WandaVision is such a delightful show thus far. I did
not mention it in the first episode, but both episodes released thus far begin
with a delightful opening number and credits. In my
review of ‘Filmed Before A Live Studio Audience’, I likened it to an episode of Bewitched, but
this episode has an even more Bewitched-esque plot and it’s opening is a
pitch perfect homage to that show. There is a much greater focus on Wanda’s witchy
powers here, culminating a moment that subtly lays out the themes and general
plot of the coming installments.
Full Spoilers for ‘Don't Touch That Dial’ follow. You have been warned.
‘Don't Touch That Dial’ does have another clever Bewitched reference:
the change to color. Beginning with it is third season premiere in 1966, Bewitched
switched from being broadcast in black and white to color. Just as the sudden
addition of color here is a neat surprise, just as it would have been in the ‘60s.
This change also confirms something I wondered as soon as I saw Wanda in pants:
our protagonists are traveling through the various decades and adopting the
tropes of each era’s shows. While the realization that there will be a
mockumentary episode instantly filled me with dread, I look forward to whichever
‘70s show they take on. I am guessing The Mary Tyler Moore Show,
but we shall see.
Sidenote: did you
know the house set in the color seasons of Bewitched would later be The
Partridge Family house? They did a good job of dressing the set differently
and I would never guess if I did not already know.
Anyway, this is an episode about Wanda attempting to fit in
with the other housewives in her neighborhood. This culminates in a kooky
talent show/fundraiser where Vision and Wanda do a magic routine. While they did
not intend to use actual magic, Wanda is forced to draw on her abilities when
her seemingly drunk husband—whose gears are literally gummed up—is unable to
perform the routine. It is all very charming and fun, despite the creeping
sense of dread that underscores the entire episode.
Speaking of which, the shiny sitcom veneer completely falls
away this episode. Early on, Wanda finds a toy helicopter in a bush outside her
house. It is not just any toy helicopter, however; it is a red toy helicopter,
something that should not exist in this black and white world. Later, after the
gathering of all the housewives, a voice calls out from a nearby radio. As the credits
begin, part of the message is repeated, “Wanda, who is doing this to you Wanda?”
The answer to that question seems to be Wanda. At least to
some degree. In the closing minutes of the episode, our protagonists hear a
noise outside (the same one they heard in the opening scene) and head out to
investigate it. In a scene shot like a horror film, they find a man in a
beekeeper suit with numerous bees buzzing around him crawling out of a manhole.
Wanda resolutely and defiantly utters a single word, “No”, and time reverses
itself so when the couple was inside their house. Wanda is able to change the
conversation to keep her husband indoors before color arrives in their lives
and the credits roll.
From that scene alone, it is obvious Wanda has created this
world or has control over it. In the comics, she has near-unlimited reality
warping abilities. This could be true in the MCU as well, but the films have never
made clear the limits of her powers. The question is how the beekeeper fits
into the story. He is obviously not a threat or Wanda would have done away with
him. He does have the S.W.O.R.D. logo on his suit. The red helicopter from earlier
also has the logo. In the comics, S.W.O.R.D. is an organization focused from
protecting Earth from outer space threats. Spider-Man: Far From Home
ended with the formation of a similar organization, although it remained
nameless—likely due to the fact they did not have the rights as S.W.O.R.D. is
technically an X-Men property.
Fans of the Marvel comics, will likely have had the same
thought I did: A.I.M. Of course, A.I.M. appeared in Iron Man 3 as the company
run by Guy Pearce’s Aldrich Killian. A.I.M. agents in the comics wear suits reminiscent
of beekeeper suits. As far as I know, there has been no indication that the
company folded following Iron Man 3 and thus could be returning. Maybe they
have a contract with S.W.O.R.D. or are simply posing as the other organization.
The scene also makes clear that this is not “our” Vision. He
is likely still dead following Avengers: Infinity War and this a story
about Wanda’s grief. That does not mean the everyone’s favorite AI will not
return by the end of the series, only that he has not yet.
All this is to say that a two-part premiere was exactly what
WandaVision needed as the second episode brings clarity to what the show
actually is. I have not been this excited about a MCU project in a long time and
cannot wait to see where it goes from here. There are so many possibilities and
interesting potentialities. And it somehow ties into Sam Raimi’s first film in
nearly a decade. That is quite thrilling.
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