Wandavision - 3 Reasons To Watch It

Marvel has mixed up their formula in 2021 with 4 shows slated to hit their streaming platform Disney+. The first of these shows aired in February with ‘Wandavision’. The show focuses on the titular heroes Wanda Maximoff and Vision post ‘Avengers: Endgame’. The show takes place in a stylized, world populated by Wanda as she uses her reality-altering powers to create a world of her own. With homages to 1960’s sitcoms and even ‘The Office’. The show had a lot going for it and after its 9-episode run, I left feeling fulfilled. So today, let us take a look at Wandavision as I break down 3 reasons why you need to watch it.

Style – the show is incredibly stylistic, with the first two episodes shot to look like a sitcom from the 1950s and 1960s. From the costumes to the 4:3 aspect ratio to the black and white aesthetic, the show is oozing with style. Director Matt Shankman plays with the aesthetic of television shows, using ‘Wandavision’ as a platform for him to pay his respects to television, taking the audience on a trip through a bygone era of cinema. The show references ‘Bewitched’, ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show, ‘Malcolm In The Middle, ‘The Office’ and ‘Modern Family’ respectively. The use of color is also quite powerful, with it used sparingly and meaningfully in the show’s opening episodes. It is simply gorgeous and one of the reasons you need to check it out.

Characters & Themes – The characters of the show are all wonderfully handled. The shows us its characters in a thoughtful way, exploring their complexities and flaws and exploring their backstories. We get a heartbreaking glimpse into Wanda’s childhood; we explore why she is creating this fantasy or augmented reality and we explore her and Visions' relationship in a realistic and mature manner. Thematically, the show is also mature, highlighting the pitfalls and obstacles that come with being a superhero and in a relationship. The show also deals with the theme of grief in a realistic light, showcasing how grief can overcome someone and what that may look like if you had the power to warp reality. It was quite beautiful and one of the reasons I kept on coming back each week.

The Story – a big part of each of the Marvel films has been the stories. Each story has to connect with the larger puzzle of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), whilst also telling a meaningfully, self-contained story. Wandavision feels like a self-contained story more than it feels like the next chapter of the MCU, and that is a good thing. I could recommend ‘Wandavision’ to anyone who was looking for something interesting to watch. Knowing these characters may enhance your experience, but if you were completely disconnected from the MCU I think you could enjoy the show as well. As I said, it's really a character drama at its core and the show does a great job at establishing these characters in the confines of the story, establishing each character and the role they have to play in this specific story, which is immensely important. The story felt like it was whole, representing a small portion in these characters' lives and feeling complete, whilst also leaving the door open for future adventures with these characters. It was superbly executed and I think that’s why it was so unique.

Wandavision is unlike anything else on television. It's weird, it's bold, and it is thoughtful. Rarely can you say that about a tv show. I would wholeheartedly recommend this to Marvel fans, but also recommend it to those who want something different to watch. It has a profound effect on me and I can honestly say, I will be watching it again shortly. Make sure you check it out, it is now streaming on Disney+. 
 

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Christopher Pattison wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here