History YMMV / WhatIfS1E4WhatIfDoctorStrangeLostHisHeartInsteadOfHisHands

*** This particular episode itself is a "What If...?" style episode in its own way. It all begins with one simple decision and the particular events that follow are shown as an alternate timeline to the series continuity with events taking place differently. This timeline is then pruned in a sense as the mistake that began this reality was fixed, preventing the "Bad Future" from happening.

** Fandom commentary has also noted that, thematically, Stephen's obsessive fear and attempt to rescue his beloved, even falling to [[FaceHeelTurn the darker arts]] doing so (and [[PyrrhicVillainy ironically causing]] [[AllForNothing irreversible damage to everyone]]), is akin to Anakin Skywalker's fall to the Dark Side in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''.

* AccidentalAesop: Listen to your friends when they say "Bro, she's not worth it."

* EpilepticTrees: When the release of the first ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' trailer shortly before this episode got a lot of fans saying Dr. Strange seemed somewhat out-of-character in his casual willingness to change time for Peter, it became a popular theory that it's actually the Strange from this episode. Strange Supreme doesn't appear during the events of that movie, but a Strange Supreme variant (it's currently ambiguous if it's the same variant featured here) ''does'' show up in the teaser for ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'', which plays at the very end of ''No Way Home''.

* HarsherInHindsight: The episode was released two days before ''Film/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings'', due to the latter being delayed by the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic. This coincidental release highlights a tragic parallel between this timeline's Strange and the villain of ''Shang-Chi'', Wenwu, as both characters resort to dark power and are willing to risk the safety of their entire dimension [[LoveMakesYouEvil to bring back a lost loved one]].

* AlternateAesopInterpretation: Some fans and even reviews took the episode to be a meta-narrative with a message about Stuffed Into The Fridge being a lazy and offensive plot device, until it's [[DeconstructedTrope literally presented here as the worst thing that can possibly happen in a story]].

*** This particular episode itself is a "What If...?" style episode in its own way. It all begins with one simple decision and the particular events that follow :are shown as an alternate timeline to the series continuity with events taking place differently. This timeline is then pruned in a sense as the mistake that began this reality was fixed, preventing the "Bad Future" from happening.

* EpilepticTrees: When the release of the first ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' trailer shortly before this episode got a lot of fans saying Dr. Strange seemed somewhat out-of-character in his casual willingness to change time for Peter, it became a popular theory that it's actually the Strange from this episode. While Strange Supreme doesn't appear during the events of that movie, he ''does'' show up in the teaser for ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'', which plays at the very end of ''No Way Home''.

*** Seems to be the former option as of the end of the first season - when [[spoiler:[[Recap/WhatIfS1E8WhatIfUltronWon Infinity Ultron similarly senses the Watcher]], Strange Supreme is the first on the list for Uatu to ask for help, implying that Uatu views him as a match for Ultron due to his similar ability to sense things outside of his home universe.]]

* EpilepticTrees: When the release of the first ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' trailer shortly before this episode got a lot of fans saying Dr. Strange seemed somewhat out-of-character in his casual willingness to change time for Peter, it became a popular theory that it's actually the Strange from this episode. [[spoiler:While Strange Supreme doesn't appear during the events of that movie, he ''does'' show up in the teaser for ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'', which plays at the very end of ''No Way Home''.]]

** In terms of the motivation behind his actions, it could be argued that Strange Supreme is similar to Gabriel Agreste in ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug''. With him too trying to desperately bring back a loved one (albeit, not from complete death) by trying to seize a great power and in one episode of the series, "[[Recap/MiraculousLadybugS03E22CatBlanc Cat Blanc]]", [[spoiler:[[AllForNothing his desperation brought about the destruction of Paris and all the citizens living there,]] Except for the one who caused it, his corrupted son.]]
*** This particular episode itself is a "What If...?" style episode in its own way. It all begins with one simple decision and the particular events that follow [[spoiler:are shown as an alternate timeline to the series continuity with events taking place differently. This timeline is then pruned in a sense as the mistake that began this reality was fixed, preventing the "Bad Future" from happening.]]

* EpilepticTrees: When the release of the first ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' trailer shortly before this episode got a lot of fans saying Dr. Strange seemed somewhat out-of-character in his casual willingness to change time for Peter, it became a popular theory that it's actually the Strange from this episode.

** While Creator/BenedictCumberbatch had portrayed Doctor Strange well in previous MCU projects, this episode really allows him to tap into a range of emotions to really make viewers feel invested in Strange Supreme. His genuine desperation to save Christine and his subsequent fall into madness can be heard in his voice throughout the entire episode, and his cries of anguish and regret at the end made people truly feel for the poor doctor. Considering most of the MCU actors don't do much voice work (many thought Creator/SebastianStan in particular phoned in his lines in the first episode), Cumberbatch gave a surprisingly moving performance. Though Cumberbatch has done voice work previously both [[Film/TheHobbit in film]] and [[Radio/CabinPressure on radio]]

* AlternateAesopInterpretation: Some fans and even reviews took the episode to be a meta-narrative with a message about StuffedIntoTheFridge being a lazy and offensive plot device, until it's [[DeconstructedTrope literally presented here as the worst thing that can possibly happen in a story]].

* StrangledByTheRedString: One of the most common criticisms of the episode is the argument that Strange and Palmer's relationship came out of nowhere since they weren't even an OfficialCouple in his solo movie and she wasn't even mentioned in subsequent films. The series is relying on audiences being able to accept that in this timeline they are deeply in love. Some accept it and consider a fine example of economical storytelling, while others find it jarring and confusing because it contradicts the original film.

