In the fifth installment of Season 2 of "What If…?", we venture into a parallel Marvel Universe where Peggy Carter, rather than Steve Rogers, embraces the mantle of the super-soldier, embarking on a journey akin to Captain America's yet laced with her distinctive flair. The episode titled "What If... Captain Carter Battled the Hydra Stomper?" unfolds a gripping saga where Carter squares off against a Red Room-conditioned Steve Rogers, donned in the menacing Hydra Stomper armor.
The narrative kicks off with The Watcher, still grappling with the aftermath of Ultron's devastation from the preceding season, deciding to assess Captain Carter's whereabouts after her return to her universe. Since her last venture, Carter has been spearheading The Avengers, engaging in the Battle of New York, and collaborating intimately with Natasha Romanoff within SHIELD's confines.
During a mission to uncover the secrets of the cargo vessel Lemurian Star, Carter and Romanoff stumble upon the Hydra Stomper suit, with a still-living Steve Rogers trapped inside. Under the Red Room's sinister influence, Rogers launches an assault, resulting in the ship's demise and his narrow escape before Carter can intervene.
Nick Fury unveils that Rogers and the Hydra Stomper vanished in the 1950s during an assault on Hydra's final stronghold, with SHIELD speculating that Rogers survived, was captured by the Red Room, and subsequently brainwashed into a lethal weapon. Carter, however, retains a steadfast belief in Rogers' potential for redemption.
As Fury deliberates the dire situation with Carter and Romanoff, the Hydra Stomper unleashes an attack on the Triskelion, aiming to eliminate Secretary of State Barnes. Amidst the tumult, Carter, aided by Romanoff, manages to halt Rogers' rampage and transports the incapacitated Rogers to a secluded Scottish island, shielding him from SHIELD's radar.
Carter and Romanoff embarked on a daring reboot of Rogers' suit, only to discover that each attempt further diminished his fragile chances of survival. Rogers, eventually emerging from his slumber, appeared to have shed the Red Room's chains of mind control, volunteering to guide Carter and Romanoff to the clandestine lair of their adversaries. Their odyssey led them to a former KGB facility, cleverly disguised as a quaint American township. As Romanoff delved into her investigation, Carter reconnected with Rogers, but their reunion was abruptly shattered by the sudden onslaught of animatronic townsfolk. It swiftly transpired that Rogers' liberation from brainwashing was a cruel illusion, orchestrated by Melina Vostokoff, the Red Room's enigmatic leader.
Under Vostokoff's ruthless command, Rogers was compelled to turn against Carter, while an array of Black Widow agents focused their attention on Romanoff, reducing the faux town to a war-torn wasteland. Amidst the frenetic fray, Carter managed to momentarily pierce through Rogers' conditioned haze, urging him to steer towards the Red Room's aerial stronghold. Meanwhile, Romanoff, locked in a fierce struggle with Vostokoff, spotted Rogers and swiftly attached a grapple to the formidable Hydra Stomper, dragging the malevolent leader into the heart of the Red Room as Rogers unleashed his fury upon the command hub.
In the chaos that followed, Rogers was presumed deceased, but Carter's doubts lingered, driving her to search for him with unyielding determination. Romanoff, offering her support, watched in bewilderment as Carter vanished through a mystical portal, leaving both her and The Watcher scratching their heads in astonishment.
"What If... Captain Carter Fought the Hydra Stomper?" is a thrilling narrative that delves into the profound realms of loyalty, affection, and the relentless battle against mental enslavement within the Marvel Multiverse. This episode stands as a testament to Captain Carter's indomitable spirit and the intricate webs of interaction within the MCU's alternate realms. With pulse-pounding action, heartfelt depth, and a narrative that keeps viewers engrossed to the very edge of their seats, this installment of "What If…?" shines brightly amidst the multiverse's boundless possibilities.
