To Infinity and Beyond: The Marvel Cinematic Universe

[Sprite]

I really really hope the sitcom shenanigans are at least half the show, if not most of it. I love sitcoms and combining that formula with low-key David Lynch for Kids is a match made in heaven for me. It’s so different from the movies and feels like it’s exploring a much weirder side of comics than is possible in the movies.

I think the format is absolutely crucial to the story they seem to be telling, as well. If this is indeed a fantasy world that Wanda is doing her best to maintain and keep reality at bay, a sitcom farce is the perfect setting, as it constantly unravels before snapping back at the last moment and returning to domestic bliss. But it’s a false bliss, because Wanda spends every moment trying to maintain it, which fills her with anxiety. It’s a compelling stand-in for any number of things, from mental illness to performative identities. And I think it’s important that we see it play out multiple times, in a way that only really works in this episodic format.

For those who don’t like it, the more standard shows are coming. In the meantime, I’m going to savor this experiment with form and genre before it snaps back to MCU world.

 

[SpoonyBard]

Yeah I gotta agree. While I am in it for the broader MCU implications I am absolutely loving the sitcom framing and I'm looking forward to what the next incarnation will be.

And, again, Elizabeth Olsen is totally killing it.

 

[Zef]

If there is any justice in this world the 80s pastiche will spoof Full House.

 

[Torzelbaum]

snaps back to MCU world

Ugh... I really think we don't need any more snaps in the MCU.

 

[Sprite]

Heh, I guess “snap” is probably a four letter word in this universe, huh?

 

[Nich]

There is a pretty prominent snap in the first episode and I wondered if it was supposed to be subconscious on Wanda's part.

 

[Octopus Prime]

I was hoping we'd get Billy in the show. Tommy I don't care about nearly as strongly. But, especially given everything else in the show, Billy is... something to keep an eye on.

For some reason, there was something very chilling about the phrase "He was killed by Ultron" delivered with complete sincerity in a cheesy 70s sitcom

 

[Octopus Prime]

Something I noticed in the recap bit of this weeks episode; the Beekeeper has the SWORD insignia on his suit.

Either AIMs branched out, or maybe they’re not actually involved?

 

[Adrenaline]

SWORD definitely seems to be the group keeping tabs on what's going on. Their logo is everywhere.

Paul Bettany is also doing great work. And Katherine Hahn is good in everything.

 

[Super Megaman X]

Something I noticed in rewatching episode 3:

Spoiler

when Geraldine is ejected out into the "real world" or whatever, the town sign says "WESTVIEW Home: It's where you make it".

 

[Troa11]

That catch is also in the opening montage of episode 1 or 2, I noticed it right away. Really winks at what's probably going on, doesn't it?

 

[WisteriaHysteria]

ＦＩＮＡＬＬＹ

 

[Troa11]

Hey, that one was fun. Lots of nice MCU intertwining. I didn't even mind the trope that usually bugs me:

Spoiler

"Hey let's pause forward motion for an entire episode to show you what's been going on behind the scenes for the season so far."

 

[WisteriaHysteria]

........oh wait you meant the narrative.

Why not both? I dug everything the episode put down, and I'm gonna be a little sad when next week we go back to being a weirdo sitcom.

Also, I didn't put two and two together with what's her face being the daughter of what's her face from capt marvel, that's pretty neato.

 

[Sprite]

Meanwhile I was really worried they were going to end the sitcom motif, but it seems clear we’re getting more, so yay.

Corpse Vision was legit disturbing. Good lord.

 

[Octopus Prime]

Something I noticed in the recap bit of this weeks episode; the Beekeeper has the SWORD insignia on his suit.

Either AIMs branched out, or maybe they’re not actually involved?

Called it!

Ive clearly been enjoying the show all along, but this here was precisely the kind of nonsense I was hoping for when the show was announced.

 

[Phantoon]

Corpse Vision was legit disturbing. Good lord

Yeah. There's really horrifying stuff lurking under the surface here. I like that it's not afraid to show it. Also, it's giving more time to the ramifications of the snap, which I think is important.

 

[Octopus Prime]

So the W in SWORD stands for Weapon, and not World in the MCU, which implies that instead of dealing with aliens, they deal with rogue AIs and the like. Which makes sense given things like Ultron and the Hammer Drones. And most of the things Stark built, honestly.

