WandaVision Episode 2 Recap: 1960s Magic, for the Children

WandaVision episode 2 is accessible on the identical day as WandaVision episode 1, and it is solely after you watch it that you just realise why Disney and Marvel Studios determined to premiere the MCU sequence with two episodes upfront. While WandaVision episode 1 prevented giving us any clues as to what was actually occurring — how is Vision (Paul Bettany) again, and why are they inside a black-and-white basic sitcom? — WandaVision episode 2 begins to supply us clues to what's actually taking place. To be truthful, it's nonetheless little or no to go on, however we've now some concept of what could be taking place. Or no less than, we've a top level view of what is doubtlessly taking place, if we permit ourselves to take a position.

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The 29-minute WandaVision episode 2 — directed by Matt Shakman and written by Gretchen Enders — encompasses a chilly open as Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) is woken up by a loud sound. She activates the sunshine together with her thoughts after which seems away, which turns the sunshine off. After this occurs a few occasions, Vision wakes up, turns the sunshine on manually, and friends out of the window. All he sees are his spouse's beautiful rose bushes, Vision says. To which Wanda responds: “That's all, are you using your night vision, Vision?” Vision assures her every part is ok however when the unusual sound repeats, he jumps into his mattress and attracts his blanket to his face.

Vision then remarks that he is heard folks speaking about some “ne'er-do-wells” within the neighbourhood. Wanda factors out they may very well be speaking about them too. After all, they're removed from regular. The sound repeats once more and, in her fright, Wanda pulls their separate beds shut collectively. Wanda then decides to have a look herself by waving the curtains aside together with her fingers. To their shock, it seems to be just a few tree branches banging in opposition to the window. Both Wanda and Vision heave a sigh of aid. Seeing the beds joined collectively, Vision's thoughts turns to different issues and the 2 bounce underneath the sheets.

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WandaVision episode 2 cuts to a title sequence, which animates their every day family routine, alongside some sensible jokes, and a largely instrumental theme track with the one lyrics being “WandaVision”. The Frozen duo of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez are mentioned to be behind all of the WandaVision theme songs.

Paul Bettany as Vision, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in WandaVision episode 2
Photo Credit: Disney/Marvel Studios

In the morning, Wanda and Vision rehearse a magic present. It would not contain the actual magic that they will type, however the pretend sort we're used to seeing. As Wanda notes, “In a real magic act, everything is fake.” The faux magic permits each of them to be theatrical, with Olsen showcasing her greatest pretend impressed faces. Vision is not as bought on the concept, however Wanda reminds him that it is their neighbourly obligation to take part within the native fundraiser. Plus, it provides them an opportunity to look regular. “This is our home now, I want us to fit in,” Wanda provides, in a approach that conveys she's presumably making an attempt to persuade herself as a lot as she's telling Vision what she needs.

Vision then leaves for a neighbourhood watch assembly at a public library, with Wanda about to affix the planning committee for the fundraiser. But earlier than she leaves, she hears the unusual sound once more. Startled, she ventures out of the home to find the supply and finds a tiny pink toy helicopter within the bushes. The operative phrase there's “red”. This is the primary actual splash of color on WandaVision. As Wanda research the helicopter, she comes throughout as a logo bearing an the other way up cross inside a hoop. This is not one thing we have seen within the MCU beforehand (not that I do know of anyway), however it positive seems like it's going to have a higher which means on WandaVision as we go on.

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Just then, Agnes (Kathryn Hahn) turns up, startling Wanda once more. On their strategy to the assembly, Agnes tells Wanda how essential it's to be on the nice facet of Dottie (Emma Caulfield Ford), the native queen of the cul-de-sac and the self-appointed chief of the committee. Wanda's audition would not go very nicely although. First, as she makes small discuss with one other lady, she's advised by Dottie to not discuss to others whereas she's talking. Later, Dottie says the fundraiser is “for the children”, just for everybody else current to repeat it in unison, as if they're a part of a cult. Wanda tries to catch up however in doing so repeats it just a few seconds after everybody, which as soon as once more appears to bother Dottie.

At the planning committee, Wanda additionally meets Geraldine (Teyonah Parris), the aforementioned one other lady. For those that've been monitoring their Marvel information, this will likely be a clue as to WandaVision's true nature. Parris formally signed on to play Monica Rambeau, a grown-up model of the 11-year-old woman we met in Captain Marvel, who helped the titular superhero decide her signature red-and-blue costume colors. This possible implies that “Geraldine” is a pretend identify and that Monica is hiding her true identification for causes unknown.

