With decades of comics and a wide multiverse of characters to choose from, Marvel’s What If…? could easily create stories for several seasons without running out of material. In Season 2, Episode 6, titled “What If… Kahhori Reshaped the World?”, the series introduces a new character, Kahhori, portrayed by Devery Jacobs.
Kahhori is a young Indigenous girl from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, set in a time before colonization. Her character was specifically created for the show, making her debut bold and refreshing.
The decision to have most of the episode in the Mohawk language adds another layer of authenticity and cultural depth. But does this episode achieve what it sets out to do?
Introducing Kahhori in Marvel’s Multiverse
The story begins with The Watcher, a mysterious observer of the multiverse, setting the stage. He takes us back in time to a period long before Odin brought the Tesseract to Earth. After the events of Ragnarok in Asgard, the Tesseract lands in pre-Columbian America, becoming a central point of conflict.
The episode shifts entirely to the Mohawk language as we meet Kahhori and her brother, Wáhta, played by Kiawentiio. The two siblings sneak out of their village, ignoring warnings to stay away from an old battlefield. The battlefield is said to be cursed, but Kahhori dismisses this, arguing that the curse stems from the lack of proper cleansing rituals after the fighting.
As they show, Kahhori explains to Wáhta that the lake at the center of the battlefield holds immense power. According to her, people fought over the lake instead of uniting through its potential. Wáhta is skeptical, referencing stories of people entering the lake and never returning.
When they reach the lake, it appears underwhelming—a simple, tranquil pond with ducks floating on its surface. This anticlimax is interrupted by a gunshot, signaling the arrival of conquistadors. Realizing the danger, Kahhori and Wáhta rush back to their village, only to find it in flames and their people captured.
A Journey Through Sky World
As the conquistadors pursue them, Kahhori and Wáhta fall into a pit leading to a cavern system. Following the path, they discover a glowing lake infused with the Tesseract’s energy. The conquistadors, led by Don Rodrigo Alphonso Gonzolo, are ecstatic to find the source of the lake’s power.
When one of them corners Wáhta, Kahhori intervenes, distracting him with rocks. However, another conquistador shoots her, and she falls into the lake, transported through a portal to a place called Sky World.
Sky World is a mystical realm where the people and environment radiate with the Tesseract’s blue glow. Kahhori meets Atahraks, a young man who welcomes her and explains that the “blue light” has permeated everything in Sky World.
By living in this ecosystem and consuming its resources, the light has become part of the people themselves. Kahhori learns that the Tesseract’s landing in her ancestors’ lands had far-reaching consequences, triggering wars and transforming the lake into a powerful yet dangerous entity.
Determined to return home and save her village, Kahhori discovers that the portal back to her world is high up in the sky. Atahraks tries to dissuade her, suggesting that Sky World’s ageless existence is their true destiny. However, Kahhori remains resolute.
She attempts to climb the tallest tree to reach the portal but struggles. Atahraks advises her to connect with the spirit of the land for guidance, which helps her harness the Tesseract’s powers to leap further and manipulate her surroundings. Despite her progress, she fails to reach the portal and temporarily gives up.
The Conflict Intensifies
Meanwhile, back in Kahhori’s village, Gonzolo declares his intent to claim the lake as the Fountain of Youth in the name of Queen Isabella of Spain. He demands directions from the villagers, oblivious to the fact that they neither speak Spanish nor have any intention of helping him.
His impatience escalates when two conquistadors return with news of the lake’s location. In Sky World, Kahhori continues to hone her abilities. She joins a hunt for jewel-like fruits growing on the backs of massive, buffalo-like creatures. Despite initial doubts, Kahhori’s connection to the land allows her to succeed, outpacing the herd and using her powers to secure the fruits.
The conquistadors eventually go into the Tesseract-infused lake, hoping for immortality, only to be pulled beneath its surface. Gonzolo blames the tribe for this misfortune, ordering their capture to be taken back to Spain. Logic and justice have no place in his worldview, driven by arrogance and entitlement.
