Btw I rewatched Black Widow with my sister last night and I don't care what anyone says, that movie had the most terrifying villain in the MCU. "Taskmaster--", she wasn't the actual villain, she was a victim. You may complain over how it wasn't even Tony Masters, I get it, but that's not the point of the post. The villain was Dreykov. "But he's weak" oh yeah physically. He's not a purple alien or a crazy robot yeah. He's still terrifying. He was a human trafficker. He kidnapped little girls. He brainwashed them, he forcibly sterilized them, taking their choice of whether they wanted to be mothers or not —Natasha wanted kids, Yelena didn't but the point is the choice. He groomed them and turned them into killers, also had them trained into using seduction and sex as a weapon (you know what that probably means), literally chemically subjugated them so they couldn't even refuse. The ones who weren't useful enough for him or rebelled against him? He had them killed. He ruined thousands and thousands of lives.
He was a wealthy guy with huge political influence who viewed women as expendable resources to do his bidding and nothing else. Even his own daughter. So yeah, that's why I found him more terrifying than other villains. Because no purple alien with a gauntlet is going to come to kill people. But there are a lot of motherfuckers like Dreykov in real life. He's a realistic villain. That's why.
What If Season 3 - What If... the Red Guardian Stopped the Winter Soldier? Thoughts
"Now, think. Think back. What's the first thing you see?" Alexei Shostakov
"I see... I see... I see Coney Island." The Winter Soldier
"See! You are somebody. You are the Great Coney Island hero. And the Red Guardian is proud to fight next to you." Alexei Shostakov
Episode 3 was so peak. Alexei is so fun! I really wish we got a movie, a show, or something with him because he's such a fun character. His dynamic with Bucky is also pretty fun. We got so much lore about the assassination of Howard and Maria Stark. This is the last episode written by A.C. Bradley, and man I'm going to miss her writing and work in What If. Also, this episode was supposed to be in S2 (footage of it can be seen in S2's title sequences and the S2 finale fanfare) but was swapped out for the Corpsman Nebula episode which was supposed to be in S3.
Alexei's character in this episode is really great. He may be really enthusiastic about his belief in Communism and the Soviet Union, but it's clear he genuinely wants to do good. I really like how he isn't as dumb as he looks and how he sees the good and best in people. Someone also pointed out how since this is 1991, the USSR is on the verge of collapse, and Alexei thinks they will overthrow the US which shows how he was kept in the dark by his bosses about the USSR's deteriorating situation. Even Alexei realizes after he knows Dreykov and the Red Room are working with Capitalists that those at the top never truly cared about the ideals of the USSR as he did. I also find it funny that the What If situation possibly came that, What If Alexei stole the file of the Winter Soldier's assignment lmao. David Harbour was amazing casting for Alexei in the Black Widow movie and this episode continues to prove why it was perfect casting.
I really love how Dreykov and the Red Room knew about and was connected to HYDRA and the Winter Soldier. It makes me wonder if the Red Room's Sky Fortress was a HYDRA collaboration and the Red Room simply cut their ties with HYDRA after the Winter Soldier movie. While this doesn't fix my feelings about the Red Room's Sky Fortress, someone pointed out how HYDRA most likely covered up the Sky Fortress from SHIELD. This makes so much more sense than if the Sky Fortress was simply able to hide for so long because it was simply good at "hiding" lmao. I also liked how it pays off a fact from S2 Episode 2, Bucky as the Winter Soldier was used by the USSR. That's some great multiversal continuity there haha. I love the Red Room presence in this episode with Dreykov and the Red Room Task Force soldiers. Also, Antonia Dreykov being in the picture is pretty sad and dark given what happened to her and how Dreykov never truly cared about his own daughter.
I love to see Bill Foster in this episode and I love his suit from S2 Episode 2. It's just really nice to see Bill Foster as the hero Goliath since we never saw him in action before in the movies. Ranger Morales was also a fun new side-character for this episode.
The montage of Alexei and Bucky heading to the United States was perfect and funny with the major differences in their purpose and tone. When that Winter Soldier theme kicks in, I got the chills. I like that Alexei does have his morals, even if he says it's to spread Communism and the revolution, it shows how he doesn't tolerate the work HYDRA is doing. It's really funny seeing Alexei quip during his fight with Bucky that Bucky just resorts to biting him.
I laughed when Bucky and Alexei both agreed to go off the cliff, even Uatu was surprised. These two super soldier idiots really make for a funny team once Bucky loosens up a bit. The Russian music in this episode is both epic and funny given how it's used. I also love the comedic gag of Alexei trying his best to get Bucky to stop resorting to killing as the first solution to every problem.
