DYSFUNCTION ALERT: Let’s Talk About That WHAT IF…? Spoiler
Have you had a chance to see the newest episode of What If…? on Disney+, Marvel Blog True Believers? The second episode of the first season, “What If… T’Challa Became a Star-Lord?” is now available for streaming on Disney+.
Celestials. Photo: Marvel
If you haven’t had a chance to see the new episode yet and want to avoid being spoiled, then go ahead and navigate away from this page now. Maybe read our recap of episode one, or go visit Knowhere or something!
What If… T’Challa Became a Star-Lord?
In this episode, we see T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) be abducted from Earth by Yondu (Michael Rooker) and the Ravagers in 1988, instead of Peter Quill.
Don't miss T'Challa Star-Lord in a brand new episode of Marvel Studios' #WhatIf…?, now streaming on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/W8PAMdaqTl
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) August 18, 2021
However, the changes this causes to the timeline are far-reaching, and have some alarming implications for the larger Marvel Universe… but perhaps one of the most interesting changes of all takes place with the Mad Titan, Thanos (Josh Brolin).
The Mad Titan Reformed
Thanks to the positive influence of T’Challa in the galaxy, Thanos renounces his plan for genocide and instead joins the Ravager crew. In fact, his one-time plan to disintegrate half the universe’s inhabitants has even become something of an inside joke with his crewmates.
But it isn’t just the 50% of all life that is affected by this alteration: one person in particular has a much different life thanks to the change in Thanos – Nebula (Karen Gillan).
Photo: Decider/Disney+
In the Sacred Timeline, Nebula is the adopted daughter of Thanos.
MCU continuity dictates that Thanos would pit Nebula and Gamora against each other in battle, and when Nebula would inevitably lose, Thanos would punish her by removing parts of her body and replacing them with cybernetic implants.
Photo: Popsugar
However, in this timeline, it seems as though Thanos may have had the chance to give her one ocular implant before his change of heart, but nothing further. This means that Nebula has limbs that are untouched by cyborg implants, and a full head of blonde hair – not to mention the fact that she has a pretty significant degree of control over her own criminal operation.
Heist Nebula. Photo: Marvel
Nevertheless, Nebula carries a grudge against Thanos… and who could blame her? There is some serious dysfunction going on in that adopted family! But if anyone can teach Thanos about the importance of found family, it’s T’Challa as Star-Lord.
Photo: Disney+
What If…?
With T’Challa loose in the stars instead of on Earth, Thanos reforms his plan for genocide, and ends up having a much different relationship with his adopted daughter Nebula! I guess one person really can make a difference, can’t they, Marvel Blog True Believers?
What did you think of this episode of What If…? Will we see Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell) and T’Challa’s Star-Lord team-up in the future? Let us know what you think in the comment section!