The conquistadors themselves are transported to Sky World, where they discover the tribe celebrating. True to their nature, they aim to disrupt the peace. Kahhori spots them and uses her powers to neutralize their weapons. Atahraks urges her to remain calm and resolve the conflict peacefully, but Kahhori’s frustration boils over when she notices one of the conquistadors wearing Wáhta’s necklace.
Changing History with Courage
Kahhori argues that the people of Sky World have stayed hidden for too long, despite their immense power. She believes they should use their abilities to protect their homeland rather than remain in isolation. Her determination allows her to pull the portal down from the sky, creating a path back to her world.
Encouraging the tribe to join her, she emphasizes the urgency of defending her people. Kahhori returns to her village and confronts the conquistadors, using her newfound powers to destroy their ships and free her people. Though she puts up a valiant fight, she is overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies.
Atahraks and the Sky World tribe arrive just in time, reinforcing her connection to the Tesseract and helping her defeat the remaining conquistadors.
But Kahhori’s journey doesn’t end there. She travels through a portal to Spain, confronting Queen Isabella in her court. Kahhori warns Isabella to leave her people alone. When Isabella arrogantly claims divine authority over Kahhori’s land, Kahhori uses her powers to destroy the queen’s throne, making it clear that resistance will be met with strength.
Celebrating Indigenous Representation
The episode stands out for its focus on an Indigenous hero and the Mohawk language. By centering Kahhori, Wáhta, and Atahraks, the story highlights Indigenous perspectives rather than viewing them through a colonial lens.
The collaboration with the Kanien’keháka (Mohawk Nation) adds authenticity to the narrative, ensuring that cultural elements are portrayed respectfully. Kahhori’s character embodies resilience, leadership, and a deep connection to her heritage, making her a memorable addition to the Marvel multiverse.
While the episode does not pretend to solve the systemic issues rooted in colonization, it offers a refreshing narrative that celebrates Indigenous culture and strength. It balances moments of joy, family, and triumph with the harsh realities of historical conflicts. Kahhori’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and the potential for Indigenous heroes to take center stage in mainstream media.
A Hopeful Future for Marvel’s What If…?
This episode is undoubtedly one of the most compelling in the series, showcasing the creative possibilities of the multiverse. It sets a high bar for future episodes, emphasizing the value of unique, culturally rich stories. With characters like Kahhori, Marvel has the opportunity to show narratives that celebrate diversity and challenge conventional storytelling.
As the episode concludes, Strange Supreme (Benedict Cumberbatch) makes a brief cameo, hinting at future adventures for Kahhori. This excites viewers for what’s to come in Season 3 and beyond. Kahhori’s journey may just be beginning, but her impact is already deeply felt, both within the Marvel universe and among audiences seeking meaningful representation on screen.
Summary
Marvel’s What If…? Season 2, Episode 6 introduces Kahhori, an Indigenous superhero created specifically for the series. The episode is set in the pre-colonial Haudenosaunee Confederacy and features the Mohawk language, adding cultural depth to the story.
The plot begins with the Tesseract falling to Earth, infusing a lake with its powers and sparking a conflict among local tribes. Kahhori and her brother, Wáhta, discover the lake’s secrets while their village falls under attack by Spanish conquistadors.
Fleeing their pursuers, the siblings stumble into Sky World, a magical realm powered by the Tesseract’s energy. Kahhori meets Atahraks, a young man who explains Sky World’s wonders and limitations.
Determined to save her people, Kahhori defies the tribe’s reluctance to leave their utopia and masters her newfound abilities. She eventually returns to Earth, using her powers to defeat the conquistadors and liberate her people.
Kahhori’s journey doesn’t end there. She confronts Queen Isabella of Spain, demanding the colonizers cease their invasions. When Isabella arrogantly asserts her divine right to rule, Kahhori uses her powers to destroy the Spanish throne, making a powerful statement against colonial arrogance.
This episode stands out for its focus on Indigenous culture, joy, and resilience. Centring Kahhori’s narrative avoids reducing Indigenous stories to colonial tragedy and highlights the richness of the Mohawk Nation.
The collaboration with Kanien’kehá:ka citizens ensures authenticity and respect for the culture portrayed. This bold, inspiring episode underscores the potential of Marvel’s What If…? to show unique perspectives, making it a standout entry in the series.
