The third and final season of Marvel’s animated series What If…? fails to captivate audiences and critics, leaving fans wondering about its premise.

The series What if…? has been a mainstay of Marvel’s animated storytelling on Disney+, reimagining iconic MCU moments from alternate realities. However, the third season marked a low point for the show, unable to maintain the excitement and creativity that defined its early installments.. With all episodes now available on Disney+, The reception has been less than stellar, revealing problems in what was once considered one of the most innovative ideas in the world. Multiverse Saga.

A lukewarm reception on Rotten Tomatoes

Season 3 scored a 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest score in the series’ history. In comparison, season 1 achieved a solid 89% and season 2 slightly surpassed that at 90%. Unfortunately, the latest batch of episodes not only disappointed critics, but also fans, as highlighted by a Audience score of just 55%. This drastic decline compared to 92% of the first season reflects viewers’ discontent with the series’ execution.

The drop is particularly significant when considering the high expectations generated by previous seasons. Marvel Animation appears to have struggled to recapture the charm and freshness that characterized the series’ debut, leaving many to wonder whether the concept of the multiverse has worn thin.

A hasty launch right in the middle of the Christmas period

One factor that could have influenced the mixed reception was his inadequate launch strategy. Disney did not provide trailers to critics until December 21st. just hours before the season premiere. With the celebrations underway, this has left little time for critics to evaluate the series as a whole, resulting in only 12 reviews recorded initially.

While 75% is still considered a “fresh” score, the overall response appears to be indifferent.especially for a series finale. Ultimately, it seems Marvel failed to deliver the impact fans expected.

What went wrong?

Both critics and fans have pointed out the lack of cohesion and depth in season 3. The anthology format, initially refreshing, seems to have lost steam, with episodes described as “silly, superfluous and superficial”. Our review sums it up like this: “A disappointing ending to one of the best ideas in the Multiverse Saga. What if…? Season 3 has its moments, but it doesn’t fully exploit its premise.

The creative decline could also be linked to a general exhaustion of the concept of the multiverse. What was once an exciting exploration of alternate realities now feels overused in Marvel’s film and television projects, diluting its impact.

The legacy of What If…? and the future of Marvel Animation

Despite its irregular conclusion, What if…? leave a legacy as the first Marvel animated series within the MCU canon. Its initial success showed the potential for bold, experimental storytelling, even if subsequent seasons failed to deliver on that promise.

As Marvel Animation looks to new projects, there’s a lot for fans to look forward to. In a recent interview, Marvel television chief Brad Winderbaum teased an exciting slate of upcoming series, each with distinct tones and genres. Among the most important titles are:

• Spider-Man: Freshman Yeara fun take on Peter Parker’s high school adventures.
• Daredevil: Born Againa gritty, street-focused drama.
• Marvel Zombiesan epic story of global survival.
• Eyes of Wakandaan exploration of conquest and national identity.

According to Winderbaum, this strategy reflects the breadth of the wonderful universe and his ability to tell different stories. “Marvel has always meant many things”he explained. “There are many stories to tell, with different genres and tones.”

While What if…? Season 3 stumbled, its overall contribution to the Marvel narrative should not be overlooked. The series broke the mold, introducing fans to a series of intriguing alternate realities and reimagined characters. However, while the Multiverse Saga evolves towards new horizons, the hope is that future projects will learn from the mistakes of What if…? and deliver more coherent and impactful stories.