Marvel’s What If…? series thrives on twisting familiar threads of the MCU into chaotic new weaves, and episode 7, “What If… The Watcher Disappeared?,” may just be the beginning of its most ambitious tapestry yet.
Continuing the timeline first teased in the infamous “egg” storyline, Episode 4, “What If… Howard the Duck Got Hitched?,” this episode smashes it into the multiverse with spectacular results.
The “egg,” now all grown up as Byrdie the Duck (voiced by Natasha Lyonne, Poker Face) is still as magnetic as ever. Her journey, from the mysterious egg or what felt like an artifact that became the most sought-after being in the cosmos, gives viewers a satisfying payoff. Tying back to that earlier episode, it underscores what makes her so special – and why everyone from The Grandmaster (voiced by Matthew Friend, Family Guy) to Thanos (voiced by Josh Brolin, Avengers: Endgame) to Zeus (voiced by Darin De Paul, 3Below: Tales of Arcadia) wants to steal it. It’s a genius move to extend this narrative along with other variant plots; What If…? becomes less of a “what could’ve been” and more of a “what’s next?”
And then there’s Infinity Ultron (voiced by Ross Marquand, The Walking Dead). Marvel nails the art of callbacks, and bringing Ultron’s peace through destruction philosophy back into the fold is a brilliant move. It’s rare to see villains reckon so long after – in this case, an eon later – the aftermath of their grand designs. But this episode grants Ultron that moment, completing his arc in a surprisingly poignant way. Viewers get a stark reminder that sometimes, one doesn’t know they’re wrong until they see the vast amount of wreckage they’ve caused.
But the real star here is the titular Watcher (voiced by Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction) – or rather, his absence of not interfering. For all three seasons, fans have been told The Watcher’s only job is to observe, and yet, he’s meddled more often than Loki at a family reunion. What’s fascinating is that viewers never truly saw the fallout of his interventions. That is, until now. This episode puts him on trial for his cosmic disruptions, adding a fresh What If…? twist: What if the Watcher had to face the consequences of his actions?
Enter The Eminence (voiced by Jason Isaacs, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), the ancient entity who trained The Watcher. With a voice dripping in menace and gravitas, Isaacs elevates the role, making The Eminence feel equal parts terrifying and justified. His judgment of The Watcher might feel extreme, but that extremity is necessary to up the stakes. This isn’t just a slap on the wrist; this is a multiversal reckoning.
The pacing is breakneck, with the episode juggling multiversal trials, flashbacks, and high-stakes confrontations. It almost succeeds in delivering a full story – until the dreaded “to be continued” flashes on-screen. Episode 7 falsely makes you feel like they will fit so much into the approximate 30-minute episode marker, but it only shows half of what has been set up. A few seconds before the end of the episode, this author’s mind was saying, “Wow they’re really fitting a ton into this episode, how will they tell the end in a short amount of time?” Turns out, it doesn’t end here.
While the cliffhanger adds a jolt of shock value, there’s a lingering feeling that episodes 7 and 8 combined would’ve made for an epic, satisfying finale. Instead, Disney leaves us dangling, frustrated yet desperate for more. And honestly? That’s a win. The emotional cliffhanger proves What If…? still has us firmly in its grip, longing for another season.
With its continued storylines and tie-ins on top of the bold new directions, this episode exemplifies what makes What If…? a standout in the Marvel universe. Here’s hoping season four is on the horizon, even though season three was announced to be the series finale, because these questions – and answers – are too good to stop exploring.
