A Blog of a Speculative Fish

This Episode was Inspired By - Modern Family & other sitcoms in the last 10 years.

Cast of Characters

Wanda Maxmioff

Vision

Tommy & Billy

Agnes

Monica Rambeau

Darcy Lewis

Episode Summary

The episode starts with Wanda waking up the next morning after Halloween. It’s obvious that Vision hasn’t returned home. She’s having trouble getting out of bed. There’s cuts to her sitting in a living room chair talking to the camera ala Modern Family. Billy and Tommy run into her room telling her that something is wrong with their game. We see that Billy and Tommy are playing video games, but the controllers will randomly change to earlier versions to even non-electronic toys in a sporadic fashion. Billy also explains his head is feeling strange, likely because of his newly developing telepathic abilities. Wanda comments how because of her use of powers the previous night, she feels she needs alone time for herself. She lacks the past interest in being a parent like the previous episodes.

We later see the boys arguing until they see their mom finally come down the stairs. She goes into the kitchen to make herself cereal for breakfast. Random things like the milk randomly starts transforming from modern day almond to whole milk in a variety of packaging at random. Wanda talks to the camera stating she’s not sure why that’s happening, but doesn’t seem to be bothered only saying “It’s probably just a case of the Mondays.”

The opening credit sequence is based on the US version of The Office.

A new SWORD base camp is being built as they observe the expanded “Hex.” Hayward comments that today is the day should launch.

Back in the Hex, we see Vision waking up from nearly being killed the night before from trying to leave the Hex. Vision is srurprised to see the previously empty field now has the setup of a circus there. He’s greeted by one of the S.W.O.R.D. agents who was skeptical of Darcy is dressed as a strongman in the circus. He tells Vision that he is late to rehearsals with the escape artist, revealed to be Darcy. She had been handcuffed to a jeep when she was pulled into the Hex, which has now turned into her being tied up with a chain to a old fashion circus parade car.

Darcy has turned into another Circus cast member as she speaks to the camera for her interview talking about how she wanted to be a bearded lady, but wasn’t qualified. Vision recognized Darcy as the woman who was trying to help him, but Darcy clearly doesn’t remember from the Hex transformation and doesn’t seem to be interested in talking to him.

Back the house, Wanda asks the boys if they have seen their Dad. The boys tell her know and are interested in going out to find him. Wanda is blase and decides it doesn’t matter if their dad choose not to come home. Billy asks about the thing their uncle said about “re-killing” their Dad. Wanda warns them that Pietro isn’t really their uncle. They’re understandably confused and Wanda indicates how she doesn’t know all the answers and perhaps everything is meaningless. The boys are both visibly worried and confused.

Agnes arrives and sees the situation. She speaks to the camera for her own interview stating it was probably good timing she arrived to help get a handle on the situation. She volunteers to babysit the boys so Wanda can have “me time.” Agnes and the boys leaves. Wanda sees more glitches and tries to fix them still uncertain what’s going on.

Meanwhile we catch up with Jimmy and Monica. Jimmy checks his e-mail and he notes that Darcy was able to finish her hacking before being pulled into the Hex. He explains Project Cataract appears to be Hayward’s attempt to reactivate Vision. It’s failed thus far until Wanda apparently did it. Monica says Hayward probably wants his sentient weapon back. Jimmy says someone needs to go in and tell Wanda what’s going on. They arrive at the meeting spot where they get needed equipment from other S.W.O.R.D. staff with closer ties to Monica and her mother than to Hayward.

Vision keeps following Darcy who isn’t interest in talking to him. Eventually through a bit of trickery, Vision is able to use his powers on Darcy to wake her up. She reveals her real name and Vision remembers her name from the strange e-mail he saw at work in Episode 5. She agrees to explain more info to him. They both grab a van and quickly escape the circus back to his and Wanda’s house.

Wanda continues to see glitches and she’s still frustrated with not knowing what’s going on and why they’re happening.

At Agnes’s house, the boys are playing with Senor Scratchy. Billy says he likes being in her house because “you’re quiet on the inside.” Agnes looks concerned about this. The boys are understandably concerned about their mom, while Agnes tries to reassure them their mom will be okay.

Monica attempts to enter the Hex, but the equipment fails as they are partially transmuted. She goes in directly where she hears echoes of her childhood as seen in Captain Marvel. She emerges in Westview and her eyes are glowing while demonstrating an ability to see energy in the Hex. She hurries to Wanda’s house.

Darcy and Vision slowly make their way towards the house as well where Darcy is answering Vision’s questions and explaining the truth of his past and origins. They keep being diverted from getting to the house faster. Vision is convinced Wanda is preventing from getting home for some reason. Despite the terrible past, Darcy does reassure him that their love for each other is real.

Monica arrives and tries to warn Wanda, but Wanda forces her out of the house. Monica shows signs of her new abilities as she’s able to resist injury from Wanda’s attack. Monica confronts Wanda to force her to listen and recognize that you have to face your sorrows and pain instead of hiding the truth from yourself. Agnes sees what’s going on outside and interrupts the conversation. She pulls Wanda inside her house.

Vision and Darcy are still being blocked. Vision has processed everything Darcy told him and he realizes he needs to hurry back home to reconcile with his emotionally vulnerable wife. He flies off without Darcy.

At Agnes’s house, Wanda notices signs the boys were there but she doesn’t see them. Agnes tells her they probably went into the basement. She goes to find them and soon sees a strange tunnel that leads into a strange chamber filled with bones and a strange, glowing book. Agnes emerges looking different where she reveals Wanda wasn’t the only magic user in the town. She introduces herself by he real name: Agatha Harkness.

The episode ends with an amusing musical montage of scenes from past episodes. They demonstrate examples of Agatha using her powers to interfere with some of the events in the story. They include Herb’s behavior in episode 3, the sudden appearance of Pietro in episode 5, and her odd behavior in episode 6.