Bucky legit has a mental crisis when he realizes he failed for the first time. I love the arc where Bucky even if for this mission broke out of the programming and realizes HYDRA never cared for them. The scene with him remembering Coney Island is so heartwarming given how he and Steve hung out at Coney Island. Likewise seeing him reject Dreykov’s kill order on Alexei was heartwarming to see. I also love how he listened to Alexei's advice of using his metal arm to block the bullets when Stane tried to kill them. Their friendship (they’re basically siblings in this episode) truly is one of the most heartwarming things to see how Alexei managed to bring the good out of the Winter Soldier and both of them considering themselves friends. Sebastian Stan's voice performance went a long way from him phoning it in back in Episode 1. Also “Technique!” haha.
"He's right, though. About the Red Room, Dreykov..." Alexei Shostakov
"Dreykov's a pig. All of them are. But not you. You are a good man." The Winter Soldier/Coney Island Hero
The Rook being Obadiah Stane was a surprise to me. It didn't register that was him until near his death and the end credits confirmed my suspicions. I was really surprised but yet also not surprised that Obadiah told the Russians (and therefore by extension HYDRA) about Howard's recreation of the super soldier serum. God, seeing Obadiah talk about how "amazing" Capitalism makes me sick, and glad to see him fall out of the window after Bucky threw Alexei's shield at him. Hopefully, with Howard and Maria Stark alive along with Stane's death, Tony's life will be a lot less messed up and has less daddy issues.
I really hope Vasily Karpov dies in Las Vegas that's one less HYDRA personal in this universe. Also, I hope when Bucky was being brainwashed that this time, it was less successful than the previous moments, thanks to Alexei's influence. Plus, thanks to Alexei disavowing the Red Room and his nation, the Siberian Winter Soldiers will never occur!
Also hell yes, Alexei gets to be a part of the Avengers and Captain America knows him!
Episode 3 is truly a peak episode and showcases a dynamic ripe with story and character exploration. It'll be very interesting to see how Thunderbolts will show the two interact. This episode uses its characters amazingly well.
Note: Someone pointed out that so far, each episode has a tiny person interact with someone or something much taller (Sam with Gamma Apex Bruce, Kingo with Celestial Agatha, and now Alexei and Bucky with Goliath). I wonder what Episode 4 will do to continue this streak haha.
"Fighting for survival. For acceptance. Fighting to be somebody. But in the end, the fight is never the point. It's your friendships that change the course of history. Even when they end." Uatu
Starts in the past but cuts to 1998 halfway through.
Everyone speaks in English to the girls so they can perfect their English, but speak Russian (with subtitles) to eachother.
Movie starts with Natasha already partway through her training. It opens on the creepy red room gun kata the same as the MCU Widow movie. Training by various harsh women with harsh methods, Melina Vostakov is the only one that shows kindness.
Girls sleep with one hand handcuffed to the bed (this is to ensure they don't run away, as shown in Agent Carter series).
Red room training
Red Guardian (Alexei) comes in for inspiration (all full of himself) and some fight training for the girls.
Red room training.
Ballet classes.
Red room training.
Handcuff bed time.
Learning American watching American movies, cartoons and TV shows.
Red room training.
Some relationships with other widows. She makes friends with little Yelena (Natasha's ballet class goes in as Yelena's group goes out) and a couple of other girls (Oksana and ?) in secret, even though that is actively discouraged.
Handcuff bed time.
Red room training.
Then that fight to the death game that we saw Dottie Underwood play in flashback in that Agent Carter episode. Tasha's first kill is one of those friends (not Oksana). She's a little shocked at first, but quickly settles. Yelena tries to ask if she's okay but is struck by a teacher.
"Black Widows do not have friends"
She then becomes cold and distant to the other girls.
Red room training.
She becomes Dreykov's star pupil and we see her first mission. No wavering after killing some horrid crime boss and escaping his gang, taking some of them out on the way too.
Young Natasha assassinations montage!
This can be quite a short part of the movie, though it sounds long.
S.H.I.E.L.D. breaks up a Leviathan operation that is full of young widows. They take them to a S.H.I.E.L.D. hospital facility and are making progress in deprogramming them.
We see Red Guardian disagreeing with Dreykov, saying they should storm the facility and take the girls back. Dreykov says Alexei is too soft and spots Natasha. Sends her to infiltrate the facility, pose as a deprogrammed young black widow and burn it to the ground, no survivors. She wavers at the thought of killing all those girls. He says that S.H.I.E.L.D. are our enemy, using powered people to subjugate countries where they operate, to American control. We will not be controlled by S.H.I.E.L.D! Do it for your country, do it for Leviathan, do it for me or your teachers whatever works for you...
