WandaVision Review: Episodes 8 and 9 (MAJOR SPOILERS)
Well everyone, WandaVision has finally come to an end after its eight-week run, and what a ride it has been. I need to give credit where credit is due: For this being the first Marvel show for on Disney+, as well as it being partially filmed during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Marvel Studios knocked it out of the park. They managed to make a show that kept me, and most of the world for that matter, on the edge of my seat for weeks on end. Am I currently off the edge of my seat? Not even close. Before this review begins, please take note that the BOLD letters are spoilers!!!
Ep. 8: In this episode we learn about Wanda's life before the avengers, and before she got her powers (or so we thought). The episode starts with Agatha being surrounded by a sort of coven who plan to destroy her. This was probably the weakest part of the episode due to some messy dialogue, but it gets its point across: Agatha's mother and her mothers coven tries to kill her for overstepping her bounds, but Agatha absorbs their powers and drains them of their lives. No, literally, she sucks it out of them. We cut back to Wanda being held captive in Agatha's lair, where we learn that Agatha is not behind all of the sitcoms we have been watching, but Wanda. We then flash back to Wanda's childhood, and we now understand why Wanda continued to base her world off of sitcoms, and how Westview came into fruition. This episode is truly heartbreaking in every way, shape, and form (and has an ending that made my jaw drop). Elizabeth Olsen gives her all in this episode, and it shows. She captures the raw emotion a grieving lover is going through, while the world doesn't bat an eye. I am aware that prestigious award shows tend to not like Marvel's work, but if Elizabeth Olsen isn't nominated for Best Actress in a Television show, I will be very disappointed. Episode Rating: 8.75/10
Ep. 9 (Finale): In the final episode of WandaVision, everything is put on the line for Wanda and Vision (and their children). Wanda escapes Agatha's lair, and is confronted by The Vision (white Vision). He attempts to kill her, but is stopped by Wanda's Vision (just like the show name implies...). Wanda goes after Agatha, and Vision goes after The Vision. We also see that Monica is trapped in Agatha's attic with the Fieadro, as Agatha called him. Monica escapes, a Bohner joke is made (No really, Fieadros real name is Ralph Bohner), and the twins are looking for their parents). This episode clears up some loose ends, but still left some loose for Marvel to make more mon- I mean make more movies. The episode struggles with its dialogue in some places, making some scenes lose their momentum, but it picks up again quickly. I feel that I was let down a little bit due to some fan theories not coming true, but honestly it didn't take away from my viewing experience. There were high flying CGI battles that could have looked better, phycological questions posed that actually got me thinking, and a ending (and a powerful score for that matter) that made me tear up. The series ends on a heartbreaking, mostly satisfying note that makes one wonder what Wanda will do next. Rating: 7.5/10
Overall, this show was what the world needed, and is honestly what everyone wants right now: An escape from reality. Now, my reviews of the episodes may be a little biased due to me liking these characters since Age Of Ultron, but honestly it shouldn't matter. Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany have great scene chemistry, and that made the show for me. Their struggles as a 'magic couple' are real and heartbreaking, and both display that perfectly. The low points of this show come an go, but they aren't anything to stop watching the show for. Marvel also did a good job of exploring the 5 categorical stages of grief Wanda experienced (though grief is different for everyone): Ep: 1- Denial, Ep:3- Anger, Ep: 5- Bargain, Ep: 7- Depression, Ep: 9- Acceptance. Overall, this was a great way to kick off phase four of the Marvel movies. I cannot wait to see what Marvels next move is for these characters will be, and hope to see them in the future. Now if you excuse me, I need to go buy another Wandavision mug.