SPOILERS! How 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Influenced Doctor Strange In 'Multiverse of Madness'
A great case of character development.
WARNING! SPOILERS for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has finally hit theatres, and fans are loving it. One of the new key character relationships in the film is between Strange and America Chavez, a teenage girl with the ability to punch holes in reality and travel between universes, whom he must protect from a Darkhold-corrupted Scarlet Witch desperate to reclaim her children.
For most of the film, America lacks control over her powers, which seem to only activate when she is afraid. Some fans believe the method in which Strange encourages America to ultimately take control is cheesy and a bit of a cop out. However, a new theory links Strange's behaviour towards America to his relationship with Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home, claiming that it actually speaks to Strange's character development, including why 616 Strange is different from his variants.
Their sacrifice means more than their lives!
As any Marvel fan is well aware of by now, things go wrong early in Spider-Man: No Way Home when Doctor Strange attempts a spell intended to make the world forget that Peter Parker is Spider-Man. Having failed to hash out the specifics before they begin, Peter repeatedly interrupts Strange during the casting of the spell, which Strange must then halt when it becomes unstable. Unfortunately, he is too late to stop a weakening of the barrier between universes, with the failed spell drawing various villains from Sony's Spider-Man films into the MCU.
Strange recruits Peter, Ned, and MJ to capture the villains so they can be sent home. At first on board with the plan, Peter develops doubts when he learns that the villains are all destined to die fighting their universe's Spider-Man, and wonders whether something else may be done to change their fate. However, Strange is adamant that sending the villains home as soon as possible is the only safe option. Peter, now unwilling to accept this, leaves Strange trapped in the Mirror Dimension while he forges ahead with a new plan to cure the villains various evil ailments and give them a chance at a future.
Peter's Plan Works.. and Strange sees it working
During the climactic battle of No Way Home, a very annoyed Doctor Strange is accidentally released from the Mirror Dimension by Ned. Before he can get too upset, MJ directs Strange's attention to the fact that for the most part, Peter's plan has worked. Most of the villains have been cured.
Strange is clearly surprised by this, but also a little bit impressed. While things sadly do go wrong again shortly after this, some fans believe that seeing Peter Parker/Spider-Man back himself and come out on top may have proven to Strange that he does not always know best, and possibly had some influence on his choices regarding the fate of America Chavez in Multiverse of Madness.
Strange makes a different choice to his variant
Multiverse of Madness opens with a Doctor Strange variant known as Defender Strange fleeing from a demon with America Chavez as they try to reach the mystical book of Vishanti. With the demon gaining on them, Defender Strange decides that he has no other choice but to take America's power for his own, as he could control it while she could not. Unfortunately, this process would kill America. Before he can accomplish this task, Defender Strange is killed, and a frightened America accidentally transports herself to the main MCU, now officially designated as Earth-616.
During the film's climax, Wong encourages Strange to take America's power before the Scarlet Witch can obtain it. Instead, Strange encourages America to believe in herself, as despite supposedly lacking control, she had always got them to where they needed to be. Boosted by his belief in her, America is able to send Wanda right where she needs to go in order to realise and confront what she has become.
The Right kind of Strange
In the above moment, Strange was able to show what he had learned from his experience with Spider-Man, and used that knowledge to bring about a better outcome for America Chavez. He is still a little arrogant, as most Stranges tend to be. But he is aware enough to accept that he does not always know best. The option that puts all the power and responsibility in his hands is not the only option.
In this, the Doctor Stephen Strange of Earth-616 proves why he is different, perhaps better, than his variants, and his universe may just be better off for it.
About the Creator
Kristy Anderson
Passionate About all things Entertainment!
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