Haven't we all wondered what our lives would be if we had been born differently? If we had grown up differently? If we had lived somewhere different? Married someone other than our spouse? Etc. What if...? They are powerful words, and they can make us look at things differently. I'm guessing that is what Marvel Studios had in mind when they created the limited, animated series What If...? The multi-episode show gives audiences a glimpse into what some of the Marvel writers came up with as alternative storylines.
The show began in August of 2021 after the establishment of the multiverse in Loki Season One. The first season offered episodes titled, "What If... Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?", "What If... Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?", and "What If... Thor Were an Only Child?". It was met with praise from both critics and audiences. A year and a half later, Season Two aired on Disney+ and again earned high marks. One year later, Season Three will premiere on Disney+ on December 22, 2024, with 8 new episodes.
With Season 3, Marvel Studios brings back some familiar characters we have met over the first two seasons while incorporating newer individuals introduced in the last year or two or those who were minor characters in other stories but gained greater prominence recently. For example, while we met Agatha (Kathryn Hahn; Bad Moms) in WandaVision back in 2020, we got to know her better in this year's limited series, Agatha All Along. Meanwhile, The Watcher (Jeffrey Wright; The Batman) still narrates the series, and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell; Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan; A Different Man), and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo; Spotlight) will all make appearances in this final season of the series.
Since the show is an anthology, each episode is completely different from the last one and the next. Therefore, there isn't a central plot to mention other than to say What If...? occurs in the multiverse, and the only common constants are The Watcher and the inclusion of members of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For most episodes, episode one is independent and has no connection to episodes two, five, or eight, emphasizing the anthology nature of the series.
Each episode has its unique flare that sets it apart from all the other episodes in the series. In the opening of episode one, the animation looks like a Saturday morning cartoon from the 1980s, which is a nostalgic throwback. Meanwhile, episode two offers viewers a Bollywood dance number reminiscent of RRR and an old-fashioned 1940s Hollywood movie production complete with a big soundstage full of dancers. However, each episode manages to have some funny moments and a "snarky" comment or two thrown in, like when The Red Guardian (David Harbour; Stranger Things) makes comments about capitalism at the end of his episode.
Visually, What If...? is extremely well done, with nuanced colors throughout and sharp details everywhere. Of course, one would expect no less from a Marvel Studios/Disney+ production, and What If...? doesn't disappoint. The audio is also well done, with a mix of well-written dialogue and a mostly familiar soundtrack that audiences know and love.
What If...? has a great premise and over the last few years has garnered many fans. Even though Seasons One and Two are better than this next one, Season Three still has a lot to offer and is worth watching.
Grade: B-
