“The World Is Watching” was the perfect title for last episode, as John Walker crossed the line, killing one of the Flag-Smashers in a spectacularly brutal way, and using Cap’s shield to do it. Now, the ramifications roil through the world of the major characters as everyone tries to figure out what to do next.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier has done a great job of exploring the post-Blip world. The complications were largely glossed over in Spider-Man: Far From Home, and WandaVision has a somewhat tighter focus. In a world that’s been through so much, and lost two high-profile heroes like Iron Man and Captain America, it makes sense there’s a lot of upheaval going on.
One of things I enjoy so much about the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the way they circle back to tie up loose ends you might not even have thought of. All the Easter Eggs are great, too, but I really like how they devote some thought to “What have we not cleared up so far?”
Captain America and Bucky have been part of the Marvel Universe since before it was the Marvel Universe. Cap’s first appearance was back when the company was still called Timely Comics, and Captain America was one of its first big hits. The character, or at least, the title of Captain America has a long, complicated history in the comics, and a surprising amount of these characters have found their way on screen.
They keep that high bar going, and we learn about the new Captain America they introduced us to, with “Star Spangled Man.” Even the title is a callback to Captain America history, which happens a lot in this episode.
We get to see a bit of characters actually having lives, which has been largely lacking in the MCU (do I need to say why either Tony Stark or Wanda’s “homelife” doesn’t count?). Sam Wilson and James “Bucky” Barnes are trying to find their places in the “New World Order.”
WandaVision has been an amazing ride, but the end is finally here. The final episode has some interesting conflicts, and leaves a few plot threads open for the future of some of the characters.
This week, “Previously On” is not only perfectly on target for an episode title, but the Marvel Studios credit at the beginning undergoes a slight change, in keeping with the story.
WandaVision has been a constant series of surprises throughout its season (no word on if there will be another for this, or any Disney+ Marvel series), and the big revelations keep on coming.
WandaVision has been excellent at delivering a surprising, well-told story that keeps even a longtime hero geek like me guessing and being stunned.
