Loki Confirms The MCU Really Is Always Aliens, Androids, Or Wizards

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Loki episode 4.

One of the big twists in Loki episode 4 supports Sam Wilson’s theory that the MCU only has three types of villains: “aliens, androids, and wizards”. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier features plenty of banter between Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, which allows for some clever comments on the absurdity of some of their missions. During the second episode of the series, the former Falcon tells Bucky that supervillains fall under three categories, which he calls the “Big Three” — “aliens, androids, and wizards”. Villains such as Baron Zemo, Erik Killmonger, Abomination, and Ghost disproved that theory long before Sam Wilson even coined it, but Loki‘s Time-Keepers support it.

The mystery that surrounds the TVA and the three mysterious figures that control the Sacred Timeline — and therefore, the multiverse — pushes the plot of Loki to the wildest and most unexpected places. Fan speculation points at Kang the Conqueror as the one behind the Time-Keepers, remaining in the shadows in order to retain absolute control over the Sacred Timeline. Others believe a Loki variant is the one pulling the strings and pruning every variant of himself that threatens his secret plans. While Loki episode 4 doesn’t delve into the real identity of the Time-Keepers, it has revealed that the three figures depicted all over the TVA are mere cybernetic puppets.

In a moment that mirrors the great reveal in The Wizard of Oz, Sylvie and Loki realize that the ominous Time-Keepers are robotic props. This explains why the TVA screens variants to see if they’re robots, as highly advanced androids are more likely to see through the Time-Keepers’ lies. Episode 4’s twist also proves Sam Wilson right — even the most influential MCU villains happen to be not only magical aliens but also evil robots. Of course, the real Time-Keepers, or whoever is actually behind the TVA, may not be one of the “Big Three”. But still, it’s curious that across the vastness of space and throughout the endless thread of time, MCU antagonists tend to fall under Sam Wilson’s three categories.

Although the MCU’s most powerful and popular villains have followed the “Big Three” model, future movies and TV series are expected to expand the MCU’s villain roster and introduce several new types of characters. For instance, the Darkhold that Scarlet Witch acquires in WandaVision could eventually introduce creatures like demons and werewolves, while Blade will deal with vampires (also teased by Mobius in Loki episode 4), and Spider-Man: No Way Home will feature multiversal antagonists with different origin stories, namely Doctor Octopus and Electro.

After Loki’s sorcery, Ultron’s technological threat of apocalypse, and Thanos’ extraterrestrial nature, it’s time for big-time MCU villains to break new ground. Thankfully, Loki is just one of the many pieces of evidence that Phase 4 is revolutionizing the MCU in more ways than one. Future MCU titles will open the door for endless possibilities, but for now, Sam Wilson’s “Big Three” theory remains true.

Loki releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

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