What If…? Season 2 Episode 7 fools the viewers with the title, or at least makes it vague enough that it’s still true but not in the way predicted. With What If… Hela Found the Ten Rings?, it’s originally predicted that Hela (Cate Blanchett, Hot Fuzz) would find the Ten Rings and use them to complete her desire to take over other realms, bringing death, destruction, and conquest. But what happened is superior to the prediction.
What If… Hela Found the Ten Rings? marks a pinnacle in storytelling and character development. Released on December 28, this episode not only surpassed its predecessors but also set a new standard for the series, leaving audiences eager for what comes next.
One of the aspects of this episode that kept the attention of the viewer was the alternate reality where Hela is portrayed as the victim, and Odin (Jeff Bergman, Space Jam: A New Legacy) is more of the villain in this story. It is a twist that’s appreciated because it’s hardly seen where someone who has always been shown on the hero’s side gets shown as someone with one change of action and becomes a completely different person — it was interesting to see Hela more so as the victim rising to become the hero than the misunderstood villain.
From her initial encounter with Wenwu (Feodor Chin, Overwatch) and his army to her time in the bamboo forest and the pivotal meeting with Jiayi (Lauren Tom, Futurama), the narrative paints a nuanced picture of Hela’s evolution. This episode’s exploration adds layers to her character, making her more relatable and shedding light on the circumstances that shaped her into the formidable force she is.
The initial interaction between Hela and Wenwu’s army provides a humorous aspect to the deadly character, showcasing Hela’s sarcastic side. When she quips about taking them all if she had her crown, it’s a nod to her potential and prowess, reminiscent of Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth, Thor: Love & Thunder) Mjolnir scene with the other Avengers, where they all try to lift the hammer. This parallel reinforces the theme of proving oneself worthy, a recurring motif in both the episode and the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With Hela being the main character here, it’s eye-opening to see her point of view on the events that unfolded to lead to her being banished from Asgard. And all of that came through once she started training with Jiayi.
But before meeting Jiayi in the episode, viewers got to see a friendly face, or it could be said a friendly butt, which is Morris. Morris is the comic relief in this episode with Hela’s reactions toward him. Although it is great to see Wenwu not be as intense or harsh, Morris might be the second-best part of the episode — after, of course, Hela herself.
Hela’s transformation takes time and unfolds with Jiayi training her and trying to put some of the light into the Goddess of Death. With the episode being less than 40 minutes, it portrays the passage of time like it’s a feature length film. Viewers can see the struggles Hela deals with and how, with time and the proper influence, she can have real growth.
For that growth, Jiayi becomes a pivotal figure in Hela’s journey, introducing her to the way of light by connecting with the planet and discovering the light within herself. This development contrasts with Wenwu’s attempt to bring out the better side of Hela, illustrating that Jiayi succeeds where others fail, but Wenwu further helps bring it out when they reconnect. The episode beautifully navigates Hela’s evolution from a seemingly irredeemable character to someone capable of embracing a more enlightened path.
The pinnacle of the episode lies in Hela’s growth and her ability to transcend the limitations set by her father, Odin. Through her connection to Jiayi’s magic, she not only adapts but utilizes it to defeat her father, bringing liberation and freedom to other realms.
The What If…? series only keeps getting better and diving into different versions of stories that deserve more light on them. The seventh episode proves how, with a great plot executed properly, it is one of the best episodes out there.
