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doomonfilm · 3 years

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Thoughts : What If...? [Disney+, Episodes 1-4] (2021)

As a cinematic experiment, it is truly breathtaking to see what Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios have accomplished with the MCU : unlike previous standalone films and trilogy collections, the MCU has built an overarching and connected continuity that mirrors their comic book origin source, so much so that even the stature of the actors behind the characters takes a backseat to the actual characters when they happen to cross paths throughout the course of different properties. Outside of Hulk, a bit of Captain America and a bit of Black Panther, however, not many of the heroes I loved on the comic pages have made their presence felt in the MCU at large (though an announcement today about 8 new projects has drastically changed this).

That being said, the first Marvel comic that I gravitated to heavily was the What If...? series, a collection of tales that explore alternate paths and takes on familiar Marvel lore. One issue in particular caught my attention, the watershed 50th issue exploring a meeting between two seemingly indestructible forces :

Needless to say, I was hooked on the concept, and whenever I talk comics with fellow fans, I do my best to make sure it is mentioned. Imagine my surprise and delight when the MCU announced a slate of upcoming TV shows for the Disney+ streaming network, and one of the main points of interest was an animated take on the What If...? concept. I thoroughly enjoyed WandaVision, I was impressed by much of Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and Loki had so many levels to it that I will almost certainly be revisiting it within the next month. With all of that entertainment, however, What If...? was the one I had calendar dates circled for, and four episodes in, I can say that this is another in a long line of wins for the MCU.

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EPISODE THOUGHTS

Episode 01 : "What If... Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?" This episode was a perfect introductory point in regard to bringing the animated series to life. Even the casual MCU fan is aware of two things : the Captain America origin story and the unrequited romance between Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter. The fact that a deviation as slight as Peggy Carter choosing to stay on the ground level rather than retreat to the observational deck of the operating theater could balloon out into such bold changes is instantly iconic : Captain Carter is a revelation in terms of her dignity, strength and good-natured force of will, and Steve Rogers gets to stay hilariously skinny while simultaneously Howard Stark gets to usurp his son’s creative genius, ultimately leading to the Hydra-Stomper. Fate and predetermination make their first appearance in the series, as the stories of Red Skull and Zola follow mostly familiar narrative trajectories, while the inevitability of whomever dons the Captain mantle missing out on nearly a century also finds a way to persist in the face of drastic change.

Episode 02 : "What If... T'Challa Became a Star-Lord?" If Captain Carter is an example of what can be done in the What If...? series with a story we are readily familiar with, then the second episode shows how far an abstract idea can be taken, with the idea in this case being the well-adjusted T’Challa being kidnapped by Yondu and eventually becoming Star-Lord rather than the recently traumatized Peter Quill. The changes made in this episode are bold and broad, which is not only a testament to the power of T’Challa as a character, but also a testament to the positive energy that Chadwick Boseman brought to the character via his performance. Seeing The Collector and Thanos in such drastically different lights has been a major highlight of the series, and Nebula’s blonde look is one that I could definitely get used to. Of all the stories presented thus far, this is the one with the most dramatic range and scope of humanitarian possibilities, though it is all dashed (in theory) by the seed that is planted in the form of Ego getting his hands on Peter Quill absent of his Star-Lord experience.

Episode 03 : "What If... the World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?" For fans of mystery, the third episode of What If...? will speak to them in volumes. The infamous span of time that was Nick Fury’s Big Week is turned completely on its head when each of his Avengers candidates falls one by one to a mysterious and deadly threat. The attention to detail that is the callbacks to classic MCU film moments is stunning in its application, and it really adds a power-packed punch to the unfathomable deaths we are presented with (including a Hulk death that is likely to traumatize young viewers for years to come). The answer to the mystery may seem obvious in hindsight, but then, that’s the power of a good mystery... it took me up until Black Widow’s death to actually hazard a guess as to what was going on, and lucky for me, I guessed mostly correctly. The additional story beat of having an unchecked Loki assume authoritative power over Midgard is a wonderful cherry on top of a bittersweet sundae.

