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If you haven’t seen Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, you may want to click away.
This story contains major spoilers from the plot of the film … Last Chance!!
OK, you’re still here, good! Let us continue….
Though Spider-Man didn’t physically appear in “Multiverse,” his impact from “No Way Home” could be felt, especially as it pertained to one Stephen Strange.
The usually cocky hero (Strange), who has shown a proclivity to lean towards the side of “the ends justify the means,” showed a major sign of change near the end of the film and can certainly thank Peter Parker for that.
Yes, yes … he did cast a spell at the end of “No Way Home” that made him forget Parker, yet it was clear by the end of “Multiverse of Madness” that Peter was still with him in spirit. Some things stay with you even though the memories aren’t there.
If you recall in “No Way Home,” Peter fights to save even villains from death, believing everyone deserves a second chance. He battles Strange in the film on this issue, with Strange telling Peter that Doc Ock and others dying in battle with Spider-Man is just their “fate.” Peter does not agree.
By the end of “No Way Home,” you see Strange feeling and being affected by the impact of Peter’s innate goodness and desire to help others, no matter who. This has clearly carried over to “Multiverse.”
While a variant of Strange was ready to kill America Chavez to begin the film to take her power and save the multiverse, this version of Strange would not during the film’s climax. He believed in her and not sacrificing one’s life for the greater good … sound familiar??
Whether Peter’s impact was subconscious because he doesn’t remember him, remains to be seen, but Strange was clearly a changed man. And isn’t that kind of change and growth what Marvel is known for with their characters?
Even when America offers herself up for the greater good at the end of “Multiverse,” Stephen says “No,” in a moment that feels very much Captain America-esque – i.e. – “We don’t trade lives.”
Strange has always been in the same vain as Tony Stark when it comes to the greater good theme, but after “No Way Home” and especially after the sacrifice Peter made to close that film out, Strange took this to heart … though, again, he may not be fully aware of it.
It’s a really incredible theme and amazing sign of Strange’s evolution as a hero and human being.
It’s also a great counter to the absolutely selfish and villainous character Wanda played throughout the film.
He may not have been there in person, but your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was certainly standing beside his friend Stephen in spirit at the end of “Multiverse of Madness.”
And that’s what Peter does and has done for 60+ years in the Marvel Universe, he entertains and inspires us all to be better.
