# Science/Fiction
**Science/Fiction** is the fifth episode of the second season of *[Loki](https://www.edgepedia.org/loki-tv-series)*, the [Marvel Studios](https://www.edgepedia.org/marvel-studios) television series streaming on Disney+. Written by Eric Martin and directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, it premiered on Disney+ on November 2, 2023.[1](https://www.marvel.com/tv-shows/episode/loki-season-2-episode-5) • [5](https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/2648015/loki-2x05-sciencefiction) The episode follows the title character after the meltdown of the Temporal Loom, as he time-slips across branched timelines to find his scattered friends before the branches are destroyed.[1](https://www.marvel.com/tv-shows/episode/loki-season-2-episode-5)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Placement | Season 2, Episode 5 of *Loki*[1](https://www.marvel.com/tv-shows/episode/loki-season-2-episode-5) |
| Credits | Written by Eric Martin; directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead[1](https://www.marvel.com/tv-shows/episode/loki-season-2-episode-5) |
| Premiere | Disney+, November 2, 2023[1](https://www.marvel.com/tv-shows/episode/loki-season-2-episode-5) • [5](https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/2648015/loki-2x05-sciencefiction) |
| Premise | After the Temporal Loom meltdown, Loki bounces through branched timelines to gather his friends[1](https://www.marvel.com/tv-shows/episode/loki-season-2-episode-5) • [2](https://www.ign.com/articles/loki-season-2-episode-5-review-science-fiction) |
| Critical response | IGN called it an emotional highlight of the season, anchored by Tom Hiddleston's best work in the series[2](https://www.ign.com/articles/loki-season-2-episode-5-review-science-fiction) |
| Function in the arc | Ends with Loki returning to the TVA just before the Loom meltdown, setting up the season finale[3](https://www.vulture.com/article/loki-season-2-episode-5-recap-science-fiction.html) |
## Synopsis
The episode picks up directly after the events of Episode 4. Loki finds himself bouncing through time, encountering versions of his friends in different branched timelines.[1](https://www.marvel.com/tv-shows/episode/loki-season-2-episode-5) The structure visits settings in which the TVA characters live ordinary lives as Loki tries to gather his friends before the timelines are destroyed.[2](https://www.ign.com/articles/loki-season-2-episode-5-review-science-fiction)
O.B. supplies the episode's explanation of the crisis: the Temporal Loom was designed for a single timeline and cannot handle infinite branches, and Loki must find his friends across the branches before they are spaghettified (Stretched into strands and destroyed by extreme gravitational forces).[3](https://www.vulture.com/article/loki-season-2-episode-5-recap-science-fiction.html) The episode ends with Loki's time-slipping landing him back at the TVA just before the Loom meltdown, teeing up the season finale.[3](https://www.vulture.com/article/loki-season-2-episode-5-recap-science-fiction.html)
## Reception
IGN's review called "Science/Fiction" an emotional highlight of *Loki*'s second season, anchored by [Tom Hiddleston](https://www.edgepedia.org/tom-hiddleston)'s best work in the series.[2](https://www.ign.com/articles/loki-season-2-episode-5-review-science-fiction) On Rotten Tomatoes the episode holds a high critics' score, with the critics consensus praising the episode's emotional depth and Hiddleston's performance.[4](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/loki/s02/e5)
## References
1. [Loki Season 2 Episode 5 'Science/Fiction' — Marvel official](https://www.marvel.com/tv-shows/episode/loki-season-2-episode-5)
2. [IGN review of Loki S2E5 'Science/Fiction'](https://www.ign.com/articles/loki-season-2-episode-5-review-science-fiction)
3. [Vulture recap of Loki 'Science/Fiction'](https://www.vulture.com/article/loki-season-2-episode-5-recap-science-fiction.html)
4. [Rotten Tomatoes — Loki Season 2 Episode 5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/loki/s02/e5)
5. [Science/Fiction – Loki 2x05, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/2648015/loki-2x05-sciencefiction)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Seasons, episodes, and installments › Episodes and serial chapters › Individual episode articles › General episode articles › American science fiction episodes*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license