The Marvel Double Feature continues with episode two of WandaVision. We skip forward in decades and get a dedicated Bewitched homage this episode, right down to the twitchy magic movements and hijinks. We take another baby step towards understanding our heroes’ dilemma while getting some good old fashion weirdness baked in.
Once again, Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany show up to work, giving us all the quirky charm of a 60’s sitcom couple. They embrace their roles and mug for the camera every chance they get. I’d love to hear the thoughts of young people who have no reference for these classic shows. It’s so anachronistic to what people are used to from Marvel. Let’s get a review from an 18-year-old. Until then, here are my 5 thoughts. Minor spoilers ahead, per usual, my friends.
1. Why did people have separate beds back then?
Episode two opens with Wanda and Vision in bed. In classic 1950’s fashion, they each had their very own twin bed. Separate beds for couples was always strange to me growing up, seeing references to this sleeping phenomenon on TV. Why two beds? I did a little research and found people believed it was healthier for couples to sleep in separate beds. It allowed people to stew in their own sick and not contaminate their partner with whatever known or unknown ailments plagued them. Then someone wrote that the Devil was behind twin beds and that all went away.
Just a couple of notes to leave with you. Vision is neither alive nor in need of sleep, so why is he even in the bed? Did Dr. Helen Cho build a phallus for Vision, or did Wanda conjure one for him? And finally, to reference my episode one question, what are Wanda’s powers? Can she turn two beds into one? Is that comic-accurate? It doesn’t matter, but I need to know.
2. Let’s talk about Agnes
Kathryn Hahn is a treasure. I have loved that woman since Step Brothers. What a fantastic actress and reassuring presence in the series. She plays the classic sidekick character trope in each iteration of the illusion. Despite the difference in decade and setting between episodes, Agnes is the sole constant, which is both comforting and unsettling. She certainly knows something about what’s going on. Her casual comment of “Look, it’s the star of the show” early in episode two is a bit on the nose. It’s the not-so-subtle winks to the audience that make this series so intriguing. There are theories on who Agnes is and how she could factor into the overall story. Until we have more concrete details, I will continue to be suspicious and relieved every time Ms. Hahn emerges from her phantom home.
3. Magic is fun
That magic show was fun, right? Classic sitcom hijinks paired with super-powered beings. Paul Bettany does his best stereotypical drunk guy while Elizabeth Olsen shines as the cleanup crew to Vision’s mess. The crowd makes the show all the more fun as they fluctuate between complete and utter awe and genuine relief when the magic is “fake.” This is a talent show where our heroes pretend to do fake magic but accidentally do real magic and cover up the real magic by turning it fake with real magic. All in a TV show where actors are pretending to be magical. I have a headache and a nosebleed now. Did I cover that right?
4. Who is on the radio?
Someone keeps asking, “Who is doing this to you, Wanda?” through radio messages. That suggests Wanda isn’t an active participant in this facade. That idea gets contradicted, however, when Wanda seemingly rewinds time to allow for a happier ending. Radios are also a common trope in horror films and thrillers. They spout exposition and act as a source of tension for the viewer. Not to mention in the decades WanaVision has taken place, that was the primary source of entertainment. I suspect when TV’s come into play, we will see a lot more weird commercials than radio messages. If the show decides to keep an old-timey radio in the WandaVision house, that would be all the creepier. I do hope whoever is on the other end is someone we have met before. My guess is it’s the fella in those mock commercials. He looks trustworthy.
Continued below5. Bees? Why bees?
OK, the weird S.W.O.R.D beekeeper was unsettling. Why bees, Marvel? Are bees in our sewer system? Do I have to worry about a bee flying up my toilet and stinging my nethers? Don’t freak me out that much Marvel, I need to not be afraid of bees in the sewer. I understand that this will get a payoff somewhere down the line, but until then, a race of beekeepers in sewers is a horror movie that needs to exist. Also, this weirdly reminds me of Metal Gear Solid again. This time it’s “The Pain” from Snake Eater. Play that game as well. I will tie a Metal Gear game to each episode of this series because now it’s a thing. You’re welcome.
Let’s wrap it up
Episode two delivers even more creepy moments and pushes us to a new decade in TV history. The strange Stepford town continues to delight while Agnes marches on as the only fixed point in Wanda and Vision’s journey. We didn’t even talk about the introduction of Geraldine, a.k.a Monica Rambeau, a.k.a Captain Marvel, a.k.a Spectrum. If you don’t know the character of Monica Rambeau, please go and look her up. She has strong roots in the Avengers and the cosmic storylines within Marvel Comics. The biggest drawback to being plugged into casting news and so forth is missing out on the reveals. What a treat it would have been not to know who Teyonah Parris was playing. The curse of knowledge, I suppose. Check out the Notable details list below and let me know if I missed anything fun (I most certainly did). See you next episode!
Notables:
- The Cabinet of Mysteries has the Mind Stone painted on it.
- Who is Dennis the Mailman we inexplicably meet who chats with Agnes, and no one else? I couldn’t read his arm patch. Is that by design?
- Vision calls Norm a communist, and everyone laughs. Was Vision trying to be funny? Then Herb offers Vision a stick of “Big Red.” Hmm.
- A lot of references to the color red in this episode. What does it all mean?!
- The Talent Show is “For the children,” yet no children are present anywhere in the town. Until the end, that is. Mazel tov Wanda! Your kids are doomed.
- Agnes keeps referencing her husband, Ralph. Where is this man? Who is this man? Why is this man? You get it.