Never stopped to think about how chaotic the SnapBack must have been immediately after it happened, the opening scene really drove that home

 

[Vaeran]

I feel like I've been holding my breath since Far From Home, and with this episode finally got to take a huge gulp of air again. It's so, so good to be plugged back into the mainstream MCU. Turbo excited for where things go from here.

 

[Sprite]

I’m also loving what’s basically Marvel-flavored Southern Reach. Wanda’s fantasy world seems like an Area X situation that will threaten people around it pretty soon judging from the radiation comments. I have no idea what SWORD is but I like it here.

I feel like I've been holding my breath since Far From Home, and with this episode finally got to take a huge gulp of air again. It's so, so good to be plugged back into the mainstream MCU. Turbo excited for where things go from here.

This show is definitely a strange one to kick off the Disney+ shows, especially with the accident of breaking a unintentional yearlong fast.

 

[Adrenaline]

So the W in SWORD stands for Weapon, and not World in the MCU, which implies that instead of dealing with aliens, they deal with rogue AIs and the like. Which makes sense given things like Ultron and the Hammer Drones. And most of the things Stark built, honestly.

From the discussion between Monica and white guy in suit it sounded like SWORD may have started as a space focused agency and then shifted as a result of all the insane shit that has happened in the last few years

I’m also loving what’s basically Marvel-flavored Southern Reach. Wanda’s fantasy world seems like an Area X situation that will threaten people around it pretty soon judging from the radiation comments. I have no idea what SWORD is but I like it here.

In the comics they monitor potential threats from outer space. Created by Joss Whedon for Astonishing X-Men.

 

[Jeanie]

Someone in the AV Club comment section pointed out that Wanda threw Monica through two walls, a fence, and then barrier in and out of town. She literally broke the fourth wall.

 

[Octopus Prime]

Oh dang

Also; Monica was thrown through four walls and chucked, like, 50 feet in the air and didn’t seem to be terribly injured when she came down.
Between that, and the fact that only she was able to integrate herself into Weetview without Wanda noticing, maybe she already has her powers?

 

[Adrenaline]

It's possible Wanda protected her from serious harm because she's not evil

 

[WisteriaHysteria]

I just assumed that being inside there came with a certain level of brainwashing. The people who have been there longer got more used to it and gained back more of a measure of their sentience. That’s what it feels like to me at least.

Wanda is not an evil person, but she’s always been a rather unstable person who struggled to deal with the awesomeness of her powers and the scenarios she finds herself in. And she definitely has a mean streak that can tinge her reactions or be exploited by baddies.

 

[Positronic Brain]

Just got caught up and, while I'm here for the sitcom shenanigans, I liked this snapback (ha!) to the Marvel Universe. Jimmy is still awesome, and Darcy was such a welcome surprise I wanted to hug my screen (and the writers didn't lose her voice! She needs her own movie already). I am sad Carol and Maria never managed to get to the air pal phase of their air gal relationship, but I welcome that we get to know Monica before she gets Photonized in 2 Captain 2 Marvel.

My only reservation is Wanda's breakdown. It was really badly managed in comics, reducing her to a convenient walking plot device, and then it has basically defined the character ever since, with most writers reducing her to that (pretty much like every writer not named "Kurt" reduces Hank Pym to slapping Wasp). So I hope the MCU writers handle this better.

 

[Vaeran]

‘Black Panther’ director Ryan Coogler to develop new Wakanda-set series for Disney+

Hell yes, I am here for this.

 

[WisteriaHysteria]

This week on Wandavision:

I think we all knew where this was headed in our hearts, but

Spoiler

Edit: Also, I'm all aboard the show now. Let's goooo, can't wait for next week!

 

[Zef]

I think we all knew where this was headed in our hearts, but

If Wanda could save time in a bottle, the first thing that she'd like to do, is to save every day till eternity passes away, just to spend them with her family.

Because sweet dreams are made of this, and who are we to disagree. But some of them want to abuse her, and some of them want to be used by her.

Spoiler: I DID hope for this development, eventually, some time ago, but...

Honestly I kinda went "Called it!" when we saw the hair, but I actually laughed out loud when it wasn't the original guy but the alternate version. I laughed even harder when Darcy acknowledged it.

 

[Zef]

Also because it's definitely going to get drowned out in The Discourse of that reveal:

Let's not overlook that Monica now appears as PURE LIGHT in the scans and that she was both awkward and very quick to change the subject when Darcy brought up Captain Marvel. Last week made me yearn for SOME kind of narrative to give Carol and Maria closure in the Snap Years, now I desperately want to know if the former kept in touch with Monica at all since the 90s.