I think the Thanos & Nebula relationship makes sense. It seems that Thanos was stopped quite early on and didn't hurt Nebula as much. It is still horrible but not to the extent as canon Thanos, so it is easier to forgive him for her.

For all the good T'Challa achieved, there is a (mostly) unspoken implication things went a lot worse in other corners of the galaxy. The Collector seems to have killed everyone in Asgard, having collected Hela's helmet, Thor's Hammer, and that knife of the Ruler of the Dark Elves. Plus he seems to have killed the Avengers (or at least Captain America), given he has Cap's Shield. And now Ego stands to be unopposed in his assult on the universe.

Thanos is the definition of when you fight the villain versus when he's on your side.

"The episode isn't without its problems, but I found it far more entertaining as an overall package"

TBF, I feel like Korath was probably pulling his punches since he's such a big fan.

I have to give them the "you cant take them all yourself" line, because it feels like its specifically there to set up "Im not crazy, Im _mad"_ which was _fantastic_

This episode isn't without its problems, but I found it far more entertaining as an overall package.

I agree that the power scaling overlook could have been avoided, but I still like good Thanos. I also like Thanos and Nebula’s “renewed” relationship.

This is the timeline where Korath smiled on the outside.

i personally loved the thanos character arc flip - i think his being humanised here only bolsters how engaging his character was in the MCU; he literally was a regular heavy that became all-powerful because of how invested he was in his ideology. layers bro. and the moment he turned to fight and went "mad" was frankly mad

I dont know about you guys, but I would say the episode isn't without it's problems, but i found it far more entertaining as an overall package

It's clear that thanos was stopped by T'Challa long before the events of the movie. So many of the tortures thanos enflicted uppon nebula was likely lessened. He also likely wasn't backing up Ronin or the black order, so it's reasonable to say they were considerable weaker than their main MCU counterparts. We saw a huge boost in collector following him replacing thanos, however he still clearly isn't to his level.

I don’t like the fact he’s called star Lord. That’s the name Peter’s mum named him so why does T’Challa have that name. They should’ve called him Star Panther

One last thing: when that Wakanda music kicked in during the Collector fight I wanted to jump up and cheer. I might have but I was still mourning Korg ( who I’m fairly sure is dead in this universe ).

I feel like you made a fair point relating to Thanos, but I do thing that an important detail you might have not considered is that Nebula was way earlier in her ‘robotafication’, as only a small part of her eye was mechanized, so maybe there might not be as much resentment in there because of that. (But yeah Thanos not holding his own is kinda strange)

I’m more concerned about how T’Challa as Star-Lord basically Talk no Jutsu’d Thanos

I like how people don’t think that these possibilities in the show would happen or they don’t like the inconsistency. This series is called “What If” for a reason. It’s not supposed to make 100% sense. Much like the comic book series “What If”. Any alternate possibility can and will happen in these episodes. Even if it doesn’t completely align with the main stream MCU. Which is pretty much the premise of the series.

0:57 So, is the episode not without its problems, but you still found it far more entertaining as an overall package?

I don’t like how Thanos was nerfed but he was so funny in this that I didn’t care.

I thought the same about Thanos at first. But it makes sense if you think about it in terms of world-building. It signals that this timeline is WAY far-removed from the regular one. It also adds to TChalla's character, that he's basically Naruto and can talk-no-jutsu anyone into changing their ways. Also, it's not the same Thanos who actually went through with any part of his plan, made obvious by the fact that his "children" don't know him, and the fact that Nebula is not highly modified. And yeah, it's an overall weaker, more easy-going Thanos anyway, but that's fine. TChalla's personality was equally vastly different, just on the same hero path, so it's not as jarring, but different nonetheless.

Even if it was before his death I like how they made Chadwick the positive influence

Why do I think you’re alone on the whole Thanos thing, I absolutely loved it. The Black Order kicking his ass was a bit much, but I love the endless theories that come from this deviation from the original timeline.

