WandaVision mid-season review

Reflecting on the first half of the Marvel Cinematic Universes’ new series exclusively for Disney Plus.

The MCU is home to 23 released movies, Netflix-exclusive shows and a whole host of multimedia content. Starting in 2008 with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, the superhero franchise has grossed billions worldwide.

Whether it’s Black Panther, Ant-Man or The Guardians of the Galaxy, they have turned relatively obscure comic-only heroes into bankable silver screen icons.

Last year, Marvel Studios severed their creative relationship with Netflix. The streaming giant produced some more adult, gritty shows set within the Marvel universe such as The Punisher, Daredevil and Luke Cage.

Despite making sweeping references to events that happened in past movies, there felt a disconnect and lack of overall importance with the Netflix shows.

This has all changed with the launch on Disney Plus. The Disney Plus exclusive shows feature minor and major characters from past movies. But this time Marvel was smart to keep things cohesive.

WandaVision stars Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany as the titular comic energy wielding Scarlett Witch (Wanda) and gem-powered android (Vision).

The premise of the series follows the two heroes thrust into a 1950s-esque sitcom. This sitcom reality comes fully equipped with a black and white camera and a laugh track.

The first two episodes of the show play out like a conventional period sitcom for the most part. As a viewer, I was left confused about where the show was going. Outside of two X-Files/Twilight Zone-like unsettling, moments, it was a sitcom with superheroes and sub-par jokes.

Episodes three and four pick up the pace as the show progresses ten years at a time. Episode three welcomes in the 1970s complete with complementary outfits, aesthetic and theme song to match. It sees the couple welcome parenthood with the birth of twin boys.

It would be unfair to discuss episode four and beyond without giving away heavy spoilers. Overall, Marvel’s first foray into high-budget television got off to a shaky start but has started to redeem itself as WandaVision gets into its stride.

I feel the show as a whole would have benefitted from Disney releasing all the episodes at once. This would enable consumers to watch the show at their own leisure.

For some shows, the week-to-week release schedule can build tension and anticipation. In WandaVision’s case, this seems to detract from the overall narrative meaning many people can be immediately turned off from watching more.

Overall, WandaVision is a cool, experimental show. It is a breath of fresh air from the monotony and oversaturation of the current superhero market. If I could grade episodes four and five alone, the show would be a 4.5/5 or higher.

The implications of an episode five cliff-hanger could change the future of Marvel movies and television forever. To be fair and balanced to the show as a whole, I feel comfortable with a 3.5/5. It will be interesting to see how the show handles its third act and concludes.

Let us know what you thought of the show below.