SPOILER WARNING!
After the vicious Thanos (Josh Brolin) turned their worlds upside down, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) must try to settle down in the suburbs and live life like a normal couple. However, the small town of Westview, New Jersey is not what it seems, and the happy couple will have to deal with a series of disruptions that they never would have expected. Will their love reign supreme or will the mysterious little town tear them apart? Find out in the nine-part mini series, WandaVision.
Episode 1: Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience:
The wonderful couple has just moved to Westview and is attempting to settle in when they are tasked with entertaining Vision’s boss for dinner. While this should be a fairly simple task, his boss, Mr. Hart (Fred Melamed), proves to be quite difficult to please.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) takes a massive turn as it introduces the world to a sitcom for the first time. This swift change massively tilts viewers’ expectations and creates something immensely different than they have ever seen before in the MCU. The initial shock of what exactly WandaVision is divides viewers, causing some to believe that the series would fail to live up to expectations and others to appreciate the change and Kevin Feige’s ability to bring to life something different but equally entertaining as everything that had come before.
The first episode of the series is unexpectedly simple, veering from what viewers had expected it to be. This beautiful juxtaposition of what viewers had expected and what they actually get allows them, maybe for the first time ever within the MCU, to sit back, relax, and simply admire the storytelling ability of all those who dedicated their time to the cause. Creator Jac Schaeffer, director Matt Shakman, and the entire cast create something brilliantly simple, and prepare viewers for what is sure to contort into something incredible.
Episode 2: Don’t Touch That Dial:
Wanda and Vision are attempting to fit in with the townspeople of Westview by joining local clubs and town watch initiatives. In addition to that the couple plans to perform a magic act in front of the town at a talent show for the children. Will their plans to fit in work?
For anyone that has seen an MCU film or television show before, they know that what appears on the surface is often not all that exists. From the opening moments of this second episode, it becomes more and more clear that there is something lying beneath the surface that will eventually peek its elusive head out and shock viewers. What that thing is, however, is completely unknown at this point in WandaVision, drawing in viewers and giving them something to latch onto.
Pieces of the greater MCU maneuver their way into this miniseries and delight viewers. Don’t Touch That Dial focuses almost entirely on mystery and illusion, a unique shift in tone and theme from the first episode. For those who have already watched the show, there are clear nods to the reality of what is transpiring throughout WandaVision, but their subtle inclusion in this episode is so brilliantly constructed and executed that everyone is able to appreciate the attention to detail present in this charming sitcom-esque Marvel entity. Don’t Touch That Dial takes a massive step forward and envelops viewers in a world that continues to grow beautifully.
Episode 3: Now in Color:
With a surprise pregnancy throwing their lives into a tizzy, Wanda and Vision must quickly decide how to deal with the reality that their lives are about to change forever. However, in typical superhero fashion, the two will face unexpected twists and turns regarding the pregnancy that no one has ever dealt with before. Are they up for the challenge?
The mystery of Wanda, Vision, and Westview as a whole is beginning to unravel, even if at a slow, but intentional pace. But, as the story heads in the right direction, WandaVision continues to raise more questions begging for answers. The MCU has always been about family. From Guardians of the Galaxy to Thor: Ragnarok, the familial relationships formed throughout the course of this massive cinematic universe have drawn in viewers and created unbreakable bonds between characters and viewers. There have always been hints of that materializing into something significant with Wanda and Vision since their introduction in Avengers: Age of Ultron, but it becomes immensely real in the closing moments of this episode. This is the first time that viewers really begin to make connections between WandaVision and the rest of the MCU, and it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.
With things leading in the right direction, Now in Color offers something that viewers knew existed but had not yet had the opportunity to see in full; that thing being Olsen’s spectacular talent. In the closing moments of this episode Olsen sheds a series of tears, pulling in viewers and drawing them near to tears themselves. As she quickly reminds viewers of the hardships that she has faced throughout the course of the MCU, the dark reality of her life comes crashing down around her and on the residents of Westview. With so much to offer, Now in Color is, at this point, the best WandaVision episode.
Episode 4: We Interrupt This Program:
Just like one might expect, given the name, the fourth episode of WandaVision interrupts what had been taking place over the course of the past three episodes. With this massive shift viewers are reintroduced to three beloved characters: Monica Rambeau (Teyonnah Parris), Jimmy Wu (Randall Park), and Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings), ramping up said viewers’ excitement and prepping them for the intensity that will soon come.
This particular episode of WandaVision changes the series in so many ways and is used to transition a primarily upbeat television series to something far more somber and dark, and Shakman does exactly that. The episode’s soundtrack, which typically begins with an energetic showtune-esque diddy, is somber, dreary, and ominous, allowing viewers to become wise to the drastic turn that WandaVision is about to take. In addition to the soundtrack and score, the lighting and the tones of the set have changed to mirror the darkness that plays out throughout the episode. What was once vibrant and colorful have transformed into colors far more neutral, continuing to clue viewers in to what might come.
