WandaVision: a legend in the making
As the start of Marvel’s Phase 4, WandaVision sets the future with a new and different beginning.
March 22, 2021
Warning: some minor plot and character spoilers alluded to.
Wanda Maximoff, the powerful magic-wielding superhero played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Vision, the sentient android played by Paul Bettany, star in Marvel’s WandaVision, which revolves around a seemingly perfect life of love and happiness. Although the first few episodes which set the scene are boring and forced, the bizarre suspense and mystery of the rest of the season more than makeup for it, with excellent set design, visual effects, character development, and attention to details. First aired on Jan. 15, Season 1 is now available on Disney+.
Only two weeks after the events of Avengers: Endgame, we take a look into what seems like Wanda’s life now. But questions are raised about this reality as we all witnessed Vision’s death twice in Avengers: Infinity War.
There are many cringeworthy, unnecessary moments scattered throughout the first 3 episodes that focus on the sitcom theme of Wanda and Vision. Although sitcoms aren’t as relevant and praised as they were in the 1905s, Marvel still takes the risk of airing their first three episodes to an overall young audience, as a sitcom of Wanda and Vison’s life. Each episode parodies classic sitcoms from the past– I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Bewitched, and the Brady Bunch. As viewers watch each episode, past questions will be answered, and new questions will arise.
While watching each of the first three episodes, I cringed at the high level of forced humor ultimately expecting much more from Marvel. Although every detail has a reason to further the plot, and move along the storyline, there just wasn’t enough curiosity to keep viewers new to the Marvel universe attracted to the show.
From disastrous dinner parties to local magic show performances and unexpected pregnancies, the awkward humor is enough to make viewers wonder if it is purposefully presented as a dull sitcom.
At the end of these sitcom episodes are rare and bizarre moments that hint to the audience that something is wrong with Wanda; like a mysterious voice coming out of a radio at a party, or a man dressed in a beekeeping suit coming out of a sewer. The bare minimum of interest that these moments excite is just enough to keep Marvel fans from abandoning the show.
With WandaVision being the beginning of Marvel’s Phase 4, it doesn’t seem like this year is off to a great start. But, it is worth pushing through the first three episodes, because the immense excitement initiated by each of Marvel’s new releases returns during the 4th episode. Surprise characters from three different Marvel films make major appearances, and ultimately make up the whimsical part of the show.
The comedic and excitingly suspenseful mood overrides the mediocre first few episodes, capturing the audience’s attention once more. The clues grow more and more interesting, narrowing the possibilities of this faked reality. There are times of intense mystery, times when you just sit there in utter confusion, and times that are strongly emotional and heartbreaking.
The eighth episode in the 9-episode season takes a turn and reveals Wanda’s “backstory” and the buildup emotions that led to this reality. You can’t help but feel bad for Wanda, after everything she’s been through, and empathize with her actions.
“I’ve never experienced loss because I never had a loved one to lose. But what is grief if not love persevering?” Vision says at one point. I bawled my eyes out.
Each episode just gets better and better. WandaVision allegedly caused Disney+, the platform on which it is being streamed, to crash due to the popularity of this show. It begins with a poorly made sitcom, but since it’s from Marvel, you can expect an epic, shocking and well-developed finale. Yet, after making viewers wait an entire week for the next episode to stream, the finale just didn’t fully live up to our expectations. While still a masterpiece, it may feel like closure is missing, due to an abrupt ending relative to the suspense that builds up from the very start of the season.
Throughout recent years, Marvel has tried to steer away from your typical superhero movie, choosing instead to explore different genres and themes incorporated into a superhero baseline. WandaVision is the first of these experimentations, and it is unlike anything Marvel has ever created.
It contains a plot more mysterious and bizarre than we’ve ever seen before, by delving into the more dark and dangerous side of characters. Meanwhile, the subtly humorous side characters help the audience cope with all the mystery and epic confusion of the main plot.
Although the first few episodes are a straight-up disappointment from Marvel, every single detail builds up to later episodes. So if you can stand an hour and 30 minutes of mediocrity, the show in its entirety is definitely worth it, and a must-watch.
