How WandaVision differs from ‘Traditional’ MCU Series

There’s been a lot of buzz about WandaVision from before it was released, even til now, whilst The Falcon & The Winter Soldier is having its own spotlight, and deservedly so, I can say having finished watching it recently myself. From a journalist naming it one of the best series ever made, to Tom Holland himself calling it the best MCU content he’s watched, being a big fan himself, WandaVision has certainly earned high praise, and brought in new high standards. But, how does this series that focuses on the events of an Avenger, who had paramount importance during the course of Infinity War & Endgame — almost taking out Thanos single-handedly — differ to shows that came before it, specifically the long-lived Agents of SHIELD?

Now, both shows deal with relatively separate themes, with WandaVision focusing on the trauma caused by Thanos, vs Agents of SHIELD focusing on a team of SHIELD agents, led by Agent Philip J Coulson providing a link to the mainstream MCU. And both deal well within their fields. However, Agents of SHIELD begins with action straight from the gun, where we see Mike/Deathlok rescuing a lady from a burning building, jumping from a high window, and landing completely unharmed. Immediately, it feels like a proper piece of Marvel content, like that seen in Avengers: Age of Ultron, where SHIELD call the Avengers to retrieve Loki’s Sceptre from HYDRA, and this offensive makes up the opening scene.

This isn’t to say that WandaVision’s ‘slow-burner’ approach was wrong. Truthfully, for me, the first 2/3 episodes which focused on the Wanda-created sitcom wasn’t exactly my piece of cake, as I was anticipating a lot of action. In spite of this, once you get to the 4th episode, it all comes together, and makes sense, making the action-deprived start worth the wait, plus from ep7 there’s a post-credits scene, in true Marvel fashion.

Moreover, WandaVision really brings many corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe together from Monica Rambeau (Captain Marvel’s Best Friend’s (Maria Rambeau) Daughter), to the Darkhold (a major plot line in Agents of SHIELD and Runaways), to even Jimmy Woo (FBI Agent in charge of Ant-Man’s House Arrest after the Civil War Events and his refusal to sign the Sokovia Accords). This particular aspect allowed me to really appreciate and enjoy the events of WandaVision. It even had links to Dr Strange, with the mention of the Ancient One.

The writers did the connections quite cleverly, and even adding subtle Easter Eggs along the way, with many viewers, as usual, over-analysing them XD. Contrary to this, in Agents of SHIELD, there’s not much linking to the main storyline of the MCU, as with Cloak & Dagger, Inhumans, & Runaways + the Netflix Shows potentially (Jessica Jones, Daredevil, etc), though I haven’t watched them.

At most, there were a few mentions here and there of substantial ongoing events, and S1–3 of AoS did have many links to the Avengers with Coulson’s death and resurrection, Coulson requesting Agent Maria Hill to call in the Avengers for Loki’s Sceptre and the HYDRA Uprising, but after that it’s mainly independent of them, supposedly because the dependence meant proper plotlines couldn’t be developed.

Ultimately, however much WandaVision has diverted from the ‘normal’ MCU Series route, the methods used seem to be working and maybe this is the new normal. Whatever it is, let’s wait and see once the full opening season of Falcon and the Winter Soldier has been released.

Let me know your thoughts below.

Originally published at https://www.leisuredback.com on March 27, 2021.