WandaVision Debut Review: A Visionary Journey Into Mystery

WandaVision is a bold choice to kick off a new era for the MCU. Disney Plus made the smart decision to debut this series with two episodes.

Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany are wondaful (I’m sorry). Both nail the comedic rhythms. Olsen has the more complex role as she fuels the dramatic elements. For example, in the first episode, there’s a tense dinner scene and the way Olsen snaps from sitcom acting to dramatic acting is astounding. Another benefit of the sitcom approach is Olsen can drop the Eastern European accent and use her regular voice, which allows for a more thoughtful performance.

Adding to the regular cast is Kathryn Hahn as Agnes. She is Wanda’s neighbor and seems to have a solution for every problem facing Wanda. Hahn is no stranger to sitcoms and adds another layer of authenticity to the format of WandaVision.

WandaVision isn’t a parody of classic sitcoms. On the surface, it’s an unabashed love letter to the classic 1950’s sitcom formula. The 3-camera setup, jokes and the mostly black-and-white color palette are just some of the techniques employed.

However, what really makes WandaVision a marvel, is the layers built upon the classic sitcom formula. Since the series commits to the aesthetic, it makes the smallest of cracks in the facade stand out. A brief glimpse of color, a change in camera perspective or a quick line of dialogue is all that’s necessary.

Special shoutout to the fake commercials. In episode one, a toaster made by Stark Industries is featured and a watch made by Strucker aka Hydra is the product of choice for episode two.

With all of the non-spoiler details out of the way, here’s a deeper dive into episodes one and two of WandaVision.

Wandavision Pilot

The first episode closely adheres to the classic sitcom premise. There’s a date on the calendar marked with a heart. It’s the 23rd (fun). Neither Vision nor Wanda know why the date is important.

Vision finds out that a dinner with his boss, Mr. Hart played by Fred Melamed, is the reason for the date and the heart. Meanwhile, after some prompting from Agnes, Wanda decides it’s her and Vision’s anniversary. A phone call between the two leads to a misunderstanding.

Vision is expecting Wanda to prep a multiple course meal, while Wanda is preparing for a romantic rendezvous. Mr. Hart and Mrs. Hart come over for dinner. Debra Jo Rupp (That 70’s Show matriarch) is a master at this type of sitcom material and adds a lot to these scenes. Think Kitty-Red Foreman and you essentially get the vibe WandaVision is reaching for with these scenes.

The episode’s tone takes a turn towards the serious. After some dinner hijinks, the two couples sit for dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Hart ask Wanda and Vision some pointed questions. Eventually, Mr. Hart begins to choke. The three-camera format changes to a single camera shot and Wanda sternly asks Vision to help Mr. Hart, which he does.

The ending of this episode and the next one are subtle but diverge from classic sitcom norms. If this were to follow the classic sitcom formula, the episode would have shown the dinner magically coming together and Vision getting a promotion. However, that’s not what happens. The episode ends with Vision getting the promotion despite the dinner ending in disaster. The ending is intentionally unearned and the abrupt resolution to the problem serves to tell us something isn’t up to snuff.

Magic Act

The 2nd episode takes more departures from the formula. In fact, the first scene proves that the show is breaking with the conventions. The opening scene has Vision and Wanda in separate beds, which is a typical bedroom setting for classic sitcoms. The scene ends with Wanda pushing the beds together and indulging in some morning delight. Wanda’s bedroom magic is a nice tip of the hat that this episode is going to play with it’s setting a bit more.

Wanda and Vision are preparing for a neighborhood talent show. Before the talent show, the couple wants to try to make the neighborhood their home. Beautiful, tender acting from Olsen. In an effort to do so, Vision meets with the neighborhood (gossip) watch group in the library, while Wanda meets with the neighborhood planning committee. The comedic highlight of these scenes is Vision eating food that really gums up the works.

Wanda’s story introduces two new characters to the show. Geraldine aka Monica Rambeau is the most important from an MCU standpoint. She hits it off with Wanda at the planning meeting. Rambeau is the first character in the show that questions what going on around her. Teyonah Parris does a great job showing her nervousness.

So far Agnes has done everything she can to help Wanda. In the previous episode, Wanda needed a meal, Agnes gave her the ingredients. During this episode, Agnes preps Wanda as they walk to the planning committee meeting. Even telling Wanda, she needs to do whatever it takes to please Dottie.

WandaVision’s queen bee is Dottie. She runs the planning committee and has no problem putting other members down when they don’t meet her standards. Emma Caulfield Ford (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) is a natural with this type of material.

Similar to the dinner party in the last episode, the talent show in a disaster. However, Wanda and Vision are announced as the winners of the talent show due to the comedy.

The Illusion of WandaVision

The facade is showing signs of wear and tear throughout this episode. Early in the episode, a mini red and gold (nice homage to Iron Man) helicopter is stuck in a bush.

Shortly after Geraldine’s introduction, Dottie and Wanda have a tense moment. Wanda says she means no harm, while Dottie doesn’t believe her. Their conversation is interrupted by a voice from the poolside radio asking if Wanda can hear him. Dottie breaks a glass and cuts herself. The blood is red breaking the black-and-white gradient for the 2nd time in the episode.

The strangest break from this reality comes at the end of the episode. Wanda is suddenly pregnant. Then after hearing some rustling outside, Wanda and Vision take a look. A beekeeper is climbing out of a neighborhood sewer grate. Wanda says no. Then all of a sudden the shot zooms out and you see the “WandaVision” show on a monitor (Think The Truman Show), which then rewinds back to the moments before Wanda and Vision went outside.

Once inside the black-and-white color palette begins to quickly fall away starting with Vision, then the background scenery and finally Wanda herself. I’m assuming the rest of the series will be in color.

Final Thoughts on WandaVision

After two episodes, it’s quite clear that Kevin Feige and Showrunner Jac Schaeffer are keeping their cards close to their chests. We still don’t know who’s controlling this illusion.

Either Wanda created this world to protect the people inside or she was somehow forced into this illusion, while someone with magical powers takes advantage in the real world.

What do you think is going on in WondaVision? Send in your best theories.

Liked it? Take a second to support Chris Lee on Patreon!