Captain Carter was a great start, but this episode really is the one to show us how wildly different these universes can get.

I apologize in advance for just how damn long this comment is. 8:37, the primary issue is that while Thanos is closely around or above Hulk in power, so is Cull Obsidian. Thanos is not invincible, but is very close to it. Meanwhile, Proxima and Corvus are around Super-Soldier level, meaning an alien blaster can definitely pierce them (and Maw appears to be even weaker in a physical sense than them). Proxima only managed to land strikes on Thanos using her special trident as Cull occupying the majority of his attention, otherwise he would’ve swatted her as he did Steve. 11:20, regarding T’Challa being able to fight and move as if he still had a degree of his Black Panther abilities, it’s already shown he had such abilities far before he was ever officially king. How he had those abilities before his coronation isn’t truly shown to the audience but it can be inferred that either he was given the Heart-Shaped Herb before hand or he biologically inherited them as a child and briefly surrendered them for ritual combat with M’Baku and N'Jadaka (Killmonger). Either way, I can agree that it can be a bit distracting, all the power level confusion. 12:12, as to this one, among Loki’s comic book powers is enhancing himself or others. Sylvie’s enchantment is established as being far more than just a mind control touch, but her taking a degree of control of that person’s body in a similar vein to possession. The TVA agents on the other hand….we don’t even know what more is going on behind the scenes with them, namely the process in which they turn relatively ordinary people into indoctrinated amnesiac soldiers that can stand up to Jotuns. But again, I do understand how it can be confusing and even frustrating for character abilities to not be portrayed consistently and having to infer likely reasons rather than being given them directly. 16:09, Another interpretation of Yondu’s choice not to go through with Ego’s instructions is likely him knowing about what Ego did to the other kids he sent Yondu to grab and had enough of it. Another dirty part of his past (a “prison”) that working with the wide-eyed and idealistic T’Challa helped him, in his mind, escape from. A likely reason he was willing to lie to keep T’Challa in his life. Furthermore, had Yondu fulfilled his instructions, Peter wouldn’t have been murdered, as he had the dormant power Ego needed for his for his “expansion”. Additionally, Peter, made immortal by his access to his father’s “light”, would serve as Ego’s only surviving companion in a universe where everyone would be dead, (as a side tangent, a similar motivation to why the relatively nigh-immortal Omni-Man takes further interest in Invincible when his son’s powers develop). All this to say, if Ego did get Peter, then this story with T’Challa would never happen, as by now, Ego would have completed his expansion.

I actually loved Thano's arc. I love the concept of talking out your feelings with the villain's. The "Mad Titan" was probably surrounded by scared yes-men. He never had a serious heart-to-heart with someone who saw him as an equal before he became a radicalized maniac. I actually think it improves Thano's character and makes him more human.

One of my biggest issues with this episode is T’Challa himself. I cannot believe that T’Challa ideology and personality would not have changed after being with the ravagers and in that environment for the majority of his life. Instead of this episode being how T’Challa changes the cosmic characters, it should have been about how those cosmic characters changed who T’Challa is. That would have eliminated a lot of the more unbelievable ramifications of the change, while also allowing Chadwick to do something truly new with the character.

I think you're forgetting that T'Challa is as powerful as Cap, even before becoming Black Panther. we don't know when he gained these powers but this episode suggest he had them already as a child

Eh, yeah, thano’s power level does seem like an issue, but I kinda forgive it by saying that maybe he slacked off on the training to farm instead 🤷🏻‍♂️

Thanos thing is one thing, but I really didnt't like the way they set up T'challa like a person so much better and so much more successful than Quill ever was. Talking Thanos out of genocide? Easy, not even worth elaborating after a mention. Being so famous and awesome even Ronan's general is fanboying and ready to switch sides? No problem. Being so good at making points to change the whole ravagers deal of being kinda piratey into making them all space Robin Hoods? Done! And so on, and so forth. No family drama feels really touching and no Collector feels as a proper threat (neither in a physical sense, nor philosophically, the new Star Lord is obviously capable of practically everything). Peter on the other hand is fundamentally flawed and very relatable for many reasons. I get that it mostly could be done to honor Chadwick Boseman (rest in peace, you were amazing) and the story was great, yet this world doesn't feel as beliveable as the Captain Carter one.

