In the fifth installment of Season 3 of "What If…?", titled "What If…The Emergence Devastated the Earth?", the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) embarks on a dramatic shift into a dystopian saga, where the calamitous event from "Eternals" unfolds without any hindrance, resulting in the obliteration of Earth. Amidst this desolate and desolate reality, Riri Williams, alias Ironheart, emerges as the sole ray of optimism in a world dominated by the oppressive Iron Federation, led by the cunning Quentin Beck, alias Mysterio.
The episode unfolds with the Watcher (Jeffrey Wright) unveiling the harrowing destiny of a universe wherein the Emergence of Tiamut, a Celestial, breaks forth from Earth's core prematurely, before the Eternals can converge to thwart it. This catastrophic occurrence disintegrates the planet, leaving its fragmented remains adrift in the vastness of space. In the wake of this devastation, Mysterio seizes the reins of Stark Industries, establishing the Iron Federation and wielding advanced technology and the formidable Iron Legion to subdue the beleaguered populace.
Riri Williams, whose voice is lent with vim by Dominique Thorne, treks across this barren and desolate landscape, in relentless pursuit of elusive clues and precious resources to craft a weapon of immense prowess, capable of dismantling the oppressive tyranny of the Iron Federation. Her arduous journey eventually guides her to the doors of an abandoned hotel, where she encounters Sharon Carter, alias the Power Broker, who, in a despicable act of betrayal, turns her over to the Federation. Despite this treacherous betrayal that cuts deep, Riri narrowly squeezes out of the clutches of danger with the timely intervention of the Alliance, a tenacious resistance faction composed of Admiral Ying Nan, Wong, Okoye, Valkyrie, and other intrepid survivors, fighting against all odds.
Recognizing Riri's immense potential, the Alliance whisks her away to their clandestine base, nestled aboard the forsaken remains of the Titanic. There, they equip her with the essentials to finalize her innovative weapon. Riri's ingenious strategy involves dismantling the charges embedded within White Vision's vibranium corpus, thereby initiating a system-wide shutdown and neutralizing the Iron Federation's enforcer. Yet, as the clock ticks and the pressure mounts, Riri races against time to perfect her prototype. Alas, White Vision, with unerring precision, pinpoints the Titanic's location, prompting the Alliance to fortify their defenses.
Despite their relentless valor, the Alliance stands no chance against White Vision's formidable prowess, and they fall, one by one, like dominoes. In a last-ditch effort, Riri takes a daring leap, merging her consciousness with White Vision's vibranium-laden nanotechnology, transforming into a unique human-synthezoid hybrid. Her ultimate objective: to penetrate the neural pathways that Beck manipulates to command his nanite-crafted illusions, with the hope of dismantling his control and unveiling the truth.
However, Riri's bold plan takes a startling turn for the worse as she finds herself ensnared within Beck's control. Moved by the unfolding tragedy, the Watcher, a guardian of the multiverse, violates his sacrosanct rule of non-intervention, summoning Riri's inner strength to fight back. This divine intervention empowers Riri to vanquish Beck and project the Avengers' emblem across the shattered landscape, igniting a rebellious spirit in the hearts of the oppressed.
Yet, this act of defiance stirs discontent among the other Watchers, who regard Uatu's repeated interventions as a grievous breach of their solemn oath. The episode concludes with the Watcher's actions being scrutinized by his peers, setting the stage for potential ramifications that could ripple through the multiverse.
Riri's victory, though hard-won, is tinged with melancholy as she stands solitary amidst the ruins, embodying the indomitable spirit of defiance in a universe where hope is a precious, elusive commodity. "What If…The Emergence Destroyed the Earth?" serves as a stark testament to the fragility of existence and the unyielding courage of heroes, even when confronted with overwhelming despair.