For the first time, we get bonus scene in the end credits. Monica is trying to get into Agnes’s house to talk to Wanda again. She manages to get into a cellar door. She sees glowing purple vines that correspond to Agatha’s apparent magic. She looks like she’s planning to go in that way when she’s confronted by Pietro. “Snoopers are gonna snoop.”

Commercial Break - Nexus anti-depressant pills “Because the world doesn’t revolve around you. Or does it?”

Observations & Questions

We finally get some answers as we race towards the final two episodes of this series. There been lots of fan theories that Kathryn Hahn’s “nosy neighbor” role description was rather suspicious considering she seems to be listed as being more prominent in the casting than just a nosy neighbor. Also taking into account some of the most well known storylines for Wanda and Vision, it seemed to comic book fans Kathryn might be playing a version of Agatha Harkness, who was Wanda’s mentor in magic and had some gray area roles throughout the comics.

It’s now clear that Monica is going to Photon in the MCU now that she’s gotten her powers similar to the ones she has in the comics. It remains to be seen how she’s going to try to use the newly developed powers in the final two episodes. It’ll be interesting what happens to the character after the show since Teyonah Parris is set to play the character again in the upcoming Captain Marvel sequel.

The other fascinating thing is the commercial break in this episode. Out of all the commercial breaks in this TV series, this one is most clearly pointing and referring to Wanda. The commercial is a spoof of a depression medication commercial, which tonally matches Wanda’s mood in this episode. The pointed references to “the world doesn’t revolve around you” is both a rebuke of Wanda creating an artificial world for her own comfort regardless of everyone else trapped in Westview not having a choice in the matter and also emphasizing how she does have this frightful power.

Another notable thing is the mention of the symptoms of the drug, which includes: feeling your feelings, confronting your truth, seizing your destiny and possibly more depression. These “symptoms” are poignant because Wanda’s confrontation with Monica later in the episode echoes this. We’re getting a clear reminder of how this whole Hex is Wanda not dealing with her painful traumatic life in a more healthy way.

The final thing to point out is that the name chosen for this made up drug is called Nexus. This is likely a reference to the comics where there is the Nexus of All Realities, which is the gateway to all possible realities. In other words, this is another reference to the comic book multiverse that we’re about to see over the course of Phase 4.

Final Thoughts

This Episode was Inspired By - Various comedies of 1990′s into early 2000′s

Cast of Characters

Wanda Maximoff

Vision

Pietro Maximoff

Billy & Tommy

Agent Jimmy Woo

Darcy Lewis

Monica Rambeau

Tyler Hayward

Episode Summary

The opening scene of the episode is reminiscent of Malcolm in the Middle. We see that newly “recast” Pietro is part of the family/cast.

The next scene we see Tommy wearing a Halloween costume very reminiscent of his Wiccan costume from the Young Avengers comic book series. He speaks directly to the camera as the narrator almost. Billy also seems to be a co-narrator of the show as he calls himself “the cool twin.” They both see their Uncle Pietro sleeping on the couch. They both argue about waking him up not realizing he’s awake. Pietro sneaks up on him and shows off that he still has his super speed abilities as he jokingly chases after them. The boys shout.

Wanda hurries down the stairs wearing a costume just like her original comic book appearance. Tommy asks her if she’s supposed to be “old Red Riding hood.” Wanda says she’s a “Sokovian fortuneteller.” Billy stars to say cool, but Pietro says “lame.” Billy immediately repeats his Uncle. Pietro replies that it’s “worse than the costumes Mom made the year we got typhus.” There’s an amusing flashback scene of young Wanda & Pietro in costumes trick or treating and getting fish instead of candy. Wanda comments “That’s not exactly how I remember it.” Pietro merely replies “You probably suppressed a lot of the trauma.”

Tommy narrates to the camera again. He observes that his mother has been acting weird ever since their uncle arrived. He suspects it’s because she hadn’t seen  him in a long time. Vision comes down the stairs and he appears in a costume just like his original comic book appearance. They comment on how ridiculous Vision’s outfit looks. Pietro is bonding pretty well with his nephews as they play video games together. Wanda wanted to take the boys on their first trick-or-treat, but Vision has volunteered to go on Neighborhood watch patrol. Wanda isn’t happy. Tommy notes that there has been some kind of conflict between his parents.

Pietro steps in and reassures them that he can be their surrogate Dad for the night while Vision does his neighborhood watch patrol. Pietro shows he’s a prankster and he’s planning to do classic pranks like shaving cream in balloons. Wanda points out he and Billy aren’t in costumes. Pietro and Billy go off to change. They both run fast and return in costumes. Pietro is dressed in his original Quicksilver outfit. Billy seems to be dressed as a mini version of his uncle.

Outside the Hex, S.W.O.R.D. takes back the drone that Wanda destroyed in the previous episode. It’s still radiating with remnants of Wanda’s power. They are testing it. Monica is angry at what Hayward did while Darcy snarks at how he almost got killed by the soldiers he sent to shoot Wanda at his command. Hayward still views Wanda as a threat while Monica points out that she’s more powerful than them and antagonizing her like he’s done thus far is making things worse. Hayward expresses his frustration at how Monica tries to depend superpowered people given her own connection with people like Captain Marvel. He argues people like her don’t understand what it was like dealing with the aftermath of Thanos’s snap. She argues back against using that as an excuse for whatever he’s doing. Hayward merely replies that Monica was better off not around to take over her mother’s job since she “doesn’t have the stomach for the job.” He demands Monica, Jimmy, and Darcy to get off his base.

Monica, JImmy, and Darcy talk about how Hayward is stepping out of the bounds of his actual authority. Monica suspects that he wants them out because they are blocking him from some agenda of his own. They knock out the guards and change into S.W.O.R.D. uniforms.

Wanda and Pietro are taking the boys out on a busy trick-or-treat where other kids are also out and about. He jokingly calls them demon spawn as the run off to get candy. Wanda starts asking him about their past in the orphanage. PIetro merely replies that she’s testing him. She tries to reassure him she’s not. He says he’s okay with that and notes how he knows he looks different, which leads to asking why does he look different. He replies “You tell me. If I found Shangri-La, I wouldn’t want to be reminded of the past either.”

