The Mythological Reference You Missed In Loki Episode 4

Contains spoilers for "Loki" Episode 4

From the very beginning, Marvel's Disney+ series "Loki" hasn't been afraid to subvert fan expectations or toss out twists that seem to totally rewrite the entire landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That trend continues in "Loki" Episode 4, which dropped today on Disney+ and features some of the series' most shocking moments to date. From its massive post-credits scene to the number of unexpected character "deaths" featured throughout it, the latest episode of "Loki" sets up the show's final two episodes to be even more chaotic and unpredictable than Marvel fans likely expected them to be.

In case all that wasn't enough, "Loki" Episode 4 also features a surprise appearance from none other than Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander). The episode sees the fan-favorite MCU character repeatedly beating up Loki (Tom Hiddleston) as the latter finds himself trapped by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) in a "time cell," which forces him to relive one memory over and over again in an endless loop. The memory in question seems to predate the events of 2011's "Thor," and centers around Lady Sif angrily attacking Loki for cutting off some of her hair. It's a fun interaction, and one that proves to be particularly painful for Loki to have to experience multiple times.

What Marvel fans may not realize, though, is that the scene itself is actually a reference to Norse mythology.

In traditional Norse mythology, Loki pulls a prank on Sif by cutting her hair while she sleeps one night (via Hurstwic.org). This leads to Thor — who is Lady Sif's husband in Norse mythology — threatening to beat Loki to a pulp if he doesn't find a way to replace Sif's missing hair. As a result, Loki recruits the help of some dwarven smiths to create a wig made out of real gold for Sif in the hopes placating both her and Thor.

In other words, Loki cutting Lady Sif's hair isn't just a prank that Tom Hiddleston's version of the character would believably pull — it's also an act born from a real Norse myth. Knowing that adds another layer of fun to what is already an undeniably delightful scene in "Loki" Episode 4, which also sees Hiddleston and Alexander appearing as their characters together for the first time since 2013's "Thor: The Dark World." It's also, notably, the first time Alexander has appeared as Sif in an MCU title since she showed up in a 2015 episode of Marvel's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Fortunately, this isn't the last time that Marvel fans will get to see Alexander as Lady Sif either. The actress is set to reprise the role in next year's "Thor: Love and Thunder," where she'll appear alongside a number of other returning "Thor" characters.

"Loki" is streaming now on Disney+.