After a near two year absence, the MCU swooped back onto screens this week with WandaVision kickstarting phase four on Disney Plus. In normal times, Black Widow would have had that honor. However, given the state of the world, it’s all the more fitting that this high concept sitcom is given the privilege of serving up the first helping of Marvel in over a year.
After early praise from critics heightened anticipation, the first two episodes have given fans plenty to digest. That includes some fantastic easter eggs referencing other MCU titles, as well as some more obscure moments from Marvel comics. Even if viewers weren’t keeping their eyes open for the many small clues or hints to the larger story, there were plenty of fun, strange, and enjoyable moments peppered throughout WandaVision.
As the Infinity Saga drew to a frantic close, there were fewer opportunities to embrace the quieter moments. Having spent so long on the run, Wanda and Vision are rarely afforded the chance to establish their relationship in quite the same manner as the likes of Tony and Pepper. It was always about doing the best with the time they had. “We are an unusual couple you know,” Wanda observes, “We don’t have an anniversary, or a song or even a wedding ring.” Yet, these are the type of intimate moments audiences are treated to in WandaVision.
Whether Wanda is responsible for dreaming up this reality is up for debate. If she is, there’s every chance that those regrets are fuelling her. The first two episodes are devoid of an immediate threat making the heartfelt moments between the couple feel like they’re making up for lost time.
In other hands, the tonal whiplash between the usual Marvel fare and WandaVision could easily have fallen flat. It owes to the strength of both the writing and of stars Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany’s acting range that this 50s styled sitcom still feels like the return of an old friend. Bettany recently teased an ‘unbelievable’ unannounced actor’s appearance in the show, suggesting they have some “real fireworks together.” So far though, it’s Olsen and Bettany’s wonderful chemistry that takes center stage, as their lines and comedic timing are delivered with the swagger of actors who are completely at ease with one another and the genre-bending show.
At the climax of episode one, the camera pulls back to reveal an operative of SWORD is monitoring the events transpiring in Westview on a TV set in the real world. This is signified by the contrast between the monochrome color palette of Wanda’s reality and the color-filled real world. While the black and white image is maintained for the duration of episode one, there are several breaches in episode two.
After some strange noises disturb Wanda and Vision, Wanda discovers a toy helicopter in her bushes. Its body is doused in a very deliberate scarlet red with additional yellow markings, one of which is the SWORD logo. Later, Wanda attends a gathering organized by neighborhood lynchpin Dottie. As the two have a tense exchange about some rumors Dottie heard about Wanda and Vision, someone appears to reach out to Wanda over a nearby radio with concerns for her safety, suggesting this reality may have been conjured malevolently by an enemy.
It seems likely that SWORD is responsible for attempting to contact her here, considering the hint with the helicopter and their monitoring station in episode one. Dottie, in some distress caused by the radio intrusion, grips a glass too tightly – shattering it – causing a deep cut in her palm. Once again, scarlet red stands out against the plain background. Although, unlike Wanda with the helicopter, Dottie seems less startled by the sudden injection of color.
These are the first examples of this reality’s seams being tested, hinting at unease beneath the idyllic Westview setting. The final example is the appearance of the Beekeeper who prompts Wanda to rewind reality, and return indoors with Vision. At this point their surroundings are drenched in color, perhaps signifying that Wanda is entrenching deeper into this reality – desperate to make it real. Though their entrance into the MCU was already loosely teased in Spider-Man: Far From Home, fans got their first proper glimpse of SWORD in WandaVision.
Episode one’s denouement revolves around the dinner party the couple throw for Vision’s boss, Mr. Hart. After several calamitous attempts at preparing dinner and one hilarious rendition of “Yakity Yak” by Vision, Wanda finally serves up breakfast for dinner. Their guests put it down to her Sokovian background, but it serves as another subtle hint at their jarring presence in this reality.
As they tuck into their dinner, the conversation switches to the couple’s origins. Wanda glares into the distance in something of a trance as Mr. Hart wants to know more about their history. He becomes more insistent, demanding to know why they came to Westview. Here the camera technique changes as the mood becomes ominous, employing close up shots of the character’s faces.
As Wanda struggles or perhaps refuses to remember, Mr. Hart begins to choke on his dinner. Mrs. Hart pleads playfully with him at first, “Oh stop it” believing it to be a trick but her pleas soon turn desperate as she realizes he’s struggling. Mrs. Hart turns to Wanda, begging her to “stop it” several times until Wanda calmly and precisely tells Vision to help him – as though she’s in total control of the situation. This moment is one of the first indications of a more sinister plot hiding beneath the humor. It does a great job of creating a sense unease when the episode had lacked any threat up to that point.
Undoubtedly the high point so far was the hilarious magic show the couple performs, featuring an unusually out of sorts Vision. Having ingested some ‘Big Red’ chewing gum, Vision becomes ‘intoxicated,’ messing up names, muddling phrases, spewing secrets, and using some of his superpowers in full view of the rest of the community.
The show becomes a gleeful game of cat and mouse as Wanda has to account for each of Vision’s slip-ups. As he floats, she conjures a rope to hoist him with, when he lifts a piano with one hand she transforms it into a cardboard cut-out and reveals a set of mirrors when Vision appears to faze his hat through his body. Bettany thrives in this particular scene, completely selling this idea of ‘drunk vision’ as his mannerisms complement each of the confused gags he accidentally delivers. It’s a credit to Kevin Feige and the rest of Marvel Studios that they saw the potential for his character, and this pairing, beyond the Infinity Saga.
Having the MCU back feels like the beginnings of a return to a semblance of normality after a troubling year. The opening two episodes of WandaVision were packed with exciting moments. What about Agnes’ reference to the devil in the detail? Some clever foreshadowing or the writers toying with the fans? Whatever the truth, the next seven episodes are going to certain to offer up more mysteries, hilarity, and hopefully some answers.
The first two episodes of WandaVision are streaming now Disney Plus, with a new episode released every Friday.
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