What If...? explores Uatu the Watcher's role observing the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) multiverse by breaking traditional rules in What If...? season 3 . The MCU which began its journey in 2008 focuses on larger scales of heroes like that of many comic books from companies like Marvel and DC whose comic books entered a boom in popularity during the mid-1900's. With this transition of comics to screens a series like What If...? explores what can happen outside of traditional character development focusing on new storylines outside of traditional expectations from series continuity.
Uatu's Dual Violations of Watcher's Rule In Season 3: A Break From Tradition Set in the Marvel Multiverse
What If...? series uses Uatu as a storyteller narrating different multiverses outside the Sacred Timeline that allows MCU to explore alternate realities across multiverses. Uatu a Watcher by his very design is required to observe all events without engaging directly into storylines. The character Uatu has observed all the chaos occurring inside MCU without much interference before series shows more emotion in season 3 changing up long standing MCU lore about his species of cosmic entities from their introduction in 1964.
The Watcher’s Shift Towards Action: Uatu Directly Intervenes in Tragic Scenarios during What if Season 3 Episodes
White Vision from his debut in WandaVision reemerges in season 3 as sinister entity while Uatu has emotional responses watching as tragedy unfolds in the multiverse leading him to intervene where traditionally he should not. Uatu does not adhere to established protocol when he steps in to protect Riri Williams aka Ironheart in What If…? Season 3 episode 5 who almost dies at Mysterio's hands. Similarly in season 3 episode 6 Uatu interferes to save young Kwai Jun-Fan from grave danger further defying Watcher principles. This specific action of Uatu demonstrates he has grown weary of watching as things unfold creating tension in what was seen as consistent character design.
The Watcher's Previous Inaction: Uatu's Lack of Intervention in Major MCU Conflicts
The Watcher’s actions are new as prior to this he never chose to participate despite viewing devastating incidents within multiverses while typically not engaging in direct interactions. Uatu witnessed billions die as the universe was destroyed and has always stood by even when facing larger multiversal conflicts yet for some reason never acted until recently in season 3. This makes his prior inaction all the more concerning because he possessed the power to prevent catastrophic events like when half of the entire Sacred Timeline disappeared showing his true capability when choosing to intervene. It does not make sense why only these moments were deemed worthy of intervention by Uatu in these scenarios when countless worse scenarios played out while he stayed out of it.
Uatu's Rescue Missions and the Paradoxical Nature of His New Interventions
Uatu communicates directly with Riri and intervenes showing a level of capacity that far exceeds just observing multiversal happenings also lifting her away from impending doom with his own physical strength to stop Mysterio . He flicks a guard preventing near certain death for Kwai Jun-Fan further showing the range of Uatu's powers in the current episode showing physical strength previously only implied. Uatu does not have any limitations given what has been seen with both physical interventions however many questions if he should continue interfering for other events or if his intervention will only create further imbalances within the multiverses.
The Watcher’s Evolving Role And His Potential Future Role in Live Action Marvel Projects
Despite his previous inaction and seeming change in mindset the Watcher continues fighting for various characters in the current What If...? season 3 hinting he may have an expanded role in future Marvel Cinematic Universe iterations. The animation of the new What If…? season which was directed by Bryan Andrews alongside head writer AC Bradley shows specific MCU style elements while twisting the typical narratives we see. Uatu has historically observed the events of multiple multiverses in the show without participating until recent changes in season 3 of show.
Fan Favorite Characters Return in What If...? Multiverse Narratives from Bryan Andrews and AC Bradley
The animated anthology show of What If...? takes place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe presenting many different fan favorite characters that include Peggy Carter T’Challa Doctor Strange Killmonger Thor and a myriad other key heroes. Uatu appears to be omnipotent character with his role as a passive observer before stepping in during key moments. New narrative pathways are possible after a character looks beyond the established rules of universe creating possible rifts and multiversal issues that require the attention of entities outside of regular norms as explored in this series.