Wandavision

[Antony Moxey]

DanL said:

Antony Moxey said:

Emperors new close: it’s genuinely st itsn’t it?

Is this a clever pun on emperors new clothes, what with closes being in suburbia and all?

I wouldn’t say it’s st - I’ve changed my position now it’s moved on from just being a sitcom pastiche. The problem is it (so far) seems to be 1-2 hours of plot stretched out over 6 (assuming earlier comments about it being six hours are correct).

The first three episodes to establish the setting could have been done in one 30-40 minute one, for example... Set it in the sitcom world, allow it to get a little weird, introduce the outside world. Episodes 4 and 5 could also be combined into a similarly long episode.

A fan with time, editing software, and a reckless disregard for being sued by Disney could recut this (once all episodes are available) into something very compelling and well paced, and bung it on YouTube. It wouldn’t be nearly as long though (4 episodes, I’d guess) and one of the aims of this is presumably to keep people subscribed to Disney+ by stringing things out as long as possible.

ETA: what I mean by this is that the ideas, characters, etc. are good - the pacing of it is the problem. Each episode gives you ~15 minutes of drama, ignoring the credits, and that’s not much time for anything to happen in a given episode. As a result, to me it feels slow - I suppose binge watching might fix some of this.

Edited by DanL on Saturday 13th February 08:57

Sadly not a clever pun but a stupid typo and lack of reading before posting!

[MissChief]

SpudLink said:

Breadvan72 said:

Very fun! The best comedy so far (QS is totes hilars), and then a gritty ending. The Incredibles references were fabulous. My daughter and I were yelling "No capes!" in Edna Mode's voice. Note that The Incredibles, which is about a super powered couple with super powered children, is also the only Fantastic Four movie that is any good (and the Fantastic Four are now back in Marvel's hands).

Re the comment above above QS not being Fox QS but Marvel QS with a different face, I am not sure, because QS says that he remembers things differently from Wanda, so he might be from another universe.

I am not yet convinced that Agnes is just another victim of the Wandahex.

I am an old perv, and a Scarlet Witch fan since the 70s, so I did indeed have a pervfest when Wanda appeared in the costume.

The yoghurt advert was freaky!

The TV Tropes entry for this episode is a hoot.

I seems to remember Johnathan Ross reviewing The Incredibles in the film program and doing a good job of explaining how close they are to the FF.

I agree with you on Agnes. But if I try to guess anything I’m sure I will just be proved wrong.

Re Quicksilver: I seem to be the only one who much preferred the Aaron Taylor Johnson version. The X-men version was fun, but I didn’t “believe” the character, if you know what I mean. He would steal each scene he was in but didn’t fit the film. Ironically that works in the sitcom context. The guest star that appears to entertain everyone for an episode or two.

Edit:
I’m guessing you’re referring to the late ‘70s when Scarlet Witch was drawn by George Perez. Designed specifically to awaken something in adolescent boys.

Edited by SpudLink on Saturday 13th February 09:24

I’m no adolescent boy and I found her costume very awakening.

[anonymous-user]

The Scarlet Witch of my yoof was this one, ISTR -

[ch37]

Assuming we stay on the same trajectory, are we in for a mockumentary episode next? That was the big thing from the mid 2000s.

Loving the show, slow paced is pretty much the last thing I think of when watching this, I never want it to end.

[Troubleatmill]

I think that is the point. Wanda doesn't want it to end.

But... is she being controlled?

[highway]

Whilst I’m enjoying this well enough now, the fact is no one would bother watching it if not for the MCU hook. On its own merits, it’s an overlong, self indulgent episode of the Twilight Zone.

[Troubleatmill]

highway said:

Whilst I’m enjoying this well enough now, the fact is no one would bother watching it if not for the MCU hook. On its own merits, it’s an overlong, self indulgent episode of the Twilight Zone.

You need to watch

Jessica Jones
Iron Fist
Daredevil
Luke Cage
The Defenders


It is right on point.

[ch37]

highway said:

Whilst I’m enjoying this well enough now, the fact is no one would bother watching it if not for the MCU hook. On its own merits, it’s an overlong, self indulgent episode of the Twilight Zone.

My wife has watched 4 MCU movies in total and doesn't have the slightest clue of the relevance of the actor playing Pietro, in fact she didn't know 'Hugh Jackman' is technically from the same comic book universe or the whole thing behind the Fox acquisition.

Loves the show though, completely hooked by it. She is watching it as essentially a sci-fi series about grief. Which of course it is when you strip away the MCU trimmings.

She only went in because I said it was a limited series of short episodes. By far the worst thing about TV these days is that for the majority you might invest 60+ hours and it either stretches the concept to breaking point whilst moving at a glacial pace, or gets cancelled. This has only required 3 hours over 5 weeks and we know has been written and filmed with a start and an end.

Edited by ch37 on Saturday 13th February 22:20

[SpudLink]

highway said:

Whilst I’m enjoying this well enough now, the fact is no one would bother watching it if not for the MCU hook. On its own merits, it’s an overlong, self indulgent episode of the Twilight Zone.

I rewatched the first Avenges film. I love it. It’s edited to perfection. The right balance of character, action, plot and humour. The efficient entertainment product which is the trademark of the MCU.

