‘What If…?’ Season 3 Ending Explained

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As a long-time Marvel fan and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the vast tapestry of stories that make up the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I must say that the third season of “What If…?” has truly been a delightful journey. The creators have done an excellent job of exploring alternate realities and timelines, while still maintaining a connection to the sacred timeline established in the MCU.

One of my favorite episodes was “What If…Zombies?”, which gave us a glimpse into a world where Thanos succeeded in his quest for the Infinity Stones, but instead of destroying half the universe, he turned everyone into zombies. It was a fresh take on the character and a fun twist on the usual zombie apocalypse storyline.

The finale episode, “What If…The Watcher Broke His Oath?”, was also particularly poignant for me as it explored the consequences of The Watcher’s actions and his struggle with his role in the universe. It was a thought-provoking ending that left me wanting more.

Overall, I believe that “What If…?” has been a fantastic addition to the Marvel universe, offering fans a chance to explore new realities and timelines while still connecting to the stories we know and love. The show’s unique blend of humor, action, and drama makes it a must-watch for any Marvel fan.

And as for the future of “What If…?”, I can only hope that Marvel continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and explore even more alternate realities in future seasons. Perhaps one day we’ll see an episode where Cap becomes a supervillain, or maybe even a world where Spider-Man is actually a cat! Who knows what Marvel has up its sleeve? Only time will tell!

On a lighter note, I can’t help but wonder if the writers are secretly trying to tell us something with all these alternate realities. Could they be hinting that our beloved MCU might one day become a zombie apocalypse? Only time (and perhaps The Watcher) will tell!

As a devoted fan, I’ve just finished binge-watching Marvel’s “What If…?” – the groundbreaking animated series that delved into the fascinating concept of the multiverse. This idea, central to The Multiverse Saga like “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” and “Deadpool & Wolverine,” has been beautifully woven into this show since its inception.

Despite the seemingly endless narrative potential that “What If…?” offered, with a series that could have continued for years, presenting new alternate stories, it’s now wrapped up after just 26 episodes.

As a long-time Marvel fan who has followed the comics and films for over two decades, I must say that “What If…?” has truly surpassed my expectations. This animated series is not just a simple adaptation of the comic book series; it’s an intricate exploration of alternate realities and timelines. The storyline’s focus on The Watcher breaking his oath to intervene in preserving the multiverse was a refreshing twist, adding depth to a character that has often been relegated to the sidelines.

Moreover, the introduction of Captain Peggy Carter as an alternate version of our beloved Agent Carter was a brilliant move, showcasing her heroism across various dimensions. The series finale left us with tantalizing hints about the wider MCU, suggesting that it could pave the way for upcoming projects such as “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.”

I am genuinely excited to see how these future projects will unfold, especially given the groundwork laid by “What If…?”. The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to push boundaries and deliver innovative storytelling, keeping fans like me on the edge of our seats. I can’t wait to witness the adventures that await in these upcoming films!

The Watcher Earns His Name

Ever since the series “What If…?” premiered, the narrator has been referred to as The Watcher. However, many fans believe this character is actually Uatu, who first appeared in Fantastic Four #13 in April 1963 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. In the early comics, including his crucial role in the “Galactus trilogy,” The Watcher wasn’t named and went only by this title, similar to Uatu.

In comics, it wasn’t until Captain Marvel #39 in July 1975, twelve years after his initial appearance, that his name was mentioned. However, due to being called Uatu for almost fifty years, fans often refer to the main character of What If…? by his comic book alias, even though the series only ever calls him ‘The Watcher.’

In a way reminiscent to Marvel enthusiasts unveiling Emily van Camp’s Agent 13 character as Peggy Carter’s niece ahead of its official reveal in Captain America: Civil War, the true identity was kept hidden until then; similarly, while Rocket Raccoon is known from the comics, his MCU counterpart was simply named Rocket until his defining moment in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In a similar vein to these instances, What If…? echoes this pattern by disclosing The Watcher’s name after fans had been eagerly anticipating it since the series was announced back in 2019.

Captain Carter Sacrifices Herself For a New Multiverse

In a thrilling battle between The Watchers and The Exiles, three Watchers aim to eliminate all variations of The Exiles. We catch glimpses of several characters, such as Storm (X-Men ’97), Byrdie resembling the classic Howard the Duck, an Apocalypse version of Kahhori, and Captain Peggy Carter portrayed as Elektra. Remarkably, Captain Peggy Carter finds the courage to make a selfless sacrifice. Utilizing her final ounce of power, she transports herself and the Watchers into a universe created by Strange Supreme at the end of What If…? Season 2. This universe is unique because every atom contains fragments of Stephen Strange. As a result, Strange Supreme can neutralize the powers of the Watchers.

Uatu doesn’t aim to punish them; rather, he demonstrates compassion towards them. The fact that they can be overcome, revealing an unexpected outcome, makes the Watchers question their own knowledge, with The Eminence (Jason Isaacs) being one of them. Uatu proposes to guide and show them a fresh direction. In the Observational Plane, Uatu, Kahhori, Storm, and Byrdie conduct a memorial for Captain Carter. While her teammates grieve her passing, Uatu suggests that he believes, for the first time in his existence, that Captain Carter is watching over him.

They fix Peggy’s shield and dispatch it to the Cosmic Watchtower across the Multiverse. Kahhori mentions that her race views death as a gateway to another thrilling journey, prompting Storm to inquire from Uatu whether there is life beyond our own existence, essentially seeking knowledge about heaven. Uatu doesn’t have an answer but ponders another query. Uatu subsequently delivers a fresh rendition of the timeless “What If…?” monologue, concluding the series on a loop.

