Let's Talk About the Marvel Multiverse: "What If...?" Discussion Summer Camp

The MCU started in 2008 and kicked off with Phase 4 following the Infinity Saga. The What If...? series brings back some older storylines adding one new event that changes the entire timeline of the universe when compared to the main one. 

Class 1: Initial introductions and a discussion of the MCU so far. We will discuss the Watcher who makes his first appearance in What If...? Who is he in the comics? What is his role, and why is he our guide through this series? Students will learn the term "butterfly effect" 
      Homework: Watch episode 1 and 2 of What If...? Prepare 2 talking points for class discussion

Class 2: Class will discuss the one thing that changed in this timeline that resulted in such a dramatic shift. How does this one thing change the story so much, and what might Captain Carter's world be like when she finds herself in present day? How does she compare to Captain America? In episode 2, T'Challa became Star Lord. How does T'Challa as Star Lord compare to Peter Quill? How was the universe completely changed by this, and why? How did this affect Wakanda? Is the Watcher an ethical being? Is his oath ethical? 
      Homework: Watch episode 3 and 4 and write 2-3 paragraphs on the butterfly effect

Class 3: Episode 3 was a bit of a murder mystery that killed off the Avengers before they could first come together (phase 1 timeline). Many things changed because of this which resulted in big consequences. Episode 4 had a universe-breaking conclusion. Why was Dr. Strange unable to change the events leading to Christine's death? In our universe, Christine was not in the car resulting in damage to his hands. Death is portrayed as unavoidable in many pop culture texts, but if Christine was meant to die, then why did she live in the timeline we know? What caused the universe to end? The Watcher has a specific purpose that needs to be followed, or else he will face consequences. Was the Watcher being unethical for not interfering? Is following orders always right?
      Homework: Watch episode 5

Class 4: Episode 5 looks into a zombie apocalypse world where the Avengers all still have their powers and are zombies with few survivors left. It takes place with the Hulk crash landing to warn people about Thanos, but finds that everyone is a zombie. This storyline is touched on in comic books, and alternate timelines exist as well. How might this play a role into the MCU further? What caused the zombies, and how would a zombie world look in the current timeline? 
      Homework: Watch episode 6 and 7 and prepare 3 talking points for discussion

Class 5: Episode 6 showed Killmonger getting what he wants, but what did this mean for the state of the MCU? How did we see this unfold? Why was he there when Iron Man was attack? Was he possibly there in the original timeline but just didn't cross paths with Tony? Episode 7 showed a more irresponsible Thor. Thor still knew Loki, but without Loki being adopted, no conflict was ever necessary for his character development. What time is this episode taking place? What about the ending? How does the ending fit in? How did audiences feel when they were watching weekly? Watching weekly changes viewers' experiences.
      Homework: Watch episode 8 and 9 

Class 6: Why was Ultron so successful? How do we unpack his rising to power? How was he able to defeat Thanos so easily? How does this version of the Watcher compare to the comics? Was his intervention absolutely necessary? If he had not intervened, would Ultron have destroyed the entire multiverse? What does this mean for the MCU? 
    Homework: Write 3 paragraphs on the Watcher. Were his actions right? Why?