when MCU writers say that about Loki.
Because it’s NEVER what’s depicted on screen. Loki regularly sacrifices HIMSELF either to avenge someone or keep someone else safe (notably Thor) and the only time he throws anyone under the bus he does it in a way that doesn’t result in their death. Being banished to Midgard /=/ death. Thor was still alive. We can debate the morals of Loki lying to him but still - Thor not dead. Ok The Destroyer backhanded Thor when he was in mortal form on Loki’s orders but I’d argue that was a crime of familial passion (caused by hurt regarding his true identity) rather than an opportunistic attempted murder.
All the events of Thor (2011) do not erase what comes after: he (seemingly willingly) dies twice and Thor benefits from that both times.
The MCU writers and directors want to TELL us Loki in Phase 1-3 is selfish and will sacrifice his family or friends. But the films objectively don’t SHOW that.
I just get angry every time I think about it because way too many among fans, even supposed Loki fans, say the same thing.
(Heh typical that one fave inspires a rant about another fave. They’re both trolling me.)