The boys return. PIetro offers to use superspeed to help the boys get more candy. Billy replies “Kick-ass!” Wanda repeats it though she does so curiously. She notices Herb dressed as Frankenstein’s monster on patrol. They chitchat and Herb hears reports of someone stealing candy, smashing pumpkins, and spraying silly string on everyone. We see it’s Pietro and the boys. Wanda finds Vision isn’t on duty that night.

Wanda has force Pietro and the boys to give back the extra candy they had stolen. As the boys walk ahead, Wanda confronts Pietro for his strange behavior, while he pointedly explains about how she summoned him there in spite of her apparently not knowing or intentionally doing so. He says he “heard her call for him” and he arrived. Billy discovers he has superspeed and Wanda lets the boys go off for a bit of fun while she continues her conversation with Pietro. She warns the boys not to go past Ellis Avenue.

Monica, Jimmy, and Darcy sneak back onto the base. They pass by a TV where it’s replaying parts of the conversation Wanda and Pietro were having in the previous scene. When Monica asks, Darcy notes “he came back with the wrong face.” Darcy hacks into Haywards computer and they realize he somehow has figured out a way to track activity in the Hex without telling anyone else. The program seems to be tracking the vibranium in Vision, which makes no sense to the trio since Wanda is the one Hayward considers the threat. They also notice that there are dots signifying residents in the town. They notice dots near the edge of the town aren’t moving.

We see Vision on the outskirts of town. He sees people who appear to be frozen and non-responsive. He changes from his costume form to his original Vision form and flies up to the sky. He sees a frozen car and approaches it. He see it’s Agnes dressed in a witch costume. She appears to be confused when Vision asks her questions. He uses his powers to wake up like he did with Norm in the previous episode. She looks at him and gasps to realize he’s the Avenger Vision. She behaves somewhat similar to Norm asking him if he’s here to “help us.” He replies he wants to help, but asks her “what’s an Avenger?” Agnes is shocked by the question. Then she starts wondering if she’s dead. When Vision asks her why she’d think that, she tells him he’s dead. Vision tells her he wants to leave Westview to get a better idea what’s going on, but Agnes tells him Wanda won’t let anyone think about leaving or be able to leave. She starts laughing hysterically as though she’s having a breakdown in despair. Vision uses his powers on her again, which causes her to stop her hysterics and she’s her previously perky self as she drives off. The nearby street sign says Ellis Avenue. Vision walks past it and we see slight shimmers of the barrier in the distance.

Monica gets a phone call from a friend who has equipment to help her back into the barrier. Darcy has hacked more files and warns Monica she can’t go back into the Hex. She discovers Hayward has her test results. Monica passed through the barrier twice and the energy has started rewriting her DNA. Monica explains she’s not concerned about that because she believes she can get through to Wanda and help her. Monica and Jimmy go to meet up with her friend. Darcy stays behind as she believes she’s close to hacking more stuff that Hayward is hiding from them.

Pietro and Wanda are still talking as they wander through the town. Pietro reflects how their parents would have liked it, which Wanda agrees. Pietro is clearly aware Wanda is doing all this and starts asking her about how she’s able to do all this. Pietro tries to reassure her that she can trust him. Wanda starts to tell him how she can’t remember how exactly she did all this. She only remembers feelings empty and alone. She starts to cry. When she looks at him, he’s deathly pale with bullet wounds on his chest. She is horrified and Pietro asks her if he’s okay. Wanda tells him she’s fine, but he’s skeptical.

Darcy soon discovers a folder labeled Project Cataract. She immediately e-mails a copy to Jimmy’s work e-mail. Hayward and staff soon detect Vision is moving towards the barrier as does Darcy.

Vision starts to leave the barrier. Hayward, SWORD personnel, and Darcy go to watch Vision as he emerge, but he seems to be disintegrating as he leaves Westview. Darcy screams for someone to help him. She’s being handcuffed to a jeep.

Tommy appears to have inherited some of Wanda’s powers as he can psychically hear his father screaming in pain. He is able to stop Billy running and he shouts for his mother. The boys run to find Wanda. Billy tells Wanda he can hear his father in his head and he needs help. Wanda asks Billy where his father is. Pietro comments about how “it’s not like your dead husband can die twice.” Wanda angrily blasts Pietro. She tells Billy to focus and tell her where Vision is. He tells her he sees soldiers and “they think he’s dying. Wanda uses her powers to expand the Hex.

Everyone outside tries to flee as the Hex expands to save Vision. Those who are trapped in the expansion suddenly turn into performers at a circus. Darcy is also pulled into the Hex. Monica and Jimmy are hurrying to get to her contact. Hayward has managed to flee trying to contact anyone.

Commercial Break - Yo Magic yogurt “The Snack for survivors”

Observations & Questions

We’re basically seeing an expansion on the many mysteries and conflicts in this episode. It’s become clear that while Wanda has created and controls this Hex over Westview, she seems to have lots of gaps in her understanding of how she created it in the first place. She doesn’t have as much control over the situation as she likes to tell herself or other people who ask her about it.

Despite her experiences with Wanda, it’s very clear Monica is very sympathetic to Wanda. She implies in her lines in this episode and the previous one that she is very much aware that Wanda is a person experiencing loss and pain from that loss. Monica has lost her mother and believes she can get through to her because she can understand those feelings.

It’s become very clear Hayward has an agenda of his own and is not above abusing his powers of authority to make it happen. Many of his seems to be of the same philosophy and belief.

It’s not totally clear what the commercial is referring to, but it’s rather ominous. It’s possible that the name refers to Wanda’s magic, but “snack for survivors?” Could someone out there be interested in getting their hands on Wanda’s powers?