I'd be offended if I were Peter Quill, lol. We're supposed to believe that had someone else been in his shoes they could've easily become beloved, famous, brought and end to "world" hunger, and even turned Thanos good?

Thanos: "I'm going to wipe out half of all life." T'Challa: "Okay, but hear me out: What if you don't?" Thanos: "You know what? You're right. Thanks for giving me such great wisdom."

god, rip chadwick boseman man. i will miss his role wholeheartedly

I think people are overlooking the fact that this is called “what if” and are supposed to just be fun little stories and not taken to seriously

Don't get me wrong it's an interesting concept but it hit me the wrong way sorta how captain marvel did. On how everyone praises our main character and he seemed as perfect for the most part.

Honestly this episode was amazing obviously I wish the episode was longer but that was my only complaint. I think the major shift in this episode is that every major character was given the chance to maintain thier humanity before crossing that line of no return which is why I was fine with Thanos being a good gut ect.

Who else wants to see a sequel where they fight off Ego and Quill, only to realize that probably won’t happen :(

I fucking love Thanos in this, this version is now one of my new favorite MCU characters

I absolutely loved how completely blind sided I was to chill Thanos. Thats the kinda shit I wanna see in this show.

Your take on Thanos completely contradicts your point about really having fun with the alternate universes we were promised.

But Nebula wasn't abused in this one, she's the favorite with Gamora hair and Gamora purple duds

9:01 New Rockstars explained this well in their Inside Marvel aftershow. + Don't forget Thanos was still bulletproof in this.

The one thing I did like with Thanos when tchala and nebula are talking about the power stone, nebula says he shouldn't tell Thanos he had it... This meant to me that even though he changed, it's not set in stone

thanos was hilarious!! this episode also takes place in 2008 so most of the “how” in regards to thanos’ redemption can be handwaved without it mattering too much for me

Great video bro! 🔥🔥

There was a throwaway line in the episode saying that Thanos had become a farmer, which somewhat explains how he lost his "edge". I still feel as though his power scaling is wack in this episode, but its something at least.

Thanos in this is the epitome of when you unlock a boss as a playable character.

It's weird how one can talk a MAD titan into not being mad anymore

Shouldn’t this video be called “T’Challa: _A_ Great Star Lord”?

The Infinity Stones in Loki were an excellent shorthand to show just how out of his league Loki really was, in this it really was just "look we got Purple Man you know him right?"

I think the first episode was great for introducing the concept of branching realities. This episode just went with it.

Every time I think about this episode more questions about breaking continuity come to mind

0:52-1:01; Was that the same clip and audio twice in a row, or did I miss something? Anyhow, great video.

T’Challa is the best Star Lord ever! I wish he had a whole movie or tv series!😃❤️

I loved both the Infinity Stone in the TVA and Thanos becoming a member of the gang. Although I didn't really notice the Infinity Stones in Loki I was like oh cool with that. With Thanos I loved every minute of it and laughed my ass off almost 90%of this episode.

T'Challa i prefer him as black panther than as Starlord, he feel too perfect kinda like a gary stu type characther that everyone like him

imagine how epic the detail would have been if they got Chadwick Boseman to talk in his regular accent as the star lord version of himself.

Thanos had the power stone when he fought Hulk. He's a beast in a fight, but he's not some godly opponent who can beat everyone at any time. The Black Order could definitely kick his ass, especially if several of them take him at once.

