The Swift Connection: Was It Intentional?
In the buzz-filled space of pop culture, it’s not uncommon for TV shows to hint at or tease real-life celebrity relationships or phenomena. However, the second episode of Loki’s second season, titled “Breaking Bread,” might have taken this craft to an entirely new level. Enter a line from Rafael Casal’s character, Brad aka X-5, directed at Tom Hiddleston’s Loki: “It’s you. You’re the problem.” On the surface, it’s a simple enough line, yet it’s stirred the pot for not just Marvel fans but also the Swifties. Why? Well, let’s dive into it.
“It’s you. You’re the problem.” – Brad aka X-5 in Loki S2, E2
From ‘Anti-Hero’ to ‘Wildest Dreams’
Tom Hiddleston‘s Loki has undergone a significant transformation over the years, from villain to anti-hero. It’s fascinating how Brad labels Loki as a “villain,” while most of us see him more as an anti-hero. Coincidentally, Taylor Swift’s song “Anti-Hero” from her album “Midnights” seems to be having a moment. And who can forget the brief but much-discussed relationship between Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston back in 2016?
“You know what my favorite song by Taylor Swift currently is? ‘Anti-Hero’ off of Midnights.”
Did the Writers Know What They Were Doing?
Although the line “It’s you. You’re the problem” could be a mere coincidence, it’s the layering of this line over the ongoing narrative that makes it intriguing. Brad, or X-5, isn’t just lobbing this line at Loki; he’s attacking the God of Mischief’s newfound “hero” status, questioning it, and thereby adding a layer of complexity to the show.
“He wants Loki to feel pain. He’s so upset by the state of things, he’s attacking him and doing whatever he has to in order to push back against him.”
A Random Coincidence or a Calculated Move?
Whether the Taylor Swift connection was intentional or not, it adds a delightful layer for those in the know. The timing in this scene couldn’t have been more perfect, whether or not it was a deliberate “Anti-Hero” call out.
“I don’t care if this was just a regular line someone wrote who crawled out of a hole who had never heard of Taylor Swift before. I still think it is funny and the timing of it in this scene just really works, ‘Anti-Hero’ reference or not.”
In Our ‘Wildest Dreams’
Sometimes the beauty lies in the interpretation. Maybe we’ll never know if this line was a clever nod to Taylor Swift, but it’s fun to pretend, in our wildest dreams, that it was.
So, was it a casual coincidence, a crafty move by the writers, or simply something to chuckle about for fans who notice these small details? Whatever it may be, the subtlety adds an interesting dimension to the Loki narrative. It’s one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments that shows how the Marvel Universe and our real world sometimes amusingly intersect.
