#180 – Loki S2 Ep 4 – The Heart of the TVA

Victor Timely’s arrival, wasted time, and a gut-punch ending that leaves the TVA in chaos.

In this episode of Marvel Maniac: An MCU Aftershow, Eric (Mr. Honest) dives into Loki Season 2, Episode 4 – The Heart of the TVA. Victor Timely finally arrives at the TVA, but the team’s optimism quickly turns into heartbreak. We break down Timely’s tragic fate, the TVA’s wasted time and indecision, and what this cliffhanger means for the Multiverse Saga.

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CREDITS: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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#179 – X-Men (2000) – The Movie That Started It All

Revisiting the film that kickstarted Marvel’s movie dominance and paved the way for the MCU.

We’re rewinding the clock all the way back to the year 2000 with X-Men—the film that kickstarted Marvel’s big-screen era and paved the way for the MCU as we know it. Join Eric (Mr. Honest) as he revisits Magneto’s powerful origin, Wolverine’s unforgettable introduction, and the film’s lasting impact on superhero movies. What’s your favorite X-Men moment? Share it with us and stay tuned as we continue our journey through the entire X-Men era!

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CREDITS: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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#178 – Loki S2E3 – "1893” The Man Who Could Be Kang

Loki and Mobius head to the past to face a fractured future.

Loki and Mobius time-skip to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair in search of temporal trouble — and find Victor Timely, a twitchy inventor who may hold the key to the multiverse. Eric breaks down this theatrical, chaotic episode full of looming threats, Kang teases, and one terrifying Miss Minutes. Plus: reflections on Tom Hiddleston’s powerful performance, Jonathan Majors’ uncertain future, and why this episode proves the TVA still might be following He Who Remains’ plan.

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CREDITS: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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#177 – The Internet Reacts to Fantastic 4: Pure MCU Buzz

Reddit’s exploding, Galactus is trending, and this movie might mark the start of a new MCU golden age.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Fantastic Four—and apparently, neither could the rest of the internet. This quick follow-up episode dives into real fan reactions from Reddit, shares early MCU predictions, and explores why this movie already feels iconic. From Silver Surfer stans to Doom truthers, the buzz is very real—and it might just signal the start of something legendary. 🎧 Come nerd out with me. 📬 Got thoughts? Email: [email protected] ❤️ Support the show & get exclusive minisodes: patreon.com/marvelmaniac đź’ˇAssemble at: @MarvelManiacPod on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter 🌌 Until next time… Avengers, Disassemble.

CREDITS: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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#176 – The Fantastic 4: First Steps Reaction

An emotional, fast-paced instant reaction to Marvel’s boldest origin story yet.

Mr. Honest returns fresh out of the theater to share his raw, unfiltered reaction to Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) — a movie bursting with cosmic power, heart-wrenching decisions, and the return of Marvel’s first family. We break down: 💥 The surprise opening and fast storytelling 🧬 The central role of baby Franklin Richards 🌌 Silver Surfer’s emotional arc and jaw-dropping power 👩‍👦‍👦 Sue Storm’s ultimate sacrifice 💀 That *o post-credit scene 👀 🔥 Why this might be a Phase 1–level MCU classic This one has heart, hype, and heat. Let’s talk _Galactus-sized stakes, new MCU greatness, and the family that does it all

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CREDITS: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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#175 – Loki S2E2 – “Breaking Brad” Free Will, Pie & Sylvie’s Peace

Sylvie's peace, Brad’s secrets, and Loki stepping up.

Loki and Mobius track down a rogue TVA agent-turned-Hollywood star in Breaking Brad, a quieter but crucial episode full of tension, transformation, and timeline chaos. Mr. Honest dives into Sylvie’s surprising life choice, Loki’s evolution as a leader, and how General Dox’s brutal actions reshape the multiversal stakes. Plus: pie rooms, free will vs. control, and a powerful reminder that sometimes saving something is harder than conquering it. Marvel Maniac is back — shorter, sharper, and more sacred than ever. 💚 For all time. Always.

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CREDITS: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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#174 – Black Widow – “The Red Ledger”

Four Years Later, We Remember

In this retrospective look at Black Widow, Eric revisits Natasha Romanoff’s long-awaited solo film with fresh perspective. Four years after its release, this movie hits differently — not just as a farewell to Natasha, but as the true beginning of Yelena Belova’s rise in the MCU. From the family dynamic to the emotional weight of the photo album, from Taskmaster’s tragic backstory to Yelena’s place in Hawkeye and Thunderbolts, this episode explores how Black Widow bridges the gap between Civil War and Infinity War, while leaving behind a legacy bigger than Natasha herself. It’s action-packed, emotional, and full of heart. This is Marvel Maniac: An MCU Aftershow. And today, we remember.

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CREDITS: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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#173 – Loki S2E1 – “Ouroboros” Breaking Time

A Fractured TVA, A Fractured Self

The Sacred Timeline is no longer sacred. In the Season 2 premiere of Loki, “Ouroboros,” we watch the God of Mischief violently time-slip across a TVA unraveling at the seams. Eric breaks down the emotional core of Loki’s journey, Tom Hiddleston’s powerful delivery, and the cinematic VFX that elevate this premiere to something special. Plus: our first impressions of OB, a standout addition to the cast, and a question that still lingers—what do regular TVA citizens actually do? If this is your first time watching, or your fifth time through the loop, you’re not alone. This is Marvel Maniac, and the multiverse just got messier.

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CREDITS: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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#172 – Multiverse Fatigue? Or Just Misunderstood?

Untangling the madness — and why the MCU still needs it

“Multiverse fatigue” has become the buzzword of the moment — but is the concept really broken, or just misunderstood? In this tight Friday feature, Eric unpacks what’s gone wrong with Marvel’s multiverse storytelling… and what’s still so powerful about it when done right. From Loki to Deadpool, No Way Home to Multiverse of Madness, this episode digs into why the multiverse still has magic left — if Marvel can remember how to use it. One multiverse. One mic. No holding back.

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CREDITS: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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#171 – Phase 5 Review

Every movie. Every show. In release order. No holding back.

After months of coverage, it’s finally time to look back on everything Phase 5 brought to the MCU. From Quantumania to Ironheart, from multiversal madness to gritty street-level arcs — this is the full journey, in order, through the most unpredictable phase yet. Eric reflects on the highs, the stumbles, and the moments that hit harder than expected. No grouping. No skipping. Just real talk, honest emotion, and a search for what made this phase truly matter. 15 projects. One chaotic saga. This is the Phase 5 Review.

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CREDITS: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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