Remember the Eternals? The first critical failure ever in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since its birth? Well, its story was far from over after its 2021 premiere, as the second episode of What If...? Season 3 shines the spotlight on its mythos and even some of its characters.
However, there's a big twist this time around as Agatha Harkness is at the front and center of the story. Yes, it's a strange mix that few could've seen coming — but hey, that's what the animated Disney Plus show is all about: presenting unthinkable scenarios. However, this time the evil witch isn't looking for a forbidden book filled with dark spells as before, but something even more terrifying: Fame.
Agatha goes to Hollywood
What If...? Season 3 episode 2 kicks things off with the same premise as the Eternals. At the core of the Earth, there's a sleeping Celestial waiting to be born out of the energy of large populations in an apocalyptic event called the Emergence. Agatha learns about this sleeping titan soon to be awakened and wants to steal its cosmic power for herself by casting a spell of unprecedented magnitude. To help prepare the ritual, she turns to the Hollywood industry — specifically to Howard Stark — to help finance the big sets filled with runes necessary to pull the robbery of the century off. And what was Agatha's excuse? To film a big blockbuster movie.
Unfortunately for Agatha, her efforts to steal the Celestial's powers were in vain, as something was still missing from her big-screen ritual. Howard also agrees the third act of the movie needs a "mysterious new player", so the two come to the conclusion they need to cast a new actor: Kingo. He's a member of the Eternals known for starring in dozens of movies across the centuries, making him the perfect candidate for Agatha's task.
Once the Eternal arrives at the set, he soon meets with Howard who gives him the freedom to improvise his lines and dance choreographies. Soon after, the cameras begin to roll, and Kingo and Agatha become the stars of a big musical number with tons of extras and dancers. While the music is still playing and our two protagonists are in the frame, Kingo reveals he knows Agatha's true plan to steal the Celestial's powers for herself and reveals his intentions to stop her. Unfortunately for him, Agatha is more than able to put up a fight, as she has stolen the powers of the other Eternals including Thena's, Makkari's, and Gilgamesh's.
The cat is out of the bag.
Kingo joins Agatha's crusade
Much like we've seen in other live-action series, Agatha loves stealing powers from others. In this case, she has been collecting the abilities of the Eternals and the one missing piece was Kingo. While the last remaining Eternal was reluctant at first to help the evil witch save the world by stopping the Emergence, he soon is convinced by being reminded of how he has portrayed years of humanity's history on the big screen and, more importantly, getting a three-picture deal.
This new team-up between Agatha and Kingo gets the attention of another Celestial: Arishem. The primordial being accuses Kingo of being a traitor and decides to take matters into his own hands by going to Earth in person. Realizing they have little time left, the two stars convince Howard Stark to instantly buy the Griffith Observatory and film the movie's third act there. So the three of them, along with Jarvis, head to the one place where the big finale will take place.
Once in the location, cameras start to roll and Agatha immediately steals Kingo's powers. With the abilities of every Eternal in the palm of her hands, Agatha finally casts the spell that not only kills the Celestial growing on Earth's core but also steals his cosmic abilities. It is then that the wicked witch gets transformed into an enormous Celestial herself, and just in time. Arishem arrives on the scene and states Agatha is a heretic who'll be judged as such. Then a Kaiju-like fight breaks between the two as the whole world watches and Howard rolls the cameras capturing the greatest footage of his life.
Just when it seems Agatha is overpowered by the primordial being, we discover she was just making it seem like Arishem had the upper hand. It turns out she was preparing everything to cast another spell — one that allowed her to steal the Celestial's powers (yet again) while turning it to ashes. Kingo then fears the witch's new powers will be used to transform the world in her image, so he decides to have a one-on-one conversation with her. The last Eternal says movies have the power to make Agatha feel adored instead of feared by the whole world. She can be noticed, even without god-like powers. So realizing she can change the world in a different way, Agatha turns back to her human form.
The episode ends with the red carpet of Howard's highly-anticipated film with Kingo and Agatha stealing the spotlight as promised. It seems like a peaceful resolution until we see other Celestials arrive on Earth to avenge their brother's death. Yes, Marvel, of course we love being left on a big cliffhanger *sighs*.
On a personal note, I'm not a huge fan of these first two What If...? episodes as they have played it safe without allowing themselves to have an explicit grim ending with big repercussions for this alternate worlds. So fingers crossed the best is yet to come!