Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Co-Op and weapon kit promotional image from Treyarch and Raven Studios

    Sharing Gunsmith Builds in Black Ops 7 Is About To Get Much Easier

    08/19/2025
    EA Sports Madden NFL 26 Head Coach But Why Tho 5

    Dear EA Sports, Why Can’t I Make A Hot Coach?

    08/14/2025
    Blade in Marvel Rivals Season 3.5

    Blade Can Shut Down The Other Team In Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 If You Know How

    08/08/2025
    John Cena and Cody Rhodes during Summerslam 2025

    The SummerSlam 2025 Main Event Was A Fever Dream We All Needed

    08/08/2025
    Street Fighter 6 Sagat

    Sagat Brings Depth And Approachability To ‘Street Fighter 6’

    08/07/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » TV » REVIEW: ‘What If…?’ Episode 1

REVIEW: ‘What If…?’ Episode 1

Aaron PhillipsBy Aaron Phillips08/10/20213 Mins ReadUpdated:08/10/2021
what if - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

what if episode 1 - But Why Tho

The Marvel cinematic universe is a largely celebrated and colossal franchise. Spanning 13 years, with 24 films and 3 shows streaming on Disney+ to date. Each of them has its own story to tell but remains interconnected to the larger universal plot. After the events of Loki though, the future of the MCU is about to be shaken to its core, and where better to start than a reimagining of the original films in an animated anthology series. Welcome to Marvel’s What If…? Episode 1, which ponders the question, what if Peggy Carter had taken the Super Soldier serum instead of Steve Rogers?

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

The series is directed by Bryan Andrews, with A. C. Bradley as head writer. Hayley Atwell returns to voice agent Carter in the debut episode of this series, with Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, and Stanley Tucci as Dr. Erskine as Captain America: The First Avenger gets the What If treatment.

Throughout the series, Uatu, also known as The Watcher, voiced by veteran actor Jeffrey Wright, provides a cosmically large celestial presence that oftentimes looms over the animation watching and noting but never interfering. Wright’s sultry and enlightened voice really sets the tone from the word go, adding an ethereal narrative that makes you feel we’re watching through his eyes.

The overall story feels familiar, and yet fresh, with Atwell smashing her performance. Atwell has oftentimes provided a take no shit, confident, and strong persona, but now the inside matches her outside as she becomes the Super Soldier of the war. Fans have been crying out for more Peggy Carter for some time, and this episode will highlight exactly why Carter is such a formidable and treasured character.

What If…? episode 1 has all the feels of the over-the-top patriotic Captain America vibe, while Captain Carter leads the war revival against Hydra, while fighting the misogyny within her own camp. It has all the musical trappings of the original film and gives some enjoyable nods to events during that movie as well. I really loved was that the episode was able to maintain was Captain Carter’s sense of justice and her connection with Steve Rogers. The heart of who they are

The animation is absolutely astounding. It’s vibrant and bright, so unbelievably smooth. It feels very different, while also capturing the essence of the MCU at its core. The action was fantastic, and so robust highlight the strength of Captain Carter, but choreographed so well. The movement of the characters is so smooth and exuberant, it’s hard to believe it’s animated at all. There are moments in the scenes that are also a very comic book, and that just pleased my little nerd heart. The dialogue was a little campy at times, almost giving a wink and a nod to the screen at the time with some jokes and nods that may not satisfy everyone.

Overall, this was absolutely the ideal episode to open the What If series with. Captain Carter provides a herculean look at a character that absolutely deserved far more time in the MCU than she got. The animation is robust, and smooth, while the action is killer. It has all the same tones of the original film while feeling fresh and vibrant at the same time. What If…? episode 1 is a breathtaking opening for Marvel, and I am beyond excited for all of the episodes to come!

What If…? episode 1 is available to stream Wednesday July 11 exclusively on Disney+.

What If...? Episode 1
  • 8.5/10
    Rating - 8.5/10
8.5/10

TL;DR

Overall, this was absolutely the ideal episode to open the What If series with. Captain Carter provides a herculean look at a character that absolutely deserved far more time in the MCU than she got. The animation is robust, and smooth, while the action is killer. It has all the same tones of the original film, while feeling fresh and vibrant at the same time.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleADVANCED REVIEW: Fena: The Pirate Princess,’ Episode 2
Next Article REVIEW: The ‘Hades’ Port Is Still Phenomenal on Current Gen Consoles (XSX)
Aaron Phillips
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Aaron is a contributing writer at But Why Tho, serving as a reviewer for TV and Film. Hailing originally from England, and after some lengthy questing, he's currently set up shop in Pennsylvania. He spends his days reading comics, podcasting, and being attacked by his small offspring.

Related Posts

Alien Earth Episode 1 and Episode 2 still from FX and Hulu
9.5

REVIEW: ‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 1-2 — “Neverland” and “Mr. October”

08/18/2025
Vanessa Kirby in Night Always Comes on Netflix But Why Tho
5.0

REVIEW: ‘Night Always Comes’ Lacks Purpose

08/16/2025
Foundation Season 3 Episode 6 promotional still
8.0

RECAP: ‘Foundation’ Season 3 Episode 6 — “The Shape of Time”

08/15/2025
Butterfly first look images from Prime Video
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Butterfly’ Continues Prime Video’s Spy Thriller Streak

08/13/2025
Trigger promotional image from Netflix
8.0

REVIEW: ‘Trigger’ Is Netflix’s Most Disturbing Series

08/08/2025
Foundation Season 3 Episode 5 promo image from AppleTV+
7.0

RECAP: ‘Foundation’ Season 3 Episode 5 — “Where Tyrants Spend Eternity”

08/08/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Still from Shin Godzilla
8.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘Shin Godzilla’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

By Sarah Musnicky08/16/2025Updated:08/17/2025

It is understandable how Shin Godzilla succeeded at the box office nearly a decade ago. The strength of its story still stands today.

Botanical Bliss Update Palia But Why Tho 5 News

Palia’s New Botanical Bliss Update Brings New Flora, Decorations, And Quest Mechanic

By Matt Donahue08/18/2025Updated:08/18/2025

The Botanical Bliss update adds new event, more plushes, and a host of quality-of-life improvements and more to celebrate 2 years of Palia.

BOOTS Netflix First Look promotional images News

First Look at Coming-of-Age Story BOOTS, Coming to Netflix This October

By But Why Tho?08/17/2025

Netflix is reporting for duty this fall with the new eight-episode series BOOTS, a comedic drama starring Miles Heizer and Vera Farmiga

Nuestra Magia Secret Lair Art Interviews

EXCLUSIVE: How The ‘Nuestra Magia’ Secret Lair Found Its Identity And Raised Over $1M

By Kate Sánchez08/15/2025Updated:08/15/2025

We spoke with Ovidio Cartagena about Magic: The Gathering’s Nuestra Magia Secret Lair drop, its impact, and the real treasure within.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here