We Interrupt This Program is the best episode up to this point, promising audiences around the world that what the remainder of the show has to offer will be something brilliant and unique. With the reintroduction of old friends, a stronger connection to the greater MCU, and a beautifully dark adjustment to the soundtrack, score, lighting, and tones, We Interrupt This Program takes drastic strides toward perfection.
Episode 5: On a Very Special Episode…:
Now that S.W.O.R.D. has come to understand the strange anomaly that is taking place within Westview, New Jersey, they plan their attack. Pieces of Wanda’s journey post Avengers: Endgame come together, and all that is WandaVision is becoming far more clear than ever before.
Prior to On a Very Special Episode… the show has presented viewers with two parallel stories, one which takes place solely within the confines of Westview and the other the story of Monica, Jimmy, Darcy, Tyler Hayward (Josh Stamberg), and the rest of S.W.O.R.D. as they attempt to understand the reality of Wanda and Vision’s predicament. These stories, however, have not yet existed within the same episode, that is until now. WandaVision is shifting into something more cohesive than before, drawing in viewers and giving them a reason to stick around for the remainder of the limited series.
The acting throughout the course of the first four episodes have been nothing short of impeccable. Olsen in particular has been unbelievably brilliant and has stolen the show from its very first moment. However, On a Very Special Episode… provides another, tertiary, character the ability to express his vigor as well. Asif Ali (Norm) is tasked with bringing both of the aforementioned stories together through a passionate performance, and he conveys all of the necessary emotion with utter perfection.
While the majority of what has occurred throughout the groundbreaking series has come as somewhat of a surprise, the closing moments of On a Very Special Episode… shift the narrative vigorously as an unexpected guest makes their way onto the set of WandaVision. There is nothing that could have prepared viewers for what transpires, and the show will never be the same again. More impressive connections to the greater MCU, the merging of WandaVision’s duel storylines, and a massive twist at the episode’s conclusion make this episode even better than the last, driving the voyage of Wanda and Vision forward and warning viewers that they should prepare for anything.
Episode 6: All-New Halloween Special:
Pietro (Evan Peters) is back in Wanda’s life, and she’s confused as to how or why this anomaly has taken place. The reality, however, is that life appears to still be trending upward; that is for everyone except for Vision. His suspicions about the happenings in Westview continue to force his mind to wander, leading him down a road that may see his demise once again. Can this synthetic android find out what’s happening in this quiet New Jersey town or will its mystery create a division within his family impossible to come back from?
What in the world is happening to Wanda, Vision, and the rest of the townspeople in WandaVision? This is a question that has reigned supreme since the opening moments of Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience. Pieces of that puzzle have slowly shown themselves to viewers throughout the course of the show, but it becomes exponentially more clear that something far more twisted than viewers could have imagined is at play here.
Humor has played a significant role throughout the majority of the series up to this point and has been used to curb some of the more terrible things transpiring within the confines of Westview. While humor still plays a role, particularly regarding Pietro’s character, it has taken a back seat in All-New Halloween Special to something a bit more sinister. Viewers are well aware that they are now in the endgame and have crossed the boundary from something twisted, but fun, into something far more intense. Shakman puts his foot on the gas at just the right time, warning viewers that the remainder of his hit show will be unlike anything they had expected.
Episode 7: Breaking the Fourth Wall:
What is being referred to as “the hex,” thanks to Darcy, has expanded far past where it previously resided, taking prisoner many S.W.O.R.D. agents and the always peculiar Darcy. The mystery surrounding Wanda continues to grow, a townsperson proves to be something other than what Wanda and Vision had expected, and the reality of this precarious situation peaks out its ugly head for the first time.
From a visual and comedy standpoint Breaking the Fourth Wall appeals to me greatly as it borrows ideas and themes from Modern Family and one of my personal favorite sitcoms, The Office (2005). It relies on comedy similar to the two aforementioned shows, but this shift in aesthetic alters the tone of the show as a whole as well. The laugh-track that had so wonderfully melded together the somewhat awkward, but wonderfully relatable humor in previous episodes has vanished at this point in the narrative. This slight, but important alteration continues the shift in tone and furthers viewers’ journey down a dark and intriguing path.
A theme of WandaVision, since its opening moments, has been twisting and shifting the narrative, unearthing new pieces of plot that have lived within hidden crevices just under the audience’s noses, and the greatest turn occurs at the end of Breaking the Fourth Wall. While some semblance of comedy and the mirage that is Wanda and Vision’s life have remained intact after the numerous plot twists of past episodes, this revelation turns everything on its head and promises to leave those lovable aspects of the show buried forever. While the many aspects of WandaVision converge with what almost feels like perfection, the narrative alone is enough to intrigue viewers, and the story present within Breaking the Fourth Wall is possibly the best we’ve seen so far.
