What If…? episode 3 left fans with a number of questions of its own.
The third episode of Marvel’s What If…? began with the death of everyone’s favorite Avenger Iron Man. In Iron Man 2, the injection Black Widow gave Tony Stark cleared up the virus long enough for him to find a cure. In this reality, however, that injection seemingly kills him, incriminating Black Widow in the process.
Stark isn’t the only one. Next, Thor and Clint Barton are mysteriously killed. Then, as if things couldn’t get any worse for Nick Fury and Earth on a very bad week, Loki shows up and, at the same time, the Hulk is killed.
While this was a short episode, the Disney Plus series left viewers asking these five questions.
5. What if…? Loki didn’t accept Fury’s terms
Loki came to Earth looking for a fight. We’ve seen in the past that the God of Mischief doesn’t care about his brother so Thor’s death in this reality was just a reason for him to invade Earth. Asgard would have assembled quickly after the death of their beloved prince.
If not for Sif agreeing that destroying everyone solved nothing, how far would Loki have gone? We can guess that the world’s military wouldn’t have been able to stand up against Asgard’s entire army. Even if they could, how many people would have died before they overcame them? If we’re thinking about it honestly, Loki would have sat back and watched all the chaos and death on both sides with a giant smile on his face.
4. What if…? Janet van Dyne came back
This was an interesting what if. It was easy to see how the ripples caused in the first two episodes could have an effect on the entire universe because they involved two of the world’s greatest heroes. This time, it was the death of someone who wasn’t introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet. Some may call her a small player at the time. Hope Van Dyne’s death is what set her father, Hank Pym, off on a murderous rage. What if Janet van Dyne returned before he started planning to take out Nick Fury’s Avengers?
“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” is an appropriate phrase here. She may have killed everyone quicker and more brutally. With Hank with her, they may have done it even faster. It would have been interesting to see how far they could have gotten. They may have completed their plan. Or maybe Janet would have been the only one who could have talked her out of it?
What If…? indeed.
3. What if…? Hulk and Thor return
Both Thor and Hulk’s deaths were shocking. They’re two of the strongest Avengers and the creative team even reminded us that Hulk couldn’t multiple times during this episode. Yet, here we are. However, we should know that neither of them are going to stay dead.
Both Hulk and Thor have come back from the dead in many adaptations. This should be no different. Thor has been to Hel and back. And if Hulk is anything like his comic book counterpart, he’ll return as well. When they come back, Hank Pym may feel pain and terror like he’s never experienced.
2. What if…? Who is worthy?
Mjolnir wasn’t lifted by Thor or anyone else before Loki came to Earth. We could guess that Odin would want it back, but, if he’s still in the Odin Sleep, is there anyone else that can lift it? This writer believes that if any Asgardian could, it’s Sif. She has all of the honor, skills, and heart that Thor does. And she’s a warrior of the highest order.
If Mjolnir is still on Earth, then there’s one person that we know who can definitely lift it. When Steve Rogers gets thawed out, is he next in line to be worthy? They’ll need all the power they can get if they’re going to take back Earth.
1. What if…? Who’s next?
The end of the episode shows something that should surprise no one. Nick Fury wasn’t going to let Earth be taken over without a fight. We see him wiping off Steve Rogers’ frozen prison and then Captain Marvel shows up ready to fight. That’s two people in Fury’s new Avengers Initiative. Who else could join?
Obviously, Phil Coulson would be ready. Would this mean Agent Melinda May and the rest of the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. would be recruited as well? Is Scott Lang someone Nick Fury knows about? Does he put trust in a young Peter Parker? This just goes to show that Loki made a mistake not taking over immediately. Now, the new Avengers have time to assemble.
What If…? releases new episodes on Disney+ each Wednesday.
What do you think? Are there other things you pondered after this episode of What If…? Let us know in the comments below.