The thing is, I also enjoy WandaVision. They’ve taken a risk doing something different, and I’m glad they did. The plot revealing itself from episode four onwards is done in conventional style, but the sitcom stuff has been something we havn’t seen from an action franchise. (Well, it’s a pastiche of stuff we’ve all seen before, but you know what I mean.) I’m fairly sure most of what has happened will turn out to be important, but if not, I’ve still enjoyed the ride.

When we look back I think WandaVision will stay in the memory longer than most of the MCU stuff on Netflix. (Much of which was great.)

[gregs656]

highway said:

Whilst I’m enjoying this well enough now, the fact is no one would bother watching it if not for the MCU hook. On its own merits, it’s an overlong, self indulgent episode of the Twilight Zone.

Don’t you think it’s good that Disney are prepared to do something a bit different, and the fans are willing to go along for the ride?

[highway]

It is different. But it’s not good. They, imho, wasted 1/3 of what is a limited number of episodes, with the pastiche. As per my previous post, forget the MCU. On its own, is it good? I like it as it’s free content and I’m steeped in comics lore. But is it good? Well, it’s not great.

Those who think it’s brave- I suspect you’d also enjoy the a big budget show about MCU characters going shopping. Doesn’t make it brave.

I’d be less critical if so much of the total run time hadn’t been used quite as it has. Hopefully the last episodes accelerate the pace and bring a satisfying end.

[Brainpox]

highway said:

I’d be less critical if so much of the total run time hadn’t been used quite as it has. Hopefully the last episodes accelerate the pace and bring a satisfying end.

I doubt there will be an 'end', or at least there will be more questions than answers. This is opening up MCU phase 4 so it'll basically be an introduction.

[anonymous-user]

Latest episode only gets better, so glad it didn't end up like the Marvel Netflix stuff. Really interesting, engrossing and ground breaking with so many levels. Top stuff, the quality is really there in the detail. Look forward to the next one.

[p1stonhead]

highway said:

It is different. But it’s not good. They, imho, wasted 1/3 of what is a limited number of episodes, with the pastiche. As per my previous post, forget the MCU. On its own, is it good? I like it as it’s free content and I’m steeped in comics lore. But is it good? Well, it’s not great.

Those who think it’s brave- I suspect you’d also enjoy the a big budget show about MCU characters going shopping. Doesn’t make it brave.

I’d be less critical if so much of the total run time hadn’t been used quite as it has. Hopefully the last episodes accelerate the pace and bring a satisfying end.

It doesn’t have to be.

If you didn’t know the characters very long history, yes it wouldn’t make sense. I don’t think anyone is expecting it to stand alone outside the MCU it’s basically and end credits scene to a 20+ hour run of movies.

As part of the MCU it absolutely works. I think it’s great.

Edited by p1stonhead on Sunday 14th February 07:31

[anonymous-user]

Agnes stuff -

Agnes is more able to do stuff when not near Wanda and when near the barrier than others are. She is not frozen in a loop when Vision finds her, but is just staying still, and she talks and moves even after he zaps her back to a supposed Hexed state. She also happens to be in her Volvo just at the edge of town, where Vision tries to escape the barrier. Is Agnes manipulating Wanda to expand the Hex bubble?

Norm said "Make her stop". He did not say "Make Wanda stop".

[forrestgrump]

Episodes are an hour long going forward now apparently which will help. Feel like I've barely sat down and then it's over.

I think it's fine, a bit more predictable than I was hoping (apart from the QS thing) but maybe that'll change. Expecting Bandsaw Cucumberpatch any moment now.

[DonBarracuda]

Breadvan72 said:

I think just a a bit of jokey meta archness for the fans.

You're probably right. I was just made aware via the Mr Sunday Movie podcast that both actors were in Kick Ass, it's been such awhile that I had completely forgot.

[dxg]

If might have been worried that we were geeking out a bit too much about it all in here, rest easy:

https://youtu.be/YnTdiQP3nRo?t=494

[SpudLink]

dxg said:

If might have been worried that we were geeking out a bit too much about it all in here, rest easy:

https://youtu.be/YnTdiQP3nRo?t=494

That is absolutely brilliant. Has brightened up my morning.

The Commodore 64 was the first thing I ever bought that cost more than a monthly season ticket.

[Guvernator]

Been watching this series but first time contributing to this thread. I'm quite a fan of the MCU stuff so was really looking forward to this but I'm sad to say I fall into the first two episodes didn't work for me camp.

I understand they were trying to do something a bit different but I was pretty much ready to give after the first two as were lots of other people I know as it just didn't resonate for me. I think they relied on the huge amount of good will built up for the MCU but it could have backfired massively. I'm glad I stuck with it as it's gotten a lot better but I think they could have done the clever "is this real" thing without making us sit through an hour of boring sitcoms.

Anyway now I've gotten that out of the way the last 3 episodes have been a lot more interesting. Obviously dovetailing into the Marvel multiverse which opens up ALL sorts of exciting possibilities.

I'm going with it's an alternate reality she's created but she is being manipulated by someone else and is not fully in control of it. Her power levels have been ramped up on a massive scale too and are now comparable to her powers in the comics which in my book is a good thing. Too many of the top tier characters have spent a long time being dumbed down in the MCU till now, hopefully this and phase 4 will really see them let lose.