A new era of Marvel has begun, and it couldn’t have had a more abnormal kickoff. After a saga of 23 films, the MCU takes a gander with television, and the interconnectivity has gotten a whole lot deeper…and weirder.
After a full year absence, Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe launches with WandaVision, a head-scratching but delightful new show that has its roots buried deep in the roots and traditions of sitcoms. Elizabeth Olson and Paul Bettany are back as Wanda Maximoff and Vision respectively, attempting to make a normal living in suburban America while trying to hide their abilities from their nosey neighbors.
Right from the get-go, the actual sitcom is the focus of the series, and those who tune in wanting to find answers will be letdown by these first two episodes, as it indulges in all the tropes of the 1950s and ’60s with complete glee and reverence. Though the mystery remains in the background, the show still takes one or two moments per episode to reveal that something isn’t quite right. Vision happens to be alive with no acknowledgment of how (the show opens on a rather dark but subtle joke on his death), the black-and-white setting has flashes of color and other moments that I won’t spoil. The trailers showcase them moving through the decades and taking on the tropes of the comedy shows of each era, and the end of episode 2 has them transitioning into the permanent color of the 1960s. It’s safe to assume the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s will have representation in future episodes.
Bewitched and The Dick Van Dyke Show are the two shows that these early episodes are taking inspiration from, even down to the geography of the house. Though this style of humor will forever belong to the time it originated, the jokes land and I found myself smiling for much of the runtime. The second episode is easily the funniest of the two, as the titular pair attempt a magic show without revealing their powers. Paul Bettany in the past has shown he can do comedy, but I didn’t realize how good he can be, and much of the physical hijinks he falls into is a riot to watch. The chemistry between Bettany and Olsen shines better here than it did in the films. Kathryn Hahn makes her debut into the universe credited as Nosey Neighbor and she is perhaps the most active character in the show thus far. Olsen does a brilliant job playing a character in another era and her performance subtly hints that Wanda knows more than what’s going on.
WandaVision is a perplexing entry in the MCU that has a great mystery that will unfold in the remaining seven episodes. Those who love sitcoms, especially the eras of old, will find their fill here. It takes some curving expectations for what the show is but meeting it on its terms will provide a rewarding experience. We will be back to review the show in its entirety when it concludes.
