This episode of What If delivered the best spectacle yet. It is intense, displays the full potential of the name and even lets the bad guy win (even if he repents at the end). It’s easily the favourite of the series so far, and series is only improving..
Firstly though, a word about the Marvel opening. Yes, it’s cinematic, yes it is awesome, but when it’s being displayed at the start of a thirty minute cartoon, it loses its magic a little bit. The full logo showing is tedious at best, and borders on self-indulgent at worst. Isn’t there a happy medium between no opening fanfare and this one, perhaps a shorter version could be used?
Getting back to the episode however, it is brilliant. The episode centres its narrative on Doctor Strange, and the change that is made is that Steven loses his girlfriend Christine, and not his hands. This is what causes him to seek out the mystic arts, and when he becomes the Sorcerer Supreme, he seeks to bring Christine back. This narrative explores the cost of greed, and the premise of the show allows the narrative to be explored to its full potential.
The visuals in this episode are great too. One of them that particularly stands out is once Doctor Strange saves Christine, she first sees him for what he truly is; a monster. This is a hugely striking visual, saying that a lust for power will make a character ugly, no matter their intentions. It is a key lesson to impart, and one that Strange learns all too late.
Another stand out moment in this episode is when Strange tries to save Christine with the time stone, only to keep failing. The character is more visibly broken each time he fails, and Benedict Cumberbatch portrays this excellently in his voice. This gets the audience on Strange’s side, and the show later does a great job of slowly making the audience realise Strange is going too far.
While the explanation for how Strange split in two is both convenient and confusing at the same time, it nonetheless allows for Strange to talk to himself, which is a great idea. As Strange says at various points in the show, only he understands his pain. The creative fight scene between the two shines in this episode, the camera even pans to show the two cloaks fighting.
Overall, this What If episode surpasses the previous three on all counts, narrative, visuals and sequences and lessons. Here’s to hoping that the rest of the What If episodes are as good as this, and the show is hitting its stride.
What If?… is available to stream on Disney+
By Kieran Burt
Feature image: Marvel Entertainment