WandaVision - Episodes One and Two Show Review

The new Disney+ series “WandaVision” continues the relationship of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and her android love the super-powered Vision (Paul Bettany) who have been thrust into some kind of alternate universe where they are the leads in a classic, black and white, romantic sit-com. Think “Bewitched” meets “I Love Lucy” with a touch of “Twilight Zone” thrown in.

The happy couple has questionsCourtesy of Disney

Problem is they have no idea how they got there or what has happened in their past. They know they love each other, have powers and want to do all they can to “fit in”. But why is there a strange thudding noise? Why is a child’s helicopter appearing…in color? Why is a voice on the radio calling Wanda’s name? Why are things so weird?

Episode One

Happy Honeymooners

Gorgeous young couple Wanda and Vision arrive in their wedding outfits at their new suburban home where they settle in with Wanda making dinner or at least using her powers to set the table until Vision reminds her that he doesn’t eat.

Wanda and Vision arrive in their new homeCourtesy of Disney

It’s the 23^rd of August and there is a heart marking the date on a kitchen calendar. Neither Wanda nor Vision know why it is important. Using powers to make his face appear human, Vision is off to work at a “Computational Services” company where he has no idea what his job really is although he is fast and really good at it. At home nosy neighbor Agnes (Kathryn Hahn) greets Wanda and helps her decide that the date on the calendar must be her wedding anniversary. Agnes will help her plan a perfect, romantic night.

Agnes tries to help with dinnerCourtesy of Disney

Unexpected Guests

When Vision learns that his boss Mr. Hart (Fred Melamed) and wife (Debra Jo Rupp) are coming for dinner that night, the calendar mystery is solved. When they arrive however, Wanda is dressed for seduction and no dinner is ready. Vision has to make up a series of wacky excuses while Agnes brings over the basic dinner supplies. Wanda is almost caught using her powers to cook something but ends up serving the only thing she has made so far….breakfast.

Wanda can't make anything except breakfastCourtesy of Disney

When Mr. Hart is choking, Vision reaches into his throat (unseen) and pulls out the offending piece of food. After the couple leaves, apparently entertained, Wanda and Vision realize that they don’t know where they are from, when they married or why they “moved” here. Wanda uses her powers to make wedding rings for them. We see that a mystery someone is watching them on a screen in a control room.

Wanda is dressed for a seductive evening. Whoops!Courtesy of Disney

Note: A commercial for a high-tech toaster includes an MCU easter egg.

Episode 2

Ready for Magic

In twin beds, Wanda and Vision hear a strange thumping noise outside but see nothing. He reveals that he’s heard people gossiping about them. Wanda magically turns the twin beds into a big double and they climb under the covers.

In her twin bed, Wanda hears a noiseCourtesy of Disney

Next day they practice an old-fashioned magic act for a neighborhood show to benefit the local elementary school. They try to make Wanda “disappear” in a standard magic cabinet and agree they can’t use their real powers. They need to fit in here. Later, Wanda finds a toy helicopter out front and hears a strange thudding noise again. The little ‘copter is red… while all else is black and white. Agnes brings a pet rabbit for them to use in their act.

The Meetings

Wanda attends a planning meeting for the magic show where Darcy (Kat Dennings) is the local socialite in charge. She tries to fit in but Darcy is suspicious of her. While cleaning up afterwards, Wanda hears a voice on the radio calling her name and asking “Who is doing this to you”? Meanwhile, Vision attends the local neighborhood watch meeting and tries to fit in with all the guys. It seems to work but he swallows gum that messes with his delicate interior electronics.

Wanda tries to cook a meal using her powersCourtesy of Disney

The Magic Show

With the gum playing havoc with his insides, Vision appears to be drunk at the show and uses some of his powers that shouldn’t be revealed but Wanda covers for him every time with some mundane “excuse reveal” for the magic. They are a huge hit. Everyone, including social diva Darcy, thinks their act was a planned comedy and loves it. Wanda removes the gum and Vision becomes normal again. At home later, boom, Wanda is suddenly pregnant. There is another thud outside. The couple rushes out only to see what appears to be a beekeeper emerging from a manhole.. Wanda won’t accent this, says “no” and the last scene starts re-playing. This time, their entire living room turns to color, including them. Wanda hears the mystery voice again.

Wanda is suddenly pregnant!Courtesy of Disney

Note: A commercial selling a watch contains an MCU tie-in.

Wrapping Up

Set to follow the events of Avengers: Endgame for Vision and Wanda, the new series is thought to lead right to Wanda’s appearance in the new Dr. Strange film in 2022. Of course Vision was supposed to have been killed by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War but somehow, he is back here re-teaming with his love Scarlet Witch/Wanda. We think the series will explain all this in the end.

Suddenly things become more colorfulCourtesy of Disney

Meanwhile, “WandaVision” is a real treat! It is super fresh, funny, mysterious and well-acted. We’re hooked. The mystery elements are creepy…strange noises, a touch of color (like in the movie Pleasantville which was otherwise black and white) and a weird voice making Wanda question if she is being manipulated, etc. The basic premise is closer to the 1960’s series “Bewitched” than anything else but in this case, both members of the lead couple have powers to hide.

Can Vision and Wanda be happy here?Courtesy of Disney

While we can enjoy the comedy on one level, (It’s acted charmingly by Bettany and Olsen), we also get that weirded-out element that teases and hooks us into continuing to watch to figure out just what the heck these two super-beings are doing here…why and who is running the show?

The MCU-themed commercials are a great tie-in and might hold clues to the WandaVision mystery.

Several decades are covered in the show. '80's anyone?Courtesy of Disney

We see that several decades are covered in the series with 1950’s,’60’s and ‘70’s at least revealed by fashions that mark those decades. The whole thing is intriguing, entertaining and a hoot. We don’t know what the showrunners are up to but they’ve done it well so far. We award five stars.

WandaVision - Episodes One and Two Rating: 

Courtesy of Disney

See episodes 1 and 2 of “WandaVision” this Friday, January 15^th on Disney+. The third episode will be on January 22^nd, releasing weekly on Fridays.