By George Bate & Josh Bate
After an unexpectedly long wait that totaled over 18 months, the MCU is back with WandaVision, an unusual and intriguing project marking the first Marvel series on Disney+.
The first two episodes of WandaVision are in the format of classic 1950’s and 1960’s sitcoms a la Bewitched or I Love Lucy: black and white, a laugh track playing, and a catchy theme song. They even filmed parts in front of a live studio audience! Over the course of the series’ first two episodes, the lead characters get into various sitcom-esque situations, such as inviting Vision’s boss and his wife over for dinner and hosting a town magic show, both of which go predictably awry.
Lurking in the background of these two episodes is an ominous feeling that something is not quite right in the world of Wanda and Vision. Things seem a little too perfect, they can’t remember their anniversary or how they moved to the town, and more highlight this feeling. The strange person on the radio asking “who’s doing this to you, Wanda?”, along with the red and yellow helicopter and, perhaps most notably, the beekeeper at the end of the second episode, all add to this ominous feeling. As the season goes on, the mystery of what is happening to these two Avengers will begin to unfold.
Perhaps the biggest compliment that can be said of WandaVision is that they fully commit to their unique premise. The first two episodes really feel like episodes of a classic sit-com, with only small bursts of mystery sprinkled throughout. It would be understandable if, after an episode, Kevin Feige and co. decided to bring these characters into the more traditional MCU world and tell the story in a way that fans have come to expect. However, even after two full episodes, WandaVision doesn’t back away from its premise, instead opting to turn the season into a slow burn mystery show. This makes it all the more appealing and highlights the diverse storytelling in the MCU’s future.
The third episode of WandaVision will air next week on Disney+. After WandaVision, Marvel Studios has The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, Hawkeye, What If…?, and Ms. Marvel all scheduled to premiere this year on Disney+.
Images courtesy of Disney+ and Marvel Studios