REVIEW: What If…? Season 1, Episode 7 “What If… Thor Were an Only Child?”

 

Plot Summary

In What If Season 1 Episode 7 What If Thor Were an Only Child, we explore the alternate reality of what would have happened if Thor had been an only child. After exploring his new home and meeting his new friends, Thor discovers that his mother was kidnapped by a mysterious figure. Thor and his newfound allies must team up to save his mother from the clutches of the mysterious figure, while also dealing with the consequences of what the alternate reality has to offer.

Introduction

In the seventh episode of Marvel’s animated series “What If…?”, Thor faces a potential timeline drastically different from the one that fans are familiar with. After reclaiming Mjolnir, an alternate version of Loki sends Thor back in time to when his mother gives birth to him, trapping him in a never-ending cycle and preventing him from being born. With help from Jane Foster and Loki, Thor discovers he must find a way to break the time loop and have his mother give birth to him if he is ever to reclaim his throne on Asgard. Will Thor be able to break this time loop and prevent an eternity of destruction or will his quest lead to chaos?

Thor’s Backstory

In this episode, Thor’s backstory is explored. It is revealed that his father, Odin, adopted him from a powerful family in Asgard named the Valkyries. In his youth he was a brave and powerful fighter who could not control his temper. After proving himself too reckless for Odin’s battles against the Frost Giants, Thor was sent away to hone his skills with other gods in Midgard (our Earth). With time and experience in Midgard, Thor learns humility and craftiness to complement his strength and ferocity. This ultimately helps him become the leader of the Avengers once he returns home to Asgard. Along with Thor’s upbringing, viewers get an intimate look at his relationship between his adoptive brother Loki and the reason Loki despised Thor so much. Throughout the episode we are also presented with different hypothetical scenarios showing us what could have been if certain events had transpired differently in Asgard’s past that would have changed everyone’s lives as we know them now.

Thor’s Decision

In this episode of “What If”, Thor must travel to the Parallel Dimension to take his place as an only child. He sees Midgard in chaos without him and his team to help protect it, as well as a future Asgard that has grown poorer and more desperate under Hela’s rule. However, an alternate version of his brother Loki reveals himself and offers Thor the chance to return home if he keeps him alive in the Parallel Dimension. This offer leads Thor to make a difficult decision between keeping the peace on Midgard or staying with his beloved family. After receiving counsel from several mentors in the form of Odin, Heimdall, Valkyrie, Doctor Strange and Mjolnir, Thor ultimately decides to return home and become part of the team again. While this decision may seem like a victory for Loki at first glance, it ultimately results in both brothers agreeing to work together as equals in order to restore balance and peace throughout both realities.

Character Analysis

The seventh episode of the first season of What If, “What If Thor Were an Only Child?”, explored interesting character dynamics between Thor and his siblings. The episode explored the idea of what would happen if Thor had no siblings, be they biological or adopted. The episode featured several core characters, including Thor, Loki, Hela, Odin and Sif, and also introduced new characters, including a mysterious female figure. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the characters in this episode and how they develop throughout the story.

Thor

Thor is portrayed as a strong and proud character with a strong sense of justice, who is dedicated to ensuring the safety of his people. He also displays a strong loyalty towards his friends, family, and Asgardians as he consistently shows himself to be ready to protect them. Thor is dedicated to following his father’s wishes and being an ideal leader for Asgard’s people.

Thor has shown that he possesses superhuman strength and durability due to being half human which grants him enhanced strength. Thor also has access to various weapons including Mjolnir which grants him the power of lightning and divine energy which gives him the ability of power manipulation. He also has access to ODT runes which grant him mystical abilities like teleportation, astral projection and dimensional travel. Thor’s fighting skills are extraordinary levels due to having trained with many warriors such as Sif, his mother Frigga and Odin himself.

Thor also displays intelligence as he was able to outwit multiple opponents in episodes as well as in battle against Loki despite their vastly unbalanced power levels. Despite this, Thor’s greatest weapon is his unwavering dedication towards doing the right thing no matter where it may lead him or what challenges might present themselves in the path of justice.

