“What If…?” Kicks Off Strong With Peggy Carter Bringing Down The Evil HYDRA

“Time. Space. Reality. It’s more than a linear path. It’s a prism of endless possibility where a single choice can branch out into infinite realities, creating alternate worlds from the ones you know.” — The Watcher

These spoken first words are what sets up the basic format for Marvel’s latest Disney+ series. I will admit that even though audiences knew what exactly What If…? was going to be about, I do not believe any of us knew how exactly Marvel was going to do it. Following this first episode, I can say I am in love with how they are navigating these alternate timelines.

Jeffery Wright, the aforementioned character of The Watcher, sets the stage for the episode and gives everyone the not-so-necessary context of what was going on during World War II. The story as we all know it is underway: A bunch of military men and stuffed shirts are watching Dr. Erskine prepare the plucky Steve Rogers to be injected with his Super Soldier Serum. Then, the story derives from the known path ever so slightly: Rather than being subjected to a misogynistic society, Peggy gives all of the men around her the proverbial middle finger. Agent Carter chose not to be pushed aside like the damsel so many of those men thought she was and remained in the room to there for her skinny schoolyard crush, Steve Rogers.

I really enjoy how the show’s writing took the time to point out the exact moment the universe changed. Since Kevin Feige and his band of Marvelous people decided to go down the narrator route, having The Watcher sprinkled in throughout the episode has to be expected. Since the character admits he cannot intervene in the universe, his presence is never overbearing throughout the episode. This is a double-edged sword for me since I am in love with Jeffery Wright and his soothing voice, but narration can become tiresome or annoying if overdone. However, it does feel like Marvel knows this, so I doubt I will ever come agitated by The Watcher’s presence.

The middle chunk of the episode goes as one might expect, with a few caveats here and there. Since Steve was injured in the HYDRA attack, Howard Stark built a metal suit to put an end to those Berlin bullies still. The irony is very much not lost on me that Steve Rogers is fighting in an Iron Man-style suit, as the Brooklyn kid who we know and love ends up mocking Howard’s son for relying on one in the 21st century. I do not know of any comic book ties behind this creative decision, but regardless, I chuckled at Steve’s enjoyment and dependence on the metal suit.

I’m no longer screaming to be heard, to be seen, to be in the room.

— Captain Margaret “Peggy” Carter

Before Captain Carter, Steve with his HYDRA Stomper, and the Howling Commandos can go on the infamous snowy mountain train mission, the two star-crossed lovers have the most important scene of the entire episode. Understandably envious of Peggy being able to experience these new abilities, Steve asks her how it felt to get the serum. Peggy humbly says it feels the same, but Rogers sees right through that. The chivalrous man explains to his British love interest, “the outside finally matches the inside.” And that whole sentiment is exactly why Dr. Erskine wanted Steve Rogers to be given the serum and why Peggy Carter was a more than qualified replacement. And then Peggy corrects him even further by saying she is differently perceived since she turns heads out of admiration and respect, rather than just being an attractive dame.

The quote that Peggy gives is the epitome of why this episode was made and why I love the Peggy Carter character. Captain Carter says, “I’m no longer screaming to be heard, to be seen, to be in the room.” That quote alone resonated with me so much more than the entire movie of Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). Peggy Carter has always been a badass since we first met her at the SSR training facility. Because she was a woman in the 1940s, however, she had the glass ceiling above her head. The serum did not make Peggy Carter a hero or true solider, it just gave a reason for the misogynistic men in charge to finally see her as one.

The final mission, as one might expect, sees Captain Carter sacrifice herself to save the world and help the Allies win the Second World War. This sacrifice had Peggy sending the eponymous hydra monster back to whatever corner of the universe it came from, with her going with it. What I was not expecting, however, was Peggy Carter returning to Earth in 2012, where Loki originally arrived on our planet at the start of Marvel’s The Avengers (2012). This scene alone opens so many more storylines for future episodes of Marvel wants to go down this route, and by golly, I hope they do.

The vibe of this episode, along with the animation presentation, made for a light-hearted feel. Bucky, Dum Dum Duggan, and some other minor characters were primarily there for comic relief, and I enjoyed some of it, but other moments were eye-rolling. I think this disdain comes from me expecting it to be the gritty action movie with more drama than quips, but that is clearly not the tone they are going for with What If…? and that is totally ok.*

All in all, I think this was the perfect episode to kick off this unique series. It is one of the more popular origin stories of the MCU, and it prevented Steve Rogers from (Stupidly) flying the plane into the ocean WHEN HE COULD HAVE JUST LANDED OR DROPPED THE BOMBS IN THE WATER. Anywho, I am looking forward to how Marvel alters their universe next and presents more of our beloved characters.

*Authors Note: I rewatched the episode while writing all of this. Since I knew the tone was much more relaxed, most of the jokes were actually not bad at all. I apologize for me being slightly dramatic.

Marvel Studios’ “WHAT IF…?” is streaming now on Disney+.