Loki's ending was set up by Lady Sif's time loop insult. In the Loki season 1 finale, Sylvie and Loki finally cross paths with the one behind the TVA, He Who Remains. The two are then presented with a choice. They can either take over the task of maintaining the Sacred Timeline and preserving order, or kill He Who Remains and unleash the chaos of the multiverse. While Loki is in favor of the former, Sylvie opts for the latter, fueled by her personal mission for vengeance. After besting Loki in combat, she kills He Who Remains, setting the stage for a multiversal war.
Audiences got a taste of the consequences of Sylvie's actions in Loki episode 6's closing moments. The timeline had branched into a plethora of realities, with Hunter B-15 and Mobius trying to make sense of the situation. As Loki frantically explains what happened, he comes to the haunting realization Mobius doesn't recognize him - the result of the Sacred Timeline being rest or altered, or Loki being transported to a new reality. Not only had Loki suffered a falling out with Sylvie, he also lost his one true friend in the TVA. This tragedy was established earlier in the season.
In Loki episode 4, Mobius sends Loki to a memory prison, where the God of Mischief is stuck in a time loop of an encounter he had with Lady Sif. Upset Loki had cut off her hair, Sif punches Loki and tells him, "I hope you know you deserve to be alone, and you always will be." The Loki season 1 finale recalls this moment, as Loki finds himself alone despite cultivating two meaningful relationships over the course of the season.
A core theme in Loki is the exploration of predetermined fate vs. free will. At the beginning of the show, Mobius tells Loki his role is to lose, helping others (like the Avengers) become the best versions of themselves. Loki then tries to answer the question if it's possible for this to change. For a while, it seems as if it is. Loki shows real personal growth in season 1, becoming close with both Sylvie and Mobius. It's apparent Loki truly loves and cares for them. There was a romantic element to his connection with Sylvie, and he considered Mobius a friend, sharing a handful of touching moments. Knowing this is what makes the Loki finale twist even more devastating. Loki accomplished something many thought to be impossible, and everything was undone in an instant.
It shows that despite Loki's best efforts, he couldn't escape his ultimate fate. Regardless if he stays as the God of Mischief in Asgard or goes on a journey through time with variants of himself, he's destined to end up alone. It remains to be seen what happens in the confirmed Loki season 2. Loki could very well rebuild his friendship with Mobius, for instance, but it still stings that dynamic has to start from scratch after all the progress the two made. Perhaps one day, Loki will be able to find a happy ending, but for now it's hard not to think about Sif's brutal taunt when considering his current predicament.
Loki will return for the announced Loki season 2.
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