The midpoint of a TV season often becomes the point where the story feels its darkest. This narrative structure is a hallmark of serialized storytelling, where tension builds to a climax, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. However, in the realm of anthology series, where each episode typically presents a self-contained story, it’s refreshing to see What If…? Season 3 embrace this approach. Episode 5, titled “What If the Emergence Destroyed the Earth?”, plunges into one of the bleakest moments in the series, challenging the typical superhero narrative.
In a genre where heroes are expected to save the day, this chapter pushes against the norm, showcasing a world teetering on the edge of hopelessness. The Watcher, voiced by Jeffrey Wright, sets a somber tone from the outset, declaring this “the final act of a tragic story.” His narration reveals a profound truth: he has witnessed many worlds fall, not solely due to the actions of villains but because heroes failed to rise to their challenges. This episode’s focus is on a world where despair outweighs hope, centering on Riri Williams, known as Ironheart, who has yet to succeed in any version of this particular universe.
Riri Williams: Earth’s Last Hope
Riri navigates a dystopian landscape dominated by the Iron Federation, following a trail that leads her to a hidden destination marked by an old Avengers logo and the codeword “Rushville.” This journey brings her to a rundown hotel, where she meets Sharon Carter, who is supposed to provide her with a seemingly insignificant analog device. Despite their exchange, Sharon warns Riri about the Federation’s relentless pursuit. Riri, adamant that she’s not building a weapon, finds herself betrayed by Sharon moments later.
Anticipating this betrayal, Riri manages to escape with her prize, using her powered glove to fend off sentinels dispatched by the Federation. Among her adversaries is the Vision, who looms as an imposing threat. A chaotic rooftop confrontation ensues, and Riri narrowly escapes thanks to the timely intervention of a barge led by Ying Nan, accompanied by Wong, Valkyrie, and Okoye. They introduce themselves as members of the Alliance, a resistance group fighting against the Iron Federation’s oppressive rule.
A Broken Earth and a Divided Resistance
The Watcher elaborates on the state of this fractured Earth, left in ruins after the catastrophic Emergence of Tiamut—an event the Eternals failed to prevent. This disaster shattered the planet, leaving its remnants suspended in space. In the ensuing chaos, Quentin Beck seized power by taking over Stark Industries and forming the Iron Federation, suppressing resistance groups like the Alliance and plunging humanity into despair.
On the Alliance’s barge, Riri learns of their dwindling numbers and their desperate need for her weapon, which has the potential to disable the Vision. Although hesitant to trust them, Riri follows the group to their headquarters—a wrecked ship lodged on a jagged rock. Inside, she finds a lab equipped with everything she needs to complete her weapon. However, an alarm signals an incoming threat as the Vision arrives, wreaking havoc on their forces. With Wong’s protective spell buying her precious minutes, Riri works under intense pressure to finish the weapon. Despite the Vision’s relentless attacks, she fires the weapon, successfully disabling him and securing a small victory for the Alliance.
A Pyrrhic Victory
Though the Vision is destroyed, the cost is devastating. The rest of the Alliance has been wiped out, leaving only Riri, Ying Nan, Wong, Valkyrie, and Okoye alive. They realize they must act quickly, as Beck now knows their location. The Vision’s destruction has also transmitted footage of Riri’s weapon back to Beck, exposing their last hope to the enemy. Determined to strike back, Riri proposes a plan to dismantle Beck’s illusion network—a system powered by nanotechnology that creates fake sentinels and disrupts their efforts. However, this network is heavily guarded, located on a fragment of Earth near the asteroid belt.
Despite the dangers, Riri uses parts of the Vision’s body to create a synthetic suit, merging herself with his technology to identify illusions and differentiate them from real threats. The Alliance launches its mission to infiltrate Beck’s headquarters. Utilizing her enhanced abilities, Riri leads the charge, navigating through illusions and disabling real threats. However, her suit sustains damage, causing her to crash near Beck’s base. Separated from her allies, she encounters Ying Nan, who helps her push forward.
A Risky Mission
Together, they infiltrate Beck’s base, locating the nanite network. Just as Riri begins dismantling it, the scene dissolves into an illusion, revealing that Beck himself is the nanite network. Now resembling a withered husk, Beck explains that he fused the technology with his body, sacrificing his health for control over the remnants of Earth. His plan takes a sinister turn as he attempts to graft Vision’s technology into his body, seeking immortality. Trapped and drained of energy, Riri faces a moment of despair, and even the Watcher, who has witnessed countless tragedies, turns away, unwilling to witness another failure.
The Watcher Intervenes
In a surprising twist, the Watcher breaks his oath of non-interference, offering Riri words of encouragement. Inspired, she regains her will to fight and turns Beck’s nanites against him. Despite overwhelming odds, Riri manages to escape her prison, defeating Beck by absorbing his network into her suit. Though victorious, her journey is far from over. She uses her newfound power to project the Avengers symbol into the sky above the Earth’s shattered remains, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the despair.
A Troubling End
The episode closes with a startling revelation: the Watcher, having intervened once again, faces consequences from higher powers in the multiverse. The Eminence, along with the Incarnate and the Executioner, prepares to hold the Watcher accountable for his actions.
Reflection on the Episode
Episode 5 of What If…? Season 3 pushes the boundaries of traditional superhero storytelling, presenting a tale of resilience in the face of overwhelming despair. Riri Williams emerges as a compelling protagonist, embodying the determination to fight on even when the odds seem insurmountable. The Watcher’s decision to intervene adds a layer of complexity, highlighting the fine line between observation and action. This chapter serves as a poignant reminder of the power of perseverance and the enduring hope that even in the darkest times, a single act of courage can spark change.