Do it for Yelena.
She pretends to not be interested in her, "Why would I do it for her?"
"She is your friend."
"Black Widows do not have friends."
“Perhaps I shall send her with you, she has never been on a mission before, yes?”
"I didn't say I wouldn't do it"
“We send little Yelena with you?”
"I work better alone."
“Very well.”
She infiltrates the base and is treated very nicely by S.H.I.E.L.D..
We see the other girls playing, they invite her to join them. She declines.
We see her pining for this way of life, and agonising over what is to come.
The signal comes in the dead of night. She hesitates, just momentarily, then follows her instructions, she has covertly gathered combustible material over a number of days, disabling the fire alarm/sprinkler system, setting the fire and sealing all escape routes behind her, wipes away a tear. Night guard sees and goes to raise alarm but she quietly takes him out, sets fire to their paper files and sets explosives on their hard drives. The fire is raging by the time she's finished. Some S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives are woken by the fire and rush to help, but it's too late. She takes some of them out on the way. Explosions!
She is rewarded with the Ohio mission, forming a unit with Melina, Alexei and Yelena. They warned not to get soft while they are away. We see them practice being a family, arriving in their new home. They work on the photo album, a whole year photographed in one day. As they do it they start to relax with each other and goof around. They really enjoy the Christmas pictures.
Cut to black, little visual or audio snippets, "going on an adventure", "Leave that, get in the car", the plane, Melina gets shot, "they have safe houses in Budapest, we have arranged one of our own, memorise the address", Cuba, snippet of Tasha's freakout when they try to take Yelena, "It's going to be okay", sedative, shipping container opening with Leviathan soldiers outside, separated from Yelena, both screaming for each other, snippet of red room training and cut to black.
Still in black, knock on door, cut to 1998 Natasha standing in front of said door. Pretending to be (someone).
Some time has passed. She has killed many in that time.
She has been sent solo to kill an elderly Dottie Underwood, they fight. Dottie manages to retreat upstairs to the bedroom, Mexican standoff. But Natasha recognises the handcuff marks on the bedpost, she wavers, Dottie begins to talk (Dottie says something like they finally found me... I made one mistake 50 years ago... They don't care about you... You're only as good as your last mission... What was your last mission... Sao Paulo? Ah yes, the ambassador's residence, the ambassador, his family, 3 staffers, 2 guests, 4 security operatives and a catering company...My dear, how many lives have you taken? For whom? Mother Russia? Leviathan? Are you loyal? Or did they threaten you? No? Someone else then... A little friend of yours perhaps? Yes, I know, I know, Black Widows don't have any friends... They sent you to kill me because of what I know, the location of their red room, where they take poor little girls to brainwash them into killing machines... Take me to S.H.I.E.L.D. instead and defect, have a life that doesn't leave so much red in one's ledger... Everything I remember about the red room, all that I have learned about Leviathan since is on this microfilm... It could take them down... No Leviathan, no red room, no red room, no widows... Your friend will be free). Dottie calls Peggy Carter, phone tapped. They are attacked by Widows on the way in. Dottie saves Tasha's life at the cost of her own (a little less red in my ledger...) and gives her the microfilm (old school!) with lots of Leviathan secrets and the location of the red room.
She attempts to defect, meets Peggy but keeps the microfilm hidden. Gives Peggy Dreykov's name ("General Dreykov? Special envoy for Russia, advising the US administration towards the end of the cold war. Track him down..."). Regrets it, panics.
She is left with Agent Clint Barton as her handler, but freaks out at night in the cell with no cuffs on the bedpost and escapes, calling in to Melina. Melina listens, says she can't help her, apologises (secretly giving her a coded safe house location “Do you remember what I said to you in the plane? Do you? It is so important…that you should do as you are told…Turn yourself in Tasha”) and hangs up, flashes back to actual plane conversation and safe house comment. Hunted by Leviathan, Widows, Hawkeye and S.H.I.E.L.D., she flees to the safe house in Budapest.
It's actually Hawkeye that tracks her down, he is supposed to retrieve the microfilm at all costs so they can shut Leviathan down for good. Peggy warns him not to underestimate Natasha even though she's only 14, she's seen widows younger than Natasha kill without compunction. Fury adds that he may well have to kill a 14 year old girl in order to retrieve the microfilm, and he must retrieve the microfilm so Fury never has to say those words again.
His presence alerts Leviathan. Dreykov comes to deal with his former star pupil. All hell breaks loose with Leviathan, S.H.I.E.L.D, Widows and local authorities trying to get to her and the microfilm.
