The series finale of What If…? questions the very purpose of the Order of Watchers as Uatu faces punishment for breaking his oath. And in a last strike for survival, a hero sacrifices for the greater good.
The episode opens with Uatu (Jeffery Wright) and The Imminence (Jason Isaacs) in the past. Uatu takes the sacred oath as a Watcher, in which the inference of ‘what if’ is not their objective. He doubts his ability to preserve the oath, but the Imminence has faith in his pupil. Uatu becomes no one to watch over everyone.
In the present day, pupil and master are reunited under unfortunate circumstances. Uatu faces judgment from the Order of Watchers for his perpetual offenses, desecrating their sacred oath. Uatu is joined by Peggy Carter, who the Watchers captured. The two are sentenced to death when Infinity Ultron and the other warriors arrive in the nick of time.
Infinity Ultron frees Uatu and Peggy allowing them to board their ship. He holds off the Watches as the team makes their escape. But the former foe is no match against the three Watchers’ might as The Imminence finishes him with a callback to Thanos killing Vision in Infinity War. With few options, the team suggests finding Stephen Strange caught in his universe for help, but the Watchers catch them at the pass. Our heroes crash land in the vast cosmos for a battle against The Imminence, The Incarnate, and The Executioner.
Despite their best efforts, our team finds themselves in death’s grip. In his final breath, Uatu commands his friends to take the Watcher oath as a last resort. To the Order’s surprise, it works, as Captain Carter, Storm, Kahhori, and Byrdie are bestowed with the god-like powers of a Watcher. With the battle upgrade, an intense fight scene commences, with each member having a chance to shine.
The heroes have the Order pinned, demanding surrender. Uatu calls for them to stop, saying this is not what The Imminence taught him. Crudely, his master replies he did not teach him everything. The three rise creating a monochrome funnel that seeks to erase their enemies from ever existing in any universe. Afraid of losing more friends, Captain Carter summons her strength to leap toward the Watchers destroying their weapon. Peggy sacrifices herself to save her friends and the multiverse.
The Imminence goes for the kill and discovers his powers do not work. Uatu reveals they are in the universe known as Stephen Strange. The sorcerer supreme is limiting their powers. In the quiet resolve, Uatu shows his master exactly what is possible when one ceases to watch and finally learns to see.
Episdoe 8 is a hefty display of great craft and skill as the animation pulls all the stunts. The action scenes highlight each member’s strength with their upgraded god-like powers. There are several callbacks to battle scenes from throughout the MCU, which will be fun for longtime fans. Above the technical aspects, the message of the series stands strong. Being able to see the value in someone, in every iteration, is wonderful and sacred; a universal message of acceptance. That is the heart of the series.
Rating: 8/10