Loki

In Season 1 Episode 7: What If Thor Were an Only Child, Loki is featured as the main antagonist. He appears as a scheming and power-hungry adopted brother of Thor and King Odin. Out of jealousy for his brother’s birthright and status, Loki schemes to gain control over Asgard. His plots have included creating illusions to manipulate people’s perceptions, manipulating magical powers and artifacts, and other devious methods.

By the end of the episode, it is clear that Loki still has not earned himself the respect he so desperately seeks from the people of Asgard. His actions are often interpreted as those of a child who wants attention and acceptance from his family, rather than someone solidifying his role as an ally to his adoptive father or brother. Despite an impressive array of powerful abilities at his command due to his Frost Giant heritage, he remains impatient and impulsive when it comes to claiming what he believes is rightfully his – power over Asgard.

Odin

Odin is the King of Asgard and also Thor’s adopted father. He is wise, powerful, benevolent, and kind. However, his lack of understanding and empathy for his sons leads to Thor being exiled from Asgard. Odin wants the best for both ofThor and Loki, but doesn’t take the time to understand their individual needs. By not taking the time to actually talk with them, he is unable to help guide them through their issues like he could have had he been more aware of their feelings. Through his negligence and misjudgment, Odin has unintentionally caused a rift between himself and Thor by sending him away without any consideration for how it would affect him emotionally or psychologically. Odin’s main fault is not listening to his children but his wisdom helped shaping Thor into who he has become today: a strong-willed hero who fights for justice in spite of immense personal cost.

Hela

Hela (Cate Blanchett), the Asgardian Goddess of Death, is Thor’s sister. She was once an ally to Odin and Asgard but she was cast out after Odin’s death and went on a quest for world domination. Hela has an immense amount of power and a desire to use it for her own purposes. She is ruthless, cruel, calculating and driven by her own ambitions. Her motivations are unknown but she is determined to reclaim what she believes is rightfully hers: the throne of Asgard. Despite her villainous nature, there are moments when we can see flashes of her former self as an advisor and friend to Thor.

Hela serves as an important antagonist in the show as she works against not only Thor, but also his allies Sif and Loki. She challenges them all in different ways, pushing them out of their comfort zones so they can grow as characters—and so that viewers will be more invested in their development arcs. Hela stands apart from other villains because of her complexity; while clearly driven by dark desires, she also has a softer side. This depth adds another layer to the storyline that viewers can explore further when watching season two of What If?

Themes

In “What If Thor Were Only Child,” the show explores the idea of what would have happened had Thor been an only child. This episode uses themes of family, responsibility, and power to explore the consequences of such a decision. The episode also delves into the idea of being alone and how it affects Thor’s outlook on life. We’ll take a look at these themes and how they are used throughout the episode.

Power and Responsibility

Power and Responsibility is the central theme in the seventh episode of REVIEW’s season one. In this episode, Jeff is given the opportunity to wrestle with this concept by being able to undo one major life-altering event, leaving his own family aside. He chooses to make Thor an only child instead of having Loki.

The question of what responsibilities should come with power is posed as Jeff must weigh his choice’s outcome between two people he considers brothers. The consequences are far-reaching, leading to even more questions about morality and a lack of certainty in decision making when world-altering outcomes seem equally desirable.

The concept of power and responsibility also speaks to Marvel’s larger universe: how does one work with power responsibly? Should rules be considered when utilizing strength? How do these decisions affect others around them? These questions have been explored throughout the show in different contexts, tying together overarching themes that carry through its narrative across different characters.

Family Dynamics

In episode 7 of What If, “What If Thor Were an Only Child”, the episode focuses on the family dynamics between Thor and his adoptive sibling. This includes exploring the difference between Thor’s feelings related to his own biological family and his feelings towards his adoptive Divine Aspect family. The episode goes into detail about how Thor feels different from others around him, even in Asgard despite being constantly accepted by them.

Thor is played by well-known actor Chris Hemsworth and he is joined by two promising rookies in this production: Rafe Spall who plays Surtur, a powerful Fire Demon and Malin Åkerman as Lady Sif The episode also introduces two new characters; Loki who becomes intensely jealous when faced with any attention given to Thor from their father Odin and Surterur who challenges Loki’s authority as a god.

