Why Didn’t Doctor Strange Simply Tell Thor to Aim for the Head in Avengers: Endgame?

Why Didn’t Doctor Strange Simply Tell Thor to Aim for the Head in Avengers: Endgame?

Narrative Structure in Action

The films plot is designed to create tension and drama. If Dr. Strange had simply given Thor that advice, it might have undermined the emotional stakes and the sense of urgency in the story. This decision showcases the deliberate and intricate narrative structure that Marvel has employed. Every element in the film serves to heighten the tension and keep the audience engaged, and changing a key scene like this could have altered the emotional impact significantly.

Time Stone Vision and Strategic Decisions

Time Stone Vision: Dr. Strange saw over 14 million possible futures and recognized that there was only one scenario in which they could win against Thanos. His vision profoundly influenced his decision-making. Every action was guided by this knowledge, and he likely believed that every move needed to align with that singular outcome. Dr. Strange’s focus was on achieving the critical victory against Thanos, and his actions were carefully calculated to ensure the success of the plan.

Character Dynamics and Growth

Character Dynamics: The relationships and dynamics among the characters were crucial to the story. Dr. Strange may have felt it was more important to let the events unfold as they did, allowing the characters to learn and grow from their experiences. Thor's journey involved overcoming his past failures and learning to harness his power. Directing him to aim for the head might have stripped away the significance of his journey to forge Stormbreaker and ultimately confront Thanos himself. This approach ensured that each character contributed to the fight in a meaningful way.

Thor’s Journey: Thor’s character arc was critical to the film. He had to learn to trust himself and his allies, to take on the weight of responsibility, and to prove his worth. His journey was not just about physical combat but also about personal growth and understanding. Direct interference from Dr. Strange might have compromised this essential character development, potentially diminishing Thor's role in the final confrontation.

The Consequences of Changing Realities

Every change is creating a different reality, and that is why they had to be so careful. Going back and telling Thor would just create a reality where Thor went for the head, but the “main” reality would remain unchanged. The film highlights this concept through Bruce Banner's explanation in the final scenes. When going to the past, your past becomes your future, meaning you can't change it. This reality creates several potential outcomes:

A Thor misses Thanos’s head anyway, nothing changes.

B He doesn’t listen/care and goes for the body to hurt Thanos, nothing changes.

C Thor does try and hits Thanos’s head, the timeline splits as explained by the Ancient One, and the current people suffer the same effects of the Snap.

D Time breaks because as seen in Doctor Strange, simply altering the apple with the Time Stone caused weird shit to happen, let alone sending someone that far back in time.

This demonstrates the complex interplay between altering the past and the consequences it could have on the present and future timelines. Each possibility brings different risks, from no change in the outcome to catastrophic disruptions of the narrative fabric.

Conclusion

While it is a logical suggestion, the storytelling choices in Avengers: Endgame prioritized character development and the overarching narrative of the Infinity Saga. The film aimed to create a cohesive story where every character’s actions contributed to the final victory. The careful handling of time and the preservation of character journeys were integral to the film's success and its place in cinematic history.