So after last week’s double episode premiere of WandaVision there was an overall mixed to positive reaction to the show. A lot of people liked the shows, and a lot of people were confused by its concept. For those who got that the world of Wanda and The Vision was not all that it seemed, we could see that show had a lot more going on and potentially a lot more to offer than what it would initially appear.
As the second episode ended with the world changing from black and white into full colour, this episode moves things from the Bewitched/I Dream of Jeannie era of US era sitcoms to the 60s/70s era with an opening credit sequence in line with what you’d have seen back then. As has been the case on shows like Friends where they would have flashback episodes where everyone looks silly with old style haircuts and clothes, this is what Marvel is going for in this episode of WandaVision. All the characters we met last week have comically retro moustaches, afros, and wavy hair to make the statement ‘yes this is the 70s’.
As much as I enjoyed the fun of these retro callbacks, I also had an element of sadness watching this episode as well as last weeks, for the reason that I really enjoyed seeing a new show playing with this old aesthetic and comedy style. Maybe it’s just because I grew up watching this type of show, and it’s sad to see that this kind of show is still possible, but that it’s return is going to be fleeting as a plot device for Vision and Wanda to pass through time. But hey ho, I’ll just enjoy it whilst it lasts and who knows it may inspire a new show to go this route as a period sitcom that accurately emulates the shows of the time.
In terms of the plot, episode 3 definitely made more effort to lean into the mystery of what’s really going on here. Vision saw his neighbour Herb cutting not only his hedge, but also taking the saw a foot into the brick work below it, and this got Vision starting to wonder of all was what it seemed. Vision would later have a more direct conversation with Herb and Agnes to try to puzzle out what was going on, but we didn’t really get any answers here.
Wanda meanwhile got further with answers, but it would seem that they held off showing all that Wanda learned to the audience. The main plot of the show dealt with Wanda’s rapid pregnancy from the end of the last episode, and there was typical sitcom hijinks as Wanda tried to conceal the fact she was pregnant from her friend Geraldine. Of course, this would eventually come to light before you knew it Wanda gave birth to not one, but two babies. There being two babies would tie up that Vis and Wanda were bickering throughout the episode of what should they name the baby – Tommy or Billy. Vision made the sweet awwww moment gesture of naming the first baby Tommy, which was Wanda’s preferred name, but of course both parents got the names they wanted as a minute later Billy was also born.
In what felt a bit of a surprise considering Quicksilver has been all but forgotten throughout most the films, Wanda reverted back to her original accent to sing a lullaby to the babies, and acknowledged her brother whilst speaking with Geraldine. The first major crack in the reality of the 1960s world then happened when Geraldine seemed to remember and have knowledge of Quicksilver being killed by Ultron. Her memory of this even seemed to somewhat take her by surprise, but then she started to go quiet when Wanda questioned her about it. By the time Vision came back into the house after speaking with the neighbours Geraldine was gone and we didn’t see everything that went on.
The episode ended with Geraldine surrounded by agents of S.W.O.R.D after falling out of the sky and it’s clear that the reality Wanda is in is stating to show its cracks.
I’m sure that episode 4 will start to explain where this place that Wanda and Vision find themselves actually is. Perhaps after losing Vision to Thanos in End Game and the loss of her brother previously that Wanda may have in some way created this world around herself? It’s almost certainly something more sinister though with all the references to Hydra about the place. It can only be so long before Wanda and Vis reveal the truth and we’ll be gearing up to some Avengers style battles.
This episode definitely beats out the first two of the season by playing more into the mystery and upping the sense of danger and excitement. Bring on Episode 4!
