In the penultimate chapter of Season 3 of "What If…?", entitled "What If…The Watcher Disappeared?", the animated Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series reaches a turning point as Uatu, the Watcher, confronts the repercussions of his incessant meddling in the affairs of the multiverse. This episode, the culmination of several intertwined narratives, witnesses the heroes of the multiverse converging on a daring rescue mission to salvage Uatu from the severe judgment of his fellow Watchers.
The episode kicks off with the chaotic aftermath of Uatu's apprehension by the Eminence, Executioner, and Incarnate, as fragments of the Observational Plane shower down upon Xandar. Nebula, now serving as Nova Prime, alongside Korg and Groot, scramble to evacuate the planet amidst the looming invasion of the Champion of Hydra. Yet, just when all seems lost, Captain Carter arrives on the scene with an unexpected ensemble of multiversal heroes—Kahhori, a matured Byrdie, and an extraordinary Storm wielding Mjolnir—determined to vanquish the Champion of Hydra in a definitive battle.
Upon comprehending the gravity of Uatu's plight, Captain Carter and her formidable team, comprising Kahhori, Byrdie, and Storm, embark on a perilous mission to breach the Fifth Dimension and rescue Uatu from his impending doom. Their initial attempts to harness the shards of the Observational Plane to gain access to the dimension falter, prompting Kahhori to devise a bold and daring strategy—recruiting a variant of Infinity Ultron, the sole entity known to have ventured into the Observational Plane.
Captain Carter finds himself face to face with an unprecedented version of Infinity Ultron, one who has undergone a radical metamorphosis. Once a Being convinced that the path to peace necessitated the annihilation of all life, this variant of Ultron now aspires to mediate conflicts and nurture existence. Embracing the last fragment of the Fifth Dimension, he integrates it into his system, refashions Byrdie's vessel, and embarks on a mission to rescue Uatu and Captain Carter, embodying a fresh dawn of redemption.
As the brave hearts rally to save Uatu, the ominous presence of the Eminence overshadows the unfolding events, narrating with a tone laced with darkness. He retraces Captain Carter's odyssey and casts aspersions on Uatu, holding her accountable for her pivotal role in the multiverse, perceiving her as a menace to the Watchers' veil of secrecy. This episode delves into the moral labyrinth of the Watchers' oath, challenging the equilibrium between observation and intervention, and the grave repercussions of violating that hallowed pledge.
The episode concludes on a breathtaking cliffhanger, with Infinity Ultron's valiant endeavor to rescue Uatu and Captain Carter leaving the audience on tenterhooks. The question of who will ultimately bear the brunt for Uatu's actions looms heavy in the air, as the fates of Uatu and Captain Carter hang precariously in the balance. This episode sets the scene for an eventual confrontation that will shape the destiny of the multiverse and the legacy of Uatu, the Watcher. "A Multiversal Uprising: The Watcher's Stand in 'What If…? Season 3, Episode 7: What If…The Watcher Disappeared?'" is a gripping and emotionally intense instalment in the "What If…?" series, bringing together a diverse ensemble of characters in a cosmic tug-of-war that tests the confines of the multiverse and the fundamental essence of the Watchers' existence.
