*Some Spoilers Ahead*

The effect of Wandavision, which wrapped up over three weeks ago now, is still being felt. Directed by Matt Shackman, Wandavision was Marvel’s first ever attempt at a television series that would also tie directly into their extremely popular film series, the MCU. This change in format, which allows the characters to breathe, also allows for some of the best storytelling Marvel has done up to this point. 

The series focuses on Wanda Maximoff and The Vision, two characters that fans of the films should be familiar with, as they have both been featured as secondary characters in Marvel films since 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. In the series, Wanda and Vision, who have been established in the films as a couple, are thrust into a warped sitcom-inspired reality in the fictional New Jersey town of Westview. From there, the show embarks on a thrilling decade-hopping mystery and a heartfelt examination of grief.

Each episode of the series is rumored to have cost around 25 million dollars to produce. Such a high budget allows for the show to have the same visual scope as the films, which is a feat all its own. In my opinion, the budget is spent well. Even though the only true action sequences are found in the final episode of the nine part miniseries, the rest of the episodes contain set pieces and effects that rival those of Marvel’s largest theatrical success Avengers Endgame. 

One of my favorite aspects of the show is its journey through American sitcoms. Beginning in a Dick Van Dyke Show inspired reality, Wandavision respects and honors the heritage these shows have. One way in specific that Wandavision chooses to honor these shows is with the era-appropriate methods they used during filming. In the first two episodes, which took place in a 50s and 60s inspired reality, the production decided to film Wandavision with a studio audience. The studio audience, along with other vintage television production practices, allowed for a more realistic feel and consequently more eerie moments when the format was broken.

The mystery of Wandavision is also one of its greatest feats. While the story may seem rather simple on the surface, easter eggs and cliffhanger endings left the audience on the edge of their seats week to week. After the first episode, fans were left wondering how The Vision, who died tragically at the hands of Thanos in Avengers Endgame, was seemingly alive and well in the reality that Wanda had created. Of course, by the end of the series, most of the fans’ questions were answered. 

I personally love the way that the series wraps up. Wanda finally becoming The Scarlet Witch, and the reveal of Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness (which I personally predicted before the series even began) was handled very well. I like the fact that, although she may be a villainous presence, she is not the true villain of the series. The true villain is, of course, Wanda’s grief.

Not a single character (aside from maybe Thor) in the MCU has lost more than Wanda Maximoff. Her grief due to these losses is what truly drives this show. Elizabeth Olsen, who has portrayed Wanda since 2015, handles these performances beautifully. The audience can truly feel and sympathize with her grief. Olsen is also finally given a comic-accurate costume at the end of the series, something that fans such as myself have been waiting for since her introduction.

Speaking of comic accuracy, Paul Bettany’s The Vision also dons a comic accurate white version of his body made famous by a West Coast Avengers comic run that most of this series is based on. Bettany, similar to Olsen, provides a fantastic performance to this show. As the layers of his character are slowly unwrapped, Bettany delivers some of the most emotionally pungent lines of not only Wandavision, but the MCU in its entirety. 

In my opinion, this show is fantastic. I believe it was the perfect way to open up the fourth phase of the MCU, and assuredly convinced the audience that the Marvel series will be something truly special. Wandavision is currently streaming on Disney Plus.