Marvel’s What If.? Season 3, Episode 4 brings the franchise to its most insane Christmas episode ever conceived. It goes from an odd combination of Darcy Lewis and Howard the Duck to a cosmic egg that gets the most despicable villains of the MCU in a spin. The episode is total chaos and entertainment. Breakdown here: Wild Storyline Easter Eggs And what happens to this show in the very last ending.
Recap: The Curious Case of Darcy and Howard
The episode, titled “What If… Howard the Duck Got Hitched?”, comes off of the What If.? Season 1 episode where “Party Thor” reigned supreme. Darcy Lewis and Howard the Duck, after bonding over half-priced nachos in Las Vegas, tied the knot in an Elvis-themed wedding. The plot thickens as Darcy lays an egg on the day of the Convergence—a celestial alignment that holds immense cosmic significance.
Darcy and Howard are on the cruise ship of Grandmaster, within a world where humans and aliens live in unison. What was supposed to have been a holiday turns into a trap as Grandmaster has his eyes set to devour their yet-to-be-hatched egg. When things get worse, Grandmaster’s egg is snatched by Ravagers; this chase involves the universe as large as from SHIELD to Frost Giant Loki, then to Kaecilius, and even Thanos.
Also read: What If…? Season 3 Episode 3 Ending Explained: Watch Now
Cosmic Egg and Its Relevance
The egg now becomes the centre of the episode since it is born in the Convergence, an event which rarely happens and can align the realms to enhance the mystical energies. SHIELD comes to discover that it may contain cosmic power that has never been imagined, hence becomes scared of its potential misuse. Kaecilius and his zealots would like to use it as a host body for Dormammu. Other villains also emerge to take it over, such as Malekith, Thanos, and the Grandmaster.
The Wild Climax of the Episode
Chaos erupts when the egg starts to hatch in an enormous battle on Jotunheim. As madmen fight each other like a Looney Tunes cartoon, Darcy and Howard sing a lullaby, “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” by Kiss, to calm the egg. When the egg opens up, it pours forth cosmic energy, incinerating several of the MCU’s biggest villains, including Kaecilius, Malekith, and Thanos.
The mayhem notwithstanding, SHIELD decides to leave the egg in Darcy and Howard’s hands, trusting the unlikely duo to raise their cosmically gifted child. This has been one of the most bizarre yet strangely heart-warming conclusions in What If.? history.
Conclusion Explained: A Surreal Christmas Miracle
The ending of What If.? Season 3, Episode 4 is, at once, ridiculous and somehow moving. The idea that a human-duck hybrid egg is the fulcrum for a multiverse battle is far removed from anything that might have appeared in a traditional MCU storyline. And yet, it somehow works because the episode fully commits to its weirdness.
The hatching of the egg means that alternate realities in the MCU are uncertain. It further shows that even the most unlikely of characters such as Darcy and Howard can be seen saving or even destroying the universe. It is on the trust Nick Fury puts in the erratic nature of this alternate reality timeline where he lets Darcy and Howard keep their child.
Also read: Dragon Ball Daima Episode 12: Release Date, Spoilers & Updates
Easter Eggs and References
This episode is filled with Easter eggs to the larger MCU and pop culture. Some notable ones include:
The Convergence: The egg’s significance ties back to the celestial event first seen in Thor: The Dark World.
Kaecilius’ Ritual: A callback to Doctor Strange, Kaecilius tries to use the egg for Dormammu’s return, referencing the character’s role in the Dark Dimension.
Frost Giant Loki: Loki returns as an alternative from What If.? Season 1, visiting Darcy and Howard to Jotunheim
Thanos and the Black Order: Thanos visits for a “company retreat,” only to get sidetracked by the goings on over the egg
Grandmaster’s DJ Alias: Known as “DJ Foam,” the nickname pays homage to those parties the Grandmaster did with Thor
Why It’s Great
Marvel’s willingness to explore absurd scenarios in What If.? enables creative storytelling beyond the confines of the main MCU. This episode pushes the boundaries with a surreal yet thoroughly entertaining experience. Combining humor, nostalgia, and an ensemble of characters, this solidifies What If.? as a sandbox for the wildest possibilities of the Marvel Universe.
Final Thoughts
What If.? Season 3, Episode 4 is a testament to Marvel’s ability to mix absurdity with emotional depth. With its strange yet satisfying ending, it leaves fans pondering the infinite possibilities of the multiverse. Whether you’re a die-hard Marvel enthusiast or just here for the laughs, this episode offers a unique, unforgettable ride.
New episodes of What If. Season 3 premiere every day on Disney+, so rest assured there is a lot more pandemonium and creativity to be had in this animated anthology.