Episode 04 : "What If... Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?" This is the episode that I was waiting for, and as a staunch MCU Doctor Strange fan, I am happy to say that it did not disappoint. In a very casual manner, Doctor Strange steps into some extremely dark arts, and the result is a story as visually appealing as it is tragic on a base human level. Watching a fully capable Stephen Strange assume the role that he was apparently always destined to assume is awe-inspiring, and watching his journey for knowledge and God-like power parallel the 5 Stages of Grief is a devastatingly beautiful subtle addition to the narrative arc. The hint that Strange is aware of The Watcher is bit of Chekov’s Gun implementation that is almost certainly set to explode in a later episode, as the awareness of The Watcher in one individual implies a degree of separation from awareness of the entire mess of cosmic threads that he observes. Strange’s battle with himself is a powerful one, and the ending is one of the most ominous and dark that I can recollect in the history of the MCU.

THOUGHTS ON THE SHOW

I am dying to see how these seemingly standalone stories are meant to tie-in to the MCU at large, and Phase Four in particular. Rumors are abound that a live-action Captain Carter could be on the horizon, and while these stories may or may not be direct lines that will be revisited, the trailers do make it seem that they will at least tie-in to one another at some point of extreme chaos. I am still unsure of how an animated series will directly connect to live-action supposed counterparts, but I am certainly open to the idea, and based on the Feige and company track record, I would put my money on them pulling this off in what feels like a seamless manner.

The What If...? series is full of unique characters, not to mention unique takes on familiar characters.

Uatu The Watcher makes a formal appearance outside of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (and even then, I don’t think Uatu in particular was one of The Watchers that was shown), and allowing an actor like Jeffrey Wright to embody him allows him the sense of calm and collective observation that makes his presence as ominous as it is curious. I am not completely clear yet on whether Uatu chooses not to act upon the events he sees, or alternatively, if there is a greater force that restricts him from involving himself in matters, but what is clear is his omnipresent sense of morality, even if he is far from judgement-free. The visual integration of Uatu into the background of different sequences not only serves as a reminder on the point of view we as viewers are supposed to take, but it also is a reminder of how keen an eye for detail (not to mention the quality of artistic expression) the Marvel Studios production team weilds.

Captain Carter may not be the most popular creation from the What If...? series, but she is by far the breakout star of the series. For all of the unwilling leadership stances that Steve Rogers took as Captain America, it feels like we have a ready, willing and capable leader in the form of Captain Carter that will, even in a modern day capacity, likely be marginalized simply because she is a woman. Her Union Jack suit formation makes me wonder if there will ever be a Captain Britain in the MCU, but if Peggy Carter stands as the unofficial version, this is an alteration that I consider an upgrade and can get behind. Hopefully, the What If...? series finds a way to continue stories, because I need to know more about how Captain Carter will fit into the plans of Nick Fury, S.H.I.E.L.D. and The Avengers.

T’Challa the Star-Lord is a sight for sore eyes, especially in light of Chadwick Boseman’s untimely and tragic passing at the height of his stardom. Luckily for us, Boseman was reportedly one of the first to sign on for What If...?, and after just one performance, I know that what he has left us with will leave a very lasting impression. It is interesting to see a level-headed leader like T’Challa not only bring a sense of dignity to Yondu, but watching the fallout of a universe-saving logical debate that has turned Thanos into a faithful companion rather than a genocidal maniac with delusions of grandeur may be one of the biggest alterations in the What If...? universe. I would also love to see a version of The Collector in a film at some point that mirrors the one in this story, as Benecio del Toro would absolutely kill that role.

While seeing Hank Pym in a vengeful capacity may not have been the jaw-dropping surprise to hardened MCU fans that it probably was to the casual fan, seeing him serve as a vengeful angel in the Yellowjacket armor is a subtle but deeply effective touch. While seeing Nick Fury’s Big Week turned on its head is a fascinating idea, the untold purpose of this episode felt like it was to show us just how powerful Hank Pym could be if he sets his stubborn and unchanging mind to accomplish a task. The analysis circles have untangled many threads of possibility that spiral far out of the range of what we are shown, such as the fact that Hope Van Dyne was likely shot and killed by Bucky when she replaced Natasha in the mention that ultimately left Natasha with a bullet wound and the person she was protecting without a life, and it is small touches like this that make the What If...? story enjoyable on a level that far exceeds the boundaries of the stories we witness. Seeing Loki’s vision of conquering Midgard come to fruition was a twist that I did not expect, but in light of Thor’s absence (not to mention the other dead Avengers, including a God-smashing Hulk), it makes complete sense.