This episode HAD to be one of my favorite pieces of MCU content!🙌🙌🙌

I agree that these episodes could do with being a little longer or just narrowing their scope. I also feel like these characters get a little "Mary Sue" ish. I dunno, the episodes just end up feeling like weird fanfics than anything else.

I like the first episode way more I started losing concentration throughout this second episode also biggest plot hole why is tchalla called star lord when that was a nick name that Peter Quills mom Meredith Quill gave her son in the first Guardians movie it doesn't make sense for anyone other than Peter Quill to be called star lord

love the note on the whiteboard behind you (the one in red... on the right... top right).

I think we must remember that this Thanos was probably in the very early stages of his genocide plan, and it was already cut short by T’challa. It would make sense then that after so many years of not actually on a battlefield or constantly killing, he’d have gotten rusty and is no longer as powerful as he used to be. Just like how after 5 years Thor became a giant blob who could barely hold his own against the mad titan. He simply doesn’t fight to kill like he used to, and as such has no bloodlust and no desire to constantly destroy worlds. Thanos and Nebula as well. It was after many years of torment that Nebula resented Thanos. T’Challa probably ended that very early on, as Nebula has almost no cybernetics save for a few parts. As such, they’re still reconcilable.

I agree on Thanos, I thought I had missed the the scene where they debate! I would have been so sold if I got to experience it happening.

Loved this episode. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

Without context this title seems like a very bad screen rant theory

to be fair since nearly the beginning I've felt that the MCU's power scaling has always been inconsistent.

It's entirely possible Thanos was pretending to lose to the Black Order to get sympathy from Nebula. Although, in general, they did go a bit too far with his characterization.

Great video. We disagree on Thanos but i for sure see your point. In other news.. I'm going to cry my eyes out watching Black Panther 2. Just that 30 seconds of him on the Tonight Show you played had me holding back tears. sheeeeeeeesh

I actually don’t mind the thanos gag simply because the MCU looks like it’s moving towards Kang, and I don’t mind seeing them move on from Thanos in a way, although I do agree with your points

The best part of this episode is how it goes out of its way to make you believe this is the best timeline, only to remind you that Ego now gets to end all of that in one fell swoop because he has unfettered access to a vulnerable Peter Quill. It’s genuinely terrifying to realize.

I think in this reality, after Thanos gave up on his huge goal, he lost that drive that kept him in shape.

It’s been a while since I watched black panther last but aren’t the black panther powers passed down somewhat genetically?

To be fair, Thanos DID completely wipe the floor with the Collector's entire army of grunts singlehandedly, and more than held his own against Cull Obsidian in a one-on-one fight. He didn't start to lose until Proxima Midnight showed up and they double-teamed him. My feeling is that the Black Order are all either on or close to Thanos' level, and the whole reason he recruited them is because it was easier than destroying them. Between his deaths in this episode and Infinity War, I can assume that the only possible way to defeat Ebony Maw is to take him by surprise. If anything, this episode doesn't degrade the threat of Thanos so much as it elevates the threat of the Black Order. They're just as dangerous with or without Thanos.

Captain Carter's timeline has radical divergences, idk what you're talking about

An important detail I think people are overlooking regarding the comparisons between episode 1 and 2 are the time periods we were audience to. Captain Carter operated over a fraction of the war. Months. Maybe a year? We're seeing T'Challa after over a decade of being Star-Lord. The deviation is massive BECAUSE of the time since the deviation.

I think Nebulas relationship with Thanos makes sense in What If. She has always seeked his approval and tried to help him, yet was slightly worried of the evil he was up to/was capable of. Her character at the base level didn't really change in what if. She still loved and feared her father (like he might still abuse her or be capable of evil). In What If Thanos hadnt (yet) abused nebula - that fits with his character in the short as one that 'can' be different. I also wonder if it tells the story of someone letting go of what truely drives them - less hate and anger as the goal is gone. I agree with everything else! Great video.

