WandaVision WandaVision: season 1 Episode 9: “Series Finale” (Spoilers)

[FunkMiller]

Strikes me this was an excellent ending if you’re a Scarlett Witch fan, but a bad one if you’re a fan of the wider MCU.

 

[TheVileOne]

I feel like this episode proved inherently Wanda is not a bad person. She did screw up and made mistakes, but she wasn't trying to hurt anyone intentionally. And ultimately, she did try to make amends.

What happened to her was a woman stricken with grief. She did delude herself, but I'm glad we saw her ultimately overcome it.

Obviously, some people are still going to fear Wanda and not come around on her yet.

 

[TheVileOne]

Strikes me this was an excellent ending if you’re a Scarlett Witch fan, but a bad one if you’re a fan of the wider MCU.

Not at all.

1. We got a proper establishment of Wanda, her hex powers, her chaos magic, officially becomes the Scarlet Witch, and she learns astral projection.
2. The Darkhold is properly established now as a part of the MCU
3. Witches and Agatha Harkness are now part of the MCU in addition to the previously established wizards
4. We got White Vision, technically the original Vision, who now has his memories restored. So we will be seeing Vision again.
5. Monica Rambeau gained her superpowers and is on the road to becoming a hero herself.
6. Jimmy Woo was less of a comedy act and got to be shown with far more competence.
7. Billy and Tommy might still be out there somewhere? We still don't know the full extent of Wanda's abilities, perhaps Billy and Tommy will become real and then they will grow into Speed and Wiccan in Young Avengers later?
8. SWORD was also introduced. I hope that means Abigail Brand is not far behind.
9. We know that Wanda was likely born with her powers now and probably had them before HYDRA experimented on her.

 

[Zarex]

Hmmm.

If you’re going to hype up certain things that you have no intention of delivering on, expect some justified backlash from the fans you’ve done the hyping on.

Without all that, it’s a solid finale... but considering what information was being put about actively, it’s no wonder there’s such a sense of disappointment for many.

The Evan Peters casting was just an awful decision, given the obvious connection it seemed to set up.

I put the blame primarily on fans who created a head canon and are now upset that the creatives didn't follow it to the letter. The director warned fans they might be disappointed by the finale. The only way to please everyone would have been to jam in Foxy Pete from the Kinbergverse, Magneto, Professor X, Dr. Strange, Reed Richards, Mephisto, Shuma Gorath, Dormammu, and the starting line of the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers.

 

[FunkMiller]

I put the blame primarily on fans who created a head canon and are now upset that the creatives didn't follow it to the letter. The director warned fans they might be disappointed by the finale. The only way to please everyone would have been to jam in Foxy Pete from the Kinbergverse, Magneto, Professor X, Dr. Strange, Reed Richards, Mephisto, Shuma Gorath, Dormammu, and the starting line of the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers.

Fan expectation can be a poisonous thing, that much is certainly true. But I think the fan base could be forgiven for thinking there was more to Evan Peters being cast than there actually was.

It was, in all truth, an extremely stupid bit of casting, given that they must have known what theories and expectations it would have thrown up. That’s Marvel’s bad decision making, not the fans.

Also, if the star of the show says there will be a ‘Luke Skywalker’ level cameo at the end, and no official word comes out to debunk that, then that’s also on the show makers, not the fans.

Quite right to criticise some fan expectations when it comes to these IPs, but also important to acknowledge poor decision making and communications on the part of the producers.

 

[TheVileOne]

I put the blame primarily on fans who created a head canon and are now upset that the creatives didn't follow it to the letter. The director warned fans they might be disappointed by the finale. The only way to please everyone would have been to jam in Foxy Pete from the Kinbergverse, Magneto, Professor X, Dr. Strange, Reed Richards, Mephisto, Shuma Gorath, Dormammu, and the starting line of the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers.

No one associated with the show ever said we were going to see mutants, Doctor Strange, et al. Or even Agatha Harkness, Mephisto, or Nightmare.

I know some leakers did claim Strange and Nightmare would appear.

The only one who really trolled fans hard was Bettany.

Also, Olsen was never the one that said the show would have a Luke Skywalker type cameo. It was the reporters asking that, and she's just like "yeah."

 

[Primal Slayer]

I put the blame primarily on fans who created a head canon and are now upset that the creatives didn't follow it to the letter. The director warned fans they might be disappointed by the finale. The only way to please everyone would have been to jam in Foxy Pete from the Kinbergverse, Magneto, Professor X, Dr. Strange, Reed Richards, Mephisto, Shuma Gorath, Dormammu, and the starting line of the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers.

They chose to bring in the actor who played Quicksilver in a different universe so any expecations that is strictly on them. Not on the fans. Bringing him in doesnt mean that you have to bring in every single X-Men from FOX. Its a multiverse for a reason, some make it through, some dont. They easily couldve had him pulled out of the Fox-verse and lost in this new world. But thats their screw up.

 

[First Avenger]

So, Scarlet Witch in Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (woof this sounds awesome): Hero, villain or something in-between?