Doctor Strange Supreme took the What If...? series to a place that I did not expect it to go, especially during the inaugural season or within the first four episodes. The love between Stephen Strange and Christine Palmer has always been present in the MCU, but in Strange’s handful of appearances there is rarely time to discuss her, as he is usually dealing with apocalyptic or cosmic threats. This story forces Strange to not only face his love for Dr. Palmer head-on, but it does so in the form of a fixed-point tragedy where no amount of love or power can change the inevitable. Of all the moments we have witnessed in the What If...? series so far, watching Dr. Palmer wake up to the monster that Supreme Strange has become hit me the hardest, as it serves the purpose of being an extremely palatable warning about what we become when we attempt to exceed the limits set before us without the greater good in mind. The use of red Chaos Magic and purple Dark Magic among Strange’s standard orange Eldrich Magic (if I’m remembering my magic color code correctly) is a very subtle inclusion that shows just how far Strange has gone in order to achieve his goal.

Howard the Duck only makes a brief appearance, and of course it is centered around a conversation with T’Challa, who could seemingly have a conversation with most any being in the Marvel galaxy that isn’t set on instant destruction. In all honesty, there isn’t much to dig in to with Howard (unless I’m overlooking an obvious Easter egg), but it is nice to see one of my favorite Marvel creations find a small area for himself in the world of the MCU. Hopefully this will not be the last we see of him.

With five more episodes left on the docket, I am very excited to see not only where this show goes, but if it can stick the landing. While watching the Heavy Spoilers YouTube recap of the Doctor Strange episode, I heard speculation on the return of a character in a bizarre capacity that has me dying to see if it is true or not, and believe me, if this comes to fruition I will write about it to great length. I am not sure how I will approach the future episodes, but this initial run of the first part of the season has been strong enough to carry the series, short of a monumental set of failures over the next five weeks.

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doomonfilm · 3 years

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Thoughts : What If…? [Disney+, Episodes 5-8] (2021)

As Marvel continues pushing us along the road of the stellar What If...? series, our expectations of these seemingly one-off stories and their impact on the heroes we’ve come to know and love have been slowly forming. The first four episodes showed us different versions of our favorite superpowered characters, different collectives with new purposes, and most importantly, the dark depths of possibilities that lie with insane power sets used for deceitful, vengeful and selfish purposes. We’ve watched Uatu go from a silhouette in the cosmos to a grand figure threatening to interject himself into the many narratives he watches unfold, despite knowing how truly devastating the consequences could be.

With the table seemingly set, the following four episodes that walk us up to the season finale have done a great job of completely dashing our expectations while stretching the boundaries of possibilities in the MCU. After watching T’Challa take his pure goodness outwards into the galaxy, Peggy Carter become the first Avenger, Hank Pym decimate the Avenger squad we’ve come to know and love, and finally, watching Doctor Strange push the limits of reality so far that he finds himself trapped in a prison of his own creation, one would think there wouldn’t be much more room for exploring. Surprisingly, however, the latest batch of episodes give us zombies, more Kilmonger than we can shake a stick at, a retcon of Thor that makes him the loveable oaf we currently know him as from day one, and most importantly, a version of Ultron closer to that of the infamous comic book version.

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All of the MCU shows have been stellar so far, but What If...? feels uniquely special. This could be due to its animated presentation, the epic scale of the stories told, or the continued promise that these events will impact the MCU at large, but one thing is absolutely certain : the What If...? series stands as some of the most entertaining storytelling from Marvel Studios to date.

