What If…? continues to explore different genres and characters in the newest Thor centric episode. After four fairly dark episodes, including Hank Pym hunting down and killing potential Avengers, Doctor Strange destroying his own universe, Zombies wiping out most of the heroes in their universe, and Killmonger killing Tony Stark, James “Rhodey” Rhodes, and T’Challa, this was a welcome comedy centric story. Episode 7 of What If…? falls squarely into the comedy genre more specifically the house or frat party niche with Thor throwing a cosmic frat party on Earth endangering the entire planet.
This episode of What If…? explores a variant of Thor that grew up an only child after Odin returned an infant Loki to the king of Jotunheim. Thor as an only child lacked the influence of Loki and his tricks resulting in a braggadocio lay about who dubs himself the “Prince of Parties.” Thor lacks the gravitas, wisdom, interest in ruling or even battle, and even seems less intelligent than the Thor of the MCU films.
Episode 7 of What If…? is jam packed full of cameos largely pulled from cosmic Marvel with Thor’s Frigga, Lady Sif, and the Warriors Three, Thor: Ragnarok’s Korg, Grandmaster, and Topaz, many of the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Sovereign, Skrulls, and many more. SHIELD agents Maria Hill, Nick Fury, Phil Coulson, and Brock Rumlow aka Crossbones also make an appearance. But perhaps the largest player in this episode of What If…? aside from Thor, Jane Foster, and Darcy is Captain Marvel.
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While episode 7 of What If…? is packed with ridiculous comedy, including Darcy and Howard the Duck getting married in Vegas, there are also some impressively animated fight scenes between Thor and Captain Marvel. Maria Hill calls in Captain Marvel when it becomes clear Thor and his guests are too much for SHIELD to handle which results in some truly fantastic fight scenes between the cosmic heavy weights.Including one in dark clouds that is illustrated through blue and yellow lightning clashing along with booming thunder. Another stand out moment in their battle is when Captain Marvel absorbs the energy from Thor’s hammer Mjolnir.
WHAT IF…? FEATURES LOKI PRINCE OF JOTUNHEIM
Another fun surprise was Loki as a full-fledged Frost Giant. In this universe because Thor and Loki were not raised together there is no animosity, resentment, or competition between the two. Instead Thor and Loki are both princes and are close friends even describing each other as “brother from another mother.”
What makes this change so interesting is it shows the potential of what Loki could have been had he not grown up in Thor’s shadow always feeling second best and feeling like an outsider, unknowingly being adopted. While Thor was negatively impacted by Loki being raised on Jotunheim, Loki seems to thrive.
Darcy continues to be sarcastic and quippy comic relief with a hilarious scene where she fawns over Captain Marvel. Jane’s relationship with Thor is once again romantic as it is in the films, but the pair no longer connect intellectually nor do they challenge each other beyond Jane telling Frigga of Thor’s exploits. Although their mutual crushes add a touch of puppy love to the story that fits the immature house or frat party genre it lacks the grander emotional depth from the films.
The episode itself is comedic and absurd, with the party ending once Frigga shows up, but not especially substantial plot wise. The cameos are fun and the fight scenes between Thor and Captain Marvel are a blast. But what makes this What If…? episode a stand out are the final thirty seconds. As Thor is happily walking away after successfully asking Jane out on a date, The Watcher is wrapping up the story with a “they lived happily ever after.” But then Ultron appears in possession of all the Infinity Stones and Vision’s body inside Ultron armor surrounded by Ultron robots.
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These final moments seem to finally be setting up the multiverse level threat that will bring the Guardians of the Multiverse together. It is especially worth noting that The Watcher seemed genuinely surprised and even concerned by this unexpected appearance. By nature, The Watcher shouldn’t be surprised which makes this moment feel even more menacing.
What If…? continues to impress with animation and production design as well as music. The score for episode 7 of What If…? oscillates seamlessly between numerous genres of music to fit the mood of the scene whether it be a cosmic frat party, young love, fight scenes, or numerous MCU cameos. Although episode 7 is not the strongest of What If…? the ending seems to be a major tease for the final two episodes of the season and a lighter comedic episode is a fun reprieve after four episodes full of death and tragedy.
What did you think about Party Thor in episode 7 of What If…? What do you think will be the fallout of Ultron with a full set of Infinity Stones? What was your favorite cameo in episode 7 of What If…? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media and check back with The Illuminerdi for more MCU and What If…?
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