Marvel's What If...? (Ep. 3)

This article was originally published on October 5, 2021

Written by Thomas Salerno

Three episodes in, I continue to be impressed by the high standards of animation and storytelling that Marvel Studios and its partners have set for themselves in What If…? the first MCU animated series.

From what I had heard online about this episode, I had expected a focus on action and suspense. And while there was plenty of that, I was surprised and pleased that the story doesn’t lack substance. There are several themes worth talking about. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

“What If… the World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?”

First thing I have to say is that this episode feels epic! Perhaps it’s all the callbacks to Phase One MCU films, but this story has the action and scale of a big-budget superhero film with the pacing, suspense, and taught writing of a thriller. There is even a scene that feels right out of a horror film. Like the best of Marvel Studios’s storytelling this episode takes the strengths of multiple film genres to craft a superhero story that feels unique and fresh.

A serial killer is targeting the heroes that S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury has earmarked for the Avengers Initiative, picking them off before they can be recruited. Aside from the Hulk’s demise, which I thought came off as farcical, each murder ratchets up the tension and sense of unease. Raising the stakes to world-threatening levels, Thor’s death brings Loki and an army of Asgardians to Earth, seeking vengeance.

In previous reviews of What If…? I've tried to stay away from major plot spoilers, but I can’t get away with that in this case. To really do the themes of this episode justice, I’m going to have to talk spoilers. You have been warned.

The central theme of this episode is hope. Nick Fury comments how his plan is always to “hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”

And with Loki threatening to destroy the planet unless S.H.I.E.L.D. produces Thor’s killer, and Fury at a loss for answers, it seems like the worst is coming to pass.

But before Black Widow is killed, she manages to get one last message out to Fury: “It’s all about Hope!”

Hope van Dyne.

In this universe, the daughter of Hank Pym was recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. and subsequently died in the line of duty. Pym blames Nick Fury for his loss and has been using his shrinking technology to commit the murders. He wants Fury to lose everything and everyone he puts his hope in.

Pym as a villain is a master-stroke. Ant-Man as a serial killer makes a truly terrifying prospect. His power set is perfect for a super villain. The ability to kill without being seen makes him nigh impossible to beat. How do you stop a threat you can’t see?

Like many antagonist’s, Pym’s Achilles’ heel is his arrogance and thirst for revenge. He has allowed his grief to morph into an all-consuming and blinding hatred. Sensing this, Fury makes an alliance of convenience with Loki to take Pym down. 

With an army at his command and no Avengers to stop him, Loki quickly takes control of the planet, spewing his same old song about how humanity was made for subjugation not freedom. As Christians we know that God made us free. In his love, He endowed us with free will, allowing us to use that freedom to choose the good, or to reject it. 

Circling back to the theme of hope, the Watcher intones: “In this universe, as in every other, hope never dies.” Science tells us that the universe will eventually come to end, but as Christians we know that hope remains, because an eternal reality exists outside of space and time. As Jesus Christ told his disciples, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35 Revised Standard Version)

I asked Brainy Pixel’s Brannon Hollingsworth (COO/Creative Director) for his thoughts on this episode:

Hank Pym (in both the comics and the films) has always been a very flawed character. What did you think of him as a full-on antagonist?

Like you, I felt this was a master stroke of story-telling. It caught me completely off guard and it felt utterly right while also seeming oh-so wrong. I loved it!

There are a lot of stand-out moments in this episode. Did any surprise you?

I think the Black Widow twist was particularly awesome. We were led along for a few moments thinking the problem was one thing, only to find out it was another all together. The reveal of the villain and the reveal of Loki’s involvement in his downfall - all of those moments had me cheering.

If you could change one thing about this episode, what would it be?

Not much, actually. This one really hit a home-run in my opinion.

The central theme of “Hope never dies” is particularly powerful. Should the series continue to expand upon it?

If we’re being literal in terms of this episode and while I would love to see it happen, I don’t know if this theme has the “story legs” to support much expansion. Some careful thought and execution would have to go into it to make it as excellent as it deserves. I’m not saying that it could not be done well, but it would be hard. Sometimes, it’s okay to leave something as a “one-off”.

The concept of a multiverse raises interesting metaphysical questions. How should future episodes explore the nature of free will?

I think the exploration of free will is what this entire What...If? series is grounded upon. It’s ALL about choice and what affects your choices have in the world (and worlds) around you. I just hope that the series continues to do so, and does so by continuing to mine the same vein of quality and excellence in light of both visual and story execution.