EPISODE THOUGHTS

Episode 05 : "What If... Zombies?!" Perhaps the most anticipated of all the episodes from the moment that trailers first appeared for What If...?, the emergence of zombies in the MCU turned out to be a surprisingly strong entry. Using the time between Ant-Man and the Wasp and Avengers : Infinity War as the setting for an apocalyptic event is fitting, as many of our heroes are already in the midst of life-changing decisions. Hank Pym, for example, is still dealing with the loss of Janet Van Dyne in this alternate universe, and his journey into the Quantum Realm (rather than Scott Lang) is the genesis for the entire zombie infection. Dropping Bruce Banner into the middle of this event mirrors his warning from Infinity War, with the main difference in this case being his discovery that Earth has already fallen victim to the zombie threat. The idea that super-powered individuals still had enough motor functionality and base-level instincts to use their powers for the purpose of feasting is a unique one in a world were most ideas come a dime a dozen. In turn, the collective of heroes left creates an equally interesting version of the Avengers team, complete with an empowered Hope Van Dyne, a shell-shocked Bruce Banner, a youthful Peter Parker with uncanny valley levels of optimism, a resourceful pairing of Sharon Carter and Happy Hogan, a very out of place Kurt, muscle in the form of Bucky Barnes and Okoye, and finally, the pairing we didn’t know we needed until we got it : the head of Scott Lang in a jar carried by an assist from Doctor Strange’s Cloak of Levitation. Like any good zombie story, there are tragic losses and moments of discovery, but with the infusion of the MCU into the construct, we get two very interesting twists : a reveal that the Mind Stone has the power to not only hold zombies at bay, but in some cases, heal the infected... and most frightening of all, a completely detached Vision holding a pure horror hostage in the form of an infected Wanda Maximoff.

Episode 06 : "What If... Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?" When Black Panther made its seismic impact on the MCU (not to mention the movie-going public at large), there was really only one consistent gripe that viewers had : the seemingly underused status of Kilmonger, easily the most popular antagonist in the MCU. Perhaps that’s what makes this episode feel like the most palatable version of fan service one can create without losing integrity, as Kilmonger not only gets a day one introduction via this take on the Tony Stark lore, but he is positioned to be have cunning and devious qualities that are second only to his warrior mentality and combat prowess. While the story teeters dangerously close to falling off of the cliff of overcorrection, it is bolstered by not holding back in the autonomy that Kilmonger is granted... his kill count is high, the kills are extremely meaningful, his plan is extremely well put together despite its grandness and multiple opportunities for issues to occur, and up to a point, his execution is essentially flawless. Like most good stories, however, Kilmonger is not omniscient or all-seeing, and therefore, his blind spot serves as the perfect point for Shuri’s genius and need for revenge to combine forces with the resources and disdain for Kilmonger that Pepper Potts possesses.

Episode 07 : "What If... Thor Were an Only Child?" If there were a seasonal award for the funnest episode of What If...? season one, that award would hands down go to this episode. The premise, at face value, feels extremely general, but once the realization of Loki’s influence on Thor (via his devious actions) is clarified, the idea crystalizes perfectly by presenting us with an entitled, spoiled and unempathetic Thor. Like some sort of MCU-based John Hughes film, we are shown what feels like the original introduction of Thor through this lens, meaning that Thor no longer travels to Midgard alone in the search for redemption and worth, but rather, he shows up with nothing but the intention to party, bringing Lady Sif and The Warriors Three with him while leaving the door open for any and everybody (and I do mean EVERYBODY) to join. The Easter eggs in this episode are countless, and they come at you fast and furious. A solid 70% of the MCU finds a way to make an appearance in this episode, including a beeper-beckoned Captain Marvel, who along with Thor, puts on a battle for the ages. Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis have long been fan favorites, and while Darcy is always on eleven, it is nice to see Jane let her hair down while still maintaining her lofty stature. Speaking of Darcy, her nuptials to Howard the Duck somehow make perfect sense. Jane being aware of Norse mythology is a nice touch, and it is amplified by Thor’s willing ignorance of it to a monstrously humorous degree. The lion’s share of this episode is fun and games, right down to Thor having to answer to Frigga, but right after Thor and Jane set themselves a time and place for a date, everyone (including Uatu) is smacked dead in the face with the surprise of all surprises...