My main problem is that they make him popular and loved by everyone but not having any flaws whatsoever.

great video, as usual. Love your stuff! That said, personally, I disagree completely on Thanos; I thought he was one of the best parts of the episode, but different opinions are okay (I do agree with you on the black order thing though)

I think that Peter Quill did have the spark, and so if he had been delivered then he wouldn’t have died like the rest. Ego’s goal was to create a partner that could share in his power, and GOTG2 shows that Peter actually could have been that

Korath was probably pulling punches because he is such a fan boy

A Ravager never flies solo

“Old wounds and still a lot of bad blood between them” Well he DID still get as far as pulling her eye out!

Yondu not going back for Peter makes sense tbh. The whole reason he kept Peter is because he found out Ego was killing all of those kids. So leaving Peter on Earth would stop Ego for atleast 20 years

Anyone else think these episodes have incredibly fast pacing. Like everyone’s always talking and quickly responding to everyone it’s hard to catch a breath

From the moment I realized T'challa took the role of Star-lord I already knew his universe was probably the greatest, he is now my favourite hero in all of marvel

Another Full Fat banger

I need an episode that shows what we would have gotten had Edgar Wright directed Ant-Man.

As to why Yondu didn’t finish the job, I think it’s implied that he wasn’t even on the ship with Taser and Kraglin at the time; they take him from earth and meet back at Yondu’s ship. At that point I don’t think it’s *completely* out of character for Yondu to go straight up ‘f**** it’ and abandon the job- given that he never finishes it regardless.

Thanks

It just occurred to me that Tchalla taking a picture with Drax is probably a deep cut reference to the fact that Chadwick initially auditioned for Drax before getting tapped to play Tchalla.

Great video mate, enjoying these weekly recaps. I think some of the complaints were a tad nitpicky. Just for me personally, what if is a series where you can let pretty much anything and everything slide, like the korath power thing for example. I do agree tho that yondu just peacing out after picking up the wrong kid was a bit stupid, that could've done with more explanation.

Thanos was like the gym teacher joining your team during dodgeball

It comes down to circumstances. With Captain Carter, it’s still confined to the war and HYDRA. They’re still going to wipe out the allies and axis powers, then either take over the world or destroy it. Except Peggy is a better soldier than Steve, so just goes and does a more efficient job. T’Challa as Star Lord changed everything. Every cosmic threat apart from Ego is fixed because T’Challa has a royal Wakandan upbringing, as opposed to Peter Quill’s average American upbringing. T’Calla had everything and learned to be a good person from his parents. Both of them. He took those lessons and gave them to the ravagers. Quill had just lost his mother to cancer and grew up without a father. His biggest influence was a space pirate. Of course, at his core Quill is a good person but he wasn’t taught to act on those good instincts, only to survive. At least, until he met the Guardians.

I love T’Challa as Star Lord, he so perfect for it

I've really enjoyed the What If's so far and i have to say i cannot agree with you about Thano's i generally thought he was a highlight of the episode. Mind you i also enjoyed Red Skull being sqaushed like a bug in Captain Carter. Maybe i just have an odd humour.

Ok so This is how I would have liked it to play out if I had a choice, yondu keeps t’challa, and then also gets quill in order to protect him, however yondu ends up preferring t’challa and trains him, both kids grow up together and t’challa joins yondu or becomes a solo merc or smthn and then a set of events happens where quill learns about ego and sides with him feeling wronged by life n stuff, making both eternals the big bads of the whole series somehow making timelines collide if necessary (because it’s a possibility that every episode in what if is already connected, correct me if I’m wrong) and so at the end it’s this big fight against ego and quill, ideally for me quill looses his god powers and is given a nice pep talk from yondu, alternatively he dies along with ego

Love the wakanda forever at the end ❤

Korath's hero worship of T Challa causes him to greatly pull his punches.

I like how in the last recordings of Chadwick he was playing a character who made a genocidal maniac better and made the ravagers nicer

I noticed something funny about the Dairy queen Peter works at, in that it actually shows up in Volume 2