REVIEW: ‘What If…?’ Finds Its Footing with Season 2
What If…? returns for a second season on Disney+, and it winds up being better than the first season. The 9-episode season features several characters from Season 1, like Captain Carter, as well as some new ones, like Kahhori, living in alternate realities. Narrated by The Watcher (Jeffery Wright), each episode tells a different “what if” story about our favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe characters. From Happy Hogan saving Christmas to a Captain Carter/Black Widow team up, there is something for everyone in this season.
The What If…? series was set up to be a series that helped continue Marvel’s Multiverse saga. Season 1, which was released in 2021, of the series was somewhat of a jumbled mess. The episodes were hit or miss, while the animation was only so-so. It didn’t exactly leave the audience wanting to learn more about the Multiverse. This season, though, the animation is crisper, and the stories are more engaging. There are a number of episodes I wanted follow-up episodes to because the stories were so good. This is what Marvel should have been doing since the beginning of its Multiverse saga because this would have kept the audience engaged and entertained.
Without giving away any spoilers, there are several actors and actresses who returned to voice their live-action counterparts in the animated series. Some of the returns will surprise you, while the ones who chose not to will not. Make sure to pay attention to the opening credits to see who will be lending their voices to the episode. Wright, once again, does a great job narrating each episode. He has the perfect voice for a role like this. If they ever do decide to bring The Watcher to the big screen, they need to make sure he comes with it.
Are there missteps in the season, yes. However, the creative team behind Season 2 has finally found its footing. It’s a shame there is only one more season after this one because Marvel finally has something good going with this series, and with its Multiverse. It just shows what happens when the studio takes its time with the content rather than push it out as quickly as possible.
Grade: A-