In the gripping third installment of Season 2 of "What If…?", titled "What If... Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?", the Marvel Multiverse presents a holiday narrative twist that stands apart from all others. The episode opens with an intense and dramatic confrontation between the Avengers and a bewildering monstrosity, but in a swift turn of events, The Watcher rewinds the sequence to unveil the truth behind the commotion: a holiday shindig chaos engineered by none other than the endearing Happy Hogan.
The tale progresses with Happy Hogan at its heartbeat, overwhelmed to his core as he bears the responsibility of orchestrating the Avengers' festive gathering. Darcy Lewis lends a hand, her quirky attempts at assistance adding a quirky charm to the proceedings, while JARVIS remains unexpectedly dormant for scheduled maintenance. The stress escalates further with Maria Hill, a seasoned SHIELD officer, overseeing the event to guarantee its flawless execution, heaping another layer of pressure onto Happy's already mountainous duties.
As Happy dispatches Darcy on a mission, uninvited guests make their entrance in the guise of Justin Hammer and his marauding mercenaries, their eyes set on stealing Tony Stark's groundbreaking work. Hammer's chief prize is a vial of Hulk blood, an experimental concoction Stark has been perfecting to aid Bruce Banner in reining in the Hulk. Through a clever series of cybernetic intrusions, Hammer successfully secures Avengers Tower with Iron Legion sentinels, positioning Happy as the solitary shield protecting the peace of an Avengers Christmas.
In a desperate bid to salvage the day, Happy endeavors to summon the Avengers, but they are each entangled in their personal predicaments, with Thor notably absent from his earthly domain. Fortuitously, Happy manages to reach Darcy and directives her to retrieve a JARVIS backup stored within the tower's labyrinthine server mainframe in the basement.
While juggling his duties as the party planner and eluding the menacing henchmen of Hammer, Happy manages to secure the invaluable Hulk blood sample just in the nick of time, thwarting Hammer's nefarious designs. In a moment of sheer panic, Happy inadvertently injects himself with the blood, triggering a transformative reaction that will drastically alter the trajectory of the evening's events.
Meanwhile, Darcy manages to sneak back into the building with the dexterity of a seasoned spy and gains access to the server mainframe, successfully obtaining a crucial JARVIS backup. However, her success is short-lived as she is swiftly apprehended and taken to the penthouse, where Hammer holds Maria Hill captive, adding an element of urgency to the already tense situation. This sudden twist forces the now fully mutated Happy to spring into action.
The ensuing battle is a cataclysmic spectacle of destruction, with the Iron Legion being nearly wiped out within the confines of Avengers Tower. Hammer's goons flee in abject terror, while Hammer himself desperately dons the Hulkbuster armor in a futile attempt to subdue Happy. Darcy, with the assistance of the backup AI, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the renowned German filmmaker Werner Herzog, regains control of the building, turning the tide of the battle.
Just as Happy appears to gain the upper hand against Hammer, the Avengers arrive on the scene and, mistaking the mutated Happy for a foe, engage in combat with him. They initially fail to recognize the creature as their dear friend. Black Widow is the first to discern the truth, and the fighting comes to a sudden and abrupt halt.
Hammer is once again apprehended and taken into custody, while the Avengers celebrate Happy's heroic deeds in saving the day. However, amidst the jubilant celebrations, Happy is left with a haunting question: is there any way to reverse the effects of the Hulk blood that now pulses through his veins?
"What If... Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?" is a heartwarming and exhilarating tale that delves into the extraordinary lengths a man will go to protect his friends and ensure a joyous holiday season. This episode serves as a testament not only to Happy's character but also as a poignant reminder that even the most unexpected heroes can arise to seize the moment in the marvelous Multiverse of Marvel. With a harmonious blend of humor, heartfelt emotion, and high-stakes action, this episode is a festive delight for fans of the Avengers and the holiday spirit alike.