Will The Exiles and Captain Carter Return?

As a long-time fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I am thrilled by the prospect of Captain Carter’s potential return in “Avengers: Doomsday.” Having grown up watching Peggy Carter’s character evolve throughout the years, it’s fascinating to see how her storyline has expanded beyond the original timeline.

Hayley Atwell’s return as Peggy is a testament to the enduring appeal of her character and the MCU’s ability to keep audiences guessing. The multiverse’s infinite possibilities open up exciting opportunities for unexpected reunions, and Captain Carter’s potential comeback is no exception.

Although Captain Carter’s death in “What If…?” seemed final, it leaves room for speculation about her return in the upcoming movie. With the Multiverse Saga unfolding at an unprecedented pace, I am eager to see how Marvel Studios will weave this intricate narrative thread into their grand tapestry of stories.

The anticipation is palpable, and as fans eagerly await more information about “Avengers: Doomsday,” the idea that Captain Carter could return has added another layer of excitement to the already highly-anticipated film. The MCU continues to push boundaries and surprise its dedicated fanbase, and I can’t wait to see where this story takes us next!

This applies to Captain Carter’s group, known as The Exiles, too. Similar to the Marvel Comic team with the same name, The Exiles are a band of heroes hailing from different realities within the Marvel multiverse, working to safeguard various realities and combat dangers that threaten multiple realities. Captain Carter’s squad includes Kahhori (Devery Jacob), an indigenous warrior empowered by the Tesseract who appeared in Season 2 of ‘What If…?’, Byrdie (Natasha Lyonne), the grown daughter of Howard the Duck and Darcy Lewis from earlier episodes in Season 3 of ‘What If…?’, and a variant of Storm (Alison Sealy-Smith) from the X-Men who possesses Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. Although Captain Carter perishes, Kahhori, Byrdie, and the variant Storm are left alive, seemingly still holding the powers of The Watchers.

The future of the Exiles is uncertain, but it’s highly probable that a group of interdimensional superheroes will feature prominently in both “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Given the precarious state of the multiverse, it wouldn’t be surprising if Doctor Doom sought to conquer or alter it without the Exiles intervening. Actress Natasha Lyonne is slated to appear in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” a film set within another reality of the MCU multiverse, potentially as character Byrdie. It’s possible that Lyonne is portraying a different character from her role on “What If…?”, considering Devery Jacobs voices Kahhori and plays Bonnie in the series Echo, which takes place in the sacred timeline of the MCU. Should Marvel Studios decide to do so, it would be intriguing to assemble Kahhori, Byrdie, and Storm alongside the exiled multiverse heroes like Gambit, Blade, and Elektra for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” creating a complete Exiles team.

How ‘What If…?’ Season 3 Sets Up the Future of the MCU

The final episode of “What If…?” has significant ramifications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), especially as the Multiverse Saga approaches the culmination of “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Endgame.” Notably, “What If…?” could be directly connected to “The Fantastic Four: The First Steps.” In the trial scene of The Watcher, The Eminence (Jason Isaacs) mentions individuals whom The Watcher rescued by altering events, and one of those individuals is Reed Richards, famously known as Mister Fantastic from The Fantastic Four. Given that “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” will be a multiverse film featuring heroes apart from the MCU’s primary timeline, it’s possible that Uatu either saved Reed Richards during the team’s origin or may even appear in the movie and potentially save the team from Galactus’ destruction.

Additionally, it appears that the stories for “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” are being developed. Unlike The Exiles and Uatu who monitor the multiverse in unique ways, they may encounter Doctor Doom. It’s expected that “Avengers: Secret Wars” will follow the 2015 comic book plotline where Doctor Doom merges various realities into a single world, which could potentially lead to Uatu and The Exiles having to intervene, but possibly failing to stop him.

As a longtime fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I found the “What If…?” animated series to be an intriguing and engaging addition to the MCU lore. Having grown up watching the movies, I was excited to see how this show would explore alternate realities and versions of my favorite characters.

The first two seasons did a commendable job of staying true to the visual aesthetic and characterizations established in the films, which I appreciated as it maintained a consistent feel throughout the MCU. However, I felt that the series only barely scratched the surface of what could be possible in these alternate realities.

The third season, on the other hand, took things to a whole new level with episodes inspired by 1602 and the Old West setting. These episodes showcased the creativity and imagination of the writers and artists behind the series, and I eagerly awaited each new episode to see what fresh take on classic Marvel stories they would come up with next.

The final scene of the series was particularly exciting for me as a fan, with teases of a reality where Wolverine and Thanos mix, a six-armed Spider-Man, and a version of Ms. Marvel wearing a Wasp-inspired suit. These concepts are so out there that I can’t wait to see how they develop in future seasons or even potentially in the live-action films!

All in all, “What If…?” has been an enjoyable and thought-provoking addition to the MCU, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

Instead of hinting at more “What If…?” episodes, this is more about setting the stage for the diverse and intriguing future of Marvel animation. While “What If…?” takes place within a multiverse, it’s tightly connected to the main storyline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As for what’s next, “Marvel Zombies” will build on the narrative established in “What If…?”, but “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” promises a fresh spin on the Spider-Man mythos separate from the MCU. Lastly, “X-Men ’97” is coming back for another season, focusing on events before the MCU timeline.

If “What If…?” doesn’t resurface in the future, let’s hope that Marvel Animation delves into uncharted dimensions with fresh perspectives on familiar themes, disregarding any connection to the MCU continuity. In time, possibly many years from now, there may be a chance that Marvel reintroduces “What If…?” to explore these unexplored dimensions once more.

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2024-12-29 01:35