Due to the pandemic, 2020 was the first year since 2009 that we didn't get any new MCU movies. We still don't have a new MCU movie yet, but with WandaVision the MCU has indeed returned, in the first of many Disney+ series that will be coming over the years. The MCU has had its share of TV series in the past, with the four Netflix series which were unceremoniously cancelled, and ABC's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D which just ended last year. But what makes WandaVision and the rest of the upcoming MCU series on Disney+ different is that they are all produced by Marvel Studios, the very same one that gave us the entire cinematic universe. What this means is that not only will these shows be much more intertwined with the cinematic universe (the previous shows were only loosely connected), but we'll also see many of the MCU's movie stars make the transition from the big screen to the smaller screens in our homes. WandaVision has the honour of ushering in this new chapter of the MCU, and here's my spoiler-free (although some light spoilers may slip through) thoughts on the show.

As you can probably guess by watching the trailer, WandaVision is unlike anything the MCU has ever given us. It appears like a classic sitcom on the surface, complete with janky special effects and canned laughter, and the show is actually quite funny. But what's great is that every now and again you're reminded that this show is part of something bigger. Much bigger. Wanda and Vision don't seem to have any recollection of their past, and they realise this, which sort of throws them into a mini existential crisis. The thing is (the show premiered with two episodes this week), the second episode is set in a completely different world than the first. They live in a different house, Vision doesn't have the same job as he did in the first episode, they are in a different time period, and neither of them seems to realise this. Even stranger is that some of the supporting characters from the first episode return in the second, but as different people. Stranger still, is the fact that someone appears to be "monitoring" these "episodes" from the outside. Who these people are, what do they want, and where even are Wanda and Vision (who by the way, is supposed to be dead) is all a mystery for now. The good thing is, that with only nine episodes in the season we won't have to wait long to get our answers.

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People familiar with the MCU will probably know that this series will lead into the Doctor Strange sequel, which will then lead into the third Spider-Man film. So whatever is happening in WandaVision will have significant consequences for at least two major films, if not the entire fourth phase of the MCU (and beyond?). We still have a few weeks left before we get all our questions answered, but knowing how complex the MCU is, I won't be surprised if WandaVision leaves us with more questions than we started with. Regardless, I am so stoked and excited that the MCU is back, and WandaVision is a great curtain raiser for the new phase of the MCU.

Thanks for reminding me that this is available now.

I have to say I was quite disappointed by the first two episodes, though. In the combined runtime of I guess about 50 minutes, not much really happened. True, there is some mystery hinted at - but with 1/3 of the season already behind us, they will either have to rush the reveal in the remaining episodes, or it might not be much of a reveal to begin with.

I think the series is acting more like a prologue to phase 4 of the MCU, not so much a complete "story". Since it will lead into Doctor Strange 2 and Spider-Man 3, this series (which btw I think is technically a mini-series) is just gonna set the foundation. I don't think it's meant to tell a complete story.

With the show now approaching its final act, the pace has significantly picked up and many people who may have not been sold at the beginning are now starting to get into it. The show has been both critically and commercially successful, which is a great sign for the MCU moving forward.

I still think that the first three episodes wasted some time that might have been used better, although my earlier comment was based on the assumption of a six-episode season instead of getting nine episodes.

Episode four was great, and its additions to the overall setting were much needed. Since then, the series really has been much fun.