Episode 08 : "What If... Ultron Won?" As one of the few members of the MCU faithful who appreciates Avengers : Age of Ultron for the slept-on masterpiece it is, I was waiting patiently for a confirmation that the whispers were true, and as previously mentioned, my prayers were answered at the end of the previous episode with the introduction of Infinite Ultron. In what appears to be the setup for a two episode finale, the exploration of what would have happened if Ultron pulled off his diabolical plan is seen through beyond completion, as the silence that comes with eradicating a universe allowed him the space to hear Uatu, causing our first true example of fear in the seemingly all-powerful and all-knowing cosmic being. Some of the purest tension of any episode is found in Uatu’s resignation to intervene, not to mention terror from Ultron’s continued realizations of just how powerful he is, especially after relieving Thanos of the five Infinity Stones he’d already gathered. While Natasha and a mentally defeated Hawkeye attempt to deal with Ultron’s endless legions of drones (with the aid of Arnim Zola’s digital ghost, of all people), Ultron and Uatu battle on an interdimensional cosmic level, essentially threatening to tear the fabric of space and time apart at the seams. With little to no options left, Uatu makes a bold step, turning to another all powerful being with awareness of Uatu’s existence in the hopes of making the ultimate last stand, with little to no clue of how any of the actions already taken (or soon to be taken) will impact the threads of realities currently teetering on the brink of destruction.

THOUGHTS ON THE SHOW

Not since the conclusion of the WandaVision series have I been so excited for a story to wrap up. There have been promises from Feige and company that these stories will have a direct impact on the films and shows we see moving forward, and with the YouTube commentary community in full-on speculation and investigation mode, many of the theories presented have been truly intriguing.

One can only hope that some of these characters that we’ve seen can find appropriate and fitting ways to return to the MCU, be it in future episodes of What If...? or (fingers crossed) on the big screen. The last four episodes of What If...? were a treasure trove for character discovery and examination, so let’s not waste any more time taking a deep dive into their importance and impact.

Of all the characters to make appearances in this last batch of episodes, I would argue that none are more important than Vision. His undying love for Wanda Maximoff not only created one of the most purely terrifying moments in the series thus far (which we will get into shortly), but his unique mixture of a high capacity for knowledge and a connection to Ultron’s thirst for human extinction eventually open the door to a potentially universe-collapsing event. While many fans of the comics still find themselves underwhelmed with the use of Vision in the MCU thus far, I can safely say that he remains one of my favorite pieces on the chessboard.

One of the most fear-inducing revelations of What If...? has easily been the existence of zombie Wanda Maximoff. The chaos magic that she once wielded with calculated precision and regulated based on the pain she carries with her finds itself at the whim of her base carnal instincts once she becomes zombified, forcing Vision to create a makeshift prison and separate her from the fallen world, as her level of threat clearly surpasses the legions of zombies in existence. Once unleashed, she does not hesitate to attempt to lay waste to all those in attendance at Camp Lehigh, culminating in a standoff between her and the Hulk that, despite its ambiguous ending, does seemingly indicate her as the victorious one. Her appearance was brief, but the impression it left will stick with me for ages.

It’s always a joy to see Scott Lang, and the combination of him with the Cloak of Levitation is instantly iconic and wholly unforgettable. As perfect as Paul Rudd is for the role, it’s a testament to his natural comedic ability that his presence as only a head would still manage to bring extreme levity to a completely dark and dire situation. While not a Harry Potter fan, I did pick up on the reference he tossed out there, which was not only funny, but showed that he will always have a level of humanity that exists even when the world is in shambles.

Giving Kilmonger the opportunity to fully realize his potential was a stroke of genius on the part of the What If...? series. If charted and graphed, his amount of screen time in the MCU thus far versus his impact and popularity would skew the graph, and it is clear that the writers and creators of What If...? understood this, because the totality of his actions and prowess were certainly a bold step in the direction of making up for lost time. The way that he coldly dispatches of T’Challa and Roadie stings, and his refusal to apologize for the generational and cultural weight of his actions in the presence of Bast and the dwellers of the spiritual land is consistent with the spirit of the Kilmonger we already know. I still hold out hope that Kilmonger can find a way to be sewn back into the MCU fold, but if it ends up being in the form of What If...? episodes only, I will definitely not complain.

