What's going on in the final moments of WandaVision's latest episode, and what does Monica Rambeau's "it's all Wanda" line mean? The opening three episodes of WandaVision season 1 followed the residents of Westview as their sitcom-esque lives played out through the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, but episode 4 takes a very different approach. Beginning with the moment Monica and billions of others return to life after Thanos' devastating snap (or "the Blip" as Marvel still insist on calling it), WandaVision's most recent installment does a rerun of previous episodes, but from the perspective of SWORD, Darcy Lewis and Jimmy Woo.
Jimmy and Monica begin investigating the Westview incident, only to find the entire town has been forgotten and a strange energy field envelopes the perimeter. Monica is accidentally sucked through the barrier, leading SWORD to send a full complement of scientists and military personnel to investigate the so-called "Westview anomaly." It's Dr. Darcy Lewis who figures out Westview is broadcasting an old-school sitcom, and she watches eagerly as Monica attempts to get through to Wanda by mentioning Ultron, before promptly being thrown back outside.
WandaVision episode 4 ends in the same place as episode 3, with Monica sprawled on the grass near SWORD's temporary field base. This time, however, Monica has something to say. With the gravest of expressions, the SWORD agent utters "it's all Wanda" before the final credits roll. But what does the line mean with regards to WandaVision's many mysteries and the show's future?
The most likely interpretation of Monica's "it's all Wanda" line is that Ms. Rambeau believes Scarlet Witch responsible for everything going on - the disappearances, the energy barrier, the weird sitcom, all of it. The source of the Westview reality has been a keen topic of debate since WandaVision's premiere, and the past 3 episodes dropped plenty of clues that Wanda herself is in control. The events of the sitcom revolve entirely around her, she can rewind time when Vision becomes suspicious, and characters are removed from the fabrication on Wanda's command. Now looking back on Monica's scenes with the benefit of hindsight, it's easy to see why she believes Wanda is the one in control.
At Dottie's poolside meeting, Monica would've seen that Wanda was cast in the archetypal "lead role," while her talent show magic act with Vision raised Monica's suspicions further. The baffled SWORD agent actually asks Wanda how she performed the teleportation while taking a bow. After Wanda's pregnancy causes fluctuations in Westview, Monica knows exactly where to investigate, turning up at Wanda's house unannounced and blaming a burst pipe, despite having no house of her own. The pregnancy's wild effects on the set (spinning pictures, roaring fire, etc.) provide Monica with more evidence that Westview is built around Wanda, but the real clincher is her ejection.
WandaVision episode 3 didn't show the moment Wanda threw Monica outside the barrier, only the aftermath. Fortunately, episode 4 fills in the gaps. Wanda accuses Monica of being an "outsider" before announcing "I want you out" and violently expelling her. Combined with everything Monica witnessed throughout her stint in the sitcom (assuming she remembers it), Wanda's aggressive words and ability to throw people out lead Monica to the natural conclusion that everything weird happening at Westview is by Wanda's hand.
The source of Westview has been WandaVision's most pressing mystery since the start, and Monica's "it's all Wanda" line appears to confirm the widely-held suspicion that Scarlet Witch is to blame - but Monica isn't necessarily correct. WandaVision hasn't been entirely clear on whether "Geraldine" knew she was Monica while part of the sitcom, or whether the mention of Pietro prompted her memories of reality to return. Blaming Wanda might be Monica's gut reaction after witnessing the Avenger's manipulation of reality first-hand, but the SWORD agent could be overlooking a few key details. WandaVision is still hinting towards the presence of both Agatha Harkness and Mephisto - two characters with the magical potential to craft Westview's alternate reality. Monica probably wouldn't recognize their presence, and may be mistakenly blaming Wanda when there are other super-powered beings involved.
On the other hand, being absorbed into the sitcom and playing a character in Wanda's world might give Monica insight into the sitcom's inner workings. Similar to how people don't know they're in a dream until after they've awoken, did Monica emerge from Westview knowing definitively that she was, until recently, under Scarlet Witch's spell? The mystery of Westview isn't answered conclusively just yet, but Wanda's involvement is looking increasingly likely.
Until now, SWORD has been at a complete loss regarding Westview, with no idea what's going on or how to respond. Agent Woo's "who's doing this to you, Wanda?" message proves at least some of the agents were working on an assumption that Scarlet Witch was being assailed by some unknown supervillain. The return of Monica, and her insistence that Wanda is responsible, could change that. Until now, SWORD's directive has been to investigate and observe - only sending drones and a red-shirt in a haz-mat suit through the barrier. With Monica informing her employers that Wanda Maximoff is the root cause of the problem, however, SWORD's tactics could now become more aggressive, shifting gear from reconnaissance to attack. Wanda's history in The Avengers might earn her a little goodwill, but if Monica is to be believed, Scarlet Witch is holding an entire town ransom and warping reality, and that's not going to fly - especially in a world still sensitive to otherworldly threats.
Knowing that Wanda is causing the Westview anomaly, SWORD might also turn to their phone books, enlisting the help of Wanda's superhero friends. As the only Avenger with expertise in magic, Doctor Strange is the most obvious candidate, and dealing with this stuff is quite literally in his job description. With SWORD sitting back and waiting for The Avengers to handle things, it was hardly worth the re-brand from SHIELD.
If Monica's "it's all Wanda" line can be taken at face value, does this mean Scarlet Witch is a villain now? WandaVision episode 4 confirms the happy folks inside Westview are real, and their lives have been stolen to become part of a twisted alternate reality. The first possibility is that Wanda being unaware of what she's doing. Finally facing up to the trauma of losing Vision has overwhelmed her powers, and the creation of a fake paradise is instinctive, not something Wanda is doing consciously. In this case, Wanda would be classed as highly dangerous, but not a villain. As alluded to previously, Wanda is potentially being manipulated by some evil outside force, which would once again excuse her from being categorized as a villain.
The third possibility, however, is that the emotional trauma of her time in the MCU has broken Wanda. Experimented on by HYDRA, stripped of her rights by the Sokovia Accords, forced to watch Vision and Pietro die, and dusted by Thanos - it's hardly surprising if Wanda is now striking out against the world, entering a state of denial and refusing to acknowledge the innocent people being affected by her search for sitcom solace. This would make Wanda a tragic and sympathetic MCU villain, but a villain nonetheless.
Monica is almost certainly blaming Wanda for Westview in the final scene of WandaVision episode 4, but could there be another interpretation of her words? One of the big questions still remaining is why Westview is trapped in an old American sitcom. Why not simply create a utopian paradise without the corny gags and canned laughter? This is one of many anomalies that suggests Wanda isn't responsible for the alternate reality. The true controller may be looking to frame Scarlet Witch by sending Monica outside with a ready-made catchphrase of "it's all Wanda" to convince the authorities that the Avenger is the threat. "It's all Wanda" sounds suspiciously like a classic sitcom slogan in the mold of "did I do that?" and "wha'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?"
It's natural to assume that Monica has "woken up "after landing back in the real world, but her mind could still be afflicted with the Westview magic, carrying the sitcom illusion outside the barrier to stir up more trouble. As for why the true villain of WandaVision would want to paint Scarlet Witch as a baddie remains to be seen, but considering the limitless potential of Elizabeth Olsen's superhero, it's only a matter of time before another sorcerer covets her powers for themselves.
from ScreenRant - Feed https://ift.tt/3r9cpTn
No comments: