What If…? Episode 3 Easter Eggs
With What If …?”s the third episode, Disney Plus explores the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story explores a new aspect of Phase One in the MCU. Nick Fury is the protagonist as he investigates the motives behind the selection of the Avengers Initiative candidates.
The episode is set in MCU history at an early stage, so it features many characters not seen in the latest phase. The episode also includes some memorable scenes from the first trio of MCU films but with new twists. The episode layers in nods to the MCU that the audience knows and a sprinkling of Easter eggs throughout.
The Episode Opening Establishes The Timeline
This scene was captured in Iron Man 2. In animation, the iconic shot of Tony Stark wearing an Iron Man suit and sitting in a doughnut sign for Randy’s Donuts is recreated. Even though Fury’s lines are reconstructed here, scenes diverge when Natasha tries to inject Tony.
The episode takes place during Fury’s Big Week.
Many fans of the original MCU will have likely already dissected the films repeatedly to create a timeline for the main continuity. This episode proves that “Fury’s Big Week”, popularly known, is true. The events of Thor and Iron Man 2 take place within the same seven days. However, here they get a new chapter in the multiverse.
The timeline is established by iconic scenes from each movie, like Tony at the doughnut shop. All scenes from the movie, such as Coulson calling Fury to inquire about Thor’s Hammer, Thor sneaking into confinement, Hawkeye having Thor in their sights, and Thor calling Fury about Fury’s hammer, are recreated. The confrontation with General Ross and the subsequent fight scene is also recreated from The Incredible Hulk.
Betty Ross
Betty Ross makes her MCU debut since 2008’s Incredible Hulk. Fans have been wondering when she will return to the MCU. However, Liv Tyler, who played a role in live-action, does not return to voice her. Stephanie Panisello is now her voice.
Betty’s look was modelled after her 2008 movie performance. During the scene where Bruce’s father and troops chase her, she is wearing the same outfit.
Rumlow leads SHIELD’s Detention Team
When SHIELD agents take Black Widow into custody, there is at least one familiar face among them. Brock Lumlow, AKA Crossbones, is one of the more senior agents who ride upfront to supervise.
He also told Natasha that Pierce could “spin her stories.” He is referring to Alexander Pierce, a SHIELD official who reveals that he is leading Hydra agents within the agency. Rumlow, as well as most of his agents, are Hydra operatives. Black Widow’s time in SHIELD could have turned out very differently if she had made it to the interrogation.
Coulson’s Password
Black Widow is released from SHIELD custody and visits Betty Ross. She also maintains contact with Fury, Phil Coulson, and other members of the SHIELD team. Coulson would later witness the formation and lead Agents Of SHIELD. He’s still an agent who works closely alongside Fury, Clint Barton and Natasha.
Natasha has to have SHIELD files accessible. She doesn’t have the clearance to do so since she is on the run. So she asks Coulson for his password, and he agrees to let her in. His password is #stevestevesteveiheartsteve0704. This is a nod towards Steve Rogers, which many fans will recognize. Coulson is his greatest fan. He even collects his trading cards. Steve’s birthday is the 0704 in this sequence.
Captain Marvel
CaptainMarvel makes an appearance at the end of the episode when Fury clarifies that not all of his list of candidates for the Avengers Initiative have been wiped out. She’s been teased before, however.
Fury pulls out a beeper when he considers calling for assistance earlier in the episode. The same beeper Fury used to call her in the movies he uses to reach her. However, she appears to arrive on Earth much faster in 2008 than in 2008.
