Marvel What If…? Episode 9 Review

For nine weeks, Marvel’s given us our first look at the new MCU Multiverse with their animated series, What If…? At first, it looked like this show would be an anthology series. We’d look at an alternate version of the MCU every episode, then move on. However, all that changed when Marvel threw us a universe-sized curveball. In one universe, Ultron beat the Avengers, got the Infinity Stones, and killed almost everyone. Worse, he learned how to travel to other universes and stood poised to wipe out all life in the multiverse. Not even the Watcher could sit back and do nothing. It was time for him to step in and save the multiverse. But first, he was going to need a team.

Multiversal Avengers, Assemble!

The first few minutes of the episode pick up where we last left off: the Watcher and Strange Supreme need to assemble a team to stop Infinite Ultron. Thus, they recruit heroes from several of the worlds we’ve seen throughout the season. The exceptions being the universe where the Avengers all died, and the zombie universe. The latter for obvious reasons.

However, there’s one member coming from a universe we never got to see: one where Gamora somehow beat Thanos. Rumor has it that that story was supposed to be in the first season, but got pushed back, leaving fans left in the dark for the moment. After catching everyone up to speed, the Watcher dubs his new team…the Guardians of the Multiverse.

While I can understand why he’d give them that name, I don’t like it. It seems better to have something with the Avengers in it. Considering that this is the multiverse equivalent of the Avengers first assembling, it would be appropriate. Alas, there’s no time to worry about that, as the threat of Ultron comes knocking.

The Final Battle For the Multiverse Was…Okay.

The team’s fight against Infinite Ultron ends up taking them back to his original universe, where they’re joined by Black Widow, who’s now the last sentient being left on Earth. With her help, they come close to beating Ultron, but fail to destroy the Stones. Turns out, the MCU’s Infinity Stones don’t just work outside their universe; they’re unique, meaning any attempts to destroy them with another universe’s tech won’t work!

In the end, it doesn’t matter: Natasha fires a well placed arrow into Ultron, uploading Zola into him and ending Ultron for good. Then Killmonger pulls the classic double-cross, and he and Zola get sealed away in a pocket of reality, forever engaged in a tug of war for the Stones. Justice!

As far as battles go, this one met all the basic tenets of the MCU. Strange Supreme showcased how magically jacked he was several times, even opening a portal to the zombie universe! However, the overall final battle felt…meh. Considering how it’s supposed to be for the fate of the multiverse, we shouldn’t feel like that. Yet, the final battle of Avengers: Endgame carries more emotional weight. Marvel could’ve gotten a lot more creative with it, if you ask me.

What’s Next for the Multiverse?

With the battle over, the Watcher sends everyone back to their respective realities while Strange Supreme guards Killmonger and Zola. However, he gives Natasha a well-deserved reward. Rather than send her to her dead universe, he lets her move to the one where the Avengers never rose, letting her reunite with some of her old friends. As for Captain Carter? The post-credits scene teases that an old friend might be waiting for her.

Speaking of friends, a big highlight of the episode was the relationship Captain Carter and Natasha had. They were firm BFF’s in their universe, and certainly acted like it. However, there was also some romantic subtext going on between them that I think a lot of people will pick up on. I don’t know if we’ll see Captain Carter again, but if we do, I think I now ship her and Nat together.

As for T’Challa, this marks the final time we may see him in the MCU, due to Chadwick’s passing. The worst part is that there could’ve been a Star Lord T’Challa spin-off series, were he still alive. Maybe in another universe, they’re enjoying that right now. For the rest of us, though, we have to wait for season two to travel the multiverse some more.

As far as season finale’s go, I think the action could’ve been a lot better. Still, at least the show tied everything together, so I have to give it credit for that.

I Give “What If…The Watcher Broke His Oath?” A 3/5

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Marvel What-If Episode 1 Review

What if? That may be one of the most important questions in the history of mankind. It opens up an infinite realm of new possibilities. What if Hitler became a successful painter rather than the monster history knew him as? What if we learned we weren’t alone in the universe? Or what if COVID-19 never happened? This question has helped drive mankind to innovate, explore, and create for untold eons. And it also happens to be one of the best tools for any storyteller.

The other great tool of any storyteller is, fittingly, the multiverse theory. The idea of an infinitely expanding number of universes lends itself perfectly to this. And the MCU looks ready to capitalize on the concept that’s been present in Marvel Comics for decades. With the end of the first season of Loki throwing the gates to the Multiverse wide open, fans of the MCU get their first glimpse into these new realities with the new animated series “What If…?” For its first outing, we get a fun, but relatively safe, story involving Peggy Carter.

What If… Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?

As we all know, in the main MCU, Steve Rogers was the one who got the super soldier serum, becoming Captain America and going on to help save the universe. However, in this story, things happen differently. A decision by Peggy Carter to stay in the room to watch the procedure leads to the HYDRA spy setting off his bombs far earlier. As a result, Erskine and Colonel Phillips die and Rogers is too injured to undergo the procedure. In that moment, Peggy makes the decision to use the serum on herself, becoming a super-soldier in Steve’s place.

From that point on, the episode tells an alternate, accelerated version of the events of Captain America: The First Avenger. Despite never having to take part in USO shows, Carter faces much of the same hurdles that Steve overcame in the film. Possibly more so due to her status as a strong woman living a very sexist period of time. This doesn’t change much of Peggy’s personality, though. Rather, her newfound strength means that if she wants to do something, now no one can stop her. And once she becomes Captain Carter, she has the time of her life!

Steve Rogers, Hydra Stomper

What was probably most unexpected, but not unwelcome, was what they did with Steve Rogers. While circumstances mean he can’t become Captain America, he becomes a hero in his own way. Thanks to changes to the timeline, Howard Stark manages to build a armored suit much like Tony would have decades later, giving Steve the chance to pilot it into combat.

I have to admit, I never expected to enjoy being able to see Steve Rogers pilot a giant, Iron-Man-esque suit, but once I saw him in battle, it was awesome. And while Steve does end up going MIA in battle, unlike Bucky, he isn’t turned into a ruthless assassin. Unfortunately, fate once again conspires to keep the two apart. Only this time, it’s because Peggy gets stuck fighting a giant, Cthulu-esque monster in another dimension. When she comes back, it’s been 70 years.

A Safe, but Good, Start

Considering just what they could have started off, the first episode of “What If…?” is relatively tame with very few surprises. Roles were reversed and key details altered, but otherwise, this first “what if?” follows the events of the main MCU. However, this is less from lack of creativity and more that Marvel wants to ease us into the realm of possibility. As the series continues, the stories will likely deviate more and more from the films.

As for Captain Carter, I thoroughly enjoyed her character. She’s strong, tough, and just an absolute joy to watch on screen. In addition, the ending to her story leaves us open to seeing more of her in the future. If we somehow get a multiverse-spanning team of Avengers, I hope to see Captain Carter as part of it.

I Give ” hat If… Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?” a 4/5

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