MovieChat Forums > What If...? (2021) Discussion > Episode 4: Now THAT is more like it.

Episode 4: Now THAT is more like it.

posted 3 years ago by M1sterDoct0r (4423)
15 replies | jump to latest

This one is easily the best episode so far. It's dark, it's bleak, it's horrific and I loved every minute of it.

See now THIS is the kinda stuff I was expecting from a show like this. In my opinion, it's a perfect What if scenario. Also, absolutely LOVED the depressing ending. There was actual consequences & I freaking loved it!

Not a fan of the first 2. The first was just a rehash of The First Avenger & the second one just felt like someone's fan fiction.

But the last episode was solid & this one was a absolutely amazing. Here's to hoping it's just up & up from this point onwards

[–] AP (5291) 3 years ago

Yeah, I'm guessing they started with the two most light hearted episodes to kind of draw audiences in and introduce the concept, then decided the rest of the season would be filled with the usual death and destruction What If? is better known for (although to be fair, the series did have the odd goofy story or a more standard superhero story with a twist to it).

[–] M1sterDoct0r (4423) 3 years ago

I'm personally a huge fan of dark & bleak stories & endings but I genuinely don't mind light hearted stuff. It'd honestly be pretty depressing if everything was bleak.

But that first episode was just TFA but with Peggy & on fast forward. They did nothing major with it & episode 2, I still have no idea what that was. I keep saying it felt like they greenlit someone's fan fiction

Episode 3 I think did a good job balancing the dark & a bit of lightheartedness. The thing that made Episode 4 wasn't the bleak ending or dark tone for me but it was honestly just so amazingly done. The writing was great & the voice acting was pretty good. The animation looked fantastic.

Just everything about it worked.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (4423) 3 years ago

Also, this one just made me more hyped for the Doctor Strange sequel, Multiverse of Madness. Loved the horrific/horror tone.

Hope the film at least keeps that tone

[–] Ed (527) 3 years ago

Home run. This is what What If was like in the comics. Definitely the best episode by far.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (4423) 3 years ago

This, the Vision-Ultron wins one & The Marvel Zombies one were my most anticipated episodes. This one definitely delivered, here's to hoping the others do as well.

Fingers crossed & all that

[–] Costumer (1829) 3 years ago

SPOILERS AHEAD. DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE EPISODE.

The consequences were nice, but it did have its problems in logic. (Not the the others didn't) Why is Christine's death a fixed point? In other words why did she have to die for Stephen to become Dr. Strange. That wasn't necessary in our universe. There has to be another nexus point to cause Christine's death to become necessary and I really can't determine what that would be.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (4423) 3 years ago

It's just a plot device that writers use. Used to happen a lot in Doctor Who. It Usually goes like this, A fixed point means that, that moment has effects through time & space. The choices made after that moment or event have consequences throughout the timeline. Good & bad.

Christine didn't "have to" die in the main Universe but he did lose something else he cared about more than her, his hands. I guess he always has to lose something/someone important to him in order to embark on his new path.

Hope that's a decent explanation

[–] Costumer (1829) 3 years ago

Its a good explanation, but I don't buy it. But this is going to always be an issue with What If type stories and what can make them fun.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (4423) 3 years ago

I look at it this way, Bruce Wayne can't become Batman until his Parents die. Until he suffers a tragedy. He embarks on a new path that changes everything. Thus making his parents death a fixed point.

That's the same with Doctor Strange. If he stops the moment that basically "created" him, he 'breaks' time. Cause let's not forget, his choice to become a sorcerer has major implications for the universe.

At least that my point of view.

[–] Costumer (1829) 3 years ago

And a valid one. As I said, I see it differently, but my opinion is no more, or less, valid then yours. We all see different things when reading/watching any work of fiction. This discussion is far more civil and informative than most I've seen, and sometimes been involved with. Thank you, sir (assuming male from your screen name. Apologies if it should be otherwise.)

[–] M1sterDoct0r (4423) 3 years ago

I really don't like fighting with someone over these things. The amount of hate spewed by fandoms with these things is too damn high. They try to justify it by saying it's "being passionate" when it's just pure hatred & animosity.

I absolutely love these characters & their stories. They've brought me so much entertainment & joy but at the end of the day, they're just a work of fiction.

[–] Costumer (1829) 3 years ago

I agree. Its fun to debate, and even argue in the positive sense of argue. But some people let their "passion" overwhelms them and they go completely overboard.

[–] AP (5291) 3 years ago

I think it’s a fixed point for that timeline but not ours since the loss of his hands is what drove him to become the SS in our timeline. I think if the proper MCU Dr Strange tried to go back in time and make sure he didn’t lose his hands, there would be similar consequences.

[–] Devilman (448) 3 years ago

Agreed.

This episode is a masterpiece great animation, great music and a really great "What IF" story. I hope we see more episode of this quality.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (4423) 3 years ago

I honestly think it's gonna be tough to top this but I hope I'm wrong. This was way better than I thought it'd be

Here's to hoping that we get consistent quality episodes from now on.