***SPOILERS AHEAD FOR EPISODE SEVEN OF WANDAVISION***
This week’s episode of WandaVision pushed our characters into the aughts as Wanda’s attempt for a staycation was interrupted by the major reveals of Monica Rambeau and Agnes’ true identities. Mimicking the documentary-style narration of ABC’s Modern Family and NBC’s The Office, the episode entitled “Breaking the Fourth Wall” had characters addressing the audience via an imaginary interviewer. The episode ran its usual half-hour length, contrary to an alleged rumor dispelled by Inverse.com last week. Check out episode seven’s promo clip below:
Following the events of last week, Elizabeth Olsen’s (Godzilla, Wind River) Wanda wants to lock herself off from the world. Depressed and still wearing her Halloween costume, she ignores the twins’ concerns. Billy, played by Julian Hilliard (The Haunting of Hill House, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It), is concerned about the noise in his head; and Jett Klyne’s (The Boy, Manny Dearest) Tommy worries about Vision’s whereabouts.
Wanda also can’t fathom why random items in her home – from the TV to the milk carton and even the wallpaper – are constantly changing appearance. Items aren’t sustaining their accurate time illusion, a signal Wanda is losing control. Fortunately, Kathryn Hahn’s (Stepbrothers, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) Auntie Agnes appears in the nick of time taking the twins off Wanda’s hands.
Elsewhere on the outskirts of Westview, Vision, played by Paul Bettany (Legion, Uncle Frank), awakens as a member of the town’s circus; a result of Wanda expanding the Hex. Determined to reunite with his family, Vision relieves Darcy from the illusion, and the two escape the fairgrounds for the city. Kat Dennings’ (Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, The House Bunny) Darcy gives him a crash course on his origin story, the duo’s trek is constantly stalled, giving Vision the idea Wanda doesn’t want him to come back home.
With themes of facing the truth, the episode’s commercial parodied modern-day medicine advertisements. The same middle-aged woman from the previous ads is recommended Nexus, an anti-depressant. A somber voiceover lists the side effects with the tagline making mention of realizing “the world doesn’t revolve around you; or does it?” This clearly alludes to Wanda’s selfishness in creating a world to prevent herself from facing her actual reality.
The latter half of the episode delivered two major reveals. Teyonah Parris’s (MadMen, Survivor’s Remorse) Monica Rambeau and Randall Park’s (Aquaman, Office Christmas Party) Jimmy Woo rendezvous with a separate S.W.O.R.D. team to reenter the Hex via a space rover. When the mission fails, Monica takes it upon herself to break through the barrier alone. Knowing the effects the Hex has had on her body, viewers witness a metamorphosis.
The theory around Monica’s superpowered future is proven. Once on the other side of the Hex, Monica’s eyes can be seen glowing blue. And when she finds Wanda, her presence angers the confused housewife. Wanda goes on the offensive, but unlike before, Monica’s body withstands the attack. This signals Monica’s powers as the hero, Spectrum, as stated by Insider.com She almost has Wanda convinced when Agnes intervenes.
Agnes takes Wanda home, but Billy and Tommy are missing. When Agnes suggests they’re playing in the basement, Wanda cautiously walks downstairs and is bewildered. The home transforms into a lair with darkened tree branches, odd wall symbols, and a book glowing with purple, incandescent light. Many fanboy and series’ theories about Agnes are confirmed as she reveals herself to be the witch, Agatha Harkness.
The sitcom transitions to a different show called “Agatha All Along,” revealing that she has been the root of the peculiar happenings in Westview. A non-resident of the town, the witch is behind everything from the magic at the talent show in episode two, to the arrival of Wanda’s brother, Pietro, who is nothing more than a conjuring of her magic.
The episode closed with the series’ first mid-credits scene. Monica followed Wanda and Agnes to her home. Just as she approaches the cellar door, Monica is startled by a purple-eyed Pietro – played by Evan Peters (American Horror Story, Kick-Ass) – who stutters “Snoopers gonna snoop, huh.”
The eighth episode of WandaVision streams on Friday, February 26 only on Disney+.