Why Is Doctor Strange Destined To Always Crash?

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Marvel's What If...? episode 4.

Marvel's What If...? proves that even in another universe and no matter how hard he tried to avoid it, Doctor Strange's car crash is inevitable — why? Episode 4 of the Disney+ animated series revisits the events of the original Doctor Strange film, particularly the hero's accident. This time, however, instead of just losing his hands, he lost something far more precious, his love — Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams), one of several returning cast members in What If...? episode 4.

Introduced in the 2017 Scott Derrickson film, Stephen Strange was a world-renowned surgeon who was living his best life in New York City. However, while he was on his way to a gala, he's involved in a road accident. He did survive, but he lost the ability to use his hands to operate, essentially barring him from practicing on his field again. When his slow progress through physical therapy only frustrated him more, he ventured into more out-of-the-box ways to heal himself. This led him to seek the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) in Kamar-Taj after hearing that she's the answer to her question. Little did he know that this would lead him down a much different path as he's become a prominent member of the Master of the Mystic Arts.

In What If…? episode 4 Doctor Strange traverses a similar path. Despite losing Palmer, he still went on to become the protector of the Eye of Agamotto and the interim replacement of the Ancient One when she died. However, in an effort to resurrect his old flame, he uses the Time Stone to travel back in time to prevent his death. But, every single time, she always ends up dead. The Ancient One calls this a "fixed point," something that cannot be changed. Aside from this, however, one more thing that routinely happened was his car accident. It didn't matter whether he or she drives, or they take a different route, or he's extra careful. Every single time they hit the road, they get into a crash. This, too, is a "fixed point." Whether it's in the MCU's Sacred Timeline or a different universe, it was meant to be. The car in itself, with its flashy look and even more ostentatious doors symbolized his arrogance. Somehow, there's poetry to see it be the cause of his downfall.

Doctor Strange suffering the car crash was a humbling experience. When he lost the use of his hands, it marked the turning point in his life. Granted that he was averse to the change at first, having a difficult time accepting that his career in the medical field was essentially over. Ultimately, however, he learned that there's more to life than his job and the many luxuries it gave him. Just because that part of his story was over, doesn't mean that it's also the end of everything. Instead, it was only the beginning of his real arc as a sorcerer and eventually, the Sorcerer Supreme. The road accident was essential for him to find his true purpose.

The sorcerer's story ended on a tragic note in What If...?, but it doesn't mean that it's also going to be that way in the main MCU. Admittedly, Doctor Strange is still susceptible to making catastrophic mistakes as seen in the latest Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer. Hopefully, he learns the lessons he needs to in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to become the best Sorcerer Supreme that the Ancient One thought he would be.

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Marvel's What If...? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.