In the penultimate chapter of the second season of "What If...?," entitled "What If... The Avengers Assembled in 1602?," we are whisked away to an alternate universe where the Avengers find themselves enmeshed in the year 1602. This episode not only builds upon the intricate storylines established in prior installments but also dives deeper into the labyrinthine tapestry of the multiverse, intertwining characters and occurrences across the vast expanse of time and space.
The episode unfolds in a kingdom on Earth, dominated by the formidable Hela, whose ministry comprises Thor, Wanda-Merlin, Nick Fury, Loki, and Happy Hogan. This realm is beleaguered by spatial rifts that loom like specters of annihilation, inexorably pushing the kingdom towards the brink of oblivion. In a last-ditch effort, Fury and Wanda-Merlin abduct Peggy Carter from her native timeline, convinced that she holds the crucial key to their world's salvation. However, when she fails to spare Hela from being swallowed by a rift, Thor issues her arrest, thereby propelling Peggy onto a trajectory of defiance.
As the kingdom's foundations crumble, The Watcher emerges before Peggy, presenting her with a pathway back to her universe. Yet, undeterred by the prospect of abandoning this world to its grim fate, Peggy chooses to remain and eavesdrops on Thor and his council. She discovers that Wanda-Merlin still harbors faith in her ability to uncover a time-displaced individual, known as the forerunner, who possesses the power to halt the rifts. Inspired by this revelation, Peggy seeks out Stark to devise a contraption that can synchronize the forerunner's energy with the rifts and expel them back to their original universe. The success of this plan hinges on the theft of the Time Stone from Thor's scepter, a perilous task that necessitates the expertise of thieves—Steve Rogers, Bucky, and Scott Lang.
Peggy interrupts the trio's attempted robbery of Loki, skillfully persuading them to redirect their efforts towards her mission. As they gear up for the daring heist, they are abruptly confronted by Happy and a formidable contingent of Yellowjackets, echoing the ominous might Darren Cross envisioned in "Ant-Man." Lang's Ant-Man suit shines brightly, and the heroes' seamless teamwork is on full throttle as they valiantly fend off the relentless attack.
The episode also boasts a mesmerizing cameo by the Destroyer, an unyielding force that forces Peggy to acknowledge a temporary setback, allowing the team to regroup and realign their focus on the heist.
The climax of the episode finds our heroes stealthily infiltrating Thor's castle, their target: the Time Stone, which they intend to wield to mend the fabric of the universe. However, a rift tears open within the castle's confines, posing an existential threat to all. In the midst of this turbulent chaos, Peggy boldly attempts to wrest the Time Stone from Thor's grasp, sparking an intense clash.
Wanda-Merlin, perceiving Peggy's strategy, employs her formidable powers to restrain Thor, clearing a path for Fury to hand off the scepter to Stark. With deft precision, he inserts the Time Stone into his device, while Peggy, donning an Iron Man-like glove with the stone at its core, harnesses its power to freeze time and unveil the forerunner—Steve Rogers.
Steve reveals that his actions during a fierce battle with Thanos propelled him into the 1602 timeline. Faced with the stark reality that his presence has woven the fabric of this alternate universe, Peggy is compelled to erase all time-displaced individuals, Steve included. As she wields the Time Stone once more, everyone—including the rifts—vanishes, salvaging the integrity of the 1602 timeline.
The episode concludes with Peggy, untouched by the reversal owing to her detachment from the Time Stone, left shattered by the loss of Steve. Instead of The Watcher, Strange Supreme materializes, casting a hint at a broader narrative and potentially recruiting Peggy for his enigmatic cause.
"What If...? Season 2, Episode 8" is a heart-pounding odyssey through the multiverse, seamlessly blending historical milieus with futuristic marvels and superheroic valiance. The episode masterfully intertwines characters and events, crafting a cohesive narrative that builds upon the foundations meticulously laid in preceding installments. It prompts profound reflections on the essence of time, identity, and the ramifications of tampering with the past. As the season reaches its climactic conclusion, viewers are left breathless and eager to discern how these intricate threads will be resolved and to uncover Strange Supreme's true motives.