The meeting of Shuri and Pepper Potts opens up a world of countless possibilities for Shuri’s role in the MCU moving forward, not to mention that of Pepper Potts. With the future of the Black Panther franchise unclear at this point (not to mention production news about Letitia Wright and her stunt-based injuries), there definitely seems to be a shift towards her taking up the mantle. With the involvement of Pepper Potts in this angle, not to mention the emergence of Riri Williams as Ironheart on the horizon, one wonders if an idea seeded like this one could lead to a sort of alliance between these parties somewhere down the road.

Thor has seemingly made an easy evolution from fish out of water to beloved top tier character in the MCU, and the episode centered around him seems to be a sort of celebration for this achievement. These days, Thor is a truly dominating presence with an absolutely magnetic and entertaining personality, so framing his episode like a sort of 1980s irreverent comedy is tonally perfect for the character that Chris Hemsworth has taken full ownership of and molded into something legendary. With his connections to the Avengers and the entire cosmic realm of the MCU, it makes sense that his episode would be a feast of “blink and you miss it” appearances from a litany of characters out of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor and Captain Marvel storylines, and his ability to connect with all of them while still finding a romantic connection with Jane Foster is a testament to his truly larger than life presence.

I had no clue how much I needed to see Frost Giant Loki until What If...? graced us with is presence, and now that I’ve seen it, I want more. If Loki was already a handful as the God of Mischief under the guise and tutelage of Odin, I can only imagine the level of destruction and dominance he’d be able to achieve at such an empowering height (and with a legion of Frost Giants in tow everywhere he goes).

Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis may not have been in the MCU for a while (though Darcy has made the more recent appearances), the two fall right back into step like they haven’t missed a day. Darcy has never been one afraid to live out loud, so it was no surprise that she married Howard the Duck (seemingly within hours of meeting him). Jane, on the other hand, is generally the straight man of the pairing, so it was wonderfully refreshing to see her let her hair down and have a bit of fun once she realized the “alien threat” was a possible romantic interest. Seeing Jane oscillate between heady academic and swooning schoolgirl was definitely fun, and it also may play as a swansong to the last moments of her Midgardian persona before she is thrust into a much higher position via Thor : Love and Thunder.

Say what you will about Captain Marvel’s involvement in the MCU thus far, but What If...? has truly shown her to be one of the true all-stars on the roster. While I’m one of the few that was a fan of Brie Larson in the role, it is undeniable that Alexandra Daniels is knocking things out the park with her perfect balance of over-seriousness and dad humor. Seeing her take on Thor head to head (in an EXTREMELY over the top and cartoonish style, I might add) was impressive in terms of how well she handled herself, adapted in the midst of combat and found ways to counter his God-like strength, it was her attack on Ultron that truly drove home to me not only how powerful she is, but how integral her involvement within the cosmic realms of the MCU is. If What If...? returns for a second season, I can only hope that the creators find the time to make a Carol Danvers-centered story.

Infinite Ultron has been the biggest buzz of the entire series, and his party-killing entrance was the perfect way to introduce a threat so true and epic that the final two episodes of the show are dedicated to it. The choice to infuse this pairing of Ultron and his intended version of Vision with a voice closer to that of James Spader (courtesy of impressionist Ross Marquand) was a nice subtle touch that made him incredibly sinister despite there being a shade of the Vision within him that we’ve all come to know and love. The way he goes about laying galaxies to waste is truly awe-inspiring, and at one point during his tussle with Uatu I could have sworn that he was Galactus. Plain and simple, I CANNOT WAIT for the final episode of this stellar series.

Uatu has positioned himself closer and closer to the action (and by proxy, us) as the series has progressed, so to see him exposed by Infinite Ultron was just as shocking to us as it was to him. In some ways, his actions in the latest episode give me a feeling of what Eternals may hold in store for us, but that is pure speculation on my part. Even with his muted, seemingly expressionless features, we still feel the turmoil and struggle that goes on within Uatu courtesy of the always brilliant Jeffrey Wright, and seeing him humble himself to face Doctor Strange Supreme was way more moving than I expected. I don’t know what the final episode of this season will hold in store, but I expect it to be epic, and I expect Uatu to be squarely in the center of it.

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