‘What If…?’ Recap: ‘What If… Thor Were an Only Child?’

Written by Shae Rufe

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘What If…?’
​
I really was not expecting this episode to be as fun as it was. On a very genuine level, with how everything else had been going, I legit was expecting this to be darker than the last, following the preset pattern. I was beyond wrong. This episode was light and fun and everything I needed lately. Thankfully John watched it first this time and warned me of its awesomeness. I was half expecting him to be getting me back over the lies I texted him about Lower Decks, but he isn’t the vengeful type. This episode was a light warm welcome after the last few. I have to say, Thor will always be my favorite Himbo of all Himbo’s. As it is, you can tell Chris Hemsworth had a blast with this episode and it really shows through. The thing is, Loki brought a balance to Thor that we never truly understood until now. All those faked deaths really helped to mature Thor in a way we didn’t appreciate until now.

I guess Thor being an only child also means that Hela never existed, and I guess that’s alright? Either way, can we talk about the fact that Frigga apparently had a sister? She just bounces the second Odin is in his Odin Sleep phase of things. I really do hope Frigga’s sister is the crazy aunt we all need in our lives. Like that is my personal life goal, to be the crazy aunt my nephew didn’t know he needed. Well, Thor probably needs a crazy aunt because he just blows off his duties as crown prince and hops off to Earth for a massive bender. Which is fair, because nobody seems to party like we do. Especially if our chosen sports team wins the chosen sports team trophy ring… you can tell I don’t sports team very well. Thor hits up Vegas first and invites all of the galaxy it seems.
 
Enter Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis. Listen, Darcy is the literal best part of both Thor movies and WandaVision, and she’s wife goals. Apparently, Howard the Duck also thinks so, because during Darcy and Jane’s attempt to find out what Thor and his groupies really want, they just party down with them instead. Yes, Darcy and Howard get drunk and married in Vegas and it’s literally the wedding I didn’t know I needed at the time. Am I jealous of Howard? For sure. I’d fight a Duck. Jane and Thor get matching tattoos and it just all around is a wild night.

---

Which ends in a hotel room and S.H.I.E.L.D. banging on the door. It’s a rude awakening but Jane cooperates, even if it’s to save her space not-quite-boyfriend. Maria Hill is Acting Director and has decided that Thor and whoever he brought with him is a threat to the planet. Even though the lovable Himbo is just there to party and blow off his responsibilities. It’s Rumlow and Coulson we see most of, and they bring in the secret weapon of all secret weapons. I never really thought about who would win in a fight, Thor or Captain Marvel, but now I know. Carol comes when she’s called, and she has no problem breaking up the party. The problem is, she’s holding back. She doesn’t defeat Thor, in fact he kicks her ass, kind of. The party resumes, and Loki shows up. That’s right, Loki was given back to his people and raised as a Frost Giant… and apparently, he and Thor are best friends. So, the only way they can have a genuinely good relationship is if Loki isn’t his sibling, or if Loki knows he’s adopted. Either way. The planet gets more trashed as the party rages on. Maria suggests Carol take Thor somewhere remote to properly deal with him, and then also arms a few Nukes because she doesn’t trust Carol can do the job.

Jane has a much different idea. With Darcy’s help, she calls out to Heimdall, who listens and brings her to him, and then promptly sends her to Frigga. Jane explains that Thor is in trouble. He’s been partying on earth and S.H.I.E.L.D. is about to off him if they can. So, Frigga does what any mother would do and she ‘calls’ her son. Right in the midst of Carol and Thor fighting it out for a second time. Thor panics and says he’s on an educational exchange with Midgard. Carol leaves because of course she does, and Thor has to rush to clean the mess he and his friends have made, because Frigga is on her way. It doesn’t go well at first until he pulls out his God Voice and demands help.
 
Frigga shows up just in time to see Thor teaching a class of Midgardians and Carol even pops in with a tablet full of information to really sell the lie. Turns out Frigga knows exactly who Carol is. Thor, of course, gets caught. But it ends with him bringing Jane flowers and asking her on a date. Ah, young love. A wonderful note to end on… and yet it makes me more nervous for the next episode.

---

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Howard the Duck.