In Review: Marvel’s What If…? (S1 – EP4) What If… Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?

Synopsis: This week flips the script on the origin of Dr. Strange and asks what would have happened if he’d lost his heart instead of his hands.

The Story

While driving to an event to celebrate his latest surgical achievement. Dr. Strange is joined by the love of his life Christine when tragedy strikes. While trying to evade a head-on collision with another vehicle. He pulls off a dramatic maneuver and manages to avoid what would be a fatal crash. However, fate proves a cruel mistress as another car crashes into Strange’s rear bumper and runs him off the road. The accident kills Christine instantly and a heartbroken Steven Strange survives with no physical harm.

However, the psychological effects of a tragic personal loss get fully explored. As we see The Sorceror Supreme become the Avenger we know, but he is driven by loss and a need to try and bring his love back. This sees him try to change the timeline in order to have a different outcome. But his every attempt ends with the death of Christine.

So, we wind up journeying with Dr. Strange to the very beginning of time itself, which if changed could mean the end of the world as we know it.

Voice Acting

Benedict Cumberbatch reprises his role as the good Doctor turned sorcerer and gets to give us a completely different take. This version of the character initially seems much more likable. He starts off less arrogant than the Dr Strange we see in the movie. The scenes involving Christine (Rachel McAdams) really help sell the good Doctor’s more caring side. This isn’t really a side we got to see from him in the movie. As that version of the character was more driven by ego.

We also see Tilda Swinton and Benedict Wong reprise their roles as The Ancient One and Wong. So it’s pretty much the whole cast from the movie version, which is brilliant to see.

Overall

I really enjoyed this take on the character and thought the battle between the two different versions of Strange at the end was brilliantly done. I also enjoyed how it touched on examining how powerful the feeling of loss can be. As well as how it can completely envelop you if you refuse to deal with it. Overall. This is my favorite episode of What If…? thus far. Not really a surprise given that I sort of like the less prominent characters from the MCU.