Marvel’s What If…? season 2 continues to deliver unique MCU scenarios to fans, while also expanding on what was done in season 1.
The best thing about Marvel’s What If…? is that it can go hard and have fun playing with characters and events that MCU fans know and love, without effecting the greater picture. These are meant to be stand alone episodes, for the most part – one does continue a story from season one. This season explores things a bit deeper than the first one, as it is able to bring in a lot of elements from the comic books, like 1602, but at the same time delivers brand new ideas.
Once again, the Watcher narrates the episodes for us, which is the perfect way to tie in a fan favorite character from Marvel Comics. Just as in the first season, he has a larger role to play at some point. However, we don’t want to give spoilers away so you will have to watch — especially since a What If…? season 3 is already confirmed to be coming.
Kahhori is a character we have never seen before. She was created for the What If… ? series and her episode certainly standout. Not only is it a beautiful way to represent Native Americans, it is done completely in her language, with subtitles provided. We don’t want to give any spoilers, but there is a good chance that many are going to fall in love with Kahhori, and are likely to wish her into live action.
How Marvel would be able to pull it off? Well, the multiverse has been blown wide open. At the same time, there is a comfort in knowing that these versions of these characters exist, in animation form, for their relative episodes only. It means that we can enjoy them wholeheartedly without having to think about how that would change things in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Another standout episode is the Christmas one, titled What If Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?. It is basically Die Hard.. with the Avengers. Of course, Happy Hogan is front and center, but he also gets a lot of help from Darcy, and it is a lot of fun to see her in animation form. The villain is none other than Justin Hammer, who fits into the story perfectly. There are nods to other Christmas classics as well, like A Christmas Story.
Overall, Marvel Studios’ What If…? season 2 is better than the first season. It seems that the writers have settled in with the style of the show and have clear visions of how they want to address each storyline, while still offering up a continuation episode. With the episodes all being thirty minutes, less if you don’t count the credits, they fly by. Each one tells a concise story with solid pacing and intriguing differences from what we know from the MCU.
No episode is bad, but some are better than others. The animation style, which was already gorgeous, has since improved, offering up a truly stunning visual experience.
The decision to release the episodes daily, over the holidays, is brilliant. It feels like an advent calendar where fans get to unwrap a new episode each day, from December 22nd to December 30th.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
What If…? Episode List
EPISODE 1: WHAT IF… NEBULA JOINED THE NOVA CORPS?
When Nebula is recruited to join the Nova Corps, she sets out to prove her detective skills within this intergalactic police force.
EPISODE 2: WHAT IF… PETER QUILL ATTACKED EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES?
When Ego and a young Peter Quill threaten Earth in 1988, Howard Stark and Peggy Carter form a team.
EPISODE 3: WHAT IF HAPPY HOGAN SAVED CHRISTMAS?
Avengers Tower is under attack during the holiday party and it’s up to Happy Hogan to stop it.
EPISODE 4: WHAT IF… IRON MAN CRASHED INTO THE GRANDMASTER?
Tony Stark challenges The Grandmaster, leading to a grand prix-turned-demolition-derby death match.
EPISODE 5: WHAT IF… CAPTAIN CARTER FOUGHT THE HYDRA STOMPER?
Captain Carter’s mission to save Steve Rogers sets her on a collision course with new enemies.
EPISODE 6: WHAT IF… KAHHORI RESHAPED THE WORLD?
A Mohawk woman ventures into the waters of the Forbidden Lake to help save her people.
EPISODE 7: WHAT IF… HELA FOUND THE TEN RINGS?
Hela—stripped of her powers and banished to Earth—comes across a new source of power: the Ten Rings.
EPISODE 8: WHAT IF… THE AVENGERS ASSEMBLED IN 1602?
Captain Carter tries to undo the anomaly that strands familiar heroes and villains in the year 1602.
EPISODE 9: WHAT IF… STRANGE SUPREME INTERVENED?
Captain Carter discovers the greatest threat to all existence may be closer than she realizes.
NEXT: What If …? Season 2: Creators Discuss What To Expect
About What If… ? Season 2
Season two of “What If…?” continues the journey as The Watcher guides viewers through the vast multiverse, introducing brand new and familiar faces throughout the MCU. The series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments with an incredible voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their iconic roles.
Featuring fan-favorite characters this season like Nebula, Hela and Happy Hogan, episodes are directed by executive producer Bryan Andrews with executive producer AC Bradley as head writer.
What If… ? premieres exclusively on Disney+ December 22nd,
with a new episode following every evening until December 30th.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.