by Zyiah Tyler, Staff Reporter
*****WANDAVISION SPOILERS!*****
Many viewers are satisfied while others are left with questions after the conclusion of “WandaVision” on Disney +. In the wake of the finale, callbacks and discoveries were made along with further development of Wanda Maximoff in the blockbuster films. Since her introduction in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” her origins have been sitting in the shadows. However, Elizabeth Olsen’s portrayal has brought a whole new level to Maximoff that audiences have never seen before.
In the seventh episode of the series, “WandaVision” takes on the trappings of a modern sitcom with handheld camera zooms and unstable camera movements. The episode, titled “Breaking the Fourth Wall,” breaks the fourth wall often with Vision, the twins, and Agnes glancing at the camera as well as scenes cutting to confessional monologues. The talks with the camera aren’t simply there for comedic relief, as they offer an insight to the character’s thought process, including Wanda’s mental state and the existential crisis she goes through. In addition, showrunners provide a twist with a catchy theme revealing Agnes as the villain all along.
As the show continues on, the story begins to drift to more serious topics of grief and pain, as the majority of Marvel fans and viewers know the fate of Vision in “Avengers: Infinity War” and Maximoff’s powerful confrontation against Thanos in “Avengers: Endgame.”
In the eighth episode, Wanda revisits her trauma with Agatha. A seemingly hopeless situation until Maximoff and the viewer stumble upon a memory of her and Vision. Paul Bettany delivered one of the most heart-warning and heart-breaking lines that has resonated with fans.
“It’s all I’ve ever known,” The Vision said in the episode titled “Previously On.” “I’ve never experienced loss because I’ve never had a loved one to lose. But what is grief, if not love persevering?”
Not only does the series help the viewers understand Maximoff and Vision, they also introduce two new upcoming heroes named Billy and Tommy Maximoff, better known by their superhero names Wiccan and Speed. In “All-New Halloween Spooktacular!” Billy is dressed in his comic counterpart costume but he’s dressed as a wizard while Tommy dresses like comic book Quicksilver.
“They began the day as children getting ready for their first Halloween, and ended it as superpowered preteens,” journalist Daniel Chin said.
Though there is no character development for the twins besides the development of their powers as the Halloween night progresses into chaos, with a “Hawkeye” series in production Marvel seems to have plans to create a Young Avengers team or something close to that nature.
Olsen’s performance in “WandaVision” speaks volumes to the audience. She’s able to show her character’s pain, emotional state, and a softer side that hasn’t been shown in the films. Olsen brings realism to a character known for her strange abilities by channelling every era of sitcom from the 1950s to the 2000s. “WandaVision” is overacted in the sitcom world on purpose. People don’t seem to understand that it’s a sitcom but it allows some variety to the average superhero flick which is refreshing to see.
“I can’t believe some people are saying Olsen’s performance in WandaVision was bad. Did we even watch the same show?” Said Twitter user @eolsenarchive.
Overall, “WandaVision” tells an amazing story of pain and love, and reveals Scarlet Witch’s true origins setting her up for “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (the sequel to Doctor Strange in which Olsen’s character has been confirmed to have a role).
For award season consideration, Olsen delivered a worthy performance, and the series as a whole contains the potential for a nomination. The show serves as a love letter to sitcoms, the beloved comic book characters, and Marvel fans alike.
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