WandaVision

Wanda

MARVEL’S RECENT SHOW IS

AS THE FAMILIAR and Infinity War.” To combat her anguish, she majestic Marvel fanfare uses her powers to place herself in a sitconcludes, time seeming- com world with Vision, living a peaceful ly rewinds. The orchestra life together. As the show progresses, plot degrades to a muted melody and twists greet the audience, along with hints the color drains from the screen, that the cheery sitcom Wanda has created is the black-and-white overlay mim- concealing something far larger and more icking the style of ‘50s television. An sinister. unfamiliar and cheerful tune takes over, “I really like the awkwardness that they and a classic American car with a newly- [the show] had when the characters were wed couple inside rolls into the suburban being fake or showing the cracks between town. the illusion that Wanda created,” Palo Alto This is the sitcom-style introduction High School junior and casual Marvel fan of the first episode April Wu said. of “WandaVi sion,” a minise “WandaVision” is an Each episode is made in the sitcom ries created by unusually deep show style of a specific de-

Jac Schaeffer. The show premiered on for the superhero cade, starting with the ‘50s style comparative the streaming plat- genre. to the show “I Love form Disney+ on Jan. Lucy” and becoming 15, and marks the be- more modern with ginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s each episode, ending with a 2000s portrayPhase Four, the latest group of Marvel re- al based off “Modern Family.” This media leases. style is a departure from traditional Mar“WandaVision” follows the super- vel films, and the studio’s experimentation hero couple, Vision — seemingly keeps the audience craving more of the resurrected from the dead — and comedy. Whether it’s Vision’s dad jokes or Wanda Maximoff, who settle situational irony, the comedic aspect adds a down in a small New Jersey welcome lighthearted touch. town and attempt to live Because of the stylistic decision to shift normal lives while con- time periods, the first two episodes are in cealing their powers. The black-and-white. Color is symbolic, and show takes place follow- is used to gradually reveal more about the ing the film “Avengers: true nature of the sitcom. Red in particular Endgame” when Wanda is the signature color of Wanda’s magic and is still grieving over Vi- is the first color that appears on the initialsion’s death in “Avengers: ly colorless screen –– representing division,

Vision

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

emotion and danger. universe, despite no initial indi-

While many Marvel films start by cation of a link. Wu appreciates placing the audience in the midst of action, the length showrunners went to “WandaVision” starts slowly and peaceful- bring significance to seemingly ly, focusing more on family and personal is- inconsequential details. sues. As Wanda tries to avoid the grief that “There was a lot of attention comes with loss, outside influences force paid to the themes in it [“Wandaher to confront her pain. In flashbacks of Vision”], like how the hexagons Wanda’s past, we come to understand the kept showing up everywhere and experiences that shape who Wanda is. In how the fourth wall kept on being one of these flashbacks, Vision says “But broken,” Wu said. what is grief, if not love persevering?”, a line “WandaVision” is an unusually that has resonated with many “WandaVi- deep show for the superhero genre. It sion” viewers. Interweaving grief into this perfectly balances familiar characters that mystery and action show adds depth that Marvel fans love with unfamiliar elements is seldom seen in superhero films, and it of mystery that further build the overall is this humanizing element that allows the storyline of the MCU. Whether looking for audience to empathize with even Wanda’s mystery, a sitcom or the traditional Marmore questionable actions. vel experience, viewers will find their tastes

Loyal fans will appreciate the abundant satisfied. easter eggs and references to other Marvel “WandaVision’s” finale leaves many films, some conspicuous and some hidden. questions unanswered and the audience The first episode features an advertisement excited for more of Phase Four. Where did for a toaster manufactured by Stark Industries — Howard Stark and later his son Tony’s company — and the beeping of the toaster is also a dark “But what is grief, if not love persevering?” — VISION, synthezoid superhero Wanda’s powers really come from? Will we see more witches and wizards in Marvel? Satisfying those allusion to the bomb that lingering questions killed Wanda’s parents. The close-up magic may come when Wanda Maximoff returns card trick performed by Scott Lang in “Ant- for another appearance in the film “DocMan and the Wasp” makes a reappearance tor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” with FBI Agent Jimmy Woo. Sparse writing planned for a 2022 release. But for now, on a whiteboard mentions Skrulls, an alien fans may continue enjoying Marvel content species present in “Captain Marvel.” These through the TV show “The Falcon and the details provide a solid connection from Winter Soldier,” currently streaming on “WandaVision” to the rest of the Marvel Disney+. v