Final Thoughts

It was rather amusing to see how S.W.O.R.D. personnel that got pulled into the expanding Hex were turned into circus clowns. It clearly shows Wanda’s subconscious belief that they are fools and no real threat to her. Hopefully Darcy will be okay!

This Episode was Inspired By - 1980′s sitcoms such as Growing Pains, Family Ties, Full House, etc.

Cast of Characters

Wanda

Vision

Agnes

Tommy & Billy

Monica Rambeau

Director Tyler Hayward

Agent Jimmy Woo

Darcy Lewis

Norm

Episode Summary

Wanda and Vision are both struggling to get their crying sons to stop. Wanda attempts to use her magic to get them to take a nap, but she can’t make them “do what I want.” Just as they decide maybe they need help, there’s a doorbell and Agnes shows up wearing 80′s style exercise wear. She reassures them that she can help them out, which Wanda is happy for. Vision seems to be skeptical about the idea. Agnes merely asks if Wanda wants “to take it from the top.” She stares at Wanda with both Wanda and Vision looking confused. Wanda plays it off and tells Vision they should let Agnes give it a try. Vision points out Agnes’s odd behavior just now, but Wanda brushes it off. They then see Agnes spraying “lavender perfume” as aromatherapy. Vision keeps pointing out Agnes’s strange behavior, but Wanda keeps reassuring him that Agnes is just trying to help.

Suddenly the twins stop crying. Wanda and Vision realizes the twins aren’t in the cribs. They hear a child call “mommy? Daddy?” They turn to see the boys are now 5 years old. Agnes merely comments about how you can’t control kids. She doesn’t acknowledge the babies are no longer babies, but suddenly aged up.

In the real world, Monica is being examined. We hear a voiceover of her debriefing with Hayward. Monica says she felt pain and heard Wanda’s voice in her head. There was only a feeling of grief. Darcy and Agent Woo visit her and let her know there’s a briefing. Medical tech tells her they need more test samples as the results show nothing.

Hayward labels Wanda as “the victimizer.” We get some reveals that Wanda was born in 1989 and her parents were named Irina and Oleg. Hayward seems to be pushing a narrative of Wanda as being a threat while Agent Woo seems to feel that’s oversimplification of Wanda. Hayward labels her a terrorist, while Monica openly argues against that assessment. Hayward shows security footage indicating that nine days earlier she broke into S.W.O.R.D. and stole Vision’s remains to resurrect him. Woo mentions that violates Secion 36B of the Sokovia Accords. Hayward adds it violated Vision’s Living Will against being resurrected and used as a weapon. It doesn’t make sense to them how Wanda is able to resurrect him without the Mind stone.

We return to inside Westview where the twins are trying to convince their parents to let them keep a stray dog they found. Vision is still suspicious of Agnes, while Agnes has seemed to taken on a Kramer like role of popping over unexpectedly. Wanda uses her powers to make a collar appear leading to a minor disagreement about not revealing their powers. Wanda points out Agnes didn’t notice the boys suddenly aged up. The boys ask about the dog, but they try to tell them they’re too young to handle a dog unless they’re at least ten, which leads to them aging up to ten years old right there.

Monica and Darcy are talking about how to get back into The Hex, which is Darcy’s name for the hexagonal shaped area that surround Westview. This leads to a conversation about how much power Wanda could actually be using when she’s never displayed an ability to transmute things before. This brings up a mention of Captain Marvel, which Monica tenses at and swiftly changes the subject. Immediately they head to the lab and look at the clothes Monica was wearing. They realize her clothes are made of the same material she was wearing when she first entered. It’s proof that this “Hex” is re-writing reality in some fashion.

Meanwhile, Vision is at work where they now have access to computers and a new invention called the internet. Vision sees they have an e-mail and it’s revealed to be some sort internal office Memo from S.W.O.R.D. regarding Darcy’s research and monitoring of the “HEX.” Vision is concerned and he uses his powers on his co-worker Norm. Norm begs Vision to help him. He’s frantic about how much time passed because he has a sister taking care of their ill father. He keeps telling Vision about “her being in his head.” Vision uses his powers again and Norm goes back into the illusion role he’s been playing this entire time.

Wanda is at home with the boys. They realize there’s tension in the family. Wanda reassures them that it’s merely she and their Dad having a disagreement, but they’ll be back together happy again. This leads to a question about if she has a brother. She merely says she has one, but he's “far away from here” and it makes her sad to think about how he’s not there with her. Just then Sparky barks at something outside and Wanda hears a noise.

SWORD sends in an 80′s style drone into the Hex. Wanda sees it. Monica tries to talk to her with the drone, but it’s nonresponsive. Hayward orders them them to shoot. Monica is shocked to discover that the drone is weaponized. They try to shoot and the drone malfunctions. The alarms go off due to a breach in the perimeter. They all go outside to see Wanda emerge carrying the drone that she destroyed with her magic radiating it. She gives them one last warning to leave her alone. She uses her powers to cause the soldiers to aim their guns at Hayward and only releasing them as she returns inside the Hex.

Wanda and the kids search for the dog only to discover that Sparky ate some of Agnes’ plants, which were toxic to dogs. Wanda warns the boys not to age up to avoid their pain. They must learn to deal with grief without resorting to running away from their problems. The boys seem convinced that Wanda can bring back the dead, which makes Agnes intrigued. Wanda makes it clear she can’t do such a thing. The boys seem to be pushing her to bring back their dead dog.

Later, Vision confronts Wanda with all the anomalies and inconsistencies he’s noticed about their life in Westview. Wanda tries to reassure him that nothing outside Westview is worth knowing about because it’s not pleasant like their life in the town. Vision makes it clear he’s not satisfied with her answers and he won’t be controlled by her like she’s done this whole time. She tells him she doesn’t know how this started in the first place. Just then the doorbell rings.

Wanda keeps telling Vision she didn’t cause the doorbell ring to divert the fight, but Vision doesn’t believe her. She opens the door and stares in shock.

The alarms blare and Darcy is watching Wanda’s show.

