WandaVision proves why the MCU isn’t one dimensional, WandaVision Episode 1 & 2 no spoiler review:

WandaVision marks the start of Marvel Studios venture into television with their first Disney plus show and it is safe to say that after 2 episodes it delivers something fresh and exciting. As the trailers have shown WandaVision is set across multiple decades in a sitcom with inspiration coming from the different sitcoms in each decade. But what makes the show special is how it offers something different from the other properties in the MCU. The typical genre of marvel movies is action and adventure with science fiction elements. From 2 episodes of WandaVision we know this does not follow the typical genre of the MCU.

Marvel Studios have released 23 movies with the latest being Spider Man: Far From Home in July 2019. These movies have showcased what a franchise can look like while also delivering top quality movies for all audiences. However the main critic of the MCU as a franchise is that the movies are predictable and follow the same formula throughout. Heroes are presented with a threat which they have to overcome ending with a final battle which does end up living up to the expectations. WandaVision is the exception to this pattern as 2 episodes in there is no clear outcome or journey to the finale. It is all unclear, which adds mystery to the MCU that it’s never really had on this level.

Like the trailers have showcased WandaVision is first and foremost a sitcom with each episode taking on a different decade and era of television. What this allows the show to do is build suspense and engage the audience in a different way to the movies. If you are looking for action and high stakes this may not be the show for you but if you want mystery, horror and some excellent character development then this show is for you.

As well as the new take on marvel content, the show also highlights how special it is with the performances of its leads. Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany are allowed to showcase their skills much more than the movies. Vision is, let’s face it quite a boring Android and Wanda is the scared child of the Avengers. We know from the comics that both Wanda and Vision are much more than this. We got a glimpse of what the characters were like in Avengers: Infinity War with the scene in Scotland and when Wanda was forced to kill Vision so she could destroy the mind stone in the battle of Wakanda. However these scenes were few and far between and neither character has ever felt like a major player of the MCU. But what makes the characters so beloved in the comics is not so much their importance to the ongoing conflict. We appreciate them because we understand them. WandaVision allows us to understand Wanda and Vision much more in the MCU which allows the viewer to appreciate each character much more than before. This doesn’t just make the show a must watch but it also allows us to think more about their scenes in previous movies as we continue to learn about Wanda and Vision. After 2 episodes I already find myself appreciating their chats over paprika in Civil War a lot more as well as every encounter they have had in the past. Both Wanda and Vision have developed so much already after 2 episodes and leaves me excited to see how far they will come at the end of the series, where I believe the character arc for both Wanda and Vision will be more fleshed out and appreciated. The fact that the show can do that as well as being a sitcom shows how special it is.

Another fascinating part of the show is that we as the audience don’t actually know what is going on. This might be a turn off for some but for those that stick with it will be highly rewarded. The questions fans are asking after 2 episodes are more than any Marvel studio property in the past. The mystery surrounding yes everything in the show has sparked debates and theories among the fan base. Every character is analysed and you are left asking questions about everyone even the smaller characters that are on the surface there for comic relief. Kathryn Hahn’s character Agnus does an excellent job of being funny while also leaving viewers questioning everything she does. For a viewer this is incredible as it is rare to see a show after 2 episodes have no clear ending or journey. We don’t know what will happen in the next episode but we are going to be tuning in each week to watch something that is funny and enjoyable on its own as well as something that is mysterious and intriguing to the whole series plot.

7 episodes remain in the series and I will be tuning in to everyone when they come live on Disney Plus. The show has gripped me already and I expect the next episodes to continue to do so. I also don’t expect to have any clearer idea of the show until the second half of the series as the show will continue to build up its intrigue. As the intrigue continues to build, this will just make the finale even better and rewarding for those who stick by the show and embrace the fact that as a viewer we don’t need to know everything.

WandaVision is a bold step by Marvel studios and it truly pays off. The show proves that the MCU isn’t just action and adventure; it can also be mysterious. Viewers can feel like each scene is a different page in a comic and that every episode will be a different issue to the story. We are watching a live comic book. You should not expect a fun 2 hour rollercoaster that MCU movies have accustomed fans to; instead you are in store for a slow intriguing show which will have you questioning everything. 2 episodes into the show and it’s clear to see Marvel studios have once again proven why they are the leading franchise as they have added something completely new without it feeling out of place in the overarching universe.