foundlingmother:

Oh goodness, anon! You didn’t make this easy! I love it! 

I’m not sure how much character growth exists in each individual scene I’ve come up with, but these are my favorite scenes that are part of their overall growth, imo. I can’t really order them, so I’ll just over-explain my thoughts about scenes from each movie.

Thor

The “Give Us a Kiss” Scene

The scene that sets up their brotherhood. And it was deleted. Fucking… Anyway, this scene shows their pre-Thor dynamic well. Loki loves his brother. Thor clearly loves him, too, but there’s so many issues with communication. And I really like that it’s made clear Thor enjoys Loki’s magic, even though he belittles it (in an effort to big up himself, I might add, whilst he’s feeling uncertain about his impending coronation). And, of course, my Thorki heart can’t help but scream when Thor doesn’t just drag Loki into a kiss right then and there. I love how a lot of post-IW time travel fics take Thor back to that moment and have him snog Loki senseless. More of that, please!

The Table Flip Scene

The extended version! They sit closer together. It’s made much more clear how surprised Loki is that Thor talks about shared glory, not just glory for himself. The way Loki plays Thor like a fiddle, but also seems to be genuine in a lot of ways (like the line about how Thor’s day will come–he really just wants to improve Thor and prove to everyone how great his own abilities are, not destroy Thor). Loki looking so fucking happy standing up next to Thor and the way they walk off together. They were so young! They had no idea!

Thor’s Apology Scene

I’ve talked at length about this apology. I love it. I love that Thor’s tries to initiate communication the only way he knows how. He wants to fix whatever’s gone wrong between them. But, of course, it’s not about him. So it doesn’t do anything. No communication occurs. It’s endlessly frustrating and perfect for that reason. Also, it’s great to have Thor in this position where he must talk down the “enemy”.

The Bifrost Fight Scene

*cries* Thor doesn’t even know what’s going on! But he doesn’t want to hurt Loki! asdfghjkl;’

Avengers

The Cliffside Reunion Scene

I feed off the miscommunication in this scene, both purposeful and accidental. Thor misunderstanding Loki’s perspective and anger. Loki’s accusations. Thor dismissing both, even though one is legit. Just… how it shows that they’re both such a mess. That they’re coming from different places. Also the neck grab. The conflict within Loki. The way he leans away, but doesn’t actually try to escape Thor’s hold (at first–he does shrug him off when he actually wants to). And Loki being a little shit at different points. The way the humor and emotion blends. Perfect way to summarize what’s up with their relationship and their characters (for those who haven’t seen Thor). Loki isn’t usually like this (Thor believes someone must be controlling Loki). They’re both terrible communicators. They love each other so much. They’re both deeply hurt and their wounds are fresh.

The Stark Tower Fight Scene

Thor reaching out. Loki hearing him. Loki wanting to accept. Loki knowing he can’t. Because it’s too late. The moment Thor decides he can’t get through to Loki. He comes so close, and yet… Plus, there’s yet another big hint that Loki doesn’t want to be doing this… 

Thor: The Dark World

Thor and Loki’s Escape Scene

I will never not enjoy the way Loki’s a little, excited shit the entire time they’re committing treason. The shapeshifting. The spicy neck grab. The backseat driving. “Well Done. You’ve Just Decapitated Your Grandfather.” Loki being impressed with Thor outsmarting him. The way he lights up when he’s driving them through the pathway between realms. You can tell Loki’s slipped back into old behaviors, waiting for Thor to start behaving the way he used to when they went on unsanctioned adventures. Thor, on the other hand, is trying to remain detached/serious/focused. Though there are moments where he can’t help but treat Loki like an obnoxious little brother. Great balance.

The Brothers on the Boat Scene

Loki’s concern being for Thor’s happiness. The way their grief gets the better of both of them and they lash out. The way Loki effortlessly offers comfort. The way Thor looks when he realizes it’s worked, that it did comfort him. That there’s some part of Loki that’s still Loki, not just a selfish, cruel madman. The way Loki looks at Thor! There’s no scene that does better with their post-Thor/post-Avengers dynamic, imo. They both have a voice. No one’s condemning Thor for being upset, but it’s also crystal clear who Loki really is. Their communication problems are also a big part of the scene. Ugh! It’s amazing!

The Confrontation with Malekith and Loki’s “Death”

Thor trusting Loki not only to carry out the plan, but to protect Jane. The way Thor protects Loki. The way he holds him and cries while Loki “dies”. This scene makes me cry. It’s so wonderful. It shows how deeply Thor cares about and trusts Loki, even when he’s angry with him and trying to distance himself. Thor’s loving and protective and conflicted. And heartbroken. I know lots of people get upset about Thor leaving Loki’s body, but I don’t hold that against him. He just committed treason. He can’t take Loki’s body to Asgard. Anyway, this scene is a pretty clear example of character growth. It’s meant to be the moment Thor realizes he gave up on Loki too quickly. And it’s a moment of redemption for Loki (this isn’t negated by the fact he survived–Loki’s illusions are canonically unable to be touched without disruption).

Thor Returns to Face “Odin’s” Judgement

So, I think this scene often gets written off as Loki being evil because of the line at the end, but I don’t see it that way. He offers Thor the throne. He offers Thor the freedom Odin refused to grant him. He lets Thor leave with supportive words from Odin. That’s… all out of a deep love for Thor. Yeah, he benefits from some of it, but what’s he getting out of making Odin look like a good, supportive father? That’s just Loki telling Thor he’s proud of him. And he should be. Thor’s line in that scene really shows how he’s grown through the movies. No longer the child proclaiming himself king. Able to admit that others possess skills he does not. It’s great. I wish this scene were addressed more in fics. I think there’s so much to play with here, and always love seeing people tackle it.