The themes explored in this episode include themes such as family expectations; what gifts go with being part of a royal family, feelings of loneliness within a large group of people; learning that power can corrupt even individuals motivated by good intentions; trying to understand personal motivations behind selfishness or kindness, the importance of maintaining relationships regardless of differences and the need for our acceptance of those around us that are different from us. All these themes have been incorporated into this episode successfully making it one of one memorable series sketches which would leave viewers questioning their own moral ethics.

The Nature of Fate

The Nature of Fate is a major theme explored in the seventh episode of REVIEW: What If. Throughout the episode, protagonist Andrew attempts to challenge fate and defy the odds stacked against him. He believes that it is possible to alter destiny, and decides to do whatever he can to create an improved future for himself and his loved ones. However, as episodes go by and his plans fail,Andrew begins to question whether fate truly exists. The show tackles this complex concept through visual storytelling and dialogue between Andrew, Thor and others characters around him. On a meta-level, the philosophical discussion about whether we possess free will or are subject to predetermined outcomes resonates deeply with viewers in our highly regulated society. Ultimately, this thought-provoking exploration of the Nature of Fate leaves a lasting impression on audience members long after the credits roll.

Conclusion

The seventh episode of the Marvel Cinematic Universe web series What If…? has concluded its first season with a heartwarming tale of family and heroism. At its core, the episode was a reflection on the impact one person can make in the lives of those around them. Thor’s relationship with his siblings was highlighted as a source of strength and support, prompting the question of what would have happened if Thor had been an only child. The conclusion of the episode was ultimately that Thor’s impact on those around him would have been greatly diminished.

Reflection on the Episode

The seventh episode of What If Season 1 follows the storyline of what would have happened if Thor was an only child. This thought-provoking concept leads audiences to contemplate the significance of family ties and trust as well as the strength of an individual’s moral values.

The episode begins with a situation in which Odin, hankering after more power, considers taking a shortcut in order to gain what he desires. In this instance, the King wants to trust his adviser and moves ahead without giving much consideration for its divine consequences. Unfortunately, due to Odin’s lapse of judgment, Thor is born without siblings and news that Thanos is on his way creates a dilemma for Asgard.

Throughout this episode, fans witness Thor struggle against this conflict alone whereas if he had siblings by his side it may have played out differently. To make matters worse, though trusted by Asgarders, it seems that Odin is still disinclined to lend an ear to Thor’s pleas for help – which makes it evident that family bonds are essential pillars needed in times of trouble.

This episode encourages one to think about our own lives – do we have individuals we can rely on; who support us? How far will we go when faced with a problem? Do our actions show our moral compass in truth? Reflecting on these factors encourages us to evaluate our relationships deeply and make sure we share them with trusted people who will not take advantage during difficult times. In conclusion, this episode teaches viewers that irrespective of how one confronts their difficulties they should always be aware of morality while doing so because its supernatural blessings will eventually become enlightening and elevate life circumstances over time .

The Impact of Thor’s Choice

The seventh episode of the series, “What If Thor Were an Only Child,” demonstrated how powerful and damaging a single decision can be. Thor’s decision to accept the task set by his father, Odin, drastically altered his relationship with his adopted brother Loki and threatened to rip the universe apart. It was a lesson in how seemingly small choices can have a huge impact and how fate is sometimes guided by our free will.

Thor’s actions resulted in the death of his father and brought to light weaknesses in all of the Avengers. Whilst it almost seemed impossible for them to find resolution, they ultimately worked together as a team to save Asgard. This episode also created an interesting dynamic between Loki and Thor as they both recognized their shared destiny while still maintaining their rivalry – ultimately proving that they both care deeply for each other despite their family differences.

In the end, Thor’s choice had great consequences with Asgard itself impacted by its new King’s decisions; yet it also drove home that challenging fate may produce positive results if we are willing to take risks. His choice initiated significant growth within himself as well as with his companions, resulting in meaningful changes across multiple lifetimes for all those connected – something that could not have been predicted at the start of this epic journey.