When WandaVision first began in January I really didn’t know what to make of it. I didn’t really get the concept of the show as a whole and I’ve never been a huge an of the Wanda Maximoff character in the films. But, given the fact it is the only entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe we’ve gotten since Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019, I was more than willing to give it a chance.
To be fair though, this isn’t so much a review of WandaVision Season 1, as no doubt anyone reading this has already watched it, but more a collection of thoughts after finishing the final episode.
Now, firstly do I expect another season of WandaVision? No, I do not. At least, not in the original format that Season 1 took. There is obviously a future for several of the characters from show such as Wanda Maximoff, Monica Rambeau, Agent Woo and Vision but outside of the obvious integration into the wider universe, I personally see no value in another season of WandaVision as it’ll be almost impossible to capture lightning in a bottle for a second time.
As I said in my opening paragraph, I wasn’t sold on the concept of the show at first. The biggest issue I had with the show at the start of it all wasn’t the fact that I found the show intriguing on its own merit but rather the fact I found it intriguing based on my knowledge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole. and that there is really the show’s biggest (and only) weak point – it cannot survive on its own.
While any superhero film or show could be someone’s first, WandaVision isn’t built to be that. As an entry point into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the show fails miserably. Without prior knowledge of the history of these characters, the show would crumble under its own artistic weight and would provide no value to anyone looking to dip their toe into the water.
However, as the latest entry into the 13 year saga of the MCU, it is astounding.
Since their introduction in Avengers: Age of Ultron in 2015, Wanda Maximoff and Vision have been given a bit of a raw deal when it comes to the MCU as a whole. Neither character has really been given time to shine and were often lost in the shuffle causing them to fade away to supporting characters at best.
So, Disney Plus is the perfect home to allow these characters to grow and develop and become what they are meant to be as despite her multiple appearances, WandaVision is the definitive origin story of Scarlet Witch.
Over nine episodes of weekly small screen action (with a big screen budget), WandaVision took two characters I had very little interest in and made them into two of the most fleshed out, interesting and relatable characters in the whole of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From 50’s inspired hijinks of episode one to the heart-breaking conclusion of episode nine, WandaVision is tremendous… But what does it mean for the future of the MCU?
Well, for the first time ever we have a fully powered Scarlet Witch out in the world, ready to join forces with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in 2022. Monica Rambeau has successfully began her transition into Photon for her next appearance in Captain Marvel 2 (and possibly Secret Invasion) and we got our first real introduction to S.W.O.R.D. and let’s not forget the fact Vision is out there in the world as well.
The admiration I have for Disney / Marvel to take such a risk in moving their world forward so much in the form of a streaming show cannot be understated. There are people, such as myself, who probably thought that shows like WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Solider etc wouldn’t have any real consequences for the MCU moving forward and end up being disposable entries into the wider universe such as Iron Man 2 or Ant-Man and that clearly isn’t the case.
The biggest compliment to the show though is the fact it kept us guessing. Every week the show left us with a talking point causing the internet to lose its mind coming up with various theories about where the story would end up and what would happen in the next episode. I saw more fan theories for WandaVision week to week than I saw for the full year leading into Avengers: Endgame.
I even had a theory of my on own that saw Wanda Maximoff becoming the living embodiment of the Mind Stone after destroying it in Avengers: Infinity War but thankfully, nobody trusts me enough to write for Marvel. Long story short though, WandaVision is definitely worthwhile and dare I say essential viewing for anyone with a passing interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
by Edward Laing
