When the MCU hit TV with Agents of Shield, I personally fell off it pretty hard. They took a fan favourite Agent Coulson, but tried to use the same formula and vibe that worked for the movies. Then there was the Netflix series which worked because they gave a different feel for the episodes, if still relatively on the same formula.
Now there is WandaVision and whatever formula has been consistent has gone for what so far is the better.
It is always tough to assess if an aspect of a show is actually good until its payoff, and so with the first two episodes of WandaVision I can say it is awesome so far, but my god I hope it pays off.
If you watched any of the trailers and saw the 60s black and white sitcom scenes, with scenes splashed in scenes and a touch of action then like me you may have been confused as hell. Well I can say that after two episodes of WandaVision, I am still confused as hell but in a good way.
The show kicks off with Vision and Wanda aka Scarlet Witch moving into their new home in a new town with gender roles and laugh tracks intact. Wanda and Vision go through some hijinks like trying to remember a symbol on their calendars meaning which results in classic sitcom humour.
They are aware of their powers and who they are, but want to fit into their new home creating that classic ‘hide the powers’ dynamic. When questions about their past are asked it seems to trigger Wanda to go into a bit of a trance state. Throughout Episode 2 Wanda sees the odd bit of colour and we start to see the veneer of what is going on peel back a little. That and an ominous voice at the end talking as if to Wanda on the outside of whatever this is.
I won’t touch the story any more than that because it seems ripe for spoilers, but it’s definitely a must see. The show is loaded with some solid acting but Elisabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany are definitely a power couple. They somehow got asked the task of acting like you are from the 60s on TV and have superpowers you are trying to suppress and they absolutely nail it. Vision is equal parts stiff Android and stiff 60s businessman and it’s a joy to watch.
Wandavision is as ominous and creepy as it is entertaining, and I can’t wait to see how the showrunners take us on this journey.