It’s revealed to be a young man who claims Wanda as his sister. Wanda gasps “Pietro?”

Darcy is confused watching this. “She recast Pietro?”

Commercial Break - Lagos paper towels “For when you make a mess when you didn’t mean to.”

Observations & Questions

We start seeing more cracks in Westview. Vision is starting to realize that the life they’re living isn’t real and normal. He was already noticing oddities since episode 1, but the evidence is growing that not all is right with the world around him. It’ll be interesting to see how Wanda handles this in the final 4 episodes of the series.

Agnes is particularly strange in this episode. We can only hope there’s an answer to this later on. Although this could be a sign that maybe Wanda isn’t as full in control of Westview like she believes she is.

The commercial is a rather sad reference to Lagos that started the events of the Sokovia Accords and Civil War. Kind of interesting considering they’ve been referenced earlier in the episode. The commercial sort of acts as Wanda’s perspective on that situation.

It’s very interesting how Westview isn’t the only place where we are seeing conflict. Woo, Darcy, and Monica seem to have varying degree of sympathy towards Wanda even if they don’t think she’s completely innocent. Hayward makes it clear he views Wanda as a threat. We’re not likely to see these view points change in the future and it’s not going to end well as we head towards the series finale.

The final twist in the story is the appearance of Evan Peters as Pietro. It’s fascinating because he’s played the Fox X-Men version of the character. Wanda expresses her confusion at his appearance. She claims to not have used her powers to summon him, especially when she made it clear to the boys she can’t resurrect the dead. On top of that, it’s a different actor who looks different from Aaron Taylor Johnson, who played Pietro in Age of Ultron. Even Darcy makes this observation so we know it’s not an ordinary recast situation we saw like Don Cheadle replacing Terrance Howard as Rhodey. Let’s hope we get answers on this.

Final Thoughts

Can I just say that Hayward reminds me a LOT of General Ross? I get the feeling that he’s got some sort of agenda and Wanda is clearly a threat to him. Her behavior is a convenient cover for some sort of agenda he has, but we have yet to see what it is and how it’s resolved.

This Episode was Inspired By -  Most of the episode takes place in modern times. Bits of the final 1/3 of the episode picks up where the end of Episode 3 left off.

Cast of Characters

Monica Rambeau (also known as Geraldine)

Agent Jimmy Woo

Darcy Lewis

Director Tyler Hayward

Wanda

Vision

Agnes

Episode Summary

The episode starts with the sounds of dialogue from the Captain Marvel movie. We soon see a young woman reappear in a hospital room. She one of the many victims of the Snap from Infinity War. We are seeing the Snap done by Professor Hulk in Endgame. This provides the viewers some context as to when these events are happening. She runs into the hallway. We find out the young woman we previously knew as Geraldine in the the Sitcom world is the now adult Monica Rambeau. She searches for her mother who was previously a patient in the hospital room she was in. Monica last saw her, she had come out of surgery for her cancer. Two years after the Snap, Maria’s cancer returned and she had died.

Monica arrives at a building we discover is S.W.O.R.D. headquarters. It is the Sentient Weapons Observation Response Division. Monica is reporting for duty as she has a Captain ranking. We soon discover that her mother Maria “Photon” Rambeau was the founding Director of this Agency. Her replacement upon her death is Tyler Hayward, who greets Monica. During their conversation, we discover this is now three weeks after the “Blip.” We also discover that Monica had been “up there” doing manned missions, which includes an astronaut program. Hayward explains due to the loss of personnel, they’ve shifted to weapons creation rather than the observation aspect of the agency. The first case Monica is sent on is to assist an FBI agent on a missing person’s case. They are requesting equipment from S.W.O.R.D. Monica is sent as the liaison.

Monica arrives at the outskirts of Westview, New Jersey. She meets Agent Jimmy Woo, who indicates that he was checking in with someone in the witness protection program hiding out in Westview. However the person fails to check in and when he goes to find the person, the town has apparently disappeared. Police from the neighboring town Eastview apparently have no idea the place exists and is insistent it doesn’t exist despite the town welcome sign just a few feet away. There appears to be this foreboding sense that makes people not be able to venture into the town despite no obvious indication they shouldn’t be able to enter the town.

Monica decides to use the drone she brought with her. It’s shaped like a small helicopter, which immediately vanishes once it heads towards the town. There appears to be some sort of force field where the drone vanished. Monica approaches and seems to sense that it’s a force field. She touches the field where she’s promptly pulled in. Agent Woo tries to contact her, but is unable to. He likely contacts SWORD again to report what happens because we later see a field camp set up on the outskirts of Westview.

There’s a large truck where we see Darcy Lewis, who apparently has become a doctor on astrophysics since we last saw her in Thor: The Dark World. She arrives at the S.W.O.R.D. camp as one of a group of scientific and engineering consultants they need regarding the mystery of Westview and the now missing Monica. Darcy is naturally asking questions to better understand the phenomena she’s being asked to study while S.W.O.R.D. personnel seem to have skepticism towards her. She starts to do preliminary scans where she soon detects CMBR, which is higher than expected while on Earth. She starts to detect more signals and quickly sets up more equipment to begin analyzing the strange signals. She quickly requests an old fashioned TV.

A man in a hazmat suit is being sent to try to enter the down via the sewer system under Hayward’s orders. Agent Woo expresses skepticism as he points out there’s no guarantee that this mysterious force field doesn’t also penetrate below ground. Hayward ignores Woo’s observations has he heads into the command tent to see what the results are of the scans. They soon here the sound of laughter. They follow the sound to Darcy’s workstation where they see she’s watching something on the TV she requested. The screen appears to be the events of the first episode. Hayward questions what she’s watching. She explains that along with the CMBR, she was detecting some sort of broadcast frequency, which the TV was able to translate into sound and picture. This leads to questions why are there two Avengers (one who is known to be dead) in a retro style sitcom? The episode Darcy is watching shows the ending credits and we realize the last scene of Episode 1 was Darcy’s hand as she was observing them with the TV.

