In Season 3 Episode 3 of Marvel’s What If…?, there is a thrilling prospect of a team-up between the Red Guardian and Winter Soldier. These two will be setting up the stage for the Thunderbolts movie in 2025. This episode takes place in an alternate reality where Alexie Shostakov, also recognized as Red Guardian, is unhappy with his undercover task in the United States. Instead of following the orders, he decides to join Bucky Barnes, the Winter soldier on another mission. Continue reading to learn all about What If…? Season 3 Episode 3.
Also read: What If…? Season 3 Release Date Announced | Episode Schedule & Streaming Details
What If…? Season 3 Episode 3 Plot
The plot unfolds in 1991 when Red Guardian learns about Bucky’s plan to assassinate Howard and Maria Stark. However, Alexie believes that ending the starks would not serve the Russian cause well. So Red Guardian intervenes and stops Bucky from carrying out his mission. This intervention creates a new timeline where both the Red Guardian and Bucky become fugitives. They are chased by law enforcement and SHIELD for their actions now.
After stopping the assassination, the two fugitives find themselves on the run. With an aim to escape the U.S., they believe that a Russian spy named Rook, who is a part of the U.S. defense, will assist them. Red Guardian and Bucky move to Las Vegas, trying to escape the police and a character named Bill Foster, who is popularly known as Goliath.
When the duo is in Las Vegas, Red Guardian helps Bucky recover from a memory from his past as Bucky Barnes. However, things go astray when Bucky receives orders from General Dreykov to eliminate the Red Guardian. Upon reaching Las Vegas, they discover that Rook is actually Obidiah Stane, who has been selling intel to both Hydra and the Russians. His true intent is filling his own pockets, being a capitalist who is waiting to profit from all this chaos.
In a dramatic turn of events, Bucky kills Stane after realizing the truth about him. Red Guardian along with Bucky, then face-off Goliath. However, they are soon cornered by the Hydra forces. In an iconic moment, both Red Guardian and Bucky defy their brainwashing and go against the Hydra powers, fighting back.
Also read: Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 13 Ending Explained: Dramatic Farewells and Future Unfolds
What If…? Season 3 Episode 3 Ending
The ending of Episode 3 portrays Bucky being taken back into custody for further questioning. Alexie has managed to escape. He begins a new life as a gym teacher, but it is hinted that he may be recruited by Foster later to join the Avengers. The ending showcases the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) timeline. The key difference in this alternate reality is that Alexie prevented the Starks from being murdered. Obidiah’s role in the death of the Starks is also questioned here. If Stane was behind the assassination in this reality, he may have also contributed to the main timeline as well. This could imply that Stane orchestrated the murder of Tony Stark’s parents before, and tried to kill him too in Iron Man (2008).