 

[TheVileOne]

They chose to bring in the actor who played Quicksilver in a different universe so any expecations that is strictly on them. Not on the fans. Bringing him in doesnt mean that you have to bring in every single X-Men from FOX. Its a multiverse for a reason, some make it through, some dont. They easily couldve had him pulled out of the Fox-verse and lost in this new world. But thats their screw up.

Yes that's true, but it was the leakers who were making things up about the Peters/Pietro appearance and what his role show. Or they were getting it wrong. None of the leakers/scoopers got his origin right.

Also, Marvel never teased the casting or introduction of Evan Peters in the show either.

 

[divan]

I put the blame primarily on fans who created a head canon and are now upset that the creatives didn't follow it to the letter. The director warned fans they might be disappointed by the finale. The only way to please everyone would have been to jam in Foxy Pete from the Kinbergverse, Magneto, Professor X, Dr. Strange, Reed Richards, Mephisto, Shuma Gorath, Dormammu, and the starting line of the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers.

While it's true the theorizing got out of hand, let's not act like Marvel didn't know what they were getting themselves into with the whole Evan Peters situation.

And it's not just that he's not Quicksilver, stunt casting exists and can be fun, but they intetionally dragged the supossed "reveal" for four episodes for what's, let's be honest here, a bottom of the barrel joke.

If he's a nobody from Westview, he could have been identified as such in episode 6 (other residents were identified by SWORD) and the backlash would have been much smaller because people would have understood it was just a fun gag. They could have shown him among the rest of Westview in episode 8 so that the finale doesn't have to carry that "weight" and we, as an audience, can focus on more important narrative points. They waited until the last possible second because it was a marketing ploy, which isn't good storytelling because the reveal was incredibly shallow (if it can even be called that).

I love the series, and I loved the finale, but (unlike Vision) I wasn't born yesterday, and know exactly what game Marvel was playing here. And frankly, I've lost a little bit of respect for them.

 

[djsunyc]

this was wanda's origin as the scarlet witch. as with any show that airs week to week and has mystery (like this and a show like lost), there will be a ton of speculation and if none of it turns out to be true, there will be disappointment. that's ok. i personally like the ending and it's another chapter in the marvel story.

i ask this question tho, if marvel never announced wanda was in dr. strange 2 or never said the title "multiverse of madness", would speculation been as rampant? i think that ultimately would be the root cause of any disappointment, that there was zero multiverse story aspects.

 

[FunkMiller]

Also, Olsen was never the one that said the show would have a Luke Skywalker type cameo. It was the reporters asking that, and she's just like "yeah."

From the Metro:

“During a recent interview, Elizabeth was asked whether WandaVision could have a secret hidden up its sleeve akin to Luke’s appearance. Speaking to TVLine, the actor was very quick to deliver her answer, stating: ‘Yes,’ before saying that she was ‘really excited’ for the audience to find out what lies in store.”

Sorry, but that’s a very silly thing to say in response to a question like that, when you know it’s not true.

However, the real blame lies with Disney Marvel for not clearing things up. They obviously wanted the hype to go on, knowing there was no real pay off.

 

[TheVileOne]

So, Scarlet Witch in Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (woof this sounds awesome): Hero, villain or something in-between?

I feel when push comes to shove, she won't be a villain. Maybe she will be misunderstood or mess up or even be tempted by the Darkhold, but I think inherently, deep down that Wanda is a good person. She wants to help people. She's not malicious. What she did with the hex bubble was an act of grief, she was not trying to hurt the civilians and trap them. She was trying to get some control over her life after she had lost everything.

 

[TheVileOne]

From the Metro:

“During a recent interview, Elizabeth was asked whether WandaVision could have a secret hidden up its sleeve akin to Luke’s appearance. Speaking to TVLine, the actor was very quick to deliver her answer, stating: ‘Yes,’ before saying that she was ‘really excited’ for the audience to find out what lies in store.”

Sorry, but that’s a very silly thing to say in response to a question like that, when you know it’s not true.

However, the real blame lies with Disney Marvel for not clearing things up. They obviously wanted the hype to go on, knowing there was no real pay off.

As I said earlier, actors are professional liars. You shouldn't listen to them. They are trying to promote the show.

It's like Kevin Feige when he says Captain Marvel is THE strongest hero in the MCU and we all think she's going to beat Thanos. And then after Endgame, he's like, "Nope, Wanda would've beaten Thanos if the blitz didn't stop her."

 

[djsunyc]

questions answered/resolved:

- was vision real and what was he
- were the kids real (but twist in the post credits)
- what was the book
- who was fietro
- what is white vision
- who was dottie

anything else?

 

[FunkMiller]

As I said earlier, actors are professional liars. You shouldn't listen to them. They are trying to promote the show.

It's like Kevin Feige when he says Captain Marvel is THE strongest hero in the MCU and we all think she's going to beat Thanos. And then after Endgame, he's like, "Nope, Wanda would've beaten Thanos if the blitz didn't stop her."

Well, okay. But let’s not pretend it’s a good thing or excusable that they’re acting like this. It’s cynical and manipulative of a very loyal audience, who probably deserve a little more candour at this point.

