After 18 Months away, does the MCU return with a bang? Lets unpack the first two episodes of WandaVision!
Hey Everyone,
Welcome Back to the Lab!
After just over 18-months since our last venture into the MCU with Spider-Man Far From Home, we were finally graced with new Marvel Content with its first entry into Phase 4, through its first Disney Plus TV Show, WandaVision. Let’s delve into the first two episodes that premiered on DisneyPlus this morning.
Spoilers follow for Avengers Infinity War/ Endgame and mild spoilers for WandaVision.
If you haven't watched the premiere yet, i would suggest going back to watch it then return to this post!
Let’s jump into it!
After a break in MCU entertainment, I was finally overjoyed to press play on Episode 1 of WandaVision and once again hear those ever loving pre-content Marvel Studios Sizzle. It’s been a long time coming. Yet the premise of our first venture into Phase 4 is quite an unusual one. Set an unspecified amount of time after Avengers Endgame, Wanda and Vision are moving into the town of Westview after recently married. They want to live a normal life and blend in, yet this proves to be quite challenging for them. Now as keen fans are aware, the last time we saw Vision, he was killed at the hands of Thanos with Wanda left grieving. So do we find out the answer to how he has returned.
In Short.
No.
Yet it doesn't mean we won't find out as the series goes on. Instead the series opening episodes opts for more of a slow burn, setting up the overall mystery whilst showing us the different comedy troupes through the ages. The Show starts in the 1950’s, in Black and White and was even filmed in front of a studio audience. It really feels as if we have gone back in time and is a huge departure to everything that has come before, yet it works. The fact it flips this universe upside down and gives us something new to embrace makes it worth watching and also quite refreshing. After years of all out spectacle it is great to take a step back and for WandaVision to really take its time in its set up. It is a very unique way to start Phase 4 of the MCU that's for sure.
After episode one, each episode then transitions into a different time period and different TV Troupe showcasing our titular characters in various situations such as a dinner party and a talent show. Those tuning in for an all action show-stopper from the get-go will be disappointed from the first two episodes and its lack of action but that doesnt mean action won't come later and personally, i feel the lack of action in these opening episodes works in the shows favour. It allows us more time with these characters to get reacquainted after such a long time. The series works well to plant the elements of mystery throughout whilst reminding us why we love the characters of Wanda and Vision so much.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has not ventured into TV in this way before, and with a new form of content comes the new format in the form of weekly episodes. Usually with Marvel we are used to going to the cinema, watching a two-hour movie and being given the information in one go. Even with TV Shows we can usually binge an entire series in a day thanks to streamers such as Netflix. So Marvel choosing to have a weekly release for their content is a bold move, however it is a move that I think is going to come into its favour due to the show's various engaging elements. Week by Week viewers will be able to theorise and predict what may come next in the show and by the end of this week's opening episodes, viewers will certainly be doing just that. The first two episodes alone have already opened alot of questions for us to try and figure out the answers too so as the weeks go on, i think there is going to be a lot more. It’s safe to say something is amiss in WestView but we are going to save our theories until after episode 3 next week i'm afraid!.
One thing is for certain, the concept of the show and it’s various troupes and elements really gives the cast the chance to shine. Both Elisabeth Olsen (Wanda) and Paul Bettany (Vision) take these characters that we assume we know quite a lot about already and introduce us to new elements we have never seen before. We get to see them adapt to various situations and predicaments that we may not have seen in an ensemble movie. We haven't had the chance to see them live an ordinary life and this series gives us this chance. We also get to see more of their relationship and love for one another. Whilst this was seen partially in previous Avengers movies, a TV Show allows for the cast and creators to really delve into their relationship more, making us as a viewer really grow to love them both together and separately over the nine episodes. One of the best parts of this show so far, is seeing how much fun the actors are having. With them both taking this new form of comedy in their stride you can see they are having a blast, and it comes across on screen.
Overall WandaVision is a welcome return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, opening Phase 4 in a new and engaging format which I'm sure is going to keep viewers hooked week by week. WandaVision is going to certainly bring a mystery or two and will sure have repercussions with the rest of the upcoming Phase 4 and Marvel Cinematic Universe in general and I for one cannot wait to see what is really going on and how it will affect things going forward.
We are going to be doing a post all on our thoughts and theories surrounding WandaVision and what it could mean for the MCU next week after episode 3. For Now, let us know what you thought of the episode. Do you have any theories yourself?
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Until our next post
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Harry x