The Marvel anthology series What If...? has returned with its third and final season, bringing us fresh stories from the multiverse. However, while the concept remains intriguing, the execution of the episodes has been a mixed bag so far. Here’s my take on the premiere episode, "What If... The Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?" and the second episode, "What If... Agatha Went to Hollywood?"
Episode 1: "What If... The Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?"
To start, I found the premiere episode underwhelming. The idea of blending kaiju movie vibes—a nod to Godzilla—with the Hulk’s monstrous side had immense potential. Unfortunately, the entire episode fell flat. Even Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson delivering the iconic “Avengers Assemble” line didn’t hit as hard as it could have.
It was nice to see Shang-Chi and Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight join the Avengers lineup, but that wasn’t enough to elevate the episode. With the limitless possibilities What If...? offers, this episode felt generic, leaning on the trope of Mech Avengers and a Godzilla-esque Gamma Hulk. The potential for a truly groundbreaking story was there, but it wasn’t fully realized.
Episode 2: "What If... Agatha Went to Hollywood?"
Moving on to the second episode, "What If... Agatha Went to Hollywood?," I was initially skeptical. The title felt like an excuse to shoehorn Agatha Harkness into a plot just to capitalize on Kathryn Hahn’s phenomenal portrayal of the character. But, to my surprise, the episode turned out to be much more enjoyable than expected.
Kathryn Hahn’s voice acting continued to make Agatha a delight to watch. Dominic Cooper as a younger, over-the-top Howard Stark was another highlight, bringing his signature flair to the role. The story revolved around Agatha trying to absorb the power of Tiamut, the Celestial, with Bollywood star Kingo (from Eternals) joining the mix.
While opinions on Eternals have been divisive, I personally enjoyed the movie, and having Kingo in this episode was a great touch. The animated dance number was an unexpected treat—a blend of classic Golden Age Hollywood musical vibes and over-the-top Bollywood choreography. It’s clear the creators were targeting something akin to RRR in style and energy, which fit perfectly with Agatha’s dramatic personality.
As expected, Agatha’s selfish motives drove the plot, but her character arc took a compelling turn when Kingo persuaded her to join him on the big screen for a greater purpose. Even after absorbing the power of two Celestial beings, she chose collaboration over domination. The episode hinted at potential conflicts with other Celestials, possibly setting the stage for a sequel or a larger story about the consequences of stopping the Emergence on Earth.
Final Thoughts
While the premiere episode left much to be desired, the second episode more than made up for it with its charm, humor, and dynamic storytelling. Admittedly, I might be a bit biased towards Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha, but this episode kept me hooked and entertained—something the Mech Avengers and Gamma Hulk episode failed to do.
And no, we can’t just blame She-Hulk for this one! :P
What did you think of these episodes? Are you enjoying What If...? Season 3 so far? Let me know in the comments—and tell me just how big of a Marvel nerd you are!
Stay tuned for more reviews as the season unfolds, and let’s continue exploring the multiverse together!
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