The animated series What If...? starring Uatu The Watcher explores the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its many alternate timelines challenging the MCU's most significant battles. The MCU started in 2008 has explored comic book superheros. Superhero stories have had significant attention across mediums especially in the 1940s through 1960s with both DC and Marvel experiencing rapid popularity growth.
The Watcher's Unconventional Decisions Redefine His Observational Role and Traditional Boundaries Set By Marvel Comics
Superhero enthusiasm still remains across different audiences from movies TV shows with significant changes happening as comics are transferred to both small and big screens. Marvel introduced the Watcher in 1964 setting strict rules in comics about what the entity is able to do within a universe. The Watcher also known as Uatu who acts as a narrative instrument providing alternate perspectives diverging from The Sacred Timeline. Uatu’s responsibility as the Watcher includes a code of conduct that does not allow for any intervention even if faced with devastating situations within the stories from Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Uatu shows an emotional vulnerability that conflicts with his traditional Watcher stance. He has an intense emotional sensitivity for any situation he is observing in What If...? The character feels empathy or outrage while viewing devastation in several universes causing a challenge with the established rules. In What If...? season 3 episodes 5 Uatu assists Riri Williams known as Ironheart to avoid being killed by Mysterio who threatened her in an alternate timeline. In season 3 episode 6 Uatu intervenes to prevent danger when a young Kwai Jun-Fan faced a grave situation going directly against the Watcher’s oath.
The Watcher's Delayed Interventions Highlight the Severity of Past Events and Current Decisions of Multiverses
The Watcher remained neutral throughout many major catastrophes prior to getting involved recently showing a disconnect. He witnessed countless lives end through devastations but only recently has chosen to actually actively engage. Previously Uatu interacted very briefly with various humans and aliens but otherwise his time involved only observing without direct participation. Uatu could clearly interfere in many situations prior such as the obliteration of half the universe or even as entire multiverse s collapsed.
Uatu was very capable to help Riri using his ability to directly communicate as well as moving her away from imminent death and other obstacles created by Mysterio. Uatu's powers help Kwai Jun-Fan directly with precise action moving a guard at a key moment preventing tragedy and his death. The decision for The Watcher to get involved now over smaller issues when he never acted during far more dire and high-stakes large scale conflicts remains a question as to why the switch has occurred at this late stage of the universe. Uatu does not simply watch but is very active at his will in What If...?
Animated Format of 'What If...?' Showcases Fan Favorite Characters and Alternate Storylines with Key Focus on The Watcher
What If...? is an animated anthology series in Marvel Cinematic Universe including many beloved fan favorites such as Peggy Carter T'Challa Doctor Strange Killmonger and Thor. The animated show directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley provides dynamic stories and action in the same style familiar with the MCU that takes unexpected turns. Uatu the Watcher acts as omniscient being who is able to view any occurrence across several universes while remaining detached from all of them However this changes as events reveal some beings that peer beyond the veil threatening the multiverse thus causing changes with Uatu and his decision making process.
The show continues to showcase fan-favorite characters including Peggy Carter with T'Challa as Doctor Strange Killmonger and Thor bringing the same energy with added twist within story and timeline continuations from MCU projects that explore different sides of the known heroes. Bryan Andrews directed this new series alongside head writer AC Bradley that combines familiar action with unpredictable plot developments that are outside the lines set by original comic book counterparts. The Watcher observes but is unable to interfere with specific events which often create unexpected occurrences with key fan loved charecters often turning on a dime and causing changes in events from Sacred Timeline
The series has featured several new narratives outside of already known plot lines adding depth to characters from many areas of Marvels production. Many key Marvel films are also explored under the same lens showcasing new narrative continuations outside the set rules that have been established within many MCU project before .
This narrative strategy continues within season 3 with Uatu interfering creating further unpredictable changes for viewers in this project that was designed to observe as the main role rather than interfere with any universes timeline or even events that may have dire results to any character no matter how familiar they may be to long time MCU watchers. The Watcher as the observer who has broken his set rule for the first time now sets a precedent for what the character might be able to do in all timelines going forward.