The Tesseracts Journey from Howard Stark to Dr. Mar-Vell: An In-Depth Analysis of MCU History
The Tesseract's Journey from Howard Stark to Dr. Mar-Vell: An In-Depth Analysis of MCU History
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the Tesseract is a highly coveted and powerful artifact. Its history and journey across different characters and films add layers of intrigue to the narrative. While Howard Stark recovers the Tesseract in Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain Marvel presents an interesting twist on how it ends up in the hands of Dr. Mar-Vell, a.k.a. Dr. Wendy Lawson.
Howard Stark's Discovery and Initial Discovery
In the aftermath of the climactic battle with Red Skull during the completion of Captain America: The First Avenger, Howard Stark finds the Tesseract and recovers it from the ocean where it had been lost. This marks the beginning of the Tesseract's journey in the MCU. However, the Tesseract's final destination is not just the hands of Howard Stark; it soon finds its way into the possession of another powerful character: Dr. Mar-Vell. The Tesseract was eventually kept by S.H.I.E.L.D. after Howard Stark's discovery, and Dr. Mar-Vell, who was working undercover on Earth, found a way to access it.
Dr. Mar-Vell's Acquisition of the Tesseract
Throughout the narrative, particularly in Captain Marvel, the Tesseract comes into the possession of Dr. Mar-Vell. In the film, Dr. Mar-Vell, also known as Dr. Wendy Lawson, had obtained the Tesseract through a secret government program. This acquisition followed the Tesseract's involvement in Howard Stark's research during World War II and its further usage in a secret U.S. military research facility during the Vietnam War era in Avengers: Endgame.
The Tesseract's journey continues, and about 20 years later, in 1989, Dr. Lawson worked at a base that was the same as the one Nick Fury infiltrated in 1995, where Project Pegasus was based. This base is also seen in Avengers where Nick Fury oversees research on the Tesseract and creates energy weapons through RD. Dr. Mar-Vell, who was in charge of Project Pegasus, could have easily continued her work on the Tesseract without arousing suspicion among S.H.I.E.L.D., the Kree, and the Skrulls.
Carol Danvers and the Tesseract's Final Destination
The story takes another twist when Carol Danvers, also known as Captain Marvel, and Dr. Lawson are shot down. Carol Danvers, having been imbued with the Tesseract's energy, destroys the aircraft and releases its power in an explosion. This event not only floods Carol Danvers with the Tesseract's energy but also gives Talos (Monica Rambeau) enough information to narrow down the location of the Tesseract and Dr. Lawson.
Given Dr. Lawson's involvement in Project Pegasus, it is plausible that she took the Tesseract to her hidden space lab to continue her work on the light-speed engine. This could have been done without raising suspicion, as she was trusted with the RD of the Tesseract.
The Role of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Kree
Throughout the MCU, both S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Kree have been interested in the Tesseract. In Captain Marvel, Nick Fury takes possession of the Tesseract, and in Avengers, Fury is seen overseeing the research on the Tesseract and creating energy weapons through RD. This aligns with the continuous interest in the Tesseract held by S.H.I.E.L.D., which extends to the events depicted in the Kree narrative of the MCU.
Conclusion
The journey of the Tesseract from Howard Stark to Dr. Mar-Vell is a significant part of the MCU's narrative. It showcases the complex relationships between S.H.I.E.L.D., the Kree, and various other entities interested in this powerful artifact. The acquisition and use of the Tesseract by Dr. Mar-Vell add depth and intrigue to the MCU, reflecting the broader themes of power, research, and secrecy that underpin the series.