Set during Nick Fury's big week, What If? Episode 3 "What If the World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?" is our first murder mystery in this animated universe. We chat all about it in full spoiler filled detail.
Marvel's What If? Episode 3 Synopsis
Executive Produced by: Bryan Andrews, A.C. Bradley, Brad Winderbaum with Kevin Feige
Head Writer: A.C. Bradley
Episode Written by: A.C. Bradley and Matthew Chauncey
Episode Directed By: Bryan Andrews
One small choice can change the world!
Monday. At a doughnut shop in California, S.H.I.E.L.D. Director, Nick Fury, and agent Natasha Romanoff are powerless to prevent the death of Tony Stark. Romanoff is accused of his murder, but slips away from the S.H.I.E.L.D. strike force team led by Brock Rumlow.
Tuesday. In Mexico a mysterious hammer has caught the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D. Under the watchful gaze of Clint Barton the hammer’s owner, with amazing hair, comes to retrieve his property as Barton fires his arrow into the heart of Thor the God of Thunder. Clint Barton is held under lock and key for his murder. Hours later, despite around the clock supervision, Clint is found dead in his cell.
Later that day Loki arrives from Asgard backed up by the warriors Three and an army of Asgardians. He wants to punish the puny planet for the murder of Thor. But convinced that smaller forces are at play, Nick persuades Loki that they should work together to catch their common enemy.
Wednesday, following Fury’s orders, Natasha pays a visit to Doctor Betty Ross and meets Bruce Banner. During an attack from Betty’s father, General Thaddeus Ross, Banner is hit by an unexpected shot. Transforming into the Hulk the misunderstood monster suddenly grows bigger until his body explodes. The Incredible Hulk and Bruce Banner are dead. Another future Avenger removed.
That night in a deserted library, Natasha investigates the murders and discovers a connection to Hope Van Dyne, a deceased former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Before she can speak directly to Fury an unknown assailant emerges from the darkness of the library and murders Natasha Romonov.
Thursday. Nick visits Van Dyne’s grave where he’s confronted by her father Hank Pym. Blaming S.H.I.E.L.D. for her death, Hank has been murdering all of the potential candidates for the Avengers Initiative.
With assistance from Loki, Nick defeats Hank Pym but the world is left almost defenseless as Loki decides the world needs a new master, Himself. But there is reason for hope as Nick begins to assemble the remaining heroes - Captain Marvel, a defrosting Captain America and of course Agent Phil Coulson - to lead the charge against the tyranny of the trickster God.
Marvel's What If? Episode 3 Cast
The Watcher played by Jeffrey Wright
Nick Fury played by Samuel L. Jackson
Agent Phil Coulson played by Clark Gregg
Thor played by Chris Hemsworth
Bruce Banner/Hulk played by Mark Ruffalo
Loki Played by Tom Hiddleston
Clint Barton played by Jeremy Renner
Brock Rumlow played by Frank Grillo
Lady Sif played by Jaimie Alexander
Natasha Romanoff played by
Tony Stark played by
Betty Ross played by
With Hank Pym played by Michael Douglas
A Return to Defending
As we are returning to the Marvel TV universe we are using the format of our former Marvel podcast, Defenders TV Podcast. We discuss:
- What if we had a Top 3 points about the episode. What have we seen before, What's the change, what does this mean for this episodes universe
- Whether we each Defend the episode or not
- Notes, Quotes and comic references
What if we had a Pub Quiz?
During each podcast we'll ask a question about each episode in our What If? Pub Quiz. You can send in your answers each week to [email protected] At the end of the nine episode series the listeners with the most correct answers will be in with the chance of getting their hands on some What If? goodies.
