4. "What If... the Red Guardian Stopped the Winter Soldier?" (season 3, episode 3)
Two super soldiers, two very different people. That's all that can be said about the Winter Soldier and the Red Guardian, so the idea of seeing them cross paths (before their Thunderbolts* crossover) was intriguing.
Here is an adventure that very much could have taken place in the MCU itself. We revisit the night of the Starks' murders by the Winter Soldier, except in this time some interference by the frustrated Red Guardian prevents it from ever going down. The Starks are saved, Obadiah Stane never takes over Stark Industries (and dies much, much earlier than his actual Iron Man death), and Bucky Barnes and Alexei Shostakov embark on the oddest road trip in a bid to clear their names and survive an attack from the Red Room. Same but different.
From the title alone, it was clear that we were in for a fun ride and it didn't disappoint. Sebastian Stan and David Harbour had a great back-and-forth chemistry that made it perhaps the most enjoyable episode of the season, while the chase scenes were also extremely entertaining. The unexpected bond that grows between Bucky and Alexei, as they help themselves see parts of each other they couldn't before, made all of it worthwhile and elevated this one beyond its surface-level entertainment value.
From the character dynamics to the surprise appearances of Obadiah Stane and Dr. Bill Foster, "What If... the Red Guardian Stopped the Winter Soldier?" delivered on all fronts.
3. "What If... 1872?" (season 3, episode 6)
Buried deep within the final season is "What If... 1872?". The last standalone episode of the series (that also manages to set the final storyline in motion), it spotlights two of the Multiverse Saga's most beloved new characters in a setting that is as unexpected for Marvel as it gets. Yep, that's right - Kate Bishop and Shang-Chi set out to avenge in the Old West.
Known as Hawkeye and the Ten Rings, the pair have crafted quite the reputation for themselves as they hunt for the mysterious Hood. The villain has made an impact on both of their lives, and they have taken it upon themselves to stop the entity. How? Kate is an expert sharpshooter while Shang, like his MCU counterpart, is an exceptional fighter who can be summoned by the ten rings of a church bell.
There is everything you would expect from an Old West adventure here, with shootouts, train showdowns, and a chase that wouldn't look out of place in any of the classic movies this episode is clearly inspired by. But there is also strong character work, compelling motivations, and a moving bond between Shang, Kate, and Kwai Jun-Fan (the young boy they rescued from a town destroyed by The Hood) that all ensured this adventure was one of the strongest of What If...? season 3.
This one had a tough task coming straight after the fifth episode, but it pulled it off and set the stage for the show's final chapters.
Speaking of which...