*** This particular episode itself is a "What If...?" style episode in it's own way. It all begins with one simple decision and the particular events that follow [[spoiler:are shown as an alternate timeline to the series continuity with events taking place differently. This timeline is then pruned in a sense as the mistake that began this reality was fixed, preventing the "Bad Future" from happening.]]

*** Finally, the titular villain of the episode, Cat Blanc ([[OOCIsSeriousBusiness a turned evil and corrupted version of Adrien Agreste/Cat Noir]]) wants to achieve what his father tried to achieve and seize the greater power to rectify the destruction he caused. Unaware that there is a better way of fixing it. In a fit of anger, [[SuicidalCosmicTemperTantrum he even threatens to bring about his universe's end to get what he wants as well]]. Unlike Strange Supreme however, he is prevented from doing so.

** While Creator/BenedictCumberbatch had portrayed Doctor Strange well in previous MCU projects, this episode really allows him to tap into a range of emotions to really make viewers feel invested in Strange Supreme. His genuine desperation to save Christine and his subsequent fall into madness can be heard in his voice throughout the entire episode, and his cries of anguish and regret at the end made people truly feel for the poor doctor. Considering most of the MCU actors don't do much voice work (many thought Creator/SebastianStan in particular phoned in his lines in the first episode), Cumberbatch gave a surprisingly moving performance. Though Cumberbatch has done voice work previousl both [[[Film/TheHobbit in film]] and [[Radio/CabinPressure on radio]]

** While Creator/BenedictCumberbatch had portrayed Doctor Strange well in previous MCU projects, this episode really allows him to tap into a range of emotions to really make viewers feel invested in Strange Supreme. His genuine desperation to save Christine and his subsequent fall into madness can be heard in his voice throughout the entire episode, and his cries of anguish and regret at the end made people truly feel for the poor doctor. Considering most of the MCU actors don't do much voice work (many thought Creator/SebastianStan in particular phoned in his lines in the first episode), Cumberbatch gave a surprisingly moving performance.

*** In terms of the motivation behind his actions, it could be argued that Strange Supreme is similar to Gabriel Agreste in WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug. With him too trying to desperately bring back a loved one (albeit, not from complete death) by trying to seize a great power and in one episode of the series, "[[Recap/MiraculousLadybugS03E22CatBlanc Cat Blanc]]", [[spoiler:[[AllForNothing his desperation brought about the destruction of Paris and all the citizens living there,]] Except for the one who caused it, his corrupted son.]]

*** Finally, the titular villain of the episode, Cat Blanc ([[OOCIsSeriousBusiness a turned evil and corrupted version of Adrien Agreste/Cat Noir]]) wants to acheive what his father tried to acheive and seize the greater power to rectify the destruction he caused. Unaware that there is a better way of fixing it. In a fit of anger, [[SuicidalCosmicTemperTantrum he even threatens to bring about his universe's end to get what he wants as well]]. Unlike Strange Supreme however, he is prevented from doing so.

*** In terms of the motivation behind his actions, it could be argued that Strange Supreme is similar to Gabriel Agreste in WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug. With him too trying to desperately bring back a loved one (albeit, not from complete death) by trying to seize a great power and in one episode of the series, "[[Recap/MiraculousLadybugS03E22CatBlanc Cat Blanc]]", [[spoiler:his desperation brought about the destruction of Paris and all the citizens living there, Except for the one who caused it, his corrupted son.]]
*** This particular episode itself is a "What If...?" style episode in it's own way. It all begins with one simple decision and the particular events that follow [[spoiler:are shown as an alternate timeline to the series continuity with events taking place differently. This timeline is then pruned in a sense as the mistake that began this reality was fixed, preventing the "Bad Future" from happening.]]

** Fandom commentary has also noted that, thematically, Stephen's obsessive fear and attempt to rescue his beloved, even falling to [[FaceHeelTurn the darker arts]] doing so (and [[PyrrhicVillainy ironically causing]] [[AllForNothing irreversible damage to everyone]]), is akin to Anakin Skywalker's fall to the Dark Side in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''.

* AlternateAesopInterpretation: Some fans and even reviews took the episode to be a meta-narrative with a message about StuffedIntoTheFridge being a lazy and offensive plot device, until it's literally presented here as the worst thing that can possibly happen in a story.

** While Creator/BenedictCumberbatch had portrayed Doctor Strange well in previous MCU projects, this episode really allows him to tap into a range of emotions to really make viewers feel invested in Strange Supreme. His genuine desperation to save Christine and his subsequent fall into madness can be heard in his voice throughout the entire episode, and his cries of anguish and regret at the end made people truly feel for the poor doctor.

** While Creator/BenedictCumberbatch had portrayed Doctor Strange well in previous MCU projects, this episode really allows him to tap into an range of emotions to really make viewers feel invested in Strange Supreme. His genuine desperation to save Christine and his subsequent fall into madness can be heard in his voice throughout the entire episode, and his cries of anguish and regret at the end made people truly feel for the poor doctor.

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped: Sure, it is tragic that Christine Palmer dies in this universe, but when all options at preventing said death fail, the appropriate thing to do is ''move on'', because wallowing in grief for the past will cause you to either destroy ''yourself'' or [[ItMakesSenseInContext ALL OF REALITY.]] Really, Strange Supreme would have done well to follow the following line from ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'':
--> '''Rocket Raccoon:''' I don't ''care'' if it's mean: '''Everybody's''' got dead people! But it makes no excuse to letting everyone else around get killed along the way!