WandaVision Review: On a Very Special Episode… (Season 1 Episode 5)

WandaVision Season 1 Episode 5, “On A Very Special Episode…,” is a very special episode indeed. Instead of us viewing a sitcom where one or two slightly odd things happen, we start to see the strings that Wanda’s been pulling, while also getting clues that suggest Wanda’s not totally responsible here.

As Monica stated at the end of WandaVision Season 1 Episode 4, “We Interrupt This Program,” the show is making it clear that Wanda really is in charge of some things in Westview.

Between Agnes deferring to her when Vision contradicts Wanda’s orders and Wanda questioning why the twins won’t do what she wants, we see multiple ways in which Wanda has control.

This is a natural progression of the sitcom mystery. We can’t have Monica filling us in on everything that happened while she was Geraldine and have the sitcom running as smoothly as it first did. Things have changed, and we know more, and the show rightfully adjusts to show that.

However, there is the question as to why there’s such a drastic, noticeable change in Westview. Aside from the Geraldine conversation, Vision hasn’t had any reason to suspect anything, and yet there’s so much in your face anomalies that Vision can’t ignore in this episode.

Perhaps, Wanda is more comfortable using her powers after ejecting Geraldine that she doesn’t consider the risk when doing it with Agnes in the room, or, maybe, there’s something deeper going on. Any theories?

Vision’s growing suspicions lead to him fighting with Wanda, and it is fantastic to see more emotional moments on WandaVision.

No one wants Wanda and Vision to fight, but the tension and heartbreak there is so good. It helps them start to feel more like themselves, real characters, not sitcom caricatures from a specific era. Their pain is also a reminder that there are very real stakes in this sitcom, and they are ones that Wanda won’t be able to erase.

Vision’s growing heartbreak and concern also ties into Monica’s description of what it was like being Geraldine and the grief she felt in her head. Monica’s account allows us to look into Wanda’s state of mind, which is the first real glimpse we’ve gotten into a reason why Wanda might be doing all of this, although we suspected it was out of grief.

The knowledge of Wanda’s grief coupled with Vision trying to break the hold Wanda has over everyone adds a level of devastation to what’s going on. This is when it really starts to become clear that there won’t be a happy ending here, not for Wanda and Vision.

Wanda: There are rules in life. We can’t rush aging just because it is convenient, and we can’t reverse death, no matter how sad it makes us. Some things are forever.

We get a balance of S.W.O.R.D. and sitcom during this hour, allowing us to learn a bit more about the hex, as Darcy’s named it, than we would be able to solely from inside Westview.

For the most part, WandaVision balances the two storylines well, and it helps that they are directly tied together through the drone attempt and Wanda’s chat outside of Westview. If the two worlds remained separate, aside from the fact that S.W.O.R.D. is investigating the hex, it would have been more jarring to switch back and forth from sitcom to reality.

One of the best things about S.W.O.R.D.’s storyline is that it shows us that nothing about what’s happening is simple.

Hayward paints Wanda as a terrorist, refusing to acknowledge the nuances that Jimmy and Monica try to bring forth. They want him to look at all the facts, especially the ones that show that this is a lot more complicated than it seems.

This exchange, and Hayward’s behavior throughout the episode, demonstrates that simply because Hayward is leading the investigation into Westview, it does not make him a hero like we’re conditioned to believe. We, like Jimmy, Darcy, and Monica, know that Wanda is grieving and needs help, not missiles pointed at her.

So far, there really isn’t a villain in WandaVision.

There’s no big bad that the good guys are trying to defeat to restore peace and order, and I hope that we never really get one. It’s much more fascinating to explore the layers of grief that Wanda’s experiencing and focus on trying to get her to start the healing process.

Stray Thoughts and Theories:

• Agnes has to be involved in running the sitcom/Westview somehow. She’s not just the nosy neighbor.
• The Lagos paper towel commercial is too good. They clean up messes you didn’t mean to make!
• Monica’s tests and scans coming back blank is concerning.
• Wanda trying to roll the credits and end the fight is absolutely fantastic.
• I believe Wanda when she says she doesn’t orchestrate the visitor at the door, so who’s responsible for Pietro showing up?
• HELLO MULTIVERSE!

What did you think of this episode of WandaVision? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

New episodes of WandaVision premiere Fridays on Disney+.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Batwoman: Javicia Leslie Says She’s Ready to be Gotham’s New Hero