Introduction
The latest episode of What If... season 2, titled 'What If... Happy Hogan Saved Christmas,' has continued a post-Endgame MCU trend with its post-credits scene. This animated anthology series has followed through with the obligatory post-credits scene established by the MCU, but with a twist. The episode concludes with a seasonally appropriate post-credits scene featuring Darcy Lewis, a beloved character from the Thor franchise and WandaVision.
Darcy in What If Season 2 Episode 3
While the series generally follows an anthology structure, each episode tackles an independent story in a different alternate reality. However, season 1 of What If... sets up multiversal implications for the future of the MCU. The Watcher, who narrates the show, transforms from a being who only observed the different universes without interfering to the 'Protector of the Multiverse' over the course of the show. Although season 2 has reverted to the anthology approach, there are sure to be more threats to the multiverse coming.
Marvel Studios 2023 logo and intro
What If Season 2 Episode 3's Post-Credits Explained
The post-credits scene for What If... season 2 episode 3 isn't so much a visual 'scene' — rather it features Darcy's voice. Given the holiday-themed nature of the episode, the post-credits scene is a silly take on the classic Christmas song 'Good King Wenceslas,' reimagined as 'Good Queen Darcy.' The moment is a cute Marvel-ified parody, without any significant reveals or hints at future MCU projects.
The lyrics of the song reference Marvel heroes and don't take themselves too seriously. The whole goofy affair closes with a laugh and good wishes for the holidays from Darcy.
What If Continues A New MCU Post-Credits Trend
The post-credits scene is audio-based, with no accompanying visual, continuing a trend that began with 2019's Avengers: Endgame. The lack of an actual post-credits scene in the case of Endgame makes sense, given that the film closes out a decade-long arc. However, as the MCU continues to set up new stories, this trend of more symbolic, audio-based post-credits Easter eggs continues with it.
This trend was furthered in the Loki season 2, episode 5 post-credits where a video game voice, evidently referencing a Zaniac arcade game seen earlier in the episode, says 'You died! Insert your coin, loser!' over the Marvel logo. These post-credits scenes seem more focused on thematic and tonal connections to their respective projects than hints to the MCU future, with What If... simply the latest MCU project to follow the trend.