Woo soon leads a team, including Darcy, to monitor the broadcast and try to identify people other than Wanda and Vision in the town. Darcy then spots Monica in an “episode” of this strange TV show, so they know Monica has survived entering the strange field. Darcy proposes using more equipment to send a signal via the radios that appear in the “tv show” to try to contact Wanda or Vision. As Darcy sets up, another agent approaches with a picture of the helicopter toy that Wanda found in episode 2. It appears to be a transformed version of the drone Monica had sent in. They get ready to make contact. Darcy goes back to observe and it’s episode 2 at the pool club. We soon see that the person on the radio contacting Wanda in Episode 2 was Agent Woo.

The agent in the hazmat suit soon passes through the barrier. When he emerges from the sewers we see his cable has partially turned into a jump rope. His uniform has turned into a beekeeper’s suit. Yards away are Wanda and Vision investigating the noise at the end of episode 2.

Next time we see the TV broadcast, it is now the beginning of episode 3. Jimmy and Darcy continue observing the broadcast. They witness the start of Wanda’s confrontation of Monica/Geraldine like we saw at the end of episode 3. There’s a sudden jump cut to Wanda and Vision holding their sons on the couch as the ending credits roll. They are surprised and trying to figure out why there was a “censoring” of the broadcast when an alarm blares. Everyone hurries outside to find out why the sirens have gone off.

We then see what was censored in the broadcast. Wanda confronts “Geraldine” as we saw in episode 3. Monica isn’t able to provide believable answers. Wanda uses her powers to expel Monica from this world, which leads to her being thrown through the force field onto the field like we see at the end of episode 3. Wanda seems surprised at what she’s done and tries to get a hold of herself just as she uses her powers to repair the damage to the house she caused when she “throws Geraldine” out of her home. The house is fixed just in time for Vision to return and ask her where Geraldine went.

We see that after landing outside the barrier, S.W.O.R.D. discover Monica lying on the grass. We go back and forth between what has happened to Monica and what’s going on with Vision and Wanda. Wanda turns to speak to Vision and is shocked to see him as he last appeared in Infinity War in his pale, dead appearance. Wanda gasps with Vision wondering what’s wrong. Vision tells her they could leave and go wherever they want. Wanda reaffirms her belief that this is their real home and that she “has everything under control.”

Medical personnel check on Monica. Woo and Darcy approach asking her if she’s okay. Monica only says “It’s Wanda. It’s all Wanda.”

The episode ends with Wanda and Vision on the couch with their sons as the ending credits roll.

Commercial Break - There is none.

Observations & Questions

There is a lot to unpack in this episode as we get some answers, but questions remain still. We get the first reveal that “Geraldine” is really Monica Rambeau, who we met as a young girl in Captain Marvel. What’s particularly interesting is that in the comics Monica Rambeau is also known as a superhero with powers called Photon. Similar to how Carol Danvers call sign is revealed to be “Avenger,” we see that Monica’s hero name is her mother Maria’s callsign. It leaves those of us familiar with the comics wondering if Monica will get her powers in this series?

We are already seeing hints of her potentially developing her comic powers as she seems to be somewhat aware of the force field while Agent Woo doesn’t detect anything other than a strange feeling. We’ve also heard references to Monica possibly having been off planet during her conversation with Hayward as he makes it clear she is only allowed to do “terrestrial” and “landed” missions. Then we have Darcy mention CMBR, which is cosmic microwave background radiation. While not particularly dangerous compared to other forms of energy that we think of as being dangerous, this just adds to the references to cosmic energy in general in Marvel comics. This is a reference to the many Marvel characters who have also received their powers and transformations due to exposure to unusual forms of energy that would probably have killed them. Monica in the comics happens to have a similar origin story with her powers.

The episode also provides us with more indications that Wanda’s abilities have grown more powerful compared to her earlier movie appearances. She appears to have some form of transmutation abilities, which arguably could be expansion of her telekinesis she’s used in Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War. However it seems much more powerful than you’d expect if she can somehow cause these things without directly seeing the thing that’s been transmuted. And yes, both Wanda and Monica have made it clear, this is all Wanda’s doing.

Final Thoughts

This Episode was Inspired By - The Patridge Family, The Brady Bunch, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Good Times

Cast of Characters

Wanda Maximoff

Vision

Geraldine

Dr. Nielson

Herb

Episode Summary

The opening sequence is a fun homage to the classic sitcoms of the 1970′s. The song is reminiscent of “Come on Get Happy.” We even see the house have a similar aesthetic to the Brady house. The whole episode centers around Wanda’s sudden pregnancy. Wanda’s control over her abilities appears to get worse over the course of her accelerated pregnancy. Wanda and Vision jokingly argue whether to name their new baby Tommy or Billy.

Vision notices his neighbor, Herb acting strange. He uses the chain saw to shred through their fencing rather than his shrubs.

She and Vision continue to try hiding their abilities from the people of Westview. Eventually Wanda goes into labor and her new friend, Geraldine, had to assist her in delivering her baby while Vision hurries to get the doctor. It soon became clear that Wanda was really pregnant with twin boys, they name Tommy and Billy.

Vision goes to see Agnes and Herb outside. He shares the news about their children’s birth. He sees they seem to be talking about something and they start hinting something is odd about Geraldine, who is still in the house.

Back in the house, Wanda is tending to the babies. She tells Geraldine how she was a twin and she had a brother named Pietro. Geraldine then mentions how he was killed by Ultron. Wanda immediately confronts Geraldine demanding to know who she really is. Vision returns into the house to ask where Geraldine went. Wanda calmly tells him she went home.

The episode ends with Geraldine still in her her 1970′s appearance flying through a force field and lands on grass where she’s soon discovered by people in helicopters and modern jeeps

Commercial Break - Hydra Bath Soak “Find the Goddess Within!”

