Hello everyone! 🙂
Welcome to ‘Bradley’s Basement’ blog and I’m Tim Bradley!
I’ve seen the first two episodes of ‘WandaVision’, a new web-series set in the ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’ which is currently being shown on Disney+. The show stars Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch and Paul Bettany as Vision, reprising their roles from doing the ‘MCU’ films.
I enjoyed watching ‘WandaVision’ recently. It’s certainly a unique type of show and very different to what I’ve seen already in the ‘MCU’ films. On the surface so far, the episodes seem to play the format of black-and-white sitcom TV shows. Underneath, there seems to be a sense of a mystery. 😐
As I gather, the series is meant to take place after the events of ‘Avengers: Endgame’. Mind you, I’m curious about that as I wonder how that can be the case considering Vision died in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. Is everything happening in the episodes inside Wanda Maximoff’s head and all of it’s a dream?
Let’s talk about the episodes each in turn. In the first episode ‘Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience’, it pays homage to the sitcoms of the 1950s/60s, especially as it takes on the style of ‘The Dick van Dyke Show’. I know this because I’ve seen ‘The Dick van Dyke Show’ itself on DVD. The sets themselves look eerily similar from the show.
‘Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience’ has newlywed couple Wanda and Vision moving into the town of Westview. They try to blend in, despite Vision being an android and Wanda having telekinetic powers. They have a special day with a ‘heart’ on a calendar but none can remember what the occasion is. Is it an anniversary? 😐
Eventually, Wanda and Vision host Vision’s boss Mr. Hart and his wife for dinner one evening. They struggle to conceal their powers with comedic results before Wanda and Vision are interrogated about their identities. Mr. Hart chokes on his food and Vision uses his unique abilities to save him. 🙂
The episode does feel like a standard sitcom episode, which is very unusual considering this is an ‘MCU’ series and I’m not quite sure what direction the show is going in. But there are hints that things aren’t what they seem; especially with everything being so ‘monochrome’ and happy go-free.
It turns out ‘WandaVision’ is a fictional sitcom in the series as someone is watching it on a TV. Is it someone sinister? I’m not sure yet. The episode does feature a commercial where an advertisement for Stark Industries’ ToastMate 2000 toaster oven is made. It was quite a surprise to see that advert.
In the second episode ‘Don’t Touch That Dial’ of the series pays homage to the sitcoms of the mid-1960s, including the style of ‘Bewitched’. This is established by the Hanna-Barbera-styled opening animation of the series. It’s so surreal for me to see each episode of ‘WandaVision’ paying homage to a sitcom show from the past.
In the episode, on one night, Wanda and Vision hear strange noises outside their house which seem to be caused by a tree branch in the wind. The following day, they prepare their magic act for a neighbourhood talent show. But their day isn’t without its mysteries to baffle them where they live.
This is highlighted when Wanda discovers a yellow-and-red toy helicopter in the black-and-white world. She also sees a red bloodstain on neighbour Dottie’s hand once she’s cut herself. Vision runs into trouble as he accidentally swallows some chewing gum and it affects his internal mechanisms. 😐
It almost becomes a disaster when Vision appears intoxicated and almost ruins his and Wanda’s act during the talent show. Thankfully, they end up being praised for their comedic antics during the act and Wanda uses her own abilities to fix things, including removing the chewing gum out from Vision.
The episode ends on a peculiar note. After Wanda is revealed to be pregnant (not sure how that happened considering Vision’s an android), a strange beekeeper emerges from a manhole on the street. Reality is ‘reset’ however before the setting changes to a really colourful 1970s setting. Hmm!
By the way, a Strücker commercial takes place during the second episode. So far, I’m enjoying the ‘WandaVision’ series. I’m looking forward to what happens next and how the series will progress. Is the ‘WandaVision’ sitcom happening inside Wanda’s head? Is it a dream? Is Wanda getting tortured?
Hmm! I’m intrigued to find out more. Hope you are too! 😀
I currently wondering if I should do a ‘Nyssa & Billy’ spin-off series from ‘Doctor Who’ someday! 😀
Thanks for reading!
Bye for now!
Tim. 🙂
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