**Spoilers for WandaVision below**
Marvel have spent the last 13 years perfecting their style, and audiences know what to expect at this point. While some might call them formulaic, there’s not doubting the comfort you feel putting on a superhero film when you pretty much know exactly what you’re in for. Even the Marvel logo preceding the movies feels more like a title sequence than anything else.
All that changed, however, with the announcement of the MCU’s Phase 4. For the first time, major Marvel properties would debut on streaming platforms. This would allow for a different kind of storytelling. A serial narrative unlike anything we’ve seen before.
The Wanda Show
Right from the get go, WandaVision presents itself as a show within a show. In the first episode, Wanda and Vision have to play hosts to the latter’s boss coming over for dinner. It’s a classic sitcom scenario, but our two leads’ magical hi-jinks prove that they themselves are anything but.
At first it’s a radical departure from anything Marvel have done before. It isn’t until we’re slowly drip-fed hints that not everything is as it seems do we start to realize what’s truly going on.
This “mystery box” style of storytelling works, and recalls the days of shows like Lost, which had fans endlessly debating what everything means to the point of rabid obsession.
This time round however, fans are probably more likely to be pleased with the outcome. The rug isn’t so much pulled from under us as it is shown that it was there all along, often hiding in plain sight.
It’s in these sitcom style episodes we get to see a bit of variety in the titular stars’ acting chops. Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda) shows us how hilarious she can be, and Paul Bettany (Vision) makes us wonder why he was stuck in a recording booth for most of his early MCU appearances.
A Vision of Reality
Midway through the series, more of a balance is attempted between ‘the Hex’ (Wanda’s fictional world), and real life. The events outside of ‘the Hex’ give us a welcome chance to follow some of the minor characters from previous MCU films. Kat Dennings and Randall Park return as Darcy Lewis and Jimmy Woo respectively, both of whom delight in their roles.
While the real-world segments may not be quite as compelling, there’s a definite joy in watching these characters try to navigate many of the same questions the viewers have.
When we do finally get answers, they’re usually satisfying enough to keep us intrigued. Although some reveals may bring to mind one of the controversial twists from Marvel’s past.
Love’s Labour’s Lost
WandaVision acts as an origin story for Scarlet Witch, as we finally see her transform into the character Marvel have built her towards.
It’s also a beautiful exploration of grief and loss, excercised beautifully by Olsen’s deft portrayal of the heroine.
She’s in such a fractured emotional state following the events of Avengers: Infinity War. We can see why she did what she did. Although the show does exonerate her perhaps a little quicker than it should.
That being said, the family unit the show builds is engaging enough to make the resolution very bittersweet. The scenes between Wanda and Vision, particularly near the end of the series, feel weighty and earned. A few tears may be shed in the closing moments.
This show feels like a welcome departure from the formula of the MCU, with some creepy moments. Perhaps a hint at some of the horror we could be seeing from Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange sequel.
For all the mysteries, action and classic Marvel thrills, WandaVision is at its heart a story of grief, love and family. In that regard, it absolutely succeeds.
