The latest ‘Loki’ episode is not a filler. It’s probably the most important episode to date

On the surface, the third episode of “Loki” might seem like a filler episode of the television series. Filler episodes slide away from the main plot. They tell a singular, bottleneck story that you often don’t remember as the rest of the series goes on.

So you could argue the third episode of “Loki” — titled “Lamentis” — is a filler episode because it takes us away from the main story. Last week, we see multiple timelines spinning out of control. We saw the Time Variance Authority lose Loki and this new Lady Loki.

But the third episode of “Loki” was not a filler episode. It included so much character development for both Loki and Sylvie (the actual name of Lady Loki, as we learned in this episode). We see the two struggle to get along as they search for a way home. We learn more about Loki’s past, his motivations and what, well, makes him tick. For Sylvie, it’s much of the same.

Character development is needed for Sylvie, since we don’t know her at all. The fact that they could give Loki even deeper development — despite his Marvel Cinematic Universe history — is a credit to Marvel, which continues to find ways to innovate and reshape the narrative around Loki.

These details about our characters are necessary, too. It helps us understand more about Loki’s motivation, specifically how he is a lost boy trying to make his way in the universe. We also learn — as showrunner Kate Herron confirmed — Loki is bisexual, having had romantic relationships with men and women. That’s the first time we’ve heard that about Loki.

“It is a part of who he is and who I am too. I know this is a small step but I’m happy, and heart is so full, to say that this is now Canon in #MCU,” Herron tweeted.

The developments also tell us that Sylvie, as a Loki variant, had a completely different path than Loki to become who she is. No variant is the same. But they all have the same core values of mischief, magic and meddling. How this plays out moving forward will be interesting. I can already say that Sylvie has staked her claim in the MCU. She’s a welcome addition and one who could take over as the Loki-type character even if Tom Hiddleston steps away from the role. That’s important for Marvel as a whole. We have an entirely new character that impressed on screen, becoming a potential character for the long term. You can’t ignore that.

And if you need one more argument about how this episode isn’t a filler — there was a huge reveal in this episode about the TVA and its workers. It certainly makes some of Agent Mobius’ (Owen Wilson) dialogue more interesting, and it kind of reshapes the way we look at the TVA overall.

Filler episodes can often be forgotten. They don’t matter. But the third episode of “Loki” matters more than most. We established a relationship between Loki and Sylvie. We learned there’s more to Loki than manipulation and maniacal planning. And we learned not all is what it seems.

When we do return to the main storyline, it’s clear now that all bets are off.