WandaVision is the long awaited return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans have been waiting for since 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home. In a genius new move, the MCU is taking to TV screens and through the streaming service of Disney Plus, and WandaVision happens to be the first of several new shows coming to the service over the next few years. This review will cover the first 3 episodes of the show, I have tried to avoid spoilers so feel free to read on, even if you’ve not watched them yet!
For those unaware, WandaVision finds us following a recently married Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany), as they move into the town of Westview and begin their new lives as a happy couple, the twist is (well one of many) everything is black and white and they seem to be in a 1950’s sitcom. When we last saw Vision in the MCU he had just been killed for a second time in a matter of moments at the hands of Thanos (Josh Brolin), so immediately we find ourselves questioning how he appears here, but for now we have to just go with it and realise it’s part of the wider mystery!
The first two episodes of the show take influence from classic TV sitcoms such as The Dick Van Dyke show and Bewitched, and although this style may not be to everyone’s liking, it’s wonderful to see how the creators of WandaVision have thrown themselves into this project and truly captured the essence of shows from this era. There are some fantastic jokes involving some very simple yet clever visual effects, and the fact the first episode of the show is filmed in front of a live studio audience is just a masterstroke and a real love letter to classic sitcoms!
This sitcom style is the one thing which concerned me most going in to WandaVision, as I wondered would it actually be funny? Thankfully, it’s hilarious! The script is so well written with some genuinely funny jokes, both visual and spoken, and they hold up even on multiple viewings. Episode 2 is arguably the funniest of the series so far, with Paul Bettany showcasing his superb comic talent, unseen since his A Knight’s Tale days, in a very memorable magic act with his on-screen wife. He’s honestly never been better in the MCU, and it’s great to see this side of him. Elizabeth Olsen is just as brilliant and the chemistry between the two actors is a joy to watch as they bounce off one another, seemingly improving each other’s performance.
For those reading this and wondering ‘so how does this link to the wider MCU?’ well, it’s hard to say, especially without going into spoiler territory. It’s fair to say after the first couple of episodes there are a dozen or so theories going round about what is really going and where the story may be headed, but if there is one criticism of the episodes, it’s that the plot doesn’t progress too far or give too many clues about where it could be headed. Episode 3 is where things get pretty juicy though as the final minutes of it reveal a much more sinister tone and have us viewers really questioning who is behind this surreal world our heroes are now living in. There are a number of easter eggs subtly planted in the episodes for eagle-eyed viewers, which relate to famous comic book stories involving the Vision and Scarlet Witch and could hint at the future of the series. I really hope from this episode onward things will really pick up and the veil of mystery regarding the main plot will gradually be pulled back. We still don’t even know who the ‘big bad’ really is!
As great as Olsen and Bettany are in WandaVision, I can’t forget to mention the brilliant supporting cast and how much they bring to the series. Kathryn Hahn (who I absolutely loved in Parks and Recreation) plays Agnes, a nosy neighbour who may or may not actually be a famous character from the comic books, and her hilarious performance probably make her the standout supporting character of these opening episodes. Emma Caulfield, of Buffy fame, appears in episode 2 in a very ‘Stepford Wives’ role and adds some sassiness to the series as well as a certain level of intrigue regarding her role in the wider story. Perhaps most interesting is the inclusion of Geraldine (Teyonah Parris), who before the series release was revealed to be playing the grown up Monica Rambeau, who we last saw as a child in Captain Marvel, so it will be exciting to see how her role develops over the next few weeks, especially as she appears to know more than initially thought in episode 3.
Although this may not be the standard superhero fare we have come to expect from Marvel Studios over the past few years, the first 3 episodes of WandaVision have enough humour and mystery to keep audiences interested. Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany have never been better in these roles, and I feel there’s even more to come from the pair as things get weirder and the stakes get higher. The plot has been fairly slow moving so far, but as things begin to pick up I’m confident we are well on our way to experiencing another epic addition to the MCU. I for one, can’t wait for episode 4!
8.5/10
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