Why Didn't Doctor Strange Just Go Back in Time to Grab the Infinity Stones?

Tony Stark's death was a result of the power surge from all six Infinity Stones after Thanos snapped away the remaining Avengers. This event cannot be undone. However, as a seasoned creator, we must question more strategic approaches to these pivotal moments. Let's explore why Doctor Strange didn't simply go back in time to grab the Infinity Stones before Thanos and give them to Tony Stark.

The Complexity of Outcomes

Dr. Strange saw one successful outcome out of a total of 14,000,605 possible sequences. His vision may seem dire, but it represents a singular path of success amidst countless variables. When he told Tony, "It was the only way," it meant that not only did Tony need to survive to fight Thanos, but more crucially, he needed to grow as a person and become a more empathetic leader. The loss of Peter Parker, the maturation of Nebula, his understanding of his own mortality—all these factors contributed to making Tony a better hero.

A Lesson in Emotional and Personal Growth

Tony spent weeks aboard the Milano II, preparing himself for the fate he knew was coming. This period of isolation and reflection "alloyed" him, making him less selfish and more ready to face Thanos. If Tony had simply used the Time Stone to prevent Thanos from snapping away the remaining heroes, he would have missed this pivotal growth period. The emotional and personal journey that shaped him as a character would have been lost, leading to a less complete hero arc.

Strategic Silver Bullets and Cinematic Depth

Employing the Time Stone for a single, decisive action would be mostly useless. Ensuring that both Tony and Thanos had the stones would have opened a Pandora's box of consequences. What if Thanos obtained all the stones after Tony, or what if Thanos used the stones to become even more powerful in the process? A strategic plan that minimizes risk and maximizes success is often more effective than a solution that defies logic and introduces unnecessary variables.

A More Practical Approach

A more practical and engaging approach would be for Dr. Strange to create a strategic plan that not only involves the elimination of Thanos but also the preservation of Tony's emotional growth. Instead of just retrieving the stones, Doctor Strange could have used a different phase of the Time Stone to manipulate the timeline in a way that allowed Tony the time and space he needed to grow and prepare for the fight.

The Consequences of the Current Path

Without this growth, the events of Avengers: Endgame would have unfolded in a less satisfying manner. The countless plot holes, the paradoxes, and the overall unsatisfying conclusion would have been avoided. It's unfortunate that the allure of a more straightforward solution has led to these issues. If Doctor Strange had chosen a more complex approach, the films could have been more cohesive and satisfying from a storytelling perspective.

A Wrap-up for a More Compelling Narrative

In conclusion, while it may seem logical to have Doctor Strange go back in time and prevent Thanos from snapping the Avengers away, the complexity of outcomes and the need for Tony's personal growth make this approach less practical. By focusing on a more strategic and nuanced plan, we could have avoided the disappointment of Avengers: Endgame and provided a narrative arc that was both compelling and satisfying. The lessons of Doctor Strange and Avengers are clear: sometimes an unconventional approach leads to the best results.