Realising she can't go back she covertly stalks a covert Hawkeye, convinces him that she does want to defect, she just freaked out and they flee, hotly pursued (lots of chasing with various vehicles, maybe a fight on a boat?).
However, they can't evade everyone. Clint calls in to S.H.I.E.L.D. and convinces them of Natasha's story, but they have no extraction as there are too many factions in play. S.H.I.E.L.D. suggests taking out Dreykov, which would leave Leviathan and the widows in disarray. Natasha doesn't want to do it, "just get me out of here". Mitchell Carson says "these are the terms for your defection, otherwise we can't help you. Effectively all you've done so far is give us one name and confess to all your own crimes. We can't take down Leviathan without that microfilm and you won't give it to Barton because it's your only leverage. Both of you have been seen, so you can't mail it.".
They discover Dreykov's official residence is in Budapest, but he isn't staying there.
His wife is not at home. His daughter goes to an international school there.
They courier Natasha a uniform, she poses as a new student, befriends Antonia, invites her out to play knowing she will have to ask her father. Antonia walks her to the building and goes in, Natasha gets a visual on Dreykov. Barton radios and asks her if they should carry out the attack. She says wait, Antonia isn't coming back out. Natasha has been reported as a possible sighting by local authorities, S.H.I.E.L.D calms the situation down (they have permission from the government for an airstrike). But this has alerted Leviathan...widows and the Hungarian police and military are on the way. Antonia still hasn't come out. Dreykov is saying, who is this new friend, what did I tell you, trust no one, where is she now. Cut back to Natasha
"Natasha, do you have a visual?"
She hesitates, "Natasha?"
Dreykov looks out of the window, sees her
She sees him see her, sees Antonia looking at her
"We're good to go"
And walks away
Explosions!
Leviathan operatives and Widows are converging on her position, but Barton finds her first, "this way!".
They manage to fight their way out or evade Leviathan but then run into a big group of widows. Everyone draws their guns, they are outnumbered, but the widows don't shoot. "Is it true? Is Dreykov dead?", "Yes. The rocket hit right where he was standing." says Romanov, hopefully.
"And S.H.I.E.L.D. have the microfilm, we can move on Leviathan in the next few days." lies Barton
"You're free" says Romanov.
As they're leaving she remembers Yelena, "If you see Yelena, will you tell her? Yelena? Yelena Belova? Will you tell-" but the widows are getting the hell out of Dodge
Clint urges them to do the same. They sneak into that hidey hole that Nat and Yelena use in the MCU Black Widow movie and have a big heart to heart. Natasha figures Yelena is freer without her now that she's tied to S.H.I.E.L.D.
They talk about the hit.
"No child should ever be put in that position"
"I've done worse. I've got a lot of red in my ledger."
and
"Who is Yelena? Friend of yours?"
"Black Widows don't have friends."
and
"Do you ever have second thoughts about killing someone? Regrets?"
"Every time. But that's just part of being a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, being a soldier"
"Yes. That's true."
"But you don't have to be a soldier any more."
They also talk about the farm. Only Fury knows about it as per Age of Ultron.
They fall asleep. Coulson and May retrieve them in the morning.
S.H.I.E.L.D. systematically shuts down the Leviathan operations, ending with the red room and deprogramming widows.
Post credits:- As Natasha is only 14 she goes to live with Hawkeye and Laura. No more violence...for a while.
I like to imagine they exist in the same universe. Both places train people to become assassins, and the women are even trained in ballet. They also share a Russian or Russian-influenced background.
RUSKA ROMA (JOHN WICK)
• Children are raised in strict institutions (like ballet academies or wrestling schools).
• The training mixes art (ballet) and violence, teaching discipline, pain tolerance, and body control.
• They are part of a larger underworld structure controlled by the High Table.
• Assassins keep some personal identity and autonomy, even though they owe loyalty.
THE RED ROOM (MCU)
• Young girls are kidnapped or taken as children.
• They undergo extreme psychological conditioning and brainwashing.
• Their bodies are controlled (in some versions even forced sterilization).
• They are turned into loyal agents with no freedom.
I wish there was more emphasis on the fact that Dreykov, for all intents and purposes, was Natasha’s father. She was brought to the red room as a baby and spent roughly two decades as their black widow. Not only does he acknowledge that he raised her, but their showdown really alludes to the detached intimacy that would have come with the devolvement of their relationship
Also while the bw movie ends up elaborating on Loki’s statement regarding “Dreykov’s daughter” in the avengers part of me likes to think that there’s still the implication that he was referring to the fact that Natasha has committed this unforgivable sin of being raised as Dreykov’s daughter
