First off, I need to start this episode review by talking about the late great Chadwick Boseman. Any interview Boseman had regarding the Black Panther and T’Challa character; it was easy to see how much he loved being a hero in the modern age of comic book movies. As a white person, I will never fully understand what 2018’s Black Panther meant to so many black folks finally seeing their ancestry performed with care and gravitas, especially in a blockbuster film from the Marvel juggernaut Cinematic Universe. With this being his last time portraying the Wakandan royal, I can confidently say that this was a beautiful way to end the T’Challa character and say goodbye to Chadwick Boseman.
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Something that I sort of noticed in the first episode of “What If…?” but really noticed with this episode is that the showrunners are paying homage to the original films’ vibes and themes. By that, I mean they are still maintaining the feelings and looks of the film. They are asking their titular question. The animation was not modernized with its color palette or musical score, so audiences do not feel like they are watching some obscure animated show, but rather a genuine exploration of the characters and story.
I am more in love with this television show and its concept with every new episode and any scene I am fortunate to witness. Within Black Panther (2018), T’Challa’s old school beliefs that he had instilled in him throughout his life were challenged by Erik Killmonger. By the end, T’Challa and Wakanda become much more active in helping those around the world and not just within their advanced African nation. Since T’Challa did not have King T’Chaka raising him with his single-minded belief, the prince of Wakanda was able to reach his virtuous potential much earlier in life and without having to kill his homicidal cousin in the process.
Due to this second episode, including two film franchises in Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy, director Bryan Andrews and writer Matthew Chauncey had a tall task. These two franchises are some of the most expansive within the MCU, so blending them opens up many possibilities with characters, technology, and visuals. And speaking of characters, this episode was filled with surprising appearances of characters from around the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Some of the characters I was not expecting to see include Drax the Bartender, Mad Tyrant Taneleer Tivan, Ravager Thanos, and Korath the Kree turncoat. These variations of popular characters allowed the episode’s viewers to feel comfy in this new world created but still reminded that it is not the world we know fully. Hearing Thanos was able to sit down and talk with T’Challa about his plan for mass genocide makes the movies so much more hilarious in my eyes. I also do like seeing Thanos and the blonde bombshell of Nebula are not without their parental friction. These types of elements that the showrunners add into the episodes are why I think this show will continue to do well. It would be easy to go in a very different direction with completely different stories and characteristics, but that would not be as compelling.
Now I have to address that final scene between Peter Quill and Ego. The nods to Dairy Queen, the Walkman, and the orange headphones were all very much appreciated by me. However, I am not focusing on what the Missouri native or what the Celestial said or did during this brief closing scene. What I am going to focus on is what the Watcher said following the estranged duo meeting face-to-face. The Watcher said, “Too bad this might spell the end of the world. But that’s a story for another day.” This two-sentence line spoken by Jeffery Wright has me asking my own question, what if these episodes are all connected and occur throughout their own universe and timeline? I know this might be a long shot and me being very hopeful, but I just want you all to know that if it does happen, I predicted it after episode two.
Although this is only the second episode of a nine-episode run, I can’t help but say this recent episode might just be my favorite. Blending Wakanda, the Ravagers, Thanos, and the infinite galaxy, this latest installment was able to beautifully juggle it all. This episode also used the “daddy issues” that have become the norm when dealing with T’Challa and the Ravagers and found a way to make them all fresh and captivating. This second episode found a way to mix in the biggest points from some of the boldest films we know and love and succeed in telling a hypothetical masterpiece.
Marvel’s What If…? is now streaming exclusively on Disney+.
