In Season 2, Episode 7 of the Disney Plus series What If, titled “What if Hela Found the Ten Rings?,” the story unfolds in a reality where Odin (Jeff Bergman) makes the decision to banish Hela (Cate Blanchett) to Earth instead of Hel. This decision stems from his weariness of her bloodlust for more war and conquest. As Hela is banished to Earth, Odin enchants Hela’s crown, allowing only those who know mercy and appreciate life to wield its power. Hela crashes into medieval China, powerless and alone. Simultaneously, Xu Wenwu (Feodor Chin) and his Ten Rings find Hela’s crown, recognizing it as a powerful artifact from beyond Earth. Wenwu orders her capture but intervenes with his powers when Hela defeats most of his Ten Rings troops in combat.

Despite Hela’s defiance, Wenwu is intrigued and gives her the opportunity to don her crown to witness her power with the Asgardian artifact. However, Hela cannot lift the helm as she is not worthy. Regardless, Wenwu brings Hela back to his fortress, aiming to recruit her into his army after witnessing her combat prowess. In her attempt to steal Wenwu’s Ten Rings, Hela fails and escapes until she falls into a dungeon, where she meets Dijiang, the same Dijiang Trevor Slattery befriended in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings named Morris. Morris takes Hela to Ta Lo, encountering dangers along the way, such as the moving forest guarding the realm. Upon entering Ta Lo, Heimdall (Idris Elba) cannot see her from Asgard due to the hidden realm.

In Ta Lo, Hela is confronted by Ta Lo’s guardian Jiayi (Lauren Tom), who ambushes and captures her. Recognizing goodness in Hela, Jiayi convinces Shunyuan (Michael Hagiwara), an elder of Ta Lo, to let her take the fallen Asgardian goddess under her tutelage. The goal is to train Hela in the peaceful and compassionate ways of Ta Lo. If Hela ever betrays Ta Lo, the Great Protector will intervene. During training, Hela remembers her past as a young, innocent Asgardian princess (Liv Zamora) who grew ruthless due to Odin raising her as a brutal conqueror. This realization prompts Hela to rethink her choices and desire a path of freedom over conquest. Inspired, Hela continues training in Ta Lo to reclaim her goodness and selflessness.

However, Hela’s new peaceful life in Ta Lo is interrupted by Odin. Back in Asgard, Heimdall reports losing sight of Hela. He informs Odin that the last person to meet Hela was Xu Wenwu of the Ten Rings, possessing powerful ten-ring artifacts not of Earth and the ability to kill a god. Feeling threatened by the Ten Rings, Odin decides to destroy the organization, viewing it as a threat to the entire world. Hela notices Odin’s arrival in medieval China and seeks to stop her father from causing further damage. Before leaving, Hela tells Jiayi that she needs to confront her father to complete her journey of moving on from her dark past as a conqueror.

At the Ten Rings fortress, Odin leads his Asgardian army against the Ten Rings. Soon, Hela joins to help Wenwu fight the Asgardian invaders, forcing Odin to intervene and fight Wenwu and Hela himself. Despite being overmatched by Odin’s skill and powers, Hela and Wenwu’s teamwork defeats Odin. Hela ends the duel by proving herself worthy to regain her crown and wield her father’s spear, Gungnir. Impressed and proud of what his daughter has become, Odin cedes his throne of Asgard to her. Over eons, Asgard and the Ten Rings form an alliance, creating an empire of peace and liberation throughout the cosmos. One notable act of liberation is defeating Thanos in Zen-Whoberi and preventing a young Gamora from becoming the Mad Titan’s daughter and enforcer.

Hela’s Lost Childhood Innocence

In What If Season 2, Episode 7, Director Bryan Andrews and Writer Matthew Chauncey reshape Hela’s narrative, diverging significantly from her path in the original Thor storyline and Thor: Ragnarok. This episode explores the consequences of Odin’s decision to banish Hela to Earth instead of Hel, leading to a divergent trajectory in Hela’s character development.

In the original Thor: Ragnarok, Hela, portrayed by Cate Blanchett, is depicted as a formidable antagonist with a lust for power and conquest. However, What If proposes an alternate scenario where Odin’s choice to send her to Earth instead of Hel changes the course of her destiny. This decision is rooted in Odin’s weariness of Hela’s bloodlust for war and conquest, showcasing a different perspective on the character dynamics within the Asgardian royal family.

The episode suggests that sending Hela to Earth exposed her to an environment that brought out her inherent goodness. Unlike Hel, a realm associated with darkness and death, Earth becomes a place where Hela, despite her powerful nature, is rendered powerless. This vulnerability prompts Odin to enchant Hela’s crown, making it accessible only to those who understand mercy and appreciate life. This twist introduces an intriguing element to the story, questioning whether Hela’s banishment to Earth has the potential to redeem her character.

The exploration of Hela’s lost childhood innocence is a poignant aspect of the episode. The narrative implies that Hela was once a kind and innocent Asgardian princess in her youth, depicted vividly in her memories during training in Ta Lo. However, Odin’s influence transformed her into a ruthless conqueror, stripping away her innocence and shaping her into a character who knew nothing but war. This shift in her character arc adds depth and complexity to Hela’s journey, highlighting the impact of parental influence on a character’s moral compass.

As Hela undergoes training in Ta Lo and confronts her dark past, the episode offers a redemptive arc for the character. Her desire to break free from the conqueror persona and choose her path emphasizes themes of self-discovery and redemption. The contrast between her upbringing in Asgard, and her experiences on Earth and Ta Lo, showcases the potential for positive growth and change, challenging the notion that Hela is irredeemable.

Overall, What If Season 2, Episode 7 provides a thought-provoking exploration of alternate character trajectories, offering a fresh perspective on Hela’s journey and redemption. The episode successfully reimagines Hela as a character capable of growth and heroism, deviating from her traditional role as a villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Rating: 9/10