WandaVision Review: The Series Midpoint Is An Improvement

The further we get into WandaVision, the less it is a fun new take on what the Marvel Cinematic Universe can be and the more it becomes indistinguishable from what came before. That is not to say that ‘On a Very Special Episode…’ is bad episode. It is not and is, in fact, a significant improvement over last week’s episode. The series remains largely stagnant until the closing moments, but those moments introduce intriguing possibilities.

Full Spoilers for ‘Ona Very Special Episode…’ follow. You have been warned.

A with ‘Now In Color’, the sitcom aspects of this episode do not work at all¹. That could be, as I argued with that episode, a stroke of pure genius to further emphasize the discordant reality inside WandaVision (and also WandaVision). More likely is writers Peter Cameron and Mackenzie Dohr were unable to reproduce that style of writing effectively.

What they are effectively able to relate is Vision’s growing discomfort and despair in the world. Every scene he features in, he starts to see the seams. Whether it Agnes² always showing up at the perfect time with whatever the family needs for their sitcom problem or the eerie lack of children in the neighborhood.

This culminates in maybe the best scene of the show to date in which Vision confronts his wife about Wanda controlling their lives. Both Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany are excellent in this scene as heir characters both express their insecurities, though Vision is significantly more forthright. Bettany especially is allowed to let loose as Vision contemplates his very existence and the despair he feels not knowing anything about himself prior to the series.

Of course, that scene ends in the episode’s big reveal: Pietro is back…. except he is Evan Peters³. It seems as though Wanda—or more likely Agnes, given Wanda’s surprise at the twist—accidentally pulled an alternate universe version of her brother into her TV show. Within the narrative, I am not sure why.

Outside it, the powers that be at Marvel Studios have been insistent they will not revive characters so as to keep deaths meaningful. The exception being Vision, who seems likely to fall to pieces if he leaves Westview. Of course, if they decide to just use alternate versions, they may as well just revive characters, even if I would much rather watch Evan Peters than Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

The other side of this episode is about S.W.O.R.D.’s continued efforts to catch up to what viewers already know. There is at least that fun scene where Wanda comes out of Westview and threatens them. Seeing Olsen strike a more antagonistic tone here was fun. Unfortunately, she used that bad accent that she dropped following Captain America: Civil War. I am not sure if that is a hint to what is happening or simply an acknowledgement that not using it is her attempting to assimilate both into the Avengers in prior films and Westview in this show.

There are also hints about Monica Rambeau’s future. Her unspecified labs (sounds like bloodwork and maybe a CT scan; it was hard to tell) look like they were made of pure light. She also had a distinct reaction to hearing Captain Marvel’s name. It seems clear where the character is headed. The question is if it happens here or in Captain Marvel 2.

Finally, I would like to point out this is the first episode with a post-credits scene. Notably, it features the aforementioned scene with Peters playing Quicksilver, a roll he originated (in live action) in X-Men: Days of Future Past. That film is seventh in a series that began using such scenes around the time the concept of the MCU was likely being hatched. I have no idea if that was purposeful, but it is certainly interesting.

Overall ‘On a Very Special Episode…’ is a good episode of television that makes me want to return for the next installment. That is, unmistakably, the MCU’s greatest feature and why it is the biggest movie series of all time. It also one of the primary goals of serialized storytelling. is still a month of WandaVision remaining and that is enough time for it to become a classic or a disaster. Or maybe something in between. Only time will tell.

 

¹Well, the opening song, set design, and costuming are all perfect but feel useless with the writing as it is.

²I think I figured out who Agnes is: Wanda’s subconscious mind. It’s why she’s always around with whatever is needed. She is also the one that keeps the entire neighborhood running.

³I made a joke about Peters being Quicksilver in this show to someone a couple weeks ago, never expecting it to come true. Wish I had that in writing.