Understanding the Role of the Infinity Stones and the Time Machine in Avengers: Endgame
In the Avengers: Endgame film, the primary goal was to collect the Infinity Stones to undo the work of Thanos's snap. Yet, the question arises: Why didn't the Avengers simply use the Time Stone (or another method of time travel) to go back in time and collect the stones before Thanos could acquire them? This article delves into the reasons behind this decision, exploring the moral implications, storytelling considerations, and the mechanics of time travel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Moral Implications and Cancellation of Lives
1. The Uniqueness of Life and Preservation: One significant reason the Avengers did not utilize the Time Stone to go back and collect the Infinity Stones is grounded in the moral code of the characters. The Avengers, shaped by their experiences and the values they carry, do not take lives; they preserve them. To go back in time and undo the effects of the Snap would require the cancellation of the lives of billions of individuals born during the time known as the Blip. This direct contradiction of their code of conduct makes the alternative method of time travel the preferred option.
Storytelling and Plot Development
2. Rewriting the Narrative: Another crucial point is the storytelling and plot development by Marvel Studios. In the Marvel Comics, there are numerous heroes who could have been utilized to prevent Thanos, like the Silver Surfer. However, those heroes did not appear in the film. Thus, the writers had to devise a new and creative method to retell the story. The idea of collecting the stones backward in time offered a unique narrative twist, showcasing the efforts of Dr. Strange and the other Avengers to redeem their mistakes.
Stranger’s Commentary on Time Travel: Dr. Strange’s knowledge of quantum physics profoundly impacts the Avengers' timeline. He explains that changing the past doesn't change the future. This concept is reflected in the film when Rhodey suggests going back in time to kill newborn Thanos, but Bruce Banner counters this idea by highlighting that such a concept doesn’t align with the rules of time travel. Another point to consider is that traveling back in time to the moment before Thanos snapped would merely create an alternate branch of the timeline. Therefore, it wouldn't effectively change the outcomes, as everything would remain the same in the Avengers' timeline.
Strategic Considerations and the Power of the Stones
3. Collecting the Stones Before Thanos: The only way for the Avengers to achieve their goal was to collect the stones by traveling back in time. Since the stones were destroyed, the Avengers had to go back in time to recover them. This method provided a strategic advantage in the fight against Thanos. If the Avengers had traveled back in time incorrectly, they might have encountered a full-strength Thanos, who had likely healed from the injuries inflicted upon him from Thor's attack and from the effects of the first Snap.
Dr. Strange's role in the timeline is critical. He observes and advises the team, ensuring they do not make any blunders. If the Avengers had failed to synchronize their time travel correctly, they might have confronted a fully equipped and powerful Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet, which would have been a disaster. The success of the mission was heavily reliant on the precise timing and implementation of the plan.
4. The Outcome and the Snap: By collecting the stones and placing them back, the Avengers created a new branch of the timeline. When the stones were restored, it clipped off the newly created timelines that had been detrimental to their goals. This method allowed them to undo the Snap and restore balance to the universe, complying with the rules of time travel as established in the film.