Re-Porter Blog SMS 2022: Special Doctor Strange Pre-Release Post

 

Who knew an egotistical neurosurgeon from New York and an orphaned girl from a war-torn country would play such a significant part in saving half the universe. As heroic as their escapades were, the events that transpired after the blip have further shaped these two Avengers in monumental ways ahead of their eventual reuniting this weekend in Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In anticipation of the film’s release tonight, I wanted to take a look back at the events that have occurred since they were introduced to us just a few years ago and where they could potentially be headed as they travel into the multiverse for their new mission.

Dr. Stephen Strange has always been somebody who’s been in control wherever he goes. But once he gets into a near-fatal car accident, his entire worldview changes. Grappling with this newfound physical and psychological obstacle, Strange must now put his ego aside and do something for the betterment of the known world. His victory over Dormammu was a huge stepping stone for his character as he proved that he can be selfless and do what was necessary to protect humanity and be the safeguarder of the time stone. 

We see a pretty decent glimpse of that when he seeks out Tony Stark after having Bruce Banner crash through the sanctum to warn him of the impending arrival of Thanos. On multiple occasions, he elects to keep the time stone in his possession even though it makes him an obvious target for Thanos’ underlings and Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian. After being rescued from Maw en route to the planet Titan, Strange makes it clear that he will not hesitate to sacrifice the lives of his saviors Peter Parker and Tony Stark in order to keep the time stone out of Thanos’s hands. It’s his understanding of the greater good that shapes his resolve and determination to do what’s necessary to protect humanity. 

However, he has a slight change of heart after using the stone to view the over 14 million scenarios where he, Peter, Tony, Starlord, Drax, and Mantis successfully defeat Thanos. Despite the surface-level observation that Tony made upon watching in horror as Strange gives up the time stone, it was all part of Steven’s role to preserve humanity and bring about the best scenario. For the world to be saved, Stark must survive. It was this sacrifice that was instrumental in ensuring that all of the Avengers that were snapped out of existence return for the final climactic battle against Thanos and his army. When it came down to the last moment it was his decision to ensure that Tony survived that was actually key in the victory against the mad titan. Strange exemplifies sacrifice and doing things for the greater good which has made him one of the most important members of the Avengers. 

However, despite his ability and willingness to put his life on the line for the greater good, there is still that slight pettiness and ego that he exudes over the next few years following him becoming the sorcerer supreme. This couldn’t be shown more vividly than when he was visited by Peter Parker not long after the battle at Avengers HQ. Despite protest from Wong, who currently holds the title of sorcerer supreme due to a technicality, Strange goes out of his way to try and help Peter with his problem of his identity being exposed. Though everything is smooth sailing, in the beginning, the spellcasting descends into chaos upon Peter’s desire to maintain the life he no longer is able to have. This of course leads to a rift within the multiverse with various Spider-Man villains from other universes descending on earth 616. After several setbacks and with some assistance from alternate versions of Peter Parker, Strange is able to prevent a cataclysmic event involving a multiversal cross rip. It does, however, come at the cost of redoing the spell and erasing all memories of Peter Parker, a man who just like him put his life on the line to save half the universe. With the crisis averted, Stephen Strange prevents a disastrous encounter with the multiverse..for now. 

Orphaned at a young age along with her brother Pietro, Wanda Maximoff is the definition of a survivor. Experimented on by Hydra, she became the ultimate weapon against the Avengers until she and her brother switch sides upon learning of the destructive nature of Ultron. With bravery and valor, Wanda and her brother were able to assist the avengers in saving the citizens of Segovia. Unfortunately, her brother was not so lucky as he was killed in the line of duty by Ultron. 

It’s a heavy blow for somebody who is already lost so much but hope comes in the form of the android Vision. Together they share a sweet and heartfelt connection that eventually blossoms into romance following the destructive events in Germany. When Vision becomes the target of the black order, Wanda is desperate to protect her lover although his possession of the mind stone is of high value to Thanos. For Wanda, Vision represents the best glimmer of happiness and normalcy she has felt since she was young. Tragically, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life by destroying Vision and the mind stone to prevent Thanos from acquiring it. Though she is successful, her grief is quickly amplified upon seeing Thanos use the time stone to bring vision and the stone back to life and seeing him be destroyed upon Thanos ripping it from his head. 

Five years later, after helping the Avengers defeat Thanos once and for all (Including her almost single-handedly defeating him). Wanda descends on the town of Westview. Through her grief and sorrow, she manifests an entire reality where she and a created version of Vision can live peacefully and happily. Unfortunately, this peaceful life is not so peaceful for those unlucky to be in the vicinity of the hex. With thousands trapped within Wanda's reality, this paradise is anything but. The town of Westview becomes a place of nightmares within Wanda's dream.

 As her hold on her happy ending starts to slip, Wanda's descent into desperation and madness increases. When one of her neighbors is revealed to be the witch named Agatha Harkness, things take an even more traumatic turn. Desperate to discover how Wanda created all of this, Agatha forces Wanda to relive her childhood trauma by going through a series of "reruns" to pinpoint the source of her powers. From a certain perspective, it is indicated that Wanda already had powers before her encounter with the mind stone. Her encounter with the infinity stone only amplifying them. 

Determined to fight for her home, she fights back against Agatha and officially adopts the moniker of the Scarlet Witch, an ancient being capable of chaos magic whose powers rival that of the sorcerer supreme. Now ready to move on from her past and begin a phase of her life beginning with understanding this new power she has. 

Not long after the Westview incident, Stephen has an alarming warning pertaining to the multiverse. He seeks out Wanda for her assistance hoping to find answers to the coming threat. Only time will tell if this collaboration will bring an end to the threat...or the emergence of something sinister.

The stage is set for one explosive cinematic adventure. Enjoy the movie everyone!!! Have a MARVELOUS weekend!!!!