This episode’s plot answers the uninteresting question of “What if Thor was an only child?” and the answer to it is even less interesting.
It is quite a small and light episode based off of past entries, and this harms it. There are some moments to be found in the episode that give a chuckle, but nothing more.
The plot of this episode is quite boring. It takes place mostly on Earth, and sets Thor up as the party king of the planet, while S.H.I.E.L.D desperately tries to get rid of him. There are few stakes in the episode, and while it is lighter than the previous episodes – which is in some way a breath of fresh air – it is ultimately disappointing.
There are much more important aspects that are worth exploring to the central premise of the episode. Examples of this include Thor’s relationship with his father like without Loki? How does this impact the Avengers, and so on. However, a half hour long party is chosen, which is not in the slightest bit inventive. The positive tone of the episode still could have been kept if the premise is altered.
The episode did cause a chuckle in a few scenes. Darcey marrying Howard the Duck, the scene when Jane wakes up after the night in Vegas, Nick Fury’s death, and Crossbones expressing his disappointment about not being able to nuke Thor is funny, However these brief moments of comedy are not worth watching the episode for.
Camoes heavily feature in this episode, which is not a bad thing in of itself. Several characters from both the Thor franchise and Guardians of the Galaxy cross paths, such as Yondu, Surta and Drax. Key characters that should have had a more prominent role in the episode, such as Odin, are relegated to nothing but a cameo, which is disappointing.
Another interesting part of the episode comes right at the end. This is when Ultron shows up, wielding the Infinity Gauntlet. This makes for a far more dynamic and unique concept for a What If episode, rather than watching Thor party.
This episode is a weak entry in the What If entry, with an uninteresting idea with a poor execution. Humour, cameos and an intriguing thread for a future episode don’t make this episode worthy.
What If?… is available to stream on Disney+
By Kieran Burt
Feature image: Marvel Entertainment