Episode 8: Previously On:
The mastermind behind the shenanigans occurring throughout Westview has finally been revealed and Wanda has seemingly met her match. While this surprising foe has something ultimately malicious in mind, the journey they will take Wanda on will begin filling in unexpected blanks from her past. Wanda must face her darkest days once again and do all she can to fix the wrongs that have plagued her reality for far longer than she ever realized.
Previously On marks the episode that Oscar buzz began circling WandaVision, and Olsen quickly moved her way to the forefront of this talk. While her performance and her unrelenting vim and vigor has been mentioned in the past, what she brings to the table in the second-to-last episode of the breakout series is possibly unlike anything the world has seen in the MCU to date. She is tasked with bringing to life a level of pain that has only been mirrored in a handful of scenes throughout this ever-expanding universe. The MCU has seen wonderfully talented individuals convey emotion with such brilliance over and over again, but it’s safe to say that Olsen has far surpassed each of those previous moments.
If any television episode has ever been perfect, Previously On just might be it. In addition to a literally perfect performance by Olsen, director Shakman and both the cinematography and lighting departments bring to life something bitterly beautiful. With all the pain and suffering that both characters and viewers feel throughout, the crew adds to the darkness, quite literally–but they darken hues and the tones even more than before and eliminate a significant amount of light from each and every scene. Viewers feel as if they are part of Wanda’s journey more than ever before.
While WandaVision has been on the precipice of something great since its inception, Previously On is what propels it forward and opens the eyes to the world of the true genius behind everyone involved. It’s nearly impossible to find something to dismiss as less-than-perfect within Previously On, and it’s equally impossible not to mention one of the most beautiful lines ever uttered in cinematic history: “what is grief, if not love persevering?” If that singular line doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, doesn’t force you to question all that you know about love, or allow you to understand just how brilliant the relationship between Vision and Wanda is, I might question whether or not you have a soul.
Episode 9: The Series Finale:
Wanda, Vision, Tommy, Billy, and Monica face off against the evils of the world in a showdown of epic proportions. All that Wanda and Vision have come to learn about the town they now call home will force them to do all they can to save their family and the people of Westview.
Everything has led to this. The comedy, the horror, the twists and turns, the red herrings, and the beauty have brought the characters and viewers of WandaVision to this final episode. As everything converges and nearly five hours worth of content is expected to conclude here Shakman and all of WandaVision runs the risk of being too crowded. However, pacing and distance is something that the entirety of the show has seen executed quite well, with The Series Finale being the most prominent example.
With so much information to provide viewers, Shakman is tasked with finding a way to present said information in a fashion that doesn’t overwhelm but manages to jolt energy and excitement into those watching. Beautiful pacing is the true superpower of all involved here, and as The Series Finale plays out, everything that the show promised comes to fruition. This comes as a direct result of Shakman avoiding laying things on too thick and keeping viewers in the dark until the exact moment in which they need to be in the know. At this point, however, Shakman knows to let everything go, no holds barred, and let viewers have the finale they deserve.
Glowing in the right moments, mysterious when necessary, and jubilant when all things come to an end. Yet, dark clouds hover over The Series Finale is an eerily prominent fashion that reminds viewers that n
ot everything is rainbows and butterflies and that even in the brightest moments the world has a way of kicking you in the pants. The Series Finale is brilliant and has viewers preparing for what might come next. It’s the finale that everyone needed and seemingly the only way to conclude this journey of Wanda and Vision.
__________________________________________________________________________
In reality WandaVision starts out incredibly slow, breaks the mold of what the MCU has come to be known for, and forces viewers to question whether or not Marvel’s transition back to television was the right move. Not one of these sentiments would be considered wrong by the masses, as even the brightest minds had the sense to question the show's merit initially. However, with glimpses of hope sprinkled throughout, and the third act of the series hitting harder than even some of the higher regarded films in the MCU, WandaVision takes the world by storm.
With beautiful transitions from comedy to drama, light to dark, and family sitcom to action-packed thriller, WandaVision has cemented itself as one of the best MCU entities to date. As the show comes to a close, viewers’ hopes and dreams were either crushed or came to fruition in epic fashion, and when the disappointment began to settle in that the show was over, it became clear that future installments of the brilliant Marvel Cinematic Universe will be birthed as a result of Shakman, Feige, and the other creative minds behind WandaVision. In a way WandaVision is the future of the MCU, and the world is better off for having seen one of the most zealous television shows to date.
Directed by Matt Shakman.
Written by Peter Cameron, Mackenzie Dohr, Laura Donney, Bobak Esfarjani, Megan McDonnell, Jac Shaeffer, Cameron Squires, Stan Lee, etc.
Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Kathryn Hahn, Teyonah Parris, Josh Stamberg, David Payton, David Lengel, Amos Glick, Selena Anduze, Randall Park, Kat Dennings, Julian Hilliard, Debra Jo Rupp, Jett Klyne, Asif Ali, Ithamar Enriquez, Victoria Blade, Evan Peters, Emma Caulfield Ford, Alan Heckner, Jolene Purdy, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
Comments