The Rule-Breaking Revelation
In the final episode of What If...? season 2, director Bryan Andrews sheds light on a groundbreaking departure from the established rules of the Marvel Cinematic Universe regarding the Infinity Stones. The episode unveils a stunning twist as Peggy Carter, portrayed by Hayley Atwell, wields the Infinity Stones against Doctor Strange Supreme, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, without suffering the same fate as Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame. It is a moment that defies the known consequences of wielding the powerful artifacts, presenting a new facet of the Infinity Stones' capabilities.
Captain Carter and Kahhori with super-powers fighting Strange Supreme in What If...? season 2's finale
Andrews, in an interview with ComicBook.com, provides insight into the exceptional circumstance surrounding Carter's interaction with the Infinity Stones. He details how the stones were enveloped by Kahhori's space stone power, shielding Carter from the lethal effects of wielding them. This revelation challenges the previously understood limitations of the Infinity Stones and opens up a realm of possibilities for their utilization.
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Unraveling the Plot Hole
However, despite the explanation for Carter's ability to wield the Infinity Stones, a significant plot hole emerges within the same episode. Earlier in the finale, a variant of Thanos threatens Carter and Kahhori with the Infinity Stones, only to be unexpectedly thwarted by a variant of Killmonger, who wields the stones without succumbing to their power. This raises doubts about the consistency of the narrative, as Killmonger's successful use of the Infinity Stones contradicts the established rules. The discrepancy in the portrayal of Infinity Stone wielders creates an unresolved inconsistency within the episode's multiversal narrative.
The introduction of Kahhori, portrayed by Devery Jacobs, as a new superhero with a unique connection to the Infinity Stones further complicates the situation. While her space stone power provides a rationale for Carter's immunity to the stones' effects, it does not account for Killmonger's unexplained ability to harness their power without consequence. The emergence of this plot hole challenges the coherence of the multiversal narrative and the rules governing the Infinity Stones across different realities.
The Multiversal Conundrum
As the finale of What If...? season 2 raises questions about the consistency of the Infinity Stones' portrayal, it also prompts inquiries into the broader implications for the Marvel multiverse. The emergence of characters with divergent interactions with the Infinity Stones challenges the established rules of the MCU and introduces a multiversal conundrum. The coexistence of conflicting rules governing the Infinity Stones across alternate realities creates a complex narrative landscape, where the boundaries of their power and limitations are blurred.
With the upcoming What If...? season 3 on the horizon, the unresolved plot hole surrounding the Infinity Stones sets the stage for further exploration of the multiverse and the intricate dynamics of the stones in different realities. The evolving narrative of What If...? promises to expand the understanding of the Infinity Stones and their role in shaping the diverse realms of the Marvel multiverse, offering new perspectives on their significance and the rules that govern their use.
