In the whimsical and chaotic world of Marvel's "What If…?" Season 3, Episode 4, titled "What If…Howard the Duck Got Hitched?", we delve into an alternate reality where the lives of Darcy Lewis and Howard the Duck become intertwined, leading to an interspecies romance and the birth of a cosmic child. This episode, set in the same timeline as "What If...?" Season 1's episode featuring "Party Thor" in a reality where Thor was an only child, takes us on a wild ride through the MCU's most bizarre and unexpected corners.
The episode opens with Howard and Darcy, now a married couple, living on Earth, a planet transformed by the confluence of human and alien cultures following Thor's intergalactic party. Their tranquil life is disrupted when they receive an invitation to the Grandmaster's cruise, which quickly turns into a trap. The Grandmaster's true intention is to use their unhatched child as the main course for his guests. When the Ravagers, led by Yondu, steal the egg, Howard and Darcy embark on a desperate pursuit to retrieve their child, leading to a series of encounters with various MCU characters.
As Darcy and Howard follow the trail of their abducted egg, they learn from S.H.I.E.L.D., now including Skrulls as official agents, that their child is believed to hold immense cosmic power due to its birth on the day of the Convergence. This cosmic event, where all nine realms overlap, has attracted the attention of multiple factions, each seeking to control the child's potential.
The duo's journey takes them to Knowhere, where they find Kaecilius, the villain from Doctor Strange, who has taken over the Collector's post. Kaecilius plans to use the child as a vessel for Dormammu, aiming to give the cosmic entity a physical form. A battle ensues between S.H.I.E.L.D., Kaecilius, and his followers, with Darcy and Howard narrowly rescuing their egg.
As the conflict escalates, a host of MCU antagonists, including Loki, Laufey, Zeus, the Grandmaster, Kaecilius, Malekith, and even Thanos, converge on Jotunheim, each with their own designs on the egg. In a corner, Howard and Darcy sing "I Was Made For Lovin’ You Baby" by Kiss, which triggers the egg to unleash a burst of cosmic energy, destroying their enemies.
In the aftermath, the egg hatches, revealing a cherub-like being named Byrdie, who quickly becomes a sleeping infant in Darcy's arms. Nick Fury, acknowledging his mistake in trying to separate the child from its parents, assures the couple of their capability to raise their powerful child. With S.H.I.E.L.D.'s departure, Loki and a reformed Laufey offer the Ducks a place in Jotunheim, but Howard and Darcy choose to return to Earth.
The episode concludes with the implication that Byrdie, an original character with cosmic powers, will play a role alongside Captain Carter and Kahhori in future MCU narratives. Given Nick Fury's witnessing of Byrdie's powers, it's speculated that he may seek to recruit her into the Avengers, with the approval of her parents, of course. This alternate reality, where a human and an alien duck not only coexist but also raise a child with extraordinary abilities, showcases the limitless potential of the MCU's multiverse and the heartwarming bonds that can form across the stars.