Episode three of What If…? revisits one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most popular films and pivotal storylines: the assassination of Howard Stark by the Winter Soldier. Only this time through the Watcher’s eyes, another Russian supersoldier intervenes to change history.
New York City. 1991. Howard Stark and his wife are on that fateful drive when a singular motorcyclist appears following their trail. The Starks’ automobile crashes, and just as this mysterious stalker aims to finish the job, a shield-bearing man appears. The new challenger is Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour), the Red Guardian and Russia’s equivalent to the United States’ Captain America. Alexei has been assigned as a sleeper agent in Ohio and is to later rendezvous with a fellow sleeper agent already stationed. Disappointed in his meager mission, he changes course when he finds out the Red Room has opted to awaken the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) for a separate covert mission.
The Red Guardian interrupts that mission, blowing their cover. The two are forced to rough it out after failing the mission, with the stoic Winter Soldier reluctantly partnering with the Motherland’s laughable but competent spy. The two go on the run chased by federal agent Bill Foster (Laurence Fishburne) and Ranger Morales (America Ferrera).
The odd couple evades an initial blockade on their way to Las Vegas. Many may recall this scene from the initial season three trailer, with Alexei and Bucky being stopped by Foster and federal agents. The chase evokes Foster to activate his growth suit, turning into the Marvel hero Goliath. The Red Guardian delays Foster as the two brothers-in-arms drive off a cliff, Thelma and Louise-style. Given their enhanced abilities, they survive and mend in a veterinarian hospital.
Here, the two connect emotionally for a strong sentimental scene. As Red Guardian explains his backstory, a nobody who became the banner hero for mother Russia, Winter Soldier cannot do the same. He doesn’t remember anything. In all his earnestness, Alexei asks his comrade to remember the first thing that comes to mind. The Winter Soldier closes his eyes and sees a Coney Island sign, referencing the New England amusement park. Alexei passionately champions him as the Coney Island Hero, forming an origin for the brainwashed weapon. Just as the duo has formed this bond, the Red Room alerts their soldier of his new objective: eliminate Alexei Shostakov as he has become a liability.
The pair arrive in Las Vegas and find the covert agent: Obidiah Stane (Kiff VandenHeuvel). Stark’s former business partner offered the SS serum to the Red Room in exchange for Stark’s killing and his entire company. Given Stark survived, Stane must eliminate those who know of his ploy: Red Guardian and Winter Soldier. The two quickly dispose of Stane just as Foster and the cavalry arrive to take them in.
Another chase ensues, with another party joining the fray: the Red Room. A soldier arrives to initiate control over Winter Soldier to kill Alexei. He begs Alexei to escape and save himself, but the Red Guardian remains by his side. Miraculously, the protocol fails. The Winter Soldier is taken back into Red Room custody asserting that Alexei is dead. Fortunately, the Red Guardian survived as Bob Toledo, an elementary school gym teacher and eventual Avengers member.
This episode was a lot of fun and played great with MCU roots. It felt like old-school Marvel with the perfect mix of action, intrigue, and humor. Harbour and Stan are great in the buddy comedy format and it gives us a preview of what we can expect in the upcoming Thunderbolts* movie next summer. While Ferrera was a good addition, she isn’t given much to do and the one-liners aren’t great. However, it doesn’t affect the overall presentation. Beyond the message of friendship, it’s interesting to see the two economic ideologies — communism and capitalism — staged against one another. In reality, the worker isn’t better off in either system.
Rating: 8.5/10