What If Season 3 Episode 8 Recap: Ending Explained and Easter Eggs Breakdown

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for What If…? Season 3, episode 8

What If…? Season 3: Episode 8 Overview and Commentary

The long-awaited finale of What If…? Season 3, episode 8, aired recently, concluding the animated Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series that captivated audiences since its inception in 2021. In this climactic episode, Uatu the Watcher, voiced by Jeffrey Wright, reflects on his repeated breaches of his oath to merely observe the multiverse. This final installment not only delivers exhilarating plot twists but also showcases a plethora of multiversal variants, potentially leaving even the staunchest detractors wishing for more seasons to explore these fascinating stories.

Building on the events of the penultimate episode, which saw the Guardians of the Multiverse and Infinity Ultron planning to access the 5th Dimension, the stage is set for a grand showdown. Below is an in-depth breakdown of the episode’s conclusion, highlighting key takeaways, significant Easter eggs, and various exciting variants that emerged.

Major Spoilers and Highlights from What If…? Season 3 Episode 8

“What If…What If?”Analysis

The Watchers in What If...? Season 3 Episode 8

The episode opens with Uatu recalling his initial oath, while The Eminence expresses unwavering trust in his talented pupil.
In the present, Uatu confronts the consequences of his actions, answering for multiple violations of his duty to observe.
Peggy Carter embodies Uatu’s most significant transgression, which results in her abduction by other Watchers who plan to execute both her and Uatu.
Infinity Ultron launches an assault on the Watchers, enabling the heroes to plan a daring rescue for Uatu and Peggy.
The heroes strive to reach Strange Supreme’s universe, where the Watchers’ power would be diminished, but they arrive too late after Infinity Ultron’s demise.
With their ship destroyed, the Watchers prepare to execute Uatu and the heroes. Uatu counters by sharing the Watchers’ oath with his companions to level the playing field.
Empowered by the Watchers, the heroes engage in a massive cosmic battle, culminating in The Eminence merging with The Incarnate and Executioner.
The Eminence attempts to erase every heroic variant across universes until Peggy sacrifices herself to save her comrades, transporting them to Strange Supreme’s realm.
Once their powers are nullified, Uatu spares the Watchers’ lives and proposes to teach them to appreciate the multiverse’s beauty beyond mere observation, a lesson The Eminence accepts.
The episode concludes with the heroes mourning Peggy on the Observational Plane as Uatu delivers a poignant narration, showcasing various intriguing variants.

The Significance of Captain Carter’s Ultimate Sacrifice

And Uatu’s Decision to Spare The Eminence

After Uatu has united his allies to invoke the Watchers’ oath, an extensive cosmic battle ensues. The Eminence, Incarnate, and Executioner, convinced that they must abandon their own principles to restore order, ultimately merge in an attempt to eradicate all heroic variants.

Demonstrating immense courage and newfound cosmic power, Captain Peggy Carter intervenes, thwarting The Eminence’s nefarious plans and saving her teammates. Tragically, this act culminates in her self-sacrifice, which the remaining heroes honor in a touching funeral scene on the Observational Plane.

Uatu’s willingness to spare the Watchers and impart lessons about truly seeing the multiverse reflects his commitment to preserving its intrinsic beauty while maintaining his core mission. His actions signify a pivotal shift in the Watchers’ perspective and purpose.

Insights into the Finale’s Closing Scene

A Showcase of Innovative MCU Variants

The concluding scene of What If…? Season 3, Episode 8 presents an array of exceptional MCU variants as Uatu concludes the series with narration akin to previous openings. Below is a list of some notable variants observed:

A Six-Armed Spider-Man
A Samurai Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes)
Riri Williams as Punisher
Gamora clad in a Wedding Dress
Blade as the new Moon Knight (notably set to appear in 2025’s Marvel Zombies)
Weapon X Thanos
Kingo equipped with an Iron Man suit
A Ms. Marvel/Wasp Hybrid
The Hulk’s Maestro as the Sorcerer Supreme
A Scarlet Witch/Howard The Duck Fusion
Hawkeye as a Dragon Warrior
Jubilee reimagined as the Silver Surfer
Skrull Captain America wielding Wakandan Shields
Sersi adorned in a ballgown
Deadpool with an array of weapons
Young Hela wielding Mjolnir (from an immersive spin-off)
Shang-Chi donning Star-Lord’s legacy (echoing T’Challa’s Star-Lord from Season 1)
Sheriff Loki
The Infinity Witch (featured in the immersive spin-off)
Nova Centurion Carol Danvers (also from the immersive story)
An enigmatic Doctor Strange variant (details are hard to discern)

Some of these innovative variants, including Young Hela, Infinity Witch, and Centurion Carol Danvers, first appeared in What If…? – An Immersive Story, a mixed-reality game developed by Marvel and ILM Immersive for Apple Vision Pros.

Unveiling Easter Eggs and References in Episode 8

Homages to Classic Marvel Lore and Iconic Characters

Throughout Season 3, Episode 8, several fascinating Easter eggs and references enrich the narrative:

The Watcher’s Transgressions: Uatu’s infractions extend beyond previously established ones for characters like Peggy Carter, with The Eminence confirming other violations, including for Reed Richards and Nick Fury.
Uatu Identifies Himself: For the first time, Uatu shares his name with allies, choosing to actively engage rather than remain an unseen observer.
Kirby Krackle: The episode showcases the iconic energy effects known as “Kirby Krackle,”a nod to artist Jack Kirby’s influence, alongside Uatu’s creation by Kirby and Stan Lee.
Musical Themes for Characters: The familiar themes from Captain America and X-Men ’97 play during key moments featuring Peggy and Storm.
Living Universe Concept: The Sorcerer Supreme’s universe is deemed “living,”derived from the essence of Strange Supreme himself, further blending the mystical with the multiversal.

This finale distinctly explores the profound implications of sacrifice, the beauty of the multiverse, and the potential of character evolution. With all episodes of What If…? Season 3 now available on Disney+, fans are encouraged to revisit the captivating storytelling and intriguing twists that characterize this animated journey.

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