WandaVision Review: Now in Color (Season 1 Episode 3)
While the comedic storylines are the stars of WandaVision Season 1 Episodes 1 and 2, it is actually the weaker element on WandaVision Season 1 Episode 3, “Now in Color.” It’s not as successful this time around.
The whole storyline focuses on a singular event: Wanda’s pregnancy, which is progressing at an extremely alarming rate. It’s a bit chaotic, never really allowing you to settle into what’s happening before it escalates.
This chaotic aspect doesn’t allow Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany to shine as much as the prior episodes did. You don’t have time to bask in the glow of Wanda’s pregnancy and what it means for Wanda and Vision because there’s something new to worry about every minute.
However, you can’t deny that the chaos adds to the humor of the situation.
“Now in Color” earns quite a few laughs at the insanity of it all. My favorite is when Wanda goes through all the classic ways TV shows hide actresses’ belly bumps. It’s yet another fantastic way that WandaVision pokes fun at tropes and devices used on TV comedies.
While the sitcom storyline isn’t at its best during this episode, the moments involving the bigger mystery really shine. This is the first time we really get an “oh shit” level of seriousness here.
“Now in Color” feels like a turning point in the show, and the TV screen slowly widening as Geraldine is ejected from Westview, adjusting to the screen size we’re used to watching TV shows in, certainly suggests that it is. It’s such a clever transition tool to show us we’re leaving the TV sitcom, WandaVision, and entering the real world of WandaVision.
Wanda: Oh, she left, honey. She had to rush home.
Wanda bringing up Pietro is an unexpected and emotional moment. Hearing her talk about him instantly grounds the show, making the birth of her twins feel more real and less like another wacky thing happening on the show.
When they are actually being born, the focus is on all the funny and crazy things going on due to Wanda’s magic. It’s nice to step back and acknowledge this monumental moment in a more human and serious way.
Wanda thinking of Pietro after all of the chaos of the birth has settled is fitting. How could she not think of her own twin as she gazes at her beautiful twin boys?
Bringing up Pietro grounds WandaVision into reality. We’ve been seeing Wanda and Vision living happily ever after in this perfect world where anything that goes wrong is laughable, but the truth is that they’ve both suffered tremendous losses.
That pain in Wanda’s eyes is evident as she talks about Pietro. This makes her more human than we’ve seen so far this season, which makes sense considering it is the first time we’ve seen her mention someone from her life outside of Westview.
Vision hasn’t spoken of anyone from his past either. It’s all been about Westview and jokes about how they don’t know when they got married or why they arrived in town. The only thing we’ve really gotten where either of their pasts is mentioned is Vision commenting that Wanda is from Sokovia on WandaVision Season 1 Episode 1, “Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience.”
So it is surprising to hear Pietro’s name being brought up, and it makes you wonder if Wanda and Vision remember everything about their old lives and choose not to discuss it, or what exactly is going on.
Theory Corner
- Wanda ejecting Geraldine out of Westview suggests that Wanda’s behind everything.
- But, S.W.O.R.D. being there suggests aliens are involved, and Wanda is human.
- Also, Geraldine, maybe don’t wear the logo of your (assumed) employee on an undercover mission? Just a thought.
- Agnes preventing Herb from sharing too much with Vision suggest that they are afraid of stepping out of the assigned roles too much.
- But are they afraid of Wanda and Vision learning the truth or someone overhearing them sharing it?
What did you think of this episode of WandaVision? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below!
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New episodes of WandaVision premiere Fridays on Disney+.
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Allison Nichols
Allison is in a love affair with television that doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Slightly damaged fictional characters are her weakness. She loves to spend her free time curled up with a cat and a show to binge-watch. Allison is a Tomatometer-approved critic (Rotten Tomatoes).