What If...? Episode 1 Review

Marvel’s What If…? is the newest animated series to hit Disney Plus. The show revolves around alternate realities that are all canon in the MCU. Each episode begs the question “What if…?,” such as “What if T’Challa was Star Lord?” The show is set to be 10 episodes, each around 30 minutes long, with episodes airing every Wednesday. So, without further ado, how was the series premiere? Episode 1 starts off with a narration by The Watcher (Jeffrey Wright). He tells us that every choice that is made branches off millions of realities, a concept that was explored in Loki. The Watcher is unable to interact with these realities, he is only able to do what his name implies. It is his job to show us all of these different realities that are possible in the MCU. Basically, The Watcher is our tour guide through this series. He then introduces us to the first “What if?,” which is “What if Captain Carter was the First Avenger?” The first thing that stuck out to me in this episode was the animation, and I’m torn on it. The style reminded me a lot of Borderlands. I get what the show was trying to do with the comic book style animation, but it took me a while to get used to. The show is literally bringing these comics to life and I think it’s a cool idea. However, I think making the animation a little more advanced than the comic book art ended up taking away from it, and it did feel weird at the start. Despite this, the action sequences do work well with the animation style. Watching Captain Carter kick some Hydra ass was the highlight of the show.

With any animated series there comes the voice cast. Fans will be pleased to know that many of their favorite Marvel animated characters are voiced by their live action counterparts. In regards to this episode, Haylee Atwell reprises her role as Peggy Carter. We also get other returning cast members such as Sebastian Stan as Bucky, Ross Marquand as Red Skull, Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, Bradley Whitford as Colonel John Flynn, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury; among other minor roles being reprised. However, what many fans probably expected, but would still be disappointed, is that Chris Evans does not play Steve Rogers. Instead, Josh Keaton takes up the helm as the skinny Rogers who is now The Hydra Stomper.

As for the voice acting by the cast, it’s pretty bland for the most part. It could be the animation that makes the characters emotionless, but nevertheless, the dialogue just feels boring. It reminds me a lot of the dialogue in video games, such as Horizon Zero Dawn, where the characters just look into the screen and say monotone lines. It’s not terrible by any means, but I did find myself bored at times when there wasn’t as much action going on in the show.

Aside from the animation and voice acting, the real meat of the show is what makes me excited to see what else there is to come. What’s within this series is countless possibilities of what could have been if things happened differently, and that concept is interesting to me. Imagine one miniscule choice, such as staying in the room while Steve gets the super soldier serum, totally changing the course of history. We now have a new First Avenger in the British Peggy Carter instead of the American Steve Rodgers. This opens up so many more questions that we’re only left to ponder. The writers have the freedom to create anything they want because that’s the point of a multiverse, anything can happen and I love it.

As for this episode, Peggy Carter getting the super soldier serum is a compelling concept. First off, it allows the show to delve into the social constructs of the time and ask the question if a female super soldier would even be accepted? There’s multiple sexist remarks from Colonel Flynn about Carter being a woman, which makes sense with regards to WWII. With this, Captain Carter must take matters into her own hands in order to prove herself. We also get a new dynamic between Carter and Rogers. She’s the super hero with the scrawny boyfriend. Does Steve accept the idea of a woman who is stronger than him? Also, what of Steve? If he’s not Captain America, what happens to him? What about Bucky, does he become a Hydra agent? What about the Avengers? Are they all different as well? This is what I mean, this show opens up a box of possibilities and I’m here for it.

Final Verdict

The first episode of Marvel’s What If…? is a decent introduction to the series. If you’re intrigued by the millions of different possibilities there could be in the MCU, then this episode is one you’ll enjoy. However, if you really don’t care about these alternate realities, then you probably won’t care for the episode; however, keep in mind that this series is canon and they could play a factor in the upcoming films. All in all, although the animation and voice acting isn’t the greatest, the content of the show is enough to carry its interest level for me, scoring it a 7/10.