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Marvel's "What If...?" has consistently presented an alternative and wildly unique view within the many MCU stories that fans have grown to love. This is mainly achieved not simply by having alternate realities but from putting an active effort into presenting how one core change ( at both smaller but more often at huge character defining elements) creates vast divergences for how key storylines tend to transpire. And with the very recent announcement of a third season ( as of current knowledge for 2024), there are questions about what this particular production may end up accomplishing and, if all production rumours and information are to be believed we have very real chances of getting what is being speculated as being ‘a concluding send off ' for many core characters that weren't fully explored with much dedication during other major MCU releases therefore today’s deep dive will put focus onto exploring what makes this possible (through prior context) and what makes ‘what if?' a truly unique and amazing concept.
Before moving forward let us recall all that "What If...?" achieved throughout its two very well acclaimed first seasons : the series was presented as an ongoing 'anthology' format to showcase stories where familiar heroes ( and villains ) make a change that ends up changing everything that you thought you knew and while that concept can easily feel like an opportunity for random high speed, mind bending spectacle without much character, what ultimately made that show gain much success was the active intent in creating some very compelling alternate realities often highlighting different layers for those characters who never had their chance for more screen time during MCU feature motion picture release runs and while that approach often gets some flack by those critics and core movie fans seeking the long overarching arcs, it serves well to a tv format that usually suffers in a long form time span.
These prior seasons showed what was needed: solid production values, high action sequences alongside thoughtful character study that often brought forth more discussion and greater emotional attachment towards core MCU established figures by providing a great canvas to ask deep questions about responsibility, free will or destiny within a very accessible format for more casual MCU viewers with limited investment from time and emotional efforts, and it is from this core foundational ground that later production will then get fully explored if rumour information proves to be consistent; that this third season may serve as an epic conclusion ( of a sorts) before larger changes in format become the new direction for future MCU plans.
The general concept with this proposed “Season 3 finality” focuses on creating that feeling of an ‘ultimate team-up' for several less utilized characters that the other mainstream format tends to overlook as all prior productions often will limit scope to only its more well-known heroes and with an almost completely distinct creative team ( when compared to those major theatrical productions) there's now even far more chances of exploring other ‘less important ‘ or overlooked aspects of MCU, by putting an emphasize on all alternate or less seen viewpoints.
All these options create far more diverse avenues to showcase different angles on very known events but (most crucially) also bring new layers on every single person and it provides an end for those concepts as we understood throughout, with a far more emotionally powerful punch; almost presenting several well developed short stories into a ‘final big fight' or all stars match where every character's history and motivation fully matters and the series production could focus more carefully onto each character rather than trying to simply advance a larger over-arching plot (as it happens with main timeline MCU productions ). That gives even greater personal value, it isn't simply a random adventure, but becomes far more meaningful because that character matters and the viewer becomes part of its entire journey, if the rumours are truthful. It has potential to create not simply something that closes old character arcs and concepts, but also provides solid new paths and future new concepts.
There are specific elements and characters that will almost certainly play a role here if prior data from various productions can be used to extrapolate future events, those elements include concepts from past episodes that never got much resolution such as the “Party Thor” or an alternate version for Steve Rogers ( or Captain Carter); this particular concept may receive better understanding due to the core concepts and thematic ideas already explored. It seems that Marvel intends to tie old plot lines with future characters by having that main core premise, always about choices and repercussions; if a different decision was taken long ago what would a core story character act, or become today and now that concept, taken in high gear, with every version or different approach becomes the major selling points to show the real multi-universe story lines; This would all provide new dimensions and possibilities that other core movie based stories often have a hard time providing to both new or long time viewers.
Also, we know for a fact there's always the need to keep in mind the main role of "The Watcher" which in its current form in series, operates more as an active 'story participant' rather than a simple passive narrator so with his added layer of agency in his ‘own choices’ we might see further unique perspectives that will help redefine the many complex philosophical underpinnings that these stories consistently aim for. What began as a 'concept’ for an individual single viewing session may now become a large, emotionally rich complex format that truly shows what all those initial promises did present with far more purpose, that may add a lot more context with previous content or new series ( and movie content) depending on production planning that has to come later down the pipeline.
If this analysis ( based on production values and prior information ) proves correct that, “What If...?" season 3 will take its position as the major stepping stone to showcase a clear farewell or at very least some level of closure that will close off many long standing production cycles that the Marvel media entertainment has focused their efforts onto, those can create all sort of opportunities for far less rigid story choices as this could open paths to future and entirely new phases for Marvel Entertainment overall; those changes always come up in both long or short terms in every franchise.
By finally placing some form of ‘closure' this allows future MCU movies to create completely new concepts while letting less known characters that do have solid fan bases some time to breathe through those multi-verse timelines giving viewers what they craved ( far more diverse casting, storylines, characters or overall themes). And as an ending, if done right, could become one of modern MCU's most ambitious but satisfying results ( something other comic-book TV/movie properties have consistently failed at during their long runs) This is the type of freedom that having a good and carefully built foundational content such as “What if” provided to the MCU timeline that sets future stages to explore in a more liberated mindset, which will now be free from the burden of trying to maintain previous characters or specific storylines.
All current data suggests 'What If...?' season 3 may take its position as not simply an isolated alternative story production or yet another alternate version to established fan-favorite ideas, but possibly something that marks an end of an era and in this format those initial choices over core changes provide a unique angle of what it can achieve to add great perspective and unique storylines which will fully focus onto key character journeys and allow more casual viewers to fully appreciate Marvel's entire extended universe but in their own specific method by following characters they enjoy and that, ultimately, was the major charm throughout every cycle since "what if " original launch to its most avid viewership following its ongoing cycles.
With the likelihood that this may also close some lingering plot threads of character arcs that the major big screen movies weren't really able to properly address ( such as Steve’s/Captain Carter character arcs, and also potentially open future stories regarding specific less explored elements), we are now looking not only for something completely unique, but something entirely necessary as a way for production groups ( or producers, if not even MCU’s main director-boards as well) to then re-configure their own internal structural system; the next set of chapters will mostly all depend on this particular key element to give them that ability to explore their next stories without necessarily being completely forced onto older methods and by creating what appears to be ‘A finale’ will create solid footing to all, including, long term fan basis who want to see things move forward onto greater and more amazing settings without simply rehashing the old core foundational concepts again and again.