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If there’s anything we know about Lokis, it’s that they survive. A new fan theory suggests Richard E. Grant’s Classic Loki faked his death in Loki Season 1. And the evidence supporting their theory comes straight from one of Classic Loki’s lines in episode 5. Let’s break down the theory and what it could mean for Loki Season 2.

[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers for Loki Season 1 Episodes 5 and 6.]

Richard E. Grant as Classic Loki in 'Loki' Episode 5. He wears a gold Loki helmet with long horns, a yellow cape and collar, and green suit. At the end of the episode, Classic Loki dies to help Loki and Sylvie enchant Alioth. But some fans think Classic Loki faked his death and actually survived.
Richard E. Grant as Classic Loki in ‘Loki’ Episode 5 | Marvel Studios

Why did Loki have to die?

Grant’s Classic Loki was a delightful addition to Loki Season 1 Episode 5. He was part of the group of Loki variants trapped in the Void. And of course, because Lokis survive, they’re the only beings alive in the Void. Everyone else perishes quickly when Alioth comes to feed. And death by Alioth is quick. When the beast’s vapors hit a person/object/anything, it poofs out of thin air and ceases to exist.

Sylvie’s theories about Alioth were correct. The giant, cloud-like monster was the gateway to He Who Remains. And the creature could be enchanted. But Sylvie couldn’t do it alone. Classic Loki taught Loki and Sylvie that the God/Goddess of Mischief’s powers were far stronger than they realized. He proved this by erecting a replica of Asgard to distract Alioth while Sylvie and Loki used their powers to enchant it.

Classic Loki’s act of bravery was uncharacteristic for a Loki. They’re famously self-centered and protect themselves before anyone else. But the Disney+ series was all about working through that mindset and being open to accepting love, help, and support. A glorious purpose, indeed. Classic Loki sacrificed himself to Alioth so Sylvie and Loki could succeed in controlling the beast and make it to the Citadel at the End of Time. But did he actually die?

Did Classic Loki actually die?

The New Rockstars YouTube account thinks it’s possible Classic Loki didn’t die. But to understand the theory, we must first remember what Grant’s Loki said earlier in the episode.

The Classic Loki variant is basically the older version of Tom Hiddleston’s. His origin story is the most similar to Hiddleston’s character, in that he had a near-fatal run-in with Thanos. This part of Loki Episode 5 brought the popular “left hand stab” Avengers: Infinity War theory to life. The theory suggested Loki didn’t die in Infinity War. Rather, he projected a version of himself and that’s who stabbed Thanos.

In Thor: The Dark World, Loki did fake his death. And he used his left hand to stab someone before doing so. Loki used his left hand when attempting to stab Thanos, leading some to believe it was a projection and not the real person. While that theory was debunked, Loki creator Michael Waldron did throw it into Classic Loki’s plot.

“I cast a projection of myself so real, even the mad titan believed it, then hid as inanimate debris,” Classic Loki told the other variants of how he faked his death.

The New Rockstars theory suggests the Classic Loki viewers saw confronting Alioth was a projection. They theorized Grant’s character faked his death and floated off as inanimate debris again. What’s more, the video pointed out a large piece of floating debris passing the Citadel as Loki and Sylvie walked through the portal. (This theory video came out before Loki Episode 6 and also theorized that Classic Loki would be He Who Remains. That part of the theory was incorrect. He Who Remains was Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror.)

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Classic Loki’s death explained

Could that large chunk of debris have been Classic Loki in disguise? The variant had just shown off the biggest display of sorcery ever seen from a Loki. He undoubtedly had the power to cast this projection of himself. But the question is, did he want to?

Classic Loki spent countless years in isolation, convinced he was destined to be alone as the “God of the Misfits.” His Nexus event was realizing he missed his brother, Thor, and deciding to go back home. He’s been trapped in the Void ever since. He said:

“After I faked my death, I simply drifted in space. Away from Thor, away from everything. I thought about the universe and my place in it. And it occurred to me that everywhere I went, only pain followed. So I removed myself from the equation, landed on a remote planet, and stayed there in isolation, in solitude for a long, long time.”

Meeting Sylvie and Loki made Classic Loki realize the “glorious purpose” he scoffed at could actually come to pass. His act of self-sacrifice made him feel like the hero for the first time in his entire lonely existence. Faking his death and escaping as debris wouldn’t negate his act of heroism, as long as he doesn’t foil future plans for anyone if he does return in Loki Season 2. But it would also be just as a satisfying of an ending if Classic Loki did die for a heroic glorious purpose.

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