WandaVision - S1E1: Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience
DISNEY+Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe begins here . . . just, not in the cinema. The plan to expand the MCU story into exclusive Disney Plus streaming content may prove to be an alienating one in the near future, with the sheer amount of shows and movies being produced making it near impossible for a casual fan to keep up to date. But, for the moment, it remains to be seen how integral these shows will be towards the bigger picture and must serve as enjoyable, standalone adventures. With the first episode of WandaVision, this looks set to be the case.
Clocking in at a measly 22 minutes, not including the end credits, WandaVision looks to be truly honouring its sitcom-inspired origins in more ways than one. Midway through, there is even a mock advert featuring a Stark Industries toaster, inspired by that of the campy 1950s era this episode is representing. With the whole episode taking place in the 50s, it is still unclear as to how the time hopping between eras will be explored and whether or not it will have an impact on the roles some of the minor cast are playing.
Anyone looking for any hint as to where this show is going in the first episode will be disappointed. The entirety of the episode centres on Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) settling into the roles of domestic housewife and office worker at a ‘computer’ company, respectively. The threat that faces them in this episode is putting on an impressive dinner for Vision’s boss and wife.
What WandaVision has safely managed to achieve is a good level of comedy. In a huge and bold departure from the rest of the MCU, WandaVision is relying on selling itself as a comedy show and, thankfully, it genuinely is funny. At first, most of the jokes come at the expense of mocking Wanda’s super powers or the fact that Vision is a robot, but as the episode progresses, the better jokes come from the play on classic sitcom tropes. Paul Bettany, especially, seems to be fully embracing the tone and seems incredibly comfortable cracking jokes.
The first episode of WandaVision is entertaining and almost effortlessly swift at placing these two superhero characters into a sitcom style environment. There’s no real hint of drama just yet, but the sheer watchability of Olsen and Bettany as they get to develop a proper romantic relationship will be sure to carry an audience through until the subplot begins to bubble up.