Paul Bettany as Vision, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in WandaVision episode 2
Photo Credit: Disney/Marvel Studios

Meanwhile on the Westview Public Library, Vision attends the neighbourhood watch assembly. Turns out, it is really extra of a spot for males to satisfy and gossip about one another. WandaVision creator Jac Schaeffer has made it a degree to poke enjoyable at gender stereotypes and gender roles from the beginning, and that is one other instance of that. Vision accepts a bit of gum to look regular however he finally ends up swallowing it after somebody pats him on the again for a joke of his. An animated sequence reveals that it is beginning to gum up his internals. This would possibly make Vision appear very low-fi when he is not, however on condition that that is happening in a sitcom universe, you've got to be much more forgiving of the logic concerned.

Back on the planning committee, Wanda helps Dottie clear up as she makes an attempt to get on her good facet. Dottie says she's heard issues about Wanda and her husband. “I don't know what you've heard,” Wanda replies, “but I don't mean anyone any harm.” Dottie says she would not imagine her, just for their voices to fade and a track to interrupt out on a radio subsequent to them. (It's “Help Me Rhonda” by The Beach Boys, the primary signal we have moved into the ‘60s.) That appears to fully rattle Dottie. She not solely wonders who that's, however even asks Wanda, “Who are you?”

A wierd voice cuts by the track and says, “Who's doing this to you, Wanda?” and retains on repeating Wanda's identify. As it builds to a crescendo, the digicam goes dutch in WandaVision episode 2, with Wanda's face etched with a mixture of confusion and horror. Dottie breaks the glass she's holding and cuts herself, with the pink blood oozing out standing out in opposition to the sequence' black-and-white look. Wanda fingers her a white serviette to wipe the blood off, and whilst she covers her hand, Dottie appears to have already moved on from what simply occurred.

At the expertise present, Vision turns up seeming drunk — the gum appears to be actually affecting his capabilities — and a involved Wanda wonders what is going on on. Except they don't have any time to determine it out, as it is time for his or her efficiency. Predictably, it goes solely off the rails. The gummed-up Vision forgets himself and begins to do precise magic. He hovers within the air, he lifts a heavy piano with one hand, and he pulls a hat by himself. Wanda is pressured to cowl for him because the astonished viewers seems on, making it appear like he is doing pretend magic, by both tying him to a rope and pulley, turning the piano right into a sheet of cardboard, and utilizing a corridor of mirrors (this does not work however folks imagine it anyway).

Backstage, Wanda wonders why Vision is appearing so bizarre. She scans his physique, discovers the gum has basically choked his internals, after which pulls it out. They resolve to slink away whereas nobody is wanting, however Dottie spots them. To their shock and shock, she congratulates them for delivering essentially the most hilarious act Westview has ever seen after which fingers them the award for the perfect comedic efficiency.

Paul Bettany as Vision, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in WandaVision episode 2
Photo Credit: Disney/Marvel Studios

Wanda and Vision enter house completely satisfied and relieved, identical to with the banquet in WandaVision episode 1. Vision notes they managed to slot in whereas being themselves, however Wanda provides they wanted just a few modifications. And it was all “for the children,” Wanda and Vision repeat in unison. Wanda will get as much as make popcorn, however Vision stops her and factors at her abdomen. Wanda is visibly pregnant. What? How? Did she simply will a being pregnant by saying “for the children”? Is that why the phrases have been repeated as a sermon all through WandaVision episode 2? Wanda then wonders, “Is this really happening?”

Just then, the ominous sound from the start repeats. Wanda and Vision go outdoors as a beekeeper (Zac Henry) emerges out of a manhole. Vision is baffled, as are we, however Wanda appears to recognise what's taking place. In a deep voice, she says “no”, as if it have been a command. WandaVision episode 2 then rewinds like a type of outdated VHS tapes earlier than stopping in the mean time the place Wanda mentioned, “Is this really happening?” This time, there is not any ominous sound, and the couple kiss. As Wanda pulls away, Vision's face will get its color again. And quickly, your entire scene transitions from black-and-white to color, identical to many sitcoms did within the Nineteen Sixties.

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The previous couple of minutes of WandaVision episode 2 are the most important clue we have had but. Set apart the truth that Wanda can someway get pregnant with Vision — perhaps she did really will it into existence — the outdated sitcom-y world we have seen within the first two episodes now seems like a refuge she's constructed to guard herself and her potential kids. Maybe Wanda is/ was pregnant in the actual world. On the opposite hand, the voice on the radio (“Who's doing this to you, Wanda?”) suggests in any other case, signalling that Wanda is trapped on this make-believe world. Their lack of reminiscences would additionally match that narrative.

As we draw back from Wanda and Vision's kiss, the voice from the radio repeats: “Who's doing this to you, Wanda?”

WandaVision episode 2 is now streaming on Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar. New episodes launch each Friday round 1:30pm IST / 12am PT.