Observations & Questions

This is a really interesting episode. We see how Wanda gives birth two her twin sons, just like in the comics. This leads to the possibility of two different things. Wanda has twin sons with Vision by using her chaos magic abilities considering Vision is not an organic being. However the twins turn out to be fragments of the demon, Mephisto’s soul. He reabsorbs his missing fragments basically killing the two boys leading to heart break for Wanda. This doesn’t really bode very well if that’s a storyline that is being used for the show.

The other thing to note is that a later comic book series revealed that because Wanda used her magic to create the boys from Mephisto’s soul fragments, he was destroyed upon reabsorption. The boys wind up reincarnated as mutants born to two separate sets of parents. They wind up meeting each other again as members of a new superhero team, The Young Avengers. It will be fascinating if aspects of these comic storylines get used as it opens up potential to continue producing movies or even a TV series once the earlier characters in the MCU are retired or killed off.

Another interesting to note is that Herb is acting rather oddly. Wonder if there’s a reason for it? Who knows.

We also get to one of the big cracks: Geraldine. Geraldine has strangely intimate knowledge of Wanda to about Ultron and his part in Pietro’s death. No one in this Westview world should know anything about anything now part of this world. So exactly who is Geraldine?

So the commercial is particular interesting. It’s another HYDRA related commercial. It talks about how the mother in the commercial is experiencing problems and frustrations in her life. However this bath powder promises to give you the feeling of escape without actually going anywhere. Given what we know Wanda has experienced over the course of the Marvel movies and the clues we’re getting from the 3 episodes thus far, it seems like this is the sitcom world is like the bath soak. It’s an escape from the sad reality that Wanda has to deal with in a post-Endgame world. She’s got no family left and Vision was dead though how he’s alive in this sitcom world we have yet to find out.

Final Thoughts

When watching this episode the first time, I was left curious and eager to find out what happened during the gap between Wanda’s confrontation with Geraldine and then Vision coming into the house asking where Geraldine went.

This Episode was Inspired By - Bewitched & I Dream of Jeannie

Cast of Characters:

Wanda Maximoff

Vision

Geraldine

Agnes

Dottie Jones

Episode Summary:

The episode starts with Vision and Wanda in their bedroom awoken by a loud noise. Eventually they determine it’s a tree limb banging against the house. It’s comically implied they have sex.

The new episode opening sequence is reminiscent of the Bewitched animation sequence. We also see characters who are going to be recurring characters in this “Wandavision” tv series, including a new character we never saw before. This entire episode like the previous one is in black and white

Vision and Wanda are practicing a magic act to participate in a town talent show. The talent show is raising money for the local school (”for the children!”). Wanda emphasizes how important it is for them to fit in and participate in neighborhood activities. (”This is our home now.”) They both attend different group meetings. Wanda is joining the town events’ planning committee, which is run by the women of the town. Vision goes to the neighborhood watch meeting at the town library.

Wanda is home alone getting ready to go to the meeting when she hears a noise outside. She goes to investigate. She soon spots a noticeably bright colored toy helicopter. It has a sword shaped emblem on it. Just as Wanda stares at it, she’s greeted by her neighbor, Agnes. She drops the helicopter back into the bushes she found them in. Agnes brings over a pet rabbit to use in Wanda and Vision’s magic act. Wanda brings the rabbit into the house and then walks to the Planning Committee meeting with Agnes. Agnes gives her a pep talk to make sure that she has a good impression with Dottie Jones, the queen bee of Westview. Her approval gives Wanda access to all sorts of benefits including school admissions. The meeting is at a pool side. Wanda meets a new friend named Geraldine.

Vision attends the neighborhood watch meeting. It’s clear it’s not a serious gathering for neighborhood security, but just so some of the men of the town to get together. Vision accidentally swallows gum that comically jams up gears inside him.

Wanda hasn’t made a good impression on Dottie and Dottie makes it clear to Wanda after the meeting is over. The radio is playing music in the background as Dottie confronts her with suspicions about her, while Wanda tries to convince her she’s a good person. They are interrupted with a strange transmission from the radio. (”Who is doing this to you? Wanda?”) The two women stare at the radio and at each other. For a brief moment, Dottie asks her “Who are you?” The radio sparks and Dottie breaks the glass she’s holding in her hand. The blood from her bleeding hand is noticeably red. She goes back to being antagonistic towards Wanda like before.

At the talent show, Vision is late to show up and their act is coming up next. Geraldine is the acting stage manager trying to reassure a nervous Wanda. Vision shows up, but he’s acting strangely because of the gum. The magic act proceeds, but Vision continues to act strange. Wanda uses her powers to subtly cover up his odd behavior to make the act work. Eventually the act is over, and Wanda figures out what was wrong with Vision and helps him dislodge the gum. They think their act was a failure, but they win a prize for funniest act. Dottie gives Wanda her approval.

They arrive home celebrating their success. They repeat the catchphrase “For the children.” Wanda goes off to make popcorn and she suddenly has a noticeable pregnant belly. The bonding moment is interrupted when they hear a loud banging noise again. They go out to investigate and see a man in a beekeeper’s outfit emerge from the nearby manhole. The man’s outfit has a sword like logo as seen on the toy helicopter. Wanda mumbles “no.” The screen suddenly appears to rewinds back to the part where they are in the living room. They kiss to celebrate her new pregnancy. Suddenly the world starts turning from black and white into color. “The End’ logo we see is in the form of a hexagon.

Commercial Break - Strucker Watches. “He’ll Make Time for you.”

Observations & Questions

One of the interesting feature about this episode is that during the opening sequence, the Westview welcome sign is included in the animation. It says “Home: It’s where you make it.” This seems to be suggestive of how this artificial sitcom world is one that’s been made into home.

The commercial was pretty interesting. The name of the watch is Strucker, which is a clear reference to the Hydra scientist who experimented on Wanda and Pietro with the Mind Stone. We saw him in the bonus scene in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and he briefly appeared as a minor villain in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Also on the watch face is a tiny Hydra insignia and the name Hydra. There is ominous ticking sounds too.

