Time-Traveling Tunes: The Musical Evolution in Loki’s Latest Episode
When you’ve got a cinematic universe as expansive as Marvel’s, even the slightest alteration to its iconic opening fanfare can turn heads and spark debates. Loki season 2 took this to a new level in episode 3, completely transforming the Michael Giacchino-composed theme into a toe-tapping ragtime tune. This wasn’t just for kicks; it matched the episode’s 1893 Chicago setting, enhancing the viewer’s experience by giving them a sense of time and place before the action even kicked off.
“As seen at the beginning of the episode, the Michael Giacchino-composed theme has been altered (likely by Loki composer Natalie Holt), becoming a ragtime tune to better fit the early Chicago setting in the year 1893.”
Marvel’s History of Switching Up the Fanfare
Marvel isn’t new to this game of changing its iconic opening tunes. Remember the spine-chilling horror-themed fanfare of 2022’s “Werewolf by Night”? That one had fans raving about how Marvel could switch gears so effortlessly. It’s not just an auditory aesthetic; it’s a signal, a clarion call that says, “Hey, this isn’t your average Marvel flick.”
“The last time the MCU fanfare was changed was about a year ago…complete with black and white visuals and electricity sparking across the logo. After all, changing the opening logo and fanfare that’s been seen countless times before certainly helped make the entire project feel fresh and new.”
Starting a petition to make the ragtime MCU intro the official version #Loki pic.twitter.com/tNUyx7c8xJ
— Jack (-_•) (@captaincupkicks) October 20, 2023
Where in Time is Ravonna Renslayer?
Episode 3 does more than just switch up the music; it also offers critical information on the whereabouts of pivotal characters. Ravonna Renslayer, following what could only be described as “posthumous marching orders” from He Who Remains, is on a journey through a branched timeline. This episode confirms she’s in late 19th century Chicago, a time where the ragtime twist makes all the more sense.
“As seen in Loki season 2, episode 3, the whereabouts of Ravonna Renslayer and Miss Minutes are revealed. Following the posthumous instructions of Jonathan Majors’ He Who Remains who died in Loki season 1, the former TVA judge travels to a branched timeline in the past: late 19th century Chicago.”
Why the Change in Tune Matters
What’s fascinating about Loki’s new opening music is not just the nostalgic vibe it carries but also its thematic relevance. Loki season 2, especially episode 3, is knee-deep in time-travel shenanigans, and changing the fanfare music to fit the period setting isn’t just a gimmick—it’s storytelling.
“Changing the classic MCU fanfare by making it even more classic certainly helps clue viewers into the new time setting in the past while also just being fun, putting a new spin on the expected traditional opener for MCU projects.”
So the next time you tune in for a new episode of Loki, released every Thursday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+, pay close attention to the opening fanfare. It might just be a clue to the episode’s adventures in time—and perhaps even a key to Marvel’s ever-expanding universe.
