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With a history of over half a century, Marvel Comics has gradually created innumerable characters and storylines that have enthralled its fans. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has done a great job in bringing them to life, but naturally, it hasn’t been able to include all the details in the comics.
The Disney+ series What If…? fixes some of that. Based on a comic book anthology that debuted in 1977, but also on numerous other comics, the show takes into account more possibilities, all within the realm of the Multiverse. Narrated by the Watcher, each episode introduces a different scenario, and some are more interesting than others.
9 Episode Two Makes Thanos Seem A Little Underwhelming
What If… T’Challa Became a Star-Lord? starts from a simple premise. When sent to Earth to retrieve Peter Quill for Ego, the Ravagers kidnap T’challa instead. The Wakandan prince goes on to become Star-Lord, but his presence makes a shocking difference. He manages to somewhat reform Thanos, though the Titan still displays faith in his previous plan. In Thanos’s absence, the Collector Taneleer Tivan begins to gain more power, and it is him that the Ravagers have to fight, with both Thanos and Nebula by their side.
It’s an interesting episode, and T’challa’s presence is always a bonus, particularly since What If…? is the late Chadwick Boseman’s last appearance. But viewers can’t help but feel that Thanos wouldn’t be so easily swayed from his quest. The Ravager version of Thanos is intriguing but loses the larger-than-life element he has in the main MCU arc.
8 Episode Eight Introduces Inconsistencies In Thanos And Vision’s Power Scale
If Thanos feels inconsistent in Episode 2, that tendency is even more powerful in Episode 8. What If… Ultron Won? is part of the final climactic arc of the show where the Avengers are unable to stop Ultron from downloading his consciousness into Vision’s body. As a result, he becomes unstoppable, manages to gain control over the nuclear codes, and destroys the world.
The problem with the episode appears when Thanos shows up to claim the Mind Stone. Ultron takes out the Mad Titan with a single blow, something that doesn’t really respect MCU canon.
7 The First Episode Does Peggy Carter Justice But Is A Little Repetitive
In What If… Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?, a minor change in Project Rebirth causes Steve to be unable to take the serum. Peggy receives it instead, becoming a Super Soldier in Steve’s place. Peggy has to face the sexism of John Flynn and make her own way while fighting Hydra.
The episode follows many of the events of The First Avenger, and it’s interesting to see how Peggy’s presence and choices change the lives of others. For example, Bucky Barnes never falls from the train and is spared the fate of being the Winter Soldier. But even with all these changes—and the massive monster that appears at the end—it does occasionally feel a little repetitive.
6 Episode Seven Brings A Dose Of Refreshing Humor But Makes Thor Unlikable
Many of the episodes in What If…? are very dark, containing twists the MCU itself would never add in the main arc. What If… Thor Were An Only Child? is the exception. In this installment, Odin returns Loki to his Frost Giant family instead of adopting him, and a truce is struck between Jotunheim and Asgard. As a result, Thor grows up without his sibling—and he turns out even more arrogant and irresponsible than his canon version.
The episode does include a much happier version of Loki, confirming that the God of Mischief was never evil—it was his Asgardian upbringing that was the problem. Meanwhile, Thor’s behavior comes off as childish. Even in an episode that doesn’t take itself too seriously, it makes him unlikable, like an overgrown frat boy with mystical powers.
5 Episode Six Makes Eric Killmonger Irredeemable
Since his appearance in Black Panther, Erik Killmonger has become one of the most popular villains in the MCU. His relatable motivations and touching final words have earned him a place in the pantheon of the MCU’s best characters. But What If…? somewhat changes that. The episode displays Erik rescuing Tony Stark in Afghanistan, then using him to fulfill his plan to take over Wakanda.
Each step of Erik’s scheme illustrates his intelligence, but it also makes him less likable and far more irredeemable than his canon version. He ends up killing Tony, Rhodey, and his cousin T’challa. His final exchange with T’challa focuses on his hunger for power, which seems to eliminate the nuance in his original character.
4 Episode Three Displays The True Potential Of The Ant-Man Suit
As its name illustrates, What If… the World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes? gradually kills off most of the Avengers, starting with Tony Stark and ending with Natasha Romanov. Even the apparently indestructible Hulk is a victim. The explanation doesn’t come until the end.
The enemy in the shadow is a crazed version of Hank Pym who uses the Yellowjacket suit to avenge his dead daughter Hope. Pym is easily taken out by Loki, who has traveled to Earth as a result of Thor’s death. It’s a very intriguing episode, with great pacing, and ends with Loki presumably taking over Earth and Fury preparing to fight him.
3 Episode Nine Includes A Character Who Doesn’t Show Up Before
What If… the Watcher Broke His Oath? is the finale of the season and brings together characters from all episodes to fight Ultron. Now imbued with the power of the Infinity Stones, Ultron has managed to destroy his own universe, invade the Multiverse, and even defeat the Watcher. In desperation, the Watcher gathers a team formed out of Doctor Strange Supreme, Party Thor, Erik Killmonger, Star-Lord T’Challa, Captain Carter, and a version of Gamora that killed Thanos. Later, Black Widow joins the group.
The battle of the Guardians of the Multiverse with Infinity Ultron has many highlights, with Doctor Strange Supreme being a particularly important player. If the episode has one significant flaw, it’s the fact that Gamora is a complete unknown. Due to the removal of an episode from the show, it is her first appearance, and it’s a little confusing for the viewer.
2 Episode Five Is A Rollercoaster Of Horror And Emotion
Adding undead monsters to the MCU seems like a baffling choice, but that’s exactly what What If… Zombies?! does. In the episode, Bruce Banner returns from space, only to find a virus from the Quantum Realm has turned the Avengers, then almost everyone else, into zombies. The few remaining survivors are left fighting for a solution. They often have to confront their undead friends, or sometimes sacrifice their lives.
Notable moments of the episode include Bruce’s first confrontation with the undead Tony Stark, Dr. Strange, and Wong, and Bucky’s battle with Captain America. Vision’s decision to continue to protect Wanda—and his subsequent suicide—brings tears to the eyes of viewers. In the ending, zombie Thanos appears, for yet another shocking element.
1 Episode Four Introduces A Terrifying Version Of Doctor Strange
The fourth episode of the show, What If… Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?, revolutionizes the character of Doctor Strange, while still respecting his main MCU counterpart. In this installment, Stephen’s lover, Christine Palmer, is killed in the car accident that originally claims Strange’s use of his hands. Unable to cope with her loss, Strange seeks answers in the mystic arts.
Once he acquires the Time Stone, Strange turns back time in an attempt to save her. But Christine’s death is a fixed point in time, and Strange loses himself in a loop of futility, having to watch her die over and over. Stephen seeks out more power in the Lost Library of Cagliostro and becomes twisted as he absorbs monsters from different dimensions. In the episode’s climax, he has to face a version of himself that chose to accept Christine’s death. He wins—but the consequences are devastating. When he resurrects Christine, his universe collapses and she disappears in his arms. This version of Strange—Dr. Strange Supreme—will appear in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
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