In Season 2, Episode 9 of the Disney Plus series What If, titled “What if Strange Supreme Intervened?,” the story unfolds with Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell) meeting Strange Supreme (Benedict Cumberbatch), who helps her escape the Renaissance-themed universe and takes her to his Sanctum Infinitum. There, he reveals that he imprisoned universe killers as his self-imposed penance for accidentally destroying his own universe.
However, one of Strange’s prisoners escapes to a universe where Hydra uses the Tesseract to destroy the world. Strange asks Carter for help in capturing his missing prisoner, and she agrees until she learns the disturbing truth. The prisoner is revealed to be Kahhori (Devery Jacobs), who warns Carter that Strange is targeting universe killers and righteous heroes to feed the power of the Forge, a machine designed to resurrect Strange’s destroyed universe.
Strange teleports Captain Carter and Kahhori back to his Sanctum Infinitum, where he attempts to kill Kahhori to tie up loose ends. This forces Carter to release all the prisoners as a distraction, allowing her and Kahhori to escape. Among the prisoners are an evil universe killer variant of Xu Wenwu (Feodor Chin), a zombie universe killer variant of Scarlet Witch, a universe killer variant of Hela (Cate Blanchett), a universe killer of Surtur (Clancy Brown), a universe killer variant of Thanos, and Infinity Killmonger.
Kahhori teleports Killmonger out of his Infinity armor, and Carter takes the Infinity Stones to fight Strange Supreme at the Forge. With their combined powers, Carter and Kahhori slowly overwhelm Supreme Strange and are nearly victorious. The prisoners lend their aid by giving Carter their weapons in exchange for Kahhori returning them to their respective universes. At one point, Strange attempts to trick Carter with an illusion of herself participating in the super soldier program with Steve Rogers (Josh Keaton) and Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci). However, she breaks free of the illusion, realizing she cannot return to the past and reunite with her Steve Rogers. She attacks Supreme Strange.
The fight reaches its climax when Strange transforms into his demonic self, the source of his corruption. Carter manages to separate Strange from the demon within him. The conclusion comes when Strange, now free from his corruption, sacrifices himself and his demonic self into the Forge. This somehow resurrects Supreme Strange’s universe and Christine Palmer. Unfortunately, Strange cannot be reborn into his universe due to his sacrifice.
Later, the Watcher (Jeffrey Wright) saves Carter and Kahhori. He sends Kahhori back to her universe and engages in a conversation with Carter in Supreme Strange’s resurrected universe. The episode ends with the Watcher congratulating Carter for her victory and showing her the multiverse tree TVA Loki built in the Season 2 finale of Loki before returning Carter to her universe.
The Great Multiverse Tree
In What If Season 2, Episode 9, Director Bryan Andrews and Writer Matthew Chauncey crafted a compelling narrative that delves into the multiverse, exploring the consequences of pivotal choices made by iconic characters. The episode, titled “What if Strange Supreme Intervened?,” takes viewers on a captivating journey as it unfolds the repercussions of Strange Supreme’s actions.
The episode begins with Captain Carter, portrayed by Hayley Atwell, encountering Strange Supreme, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. The duo’s dynamic sets the stage for a unique and unpredictable storyline. The Renaissance-themed universe serves as a visually rich backdrop, enhancing the storytelling experience.
As the narrative unfolds, the audience learns about Strange Supreme’s self-imposed penance for inadvertently destroying his own universe. The introduction of the Sanctum Infinitum, a space where universe killers are imprisoned, adds an intriguing layer to the overarching plot. The stakes are raised when one of Strange’s prisoners, Kahhori (Devery Jacobs), escapes to a universe ravaged by Hydra’s use of the Tesseract.
The episode skillfully navigates through twists and revelations, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The moral dilemma faced by Captain Carter adds depth to her character, and the disturbing truth about Strange Supreme’s motives creates a sense of urgency and suspense.
The action sequences are masterfully choreographed, especially as Captain Carter and Kahhori attempt to escape from Strange Supreme’s clutches. The introduction of various universe killers, each with their unique variants, injects excitement into the plot. The collaboration between Carter and Kahhori, along with the unexpected assistance from the prisoners, leads to a climactic showdown at the Forge.
The psychological elements are not overlooked, with Strange Supreme attempting to manipulate Carter through illusions, adding a psychological dimension to the conflict. Carter’s realization of her inability to return to the past and reunite with Steve Rogers showcases her growth and resilience.
The episode reaches its zenith as the confrontation between Carter, Kahhori, and Supreme Strange unfolds. The transformation of Strange into his demonic self introduces a visually stunning and intense spectacle. The separation of Strange from the corrupting force within him marks a poignant moment, leading to his sacrifice for the greater good.
The resolution is both poignant and bittersweet, with the resurrection of Supreme Strange’s universe and Christine Palmer but at the cost of Strange’s inability to be reborn. The Watcher’s intervention adds a cosmic perspective to the events, and the concluding moments tie back to the wider multiverse narrative established in previous Marvel productions.
In conclusion, What If Season 2, Episode 9 stands out as a testament to the creative prowess of its director and writer. The episode combines intricate storytelling, well-developed characters, breathtaking visuals, and emotional depth to deliver a memorable exploration of alternate realities within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Rating: 5/10