*Spoilers Ahead*
Marvel released the first two episodes of its latest TV series, WandaVision, starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany on Disney Plus on Jan. 15. The show took a quite different approach than anything Marvel has done before. Instead of an action-packed hero versus villain story, WandaVision follows Wanda Maximoff, better known as the Scarlet Witch, and Vision as they begin their lives together as husband and wife.
Vision was created by Tony Stark in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and was brought to life by Thor and the mind stone.
The show has many similarities to classic sitcoms. The first episode appears to be a parody of the 1950s program, “I Love Lucy.” It has a classic ’50s theme song and features the characters in black and white. Wanda and Vision have just recently moved to a small town in the 50s, and the town and clothing they wear reflect this. The show also ends with Wanda and Vision smiling at the camera, as the screen closes out on them, similar to other shows of the time.
The second episode suddenly picks up in the 1960s. Still in black and white, the characters are now depicted in an environment reflecting the era. Wanda’s clothing has changed to a shirt and pants from the classic dresses she wore in the previous episode.
The home also shifts from its 1950s look to match the time period that is now displayed. It includes a cartoon-style intro as a reference to the show, “Bewitched.”
It looks as though the show is starting a trend – shifting to a new decade every episode. The end of episode two showed Wanda and Vision’s home alter into a 1970s style, bringing full color into the show. Could episode three reference the popular sitcom, “The Brady Bunch?” It is not yet clear why or how the show’s setting is changing so often.
The show also made sure to include audience sound effects throughout as most sitcoms do. A laugh track was used quite often for humorous scenes. An “aww” track was also played in a scene where Wanda creates wedding rings for her and Vision.
While the two still had their powers that fans have seen throughout the “Avengers” movies, Wanda and Vision desire to live a normal life and to fit in with those around them. Throughout both episodes, the two attempt to do things normally, but problems arise causing them to use their powers without the knowledge of others.
In the first episode, Wanda is unprepared for a dinner with Vision’s boss and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Hart. She closes all openings to the kitchen so that she can use her powers unnoticed. Vision also uses his powers when Mr. Hart begins to choke on a piece of meat during dinner. Out of sight of Mrs. Hart, Vision retrieves the meat from his throat.
The second episode also brings in complications for the two superheroes. Wanda talks Vision into participating in the town talent show, putting on a magic act. In her attempt to fit in with the town, Wanda wishes to perform “fake” magic tricks, or rather, tricks that do not actually require superhero powers. This plan backfires, however, when Vision takes a piece of gum from his co-workers and accidentally swallows it. It gets stuck inside him, being part robot, causing him to function uncontrollably.
During the talent show, Vision starts to show some of his powers, such as flying and super strength, that causes Wanda to use her own powers to provide a logical cause for his actions. She makes a rope appear so that it looks like Vision was hanging from it the whole time. She also turns a piano into cardboard so that it did not look like Vision had the strength to lift a piano.
There are many mysterious features shown about the series. In episode two, Wanda encounters a radio, while a member of her neighborhood is nearby, that says, “Wanda…Who’s doing this to you, Wanda?” Wanda looks very disturbed to hear this. Is it possible that Wanda knew who the voice belongs to? Or is her reaction more from fright and confusion?
At the end of the same episode, Wanda and Vision step outside of their house to a noise. Emerging from a manhole appears to be a beekeeper. When Wanda sees this, she first looks upset or frightened and then firmly says “No.” She then rewinds life back to her and Vision together in their house before the noise arose.
Wanda’s actions make it look like she is aware of who the beekeeper was, and that she wanted to avoid this person. Could the unidentified beekeeper possibly be a villain, one who has not yet been introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Another possibility is that Wanda is trying to escape reality. As fans know, Vision was killed by Thanos in “Avengers: Infinity War.” His presence in the new show, therefore, is unclear. How did he manage to come back to life? It is possible that Vision is actually not alive, but Wanda is using her apparent reality shifting powers to create a life with Vision in it?
At the end of episode two, Wanda also finds that she is suddenly pregnant. She asks Vision if this is really happening, looking as if she does not completely believe it to be so. Vision assures her that it is. Is Wanda’s question another hint that her life shown is not real? Is she trying to convince herself otherwise by her question to Vision?
At the end of both episodes, the camera zooms out from Wanda and Vision to show them on a small TV screen, where they are being watched by someone in room full of other equipment.
These scenes are more modern, shown in color. Could this person be the voice coming from the radio? Or is this a villain who has trapped Wanda, and maybe Vision if he truly is alive, inside a pretend world of the past? Wanda and Vision seem happy with their lives together, so if they are trapped, are they aware that the world is not real?
Only time will tell as the series continues. It seems apparent though, that this is more than just a sitcom about Wanda and Vision’s lives together as a married couple. More mysterious moments will likely occur as we come closer to uncovering the truth
The first season will have nine episodes, concluding on Mar. 5 of this year. A second season of the show is not impossible, but the series has not been renewed at this point.
Episode three of WandaVision will be released on Disney+ on Jan. 22.
Rebekah Davidson
Intern