On multiple occasions, there’s a mention of children including the phrase “for the children” throughout the episode only for Wanda to inexplicably become visibly pregnant by the end of the episode. It only makes sense there is something particularly important and unusual about the baby Wanda is carrying.

There are the odd banging noises and we then we find out something strange appears in Westview. However we heard two bangs in the beginning of the episode. If one of the might be the strange helicopter, what was the cause of the other banging noise?

Final Thoughts

This Episode was Inspired By - The Dick Van Dyke Show

Cast of Characters:

Wanda

Vision

Agnes

Mr. Hart

Mrs. Hart

Norm

Episode Summary

Last time we saw Vision, he was dead after having the Mind Stone taken away from him in Infinity War. Yet here we see him and Wanda dressed up in wedding clothes as they drive into a black and white town. They enter their new suburban home as a newly married couple.

The story starts with them in their kitchen getting ready for breakfast (”Oh, I don’t eat food.”) Vision notices the calendar and that today’s date, August 23, has a heart on it. This leads to a conversation where they both can’t seem to remember what was so special about the date and they tried to act like they can remember to one another. Vision goes off to work and then Wanda hears a knock at her front door. She goes to answer and is greeted by a woman carrying a houseplant.

The woman introduces herself as her next door neighbor, Agnes. Agnes promptly ingratiates herself to Wanda. She asks all sorts of questions that any curious person might ask when meeting someone new. She pointed out for example how Wanda didn’t wear a wedding ring. Wanda tries to hide the fact she can’t remember what is so important about today when Agnes asks about Vision. After stumbling a bit, Wanda thinks it’s their wedding anniversary. Agnes immediately offers to help Wanda plan out a romantic evening for her and Vision.

We next go to Vision’s job at a company called Computational Services. Considering he’s actually a highly advanced synthezoid, he can quickly and efficiently make mathematical calculations in a short amount of time. He talks to his co-worker Norm who asked him to do the calculating. Vision has a conversation with Norm asking what exactly the company does. Norm confirms they don’t make products, or do any buying or selling. He manages to not give Vision a real answer to Vision’s question. Vision is also confused about what is so important about that day. He soon finds out when his boss, Mr. Hart tells him he looks forward to have dinner at Vision and Wanda’s home that evening. It becomes clear that Vision needs to impress the boss and his wife that evening or he’ll be fired.

Wanda and Agnes are having fun planning that evening for the newlyweds. Vision calls Wanda to try to tell her what the real point of the evening. Wanda however is confident it’s their anniversary, but Vision is relieved that Wanda seems to remember about the work dinner.

Vision brings his boss and Mrs. Hart to the house. The house is set up for a romantic evening. Vision quickly explains the situation to Wanda who has to hurry and figure out a dinner for them to have since she’s the only who can eat. Vision tries to distract the Harts while Wanda struggles in the kitchen. Agnes helped provide her some recipe ideas and ingredients. Wanda seems to struggle with control of her powers while Vision tries to help. Eventually Wanda prepares dinner for breakfast. The Harts proceed to ask questions to get to know Vision and Wanda, but like earlier in the episode they struggle to answer the questions. This leads to Mr. Hart being upset and he starts choking. The episode appears to freeze and Vision uses his powers to save Mr. Hart. Afterwards, Mr. Hart tells Vision how impressed he is and he’ll be having a meeting with Vision soon about a promotion.

The episode ends with them calmly reflecting on the little details about their life they can’t seem to remember. Wanda makes them wedding rings. The audience cheers for them. The camera pulls back to reveal and old fashioned TV in a modern lab of some sort. We then see a hand of someone watching Wanda and Vision’s story just now. End Credits.

Commercial Break - Toastmate 2000 by Stark Industries

This commercial features a futuristic toaster that promises to make better toast than other brands. (”Forget the past, this is your future!”)

Observations & Questions

We’re ultimately left with LOTS of questions. First off, Vision died in Infitiny War, so how is he even alive? Also Wanda and Vision can’t seem to answer basic questions about their lives. This is suggesting that whatever situation they are in, they aren’t in control of it. We’re left wondering what it means. The silliness of the situation they are in conforms to the typical sitcom format, but beneath the humor in the situation, there is an underlying tension there.

We also see Wanda using her telekinetic abilities, but they seem to have evolved since her appearances in the movies. She’s mostly got your typical psychic powers (telekinesis, telepathy, hypnosis, etc.) which makes sense since she’s gotten her powers from the Mind Stone. However the show seems to imply that she’s got magical abilities like transforming objects into something. Her powers appear to be more in line with her comic book incarnation where Wanda uses magic of the more traditional fiction sense. It remains to be seen what the explanation (if there is an in universe explanation) as to how she has gained these abilities when it’s not a particularly logical extension of the Mind Stone as the source.

Another question we have to ask is why is this a situation based on 1950′s sitcom of all things? It seems we have to keep watching to find out what is going on. Especially when the final scene makes it clear that they are in an alternative state given the very modern equipment we see.

One last curious thing is we see a hexagon as Wanda & Vision’s show ends, they are framed by a hexagon. This is rather unusual since classic sitcoms will use things like a circle or in the case of I Love Lucy, a heart shape. Does this mean anything? Perhaps. We must wait and see.

I found the Commercial really interesting. When you press the toaster to start, you hear the familiar sound like Iron Man’s repulsors. You also hear the ticking sounds and flashing light. There’s something ominous about them. The other thing particularly fascinating is the final slogan. “Forget the past, this is your future!” The toaster is made by Stark Industries. This is clearly a reference to Wanda’s past anger towards Tony, which we first learned about when she was introduced to the MCU in Age of Ultron. There might have been some additional anger because of Civil War and the fallout from that. The slogan could be signifying that she’s going to let go of her anger towards Tony and whatever is happening now is how she’ll progress with her life. If that’s the case, that would be good for her. It doesn’t pay for her to resent a dead man who made the ultimate sacrifice to redeem himself.

Final Thoughts