WandaVision Episode 3 Now in Color Television 

Five Thoughts on WandaVision’s “Now in Color”

By | January 25th, 2021
Posted in Television | % Comments

WandaVision returns, and in color! We hop ahead once again, this time to the ’70s, with its tacky shirts and platform shoes. This week we see our stars deal with rapid parenthood, we get a little more intimate with Geraldine, and the plot takes a big step forward at the end. In between, the show gets weirder and weirder. In this episode, all the surreal goings-on are played more for laughs than before. I suspect because so many bizarre things happen back to back. Let’s not dawdle; the 70s await—spoilers ahead per usual.

1. Let’s give it up for the openings of these episodes

You can tell these writers and actors are having a blast recreating these decade specific sitcom openings. They went so far as to consult with actors from the various decades to make sure they had the proper feel. This week’s episode opening feels a lot like a Brady Bunch send-up, without the myriad of children cluttering up the works. Right down to the overly saturated color palette. Overcorrected color is always fun if a bit jarring. These sitcom send-ups are the bits I look forward to in this series. They usually have a nice set of easter eggs.

2. Is anyone else nervous about these commercial people?

Each commercial has starred the same two people up until now. This week’s episode adds kids to the mix. Is anyone else nervous these poor people are trapped in a separate Commercial reality where they just act out different ads Wanda dreams up? What a miserable existence that could be. To be fair, the mom in this new ad gets to soak in some luxurious Hydra bubble bath, which sounds relaxing. I picture the time between ads where these actors are just suspended in a black void, waiting for a product and a premise. Is that what acting, in general, is like? A lot of hurry up and wait while your mutant overlord develops a convoluted plot product.

3. Comic book accurate children

Mozel Tov Wanda and Vision! You are the proud parents of twin boys Billy and Tommy, um, Vision. Now, anyone familiar with these kids knows how they are conjured into reality. This can give us some clues to what’s going down in Westview. I won’t dive too deep into these mutant children’s backstory, but let’s just say, oh boy(s). I do so love when comic storylines are represented on screen in new ways, and this is the newest way possible to introduce the twins. If you are interested in reading up on the twin boys and yearn to be like every “fan of the book” in pop culture, go on and pick up “Avengers: Disassembled” trade paperback. Reading is FUNdamental.

4. The curse of good branding

Look, I am a massive advocate for stellar branding, but S.W.O.R.D is terrible at being discreet. If Geraldine is part of this organization, why would you send her into that situation with a necklace brandishing your logo? It quite clearly ticked Wanda off, causing the expulsion of Monica from the 70’s bubble. Then there was the helicopter in episode two sporting a shiny Iron Man-inspired paint job and a S.W.O.R.D. logo on the front. Stop stamping your dang logo on all your surveillance, ya goofs!

5. Oh good, more information, kind of

Well, finally, the plot takes a larger step forward. It only took three full episodes to get a broader view of the situation. We still don’t know if someone is keeping Wanda and Vision hostage or where they even are. We do know Wanda can control who is present in this alternate reality she inhabits, having expelled Geraldine. The writers totally missed an opportunity for Wanda to drop a sweet Arnold Schwarzenegger-style pun like “She had to fly” or “She was being rude, so I threw her out.” Something fun, you know?

We also know whatever is going on is happening on a physical plane of existence being monitored like an alien crash site. My guess is Wanda has trapped an entire town in her own pleasant reality and is actively conjuring Vision and her children. How else would she be able to rewind time without Vision reacting? Also, Vision is dead as shit, remember? Everything is weird.

Continued below

The wrap-up

I continue to be wrapped up in this surreal play all these poor folks are trapped in. The doctor’s sad revelation that he wouldn’t be able to make his trip, explaining it’s so hard to “get away,” was a clear cry for help. It was followed by a canned laugh track, somehow making it way sadder. Vision is starting to question what’s going on (even though he is clearly part of the illusion), and Wanda’s involvement in this whole thing is becoming more apparent. I would like the plot to advance a bit faster, but that’s just my nerd impatience rearing its ugly head. On the plus side, all the weird stuff is flying out in droves now. Let’s see what next week’s ep has to offer. Catch you next week, citizens. Please stand by!.

Notables:

  • The people in this farce know something is up and glitch out a la Herb cutting through a brick divider with his hedge clippers. Is Wanda breaking their brains?
  • This episode really glosses over how difficult and annoying is it to put a crib together. I get it, Wanda has powers, but damn it, I want to see them struggling to hold up one end while screwing in the legs of a bulky ass crib. Take it from me, super parents just don’t understand.
  • This week’s faux commercial was a retread of the Hydra theme, though I am sure I am missing some subtext with the goddess comments and roman style bath scene.
  • Quicksilver is referenced. Weeeee!
  • Wanda’s water literally broke on top of them. Gross.
  • Wait, Wanda can conjure wind like Storm now?
  • Wanda’s accent came back! It was super brief, almost imperceptible. But it was there. Go back and listen to her say, “Pietro.”

//TAGS | wandavision

Carl Waldron

Carl Waldron is a father, creator, and life-long nerd. You can find him arguing the rules of different magical franchises with friends or indoctrinating his daughter into the world of comics. Follow his other works on Super. Black.

EMAIL | ARTICLES



  • -->