Black Panther 2's Cambridge Scene Flexes Wakanda's Educational System
2018's "Black Panther" gave Marvel Cinematic Universe fans the chance to truly get to know the nation of Wakanda. Indeed, while 2016's "Captain America: Civil War" briefly teased the African nation's power, it was "Black Panther" that truly brought Wakanda to life on-screen for the first time. Unlike most MCU films, which typically span multiple different countries, realms, and planes of existence, "Black Panther" also keeps its focus largely on its central kingdom. In doing so, the film gives itself the chance to actually explore and establish the culture of the MCU's most distinct fictional location.
"Black Panther" also, notably, established Wakanda as the most technologically advanced nation in all of the MCU. As a matter of fact, from its architecture to its technological weaponry, Wakanda's power is on clear display from the moment that it's first shown in "Black Panther" all the way to the film's closing credits. Taking that into account, it didn't come as much of a surprise when "Avengers: Infinity War" subsequently saw most of Earth's Mightiest Heroes gather in Wakanda in order to make their stand against Thanos (Josh Brolin) and his forces.
All of this is to say that "Black Panther" fans have spent the past several years believing they fully understand just how powerful Wakanda is in the MCU. "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" features one moment, however, that just further cements Wakanda's status in the MCU yet again.
Okoye and Shuri go on an important trip in Wakanda Forever
At the heart of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is the dangerous conflict that grows throughout it between Wakanda and Talokan, the underwater, vibranium-rich nation ruled by Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía).
That conflict begins when the United States invents a new kind of technology that can detect vibranium, which results in one CIA team ultimately stumbling upon the nation of Talokan. In response, Namor not only blames Wakanda for sparking the United States' desire to acquire more vibranium but also demands that Wakanda's leaders find and bring him the creator of the very technology that led the CIA to his kingdom in the first place.
Namor's demand forces Okoye (Danai Gurira) and Shuri (Letitia Wright) to take a trip to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and meet with Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), the MIT student who invented the CIA's vibranium-detecting technology. Unsurprisingly, Williams' undeniable intelligence helps her make a quick impression in "Wakanda Forever." However, it's also during her and Shuri's trip to MIT that Okoye makes an offhand remark that just makes Wakanda seem even more impressive than it already did.
Okoye and Shuri aren't impressed by Riri Williams' college education
One of the Easter eggs in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" that viewers might have missed comes when Okoye and Shuri decide to seek out Dominique Thorne's Riri Williams. During their trip, Danai Gurira's Okoye notes that the Wakandan equivalent to MIT is one of the nation's village schools. Okoye, in other words, suggests that MIT offers the same kind of education that most Wakandan villagers typically receive.
That's an undeniably impressive fact, especially considering how previous Marvel films — namely, "Captain America: Civil War" — have established MIT as a place where the MCU's brightest heroes can go if they want to continue to grow. With just one line of dialogue, Okoye not only minimizes MIT's standing, but also sheds further light on just how technologically and educationally advanced Wakanda really is compared to the rest of the nations in the MCU.
In a way, the Wakandans' dismissive view of MIT shouldn't come as much of a surprise, either. After all, MCU viewers have known about Wakanda's advanced society for several years now. That said, Okoye's remark does further explain why Shuri is not only so much smarter than everyone else in the MCU, but also why she's been able to thrive as much as she has in Wakanda.