Warning: SPOILERS for Marvel's What If...? Episode 7 - "What If... Thor Were An Only Child?"

still-worthy Thor (Chris Hemsworth) inviting the Marvel Cinematic Universe's menagerie of cosmic beings to party on the third rock from the sun. Jane ends up looking foolish in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s eyes as she becomes smitten with Thor, and What If...? marginalizes Dr. Foster once more in this alternate universe.

Introduced in Thor, Dr. Jane Foster is one of the world's leading astrophysicists, but her professional work usually takes a backseat to her status as the God of Thunder's girlfriend in MCU Phases 1 and 2. Jane and Thor are separated after the first film and she spends years pining for him while he helps form the Avengers and stops in What If...? episode 7.

Related: Marvel’s What If Just Went Too Far

Jane and Darcy play comic relief roles in What If...? episode 7, which is itself a humorous romp inspired by Looney Tunes cartoons as Party Thor seeks to throw an epic rager on Midgard. Although S.H.I.E.L.D. does heed Dr. Foster's alarm about aliens storming Earth, once again, Jane's expertise as an astrophysicist is sidelined in What If...?, especially after Acting Director Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) finds out Jane has been partying with Thor and even got matching tattoos with the Asgardian hunk. Jane does try to assert herself in a professional manner, but Hill and S.H.I.E.L.D. continue to disregard her point of view, putting their faith instead in Captain Marvel (Alexandra Daniels) and even a potential nuclear strike to put a stop to Thor and his world-breaking bash.

Jane Foster What If

Granted, Natalie Portman's comedy chops are underrated, and her rom-com chemistry with Chris Hemsworth was a major reason why the first Thor: The Dark World is even worse, with Jane basically being a mere plot device to move Thor's story forward. In What If...? Jane is again made to look silly and unprofessional, although Darcy's endless quips (though funny and endearing) don't help Dr. Foster's cause.

So far, Marvel Studios hasn't been able (or hasn't attempted) to find a proper balance for Jane to be both Thor's love interest and a serious and respected scientist in her own right. Jane should have played a major role as an expert the Avengers turned to during their time travel escapade in Endgame had Portman and Marvel not been divided. Hopefully, Thor: Love and Thunder will be Dr. Jane Foster's MCU redemption in ways Marvel's What If...? wasn't. Along with turning Jane into Thor, the Goddess of Thunder, perhaps writer-director Taika Waititi will finally treat Jane as more than Thor's smitten love interest and properly present Jane Foster as one of the Marvel movies' top scientists as well.

Next: Every MCU Easter Egg In What If? Episode 7

Marvel's What If...? streams Wednesdays on Disney+.

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