The premiere of "What If…?" Season 2, titled "What If… Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?", dives headfirst into an alternate Marvel Universe where Nebula's destiny takes a dramatic turn. The episode opens with a dystopian Xandar, reminiscent of the cyberpunk world of Blade Runner, a stark contrast to the vibrant setting from the original "Guardians of the Galaxy". This Xandar is under a protective shield, isolating it from the rest of the universe, leading to a decaying society on its surface.
The narrative rewinds to a pivotal moment where Thanos is betrayed and killed by Ronan the Accuser, setting off a chain of events that lead to Nebula joining the Nova Corps. Rescued and recruited by Nova Prime, Nebula finds herself on a mission to defend Xandar from Ronan's attempted invasion. The invasion results in the planet being encased in a shield, which has had dire consequences for its inhabitants.
Nebula's journey takes a dark turn when she discovers Yondu Udonta's body in a desolate alley, shunned by her fellow Nova Corps members led by Garthan Saal. Tasked by Nova Prime to investigate Yondu's murder, Nebula uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the very existence of Xandar. At the crime scene, she finds Yondu's acoustic arrow, which contains enigmatic blueprints.
In pursuit of answers, Nebula ventures to an illicit casino operated by the eccentric Howard the Duck, where she encounters a motley crew including Korg as the bartender, Miek as a cook, and Groot as a dealer. Here, she learns that the blueprints detail an older mainframe core, crucial for its data, particularly the source codes governing Xandar's shield.
To infiltrate the mainframe, Nebula enlists the help of Yon-Rogg, a Kree Starforce member, in a daring prison break. After a thrilling escape, they gain access to the mainframe and the shield codes. However, Yon-Rogg double-crosses Nebula, stealing the codes and leaving her to die as the mainframe floods. Nebula narrowly escapes, only to uncover Yon-Rogg's true allegiance to Nova Prime, who has struck a deal with Ronan to deliver Xandar in exchange for power.
Battered but not broken, Nebula returns to Howard's bar, seeking assistance. With Howard and his team's help, Nebula arms herself with Yondu's arrow and mohawk, ready to thwart Nova Prime's treacherous plan. They storm the Nova Corps' headquarters, now under Nova Prime's control, in a high-stakes battle.
In a climactic confrontation, Nebula faces off against Nova Prime just as she begins to open the planetary shield. However, Nebula has a trump card: she had changed the security codes after Nova Prime's directive to solve Yondu's case "by any means necessary." This move seals Nova Prime's fate as the shield closes, destroying Ronan's approaching ship and ending his threat. Nova Prime is defeated in a brief but intense fight, falling to her doom.
"Episode 1: What If… Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?" is a thrilling start to the second season, offering a fresh perspective on Nebula's character and exploring the consequences of a single decision in the grand tapestry of the Marvel Universe. With its blend of action, intrigue, and unexpected alliances, this episode sets the stage for a season of imaginative storytelling.