Marvel’s animated anthology series, What If…?, has always been a playground for exploring alternate realities and untapped potential within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Unfortunately, Season 3 stumbles, delivering a collection of episodes that feel uneven, rushed, and often lacking the spark of earlier seasons. While there are moments of brilliance, they are overshadowed by inconsistent storytelling and missed opportunities. Let’s break down each episode and assess how this season compares to its predecessors and the broader MCU continuity.
Episode 1: “What If… The Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?”
The season kicks off with a massive brawl as an enraged Hulk battles a team of mech-enhanced Avengers, led by Sam Wilson’s Captain America. The episode presents an intriguing premise of technology versus raw strength but fails to capitalize on its potential.
Strengths: The fight sequences are visually impressive, and Hulk’s unrelenting rage is captured well. The mechs are designed with intricate details, nodding to popular comic book depictions of advanced tech.
Weaknesses: The story barely scratches the surface of the ethical dilemma behind creating mech versions of heroes. Why would Sam resort to such measures? This glaring omission leaves viewers disconnected from the stakes. Additionally, character motivations are vague, making the climactic battle feel hollow.
Overlooked Fact: The mech designs subtly reference Tony Stark’s initial Hulkbuster armor, which is never acknowledged, missing a chance for a poignant callback.
Episode 2: “What If… Agatha Went to Hollywood?”
Agatha Harkness becomes a star in 1950s Hollywood, teaming up with Kingo and Howard Stark in a magical noir thriller. The concept is quirky and promising but fails to deliver on its potential.
Strengths: The blend of Hollywood glamour and mystical intrigue is unique, and Kathryn Hahn’s voice performance shines. Kingo’s Bollywood-inspired flair injects some humor into an otherwise drab narrative.
Weaknesses: The plot feels scattered, juggling too many elements without finding a cohesive thread. The mystery—centered on a cursed film—is underdeveloped, leaving little room for suspense or engagement.
Overlooked Fact: The cursed film’s title, “Eternal Fame,” is a subtle nod to Kingo’s immortal status, but this clever touch is never explored beyond the surface.
Episode 3: “What If… The Red Guardian Joined S.H.I.E.L.D.?”
In this alternate reality, the Red Guardian defects from the Soviet Union and becomes a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, leading to a Cold War-era spy thriller.
Strengths: The episode offers a glimpse into a grittier MCU, with Alexei grappling with his newfound role in a Western organization. His chemistry with a young Nick Fury is engaging in fleeting moments.
Weaknesses: The narrative lacks tension, as the conflict between East and West is reduced to a backdrop. Alexei’s character arc feels rushed, making his defection seem unearned.
Overlooked Fact: A young Black Widow appears briefly, hinting at her connection with Alexei, but the moment is blink-and-you-miss-it, wasting an opportunity for deeper emotional resonance.
Episode 4: “What If… Howard the Duck Got Hitched?”
Howard the Duck takes center stage in a zany caper involving cosmic smugglers and a sentient egg. While amusing in parts, the episode lacks substance.
Strengths: It’s a lighthearted break, with some genuinely funny moments and creative animation. Howard’s banter with Rocket Raccoon is a highlight.
Weaknesses: The episode feels like filler, adding little to the season’s themes or overarching narrative. Its slapstick humor may alienate viewers looking for more meaningful storytelling.
Overlooked Fact: The sentient egg is a deep-cut reference to Marvel’s obscure Egghead character, a missed chance for a clever cameo or plot twist.
Episode 5: “What If… the Emergence Destroyed the Earth?”
This episode imagines a world where the celestial Tiamut’s emergence is not stopped, leading to Earth’s destruction and a desperate fight for survival.
Strengths: The apocalyptic visuals are stunning, with haunting depictions of the planet’s collapse. Sersi’s struggle to save remnants of humanity adds emotional weight.
Weaknesses: The pacing feels rushed, glossing over key moments of tension and decision-making. The episode fails to explore the global implications or delve deeply into the psychological toll on the heroes.
Overlooked Fact: A brief shot shows Namor surveying the destruction from Atlantis, hinting at his hidden involvement, but this intriguing detail is never followed up.
Episode 6: “What If… 1872?”
Set in the Old West, this episode reimagines MCU heroes as cowboys and outlaws in a dusty frontier town ruled by Loki as a corrupt sheriff.
Strengths: The Western aesthetic is refreshing, with beautifully rendered landscapes and inventive reimaginings of characters. Steve Rogers’ transformation into a stoic gunslinger is particularly compelling.
Weaknesses: The narrative leans heavily on genre clichés without adding originality. The rushed climax undermines the stakes, making Loki’s defeat feel anticlimactic.
Overlooked Fact: The saloon’s name, “Peggy’s,” is a touching nod to Steve’s lost love, adding a bittersweet layer to his character’s new life.
Episode 7: “What If… the Watcher Disappeared?”
In this high-stakes episode, the Watcher mysteriously vanishes, throwing the multiverse into chaos and leaving heroes scrambling to maintain order.
Strengths: The stakes are enormous, with universes colliding in visually stunning ways. The absence of the Watcher creates palpable tension, and Jeffrey Wright’s haunting narration—when it returns—is a standout.
Weaknesses: The plot becomes overly convoluted, making it hard to follow the intertwined timelines. Key moments are glossed over in favor of dramatic action sequences, and the resolution feels anticlimactic.
Overlooked Fact: A brief scene shows an abandoned multiversal council room, a nod to Kang’s dominion, hinting at his involvement in the Watcher’s disappearance.
Episode 8: “What If… What If?”
The meta-finale questions the nature of the series itself, as characters gain self-awareness and rebel against their creators in a bold commentary on storytelling.
Strengths: The self-referential humor and existential themes are bold and thought-provoking. The animation’s shift to surreal, abstract designs during key moments enhances the meta-narrative.
Weaknesses: The high-concept approach may alienate viewers expecting a more traditional conclusion. The lack of closure for earlier episodes’ plotlines diminishes the impact of the finale.
Overlooked Fact: The Watcher’s cryptic final words, “The story never truly ends,” hint at a possible connection to Loki’s multiversal saga, though it’s left frustratingly ambiguous.
Comparison to Previous Seasons and MCU Continuity
Season 3 struggles to recapture the creative energy of the earlier seasons. While the animation remains consistently excellent, the storytelling falters. Many episodes feel rushed, with underdeveloped characters and narratives that fail to explore the full potential of their premises.
In terms of MCU continuity, Season 3 feels increasingly detached. The alternate realities don’t significantly enhance or challenge the main timeline, making the series feel more like a standalone experiment than a meaningful part of the MCU. The lack of transformative or controversial changes further diminishes its relevance.
Final Verdict
Season 3 of What If…? is a mixed bag. While it boasts intriguing concepts and moments of brilliance, these are overshadowed by inconsistent execution and a reliance on spectacle over substance. The imaginative spark that defined earlier seasons seems to have dimmed, leaving a multiverse of untapped potential.
Rating: 5.5/10
Marvel fans looking for bold, thought-provoking stories may find themselves disappointed. As the series concludes, it’s a sobering reminder that even the most creative premises require strong narratives to truly shine.
What If...you just give this a miss?
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Summary
Some episodes are good, I like the Red Guardian one and then maybe at some level the ones with the Watcher disappearing and the finale, but the rest were just a bunch of missed opportunities. I get it’s a show, but compared to the comics, the depth and the continuity is missing.