 

[samsnee]

Fan expectation can be a poisonous thing, that much is certainly true. But I think the fan base could be forgiven for thinking there was more to Evan Peters being cast than there actually was.

It was, in all truth, an extremely stupid bit of casting, given that they must have known what theories and expectations it would have thrown up. That’s Marvel’s bad decision making, not the fans.

Also, if the star of the show says there will be a ‘Luke Skywalker’ level cameo at the end, and no official word comes out to debunk that, then that’s also on the show makers, not the fans.

Quite right to criticise some fan expectations when it comes to these IPs, but also important to acknowledge poor decision making and communications on the part of the producers.

Except Olsen never said there would be Luke Skywalker like cameo. An interviewer said those words. And no, it’s not on the show makers to debunk any fan theories. They are telling the story they want to tell and aren’t here to debunk message board theories.

This attitude of entitlement is what turns me off of fandom.

 

[TheVileOne]

Well, okay. But let’s not pretend it’s a good thing or excusable that they’re acting like this. It’s cynical and manipulative of a very loyal audience, who probably deserve a little more candour at this point.

If I was Paul Bettany I wouldn't have done what he did, but I don't think he can be blamed for internet fans and clickbait artists running wild with his joke, even if it was an intentional troll.

 

[FunkMiller]

Except Olsen never said there would be Luke Skywalker like cameo. An interviewer said those words. And no, it’s not on the show makers to debunk any fan theories. They are telling the story they want to tell and aren’t here to debunk message board theories.

This attitude of entitlement is what turns me off of fandom.

Er, it’s not entitlement, it’s speculation based on information being presented to people.

My point is that Marvel are very happy to have all this speculation running rampant, because it increases interest, viewership, and the cash coming into their coffers... but at this point I’d like to see a little more honesty about things from them, or at least a little more control over the message being presented by those involved. They are cynically allowing rumours and theories to run rampant, which inevitably leads to understandable disappointment.

 

[Zarex]

They chose to bring in the actor who played Quicksilver in a different universe so any expecations that is strictly on them. Not on the fans. Bringing him in doesnt mean that you have to bring in every single X-Men from FOX. Its a multiverse for a reason, some make it through, some dont. They easily couldve had him pulled out of the Fox-verse and lost in this new world. But thats their screw up.

I don't see it as a screw up at all. It was a fun gag that some folks read waaay to much into. That's on them. They should be happy they got to see Evan Peters running quickly again.

I liked Peters in the role, but I am glad he's not going to be Foxy Pete in the MCU. Feige and his team have mostly done a good job of maintaining continuity, and bringing in random Kinbergverse characters would only muddy the waters. Better to start fresh with the X-Men

 

[FunkMiller]

If I was Paul Bettany I wouldn't have done what he did, but I don't think he can be blamed for internet fans and clickbait artists running wild with his joke, even if it was an intentional troll.

The Bettany thing was fine. A nice little gag. He was telling the truth! Didn’t mind that at all.

 

[TheVileOne]

Except Olsen never said there would be Luke Skywalker like cameo. An interviewer said those words. And no, it’s not on the show makers to debunk any fan theories. They are telling the story they want to tell and aren’t here to debunk message board theories.

This attitude of entitlement is what turns me off of fandom.

I feel like I got things I really wanted to see in live action. I feel satisfied.

I mean, we got some pretty deep cuts in these 9 episodes. White Vision, and Scarlet Witch getting a proper costume and like becoming the actual Scarlet Witch.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Yes that's true, but it was the leakers who were making things up about the Peters/Pietro appearance and what his role show. Or they were getting it wrong. None of the leakers/scoopers got his origin right.

Also, Marvel never teased the casting or introduction of Evan Peters in the show either.

Leakers did what they do...they leak stuff. When you see Evan Peters what would your mind automatically jump to? X-Men Quicksilver has appeared! Marvel didnt need to tease Evan or his introduction, they did enough damage by bringing him in, having him play Wandas brother, giving him the hair, the speed, etc...

They should've just gone with someone totally unrelated if they didnt want fans to get hyped. They knew what they were doing and now people are mad and rightly so imo.

 

[kguillou]

It was ...ok. I feel disappointed with this series as a whole and I really did not appreciate the blatant trolling at the fans at several points in the series. Yes, I do believe that we fans built up expectations but the show absolutely messed with us and teased things that they had no intention of ever having fruition so that they could get people talking for weeks.

I dont wanna yuk on anyone else's yum so I'll just leave it at that. Disappointing but it was fine I guess.

 

[Primal Slayer]

I don't see it as a screw up at all. It was a fun gag that some folks read waaay to much into. That's on them. They should be happy they got to see Evan Peters running quickly again.

I liked Peters in the role, but I am glad he's not going to be Foxy Pete in the MCU. Feige and his team have mostly done a good job of maintaining continuity, and bringing in random Kinbergverse characters would only muddy the waters. Better to start fresh with the X-Men

If we are likely dealing with a multiverse in Doctor Strange I dont see how it muddy the waters at all. Especially if things are able to be sent back to where they came or if he is the sole Fox-verse apart from Deadpool (whom we know will be part of this verse). Pietro is dead in the Marvel-verse so not like we'd have multiple versions running around.